| abstract |
In this creative dissertation, I explore critically the themes of legacy, issues of succession, and the role of women assuming power. Novels such as Who Will be Queen?, the creative portion of my dissertation, fall into the controversial umbrella genre of women's fiction where it serves to unlock space for women's voices. It is told by an omniscient narrator in the third person and quickly moves from the early 1900s to the 1980s. Peter and Olga, first-generation Hutsul immigrants, build a textile business that becomes a sizeable portion of their estate. Having terminal illnesses, they face their immortality, reevaluate their relationships and belief systems, and must decide which of their five daughters will inherit the leadership role of Yarem Textiles, an important reflection on women's empowerment.
As my research shows in the critical introduction, when reading fiction, the brain lights up, allowing the reader to connect with the characters in an intimate and sacred space. Who Will be Queen? gives voice to both the heroine's emotional journey and the hero's conquest journey as death, dying, and grief are encountered. The characters transform and evolve, providing the reader with an opportunity to choose whom to identify, question, and empathize with. I compare and contrast Who Will be Queen? with Shakespeare's King Lear, Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres, and Rosamunde Pilcher's The Shell Seekers. All sharing similar themes dealing with one's legacy.
My work reflects the importance of passing down culture and heritage through stories, establishing powerful connections and family roots through which to develop self-worth, and gives voice to connect women to the power of their compassion and empathy. Even though the novel ends with Olga's strong, feminine voice breaking through, a bridge is formed to include the male reader. It is intended to serve as an example of self-discovery, and most importantly, it imparts hope for the future through intergenerational connection.
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