Honors English Majors Present at the 15th Annual OURI Research Symposium

Music, Art, Literature, Theater, History & Philosophy I & II

Alyx Holder, for “Faith, Intersectionality, and Afrofantasy as a Site of Reclamation”

faculty mentor: Dr. Ian MacDonald

Afrofantasy–literary works which center fantastical elements rooted in African or African diasporic cultures, religions, folklore, or mythology to reimagine or transform our reality–is an emerging subgenre of speculative fiction. The interplay of African and Western religious systems is a common theme in Afrofantasy produced by authors within the African diaspora of North America and the Caribbean, in particular, Black women writers. I examine the relationship between literature, religion, and intersectional marginalized identities, to prove how Afrofantasy serves as a vehicle for internal decolonization. To do so, I analyze The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin and The Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi, and I showcase readerly assessments of how Black female protagonists and religious motifs permit reclamation of identity and agency.

Izabella Perez, for “Pitying the Opera Ghost: How Perceptions of Disability within The Phantom of Opera Romance and Influence our Sympathies”

faculty mentor: Dr. Oliver Buckton

The name The Phantom of the Opera brings to mind falling chandeliers, but before Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s ever popular musical adaptation, The Phantom of the Opera existed as Lon Chaney’s silent film, and before that, the original novel by Gaston Leroux. The Phantom exists as a villain to the story, a man scorned by society because the facial disfigurement he was born with, holding love interest Christine Daaé hostage until she yields to his disability and his horrific love. Throughout the multiple iterations of Phantom, the Phantom’s disability varies in its representation, Christine’s affection towards him dependent upon how his disfigurement is presented; the more horrific his disability the less compassionate she is towards him. By analyzing the Phantom’s disfigurement through a disability studies lens, this thesis works to break down Christine’s treatment and reaction, and by-product the audience’s, to the Phantom’s unmasked face and the disability he hides.

Taylor Dawkins, for “'Where Compromise Does Not Exist': The Anarchist Ideology of Sonic the Hedgehog”

faculty mentor: Dr. Timothy Miller and Dr. Regis Fox

“Keep politics out of video games” is a common sentiment being expressed recently in gaming spaces. In particular, the Sonic the Hedgehog fan community argues that discussions of politics should cease as the franchise is intended for all ages. They argue that Sonic is not a political figure, and the video games have never contained political messaging. These perspectives fundamentally misunderstand core messaging of many Sonic the Hedgehog games and the character of Sonic himself. Sonic has always stood as a political figure reflecting anarchist ideology in games and television. Through comparative analysis of three games and one television show, I will showcase specific ways the franchise encourages anarchist ideas and practices such as plot lines, character actions, and game mechanics. This messaging shouldn’t be ignored in favor of comfort in fan spaces as it provides room for important discussions about freedom, community, and standing up for what is right.

Jack Lewis, for “'Because I Want to Fit In': Satire and Toxic Masculinity in American Psycho and the Manosphere”

faculty mentor: Dr. Eric Berlatsky

Recently, toxic masculinity through the form of ‘red pill’ and ‘manosphere’ content online has seen a rise, and while criticisms of it are nothing new, a certain one stands out. Using American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis and it’s 2000 film adaptation, this thesis will explore how toxic masculinity manifests through an analysis of the protagonist and narrator, Patrick Bateman, in his psychology and narration of the events. Through this and analyzing the role of satire in the novel and film, it will seek to find why people take the critique as endorsement, why some may gravitate towards toxic masculinity and find someone like Patrick as something attractive and aspirational rather than something to be condemned, and implications for our contemporary political and cultural moment.

Juliana Morente, for “Says Who? How the Censorship of Literature Deteriorates Critical Thought”

faculty mentors: Dr. Wendy Hinshaw

There have long been concerns regarding the safety of certain texts, with censurers citing protecting children and family values as the reason behind the cherry-picking of literature. However, the criteria of what makes a book “dangerous” and deserving of censorship continues to shift and evolve, raising concerns regarding the value behind book challenges as well as the psychological drive behind censurers’ fervor. Primarily intended to analyze the increasing anti-intellectualism that is pushed by present day censurers, “Says Who? How the Censorship of Literature Deteriorates Critical Thought” also proves the inconsistency of censurers and book challengers’ arguments, ultimately deconstructing the veil of protection that is so often donned and re-situating their literary concerns as intentional silencing of underprivileged voices or opinions that they don’t personally agree with. With 36% of challenged books featuring people of color and 25% featuring LGBTQ+ characters, “Says Who?” exposes censorship as a tool to silence diversity.