Date of Award
5-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
Humanities
Committee Chair
Dr. Joshua Bernstein
Committee Chair School
Humanities
Committee Member 2
Dr. Olivia Clare Friedman
Committee Member 2 School
Humanities
Committee Member 3
Dr. Monika Gehlawat
Committee Member 3 School
Humanities
Committee Member 4
Dr. Alexandra Valint
Committee Member 4 School
Humanities
Abstract
This dissertation, Land of the Living, combines a novel excerpt with a critical introduction on the tradition of American literary regionalism and narrative sequencing, exploring how my readings in this tradition have influenced my novel. The introduction addresses common regionalist themes, such as detailed attention to setting and locality. Employing a nonchronological sequence, the novel excerpt follows protagonist Leann as she navigates family and chosen family, community life, and memory in the rural fictionalized town of Spark, Kentucky.
Copyright
Jacqueline Howard, 2026
Recommended Citation
Howard, Jacqueline, "Land of the Living" (2026). Dissertations. 2446.
https://aquila.usm.edu/dissertations/2446