Login

Publications  •  Project Statistics

Glossary  •  Schools  •  Disciplines
People Search: 
   
Title/Abstract Search: 

Dissertation Information for Pamela Carroll

NAME:
- Pamela Carroll
- (Alias) Sissi Carroll

DEGREE:
- Ed.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Education

SCHOOL:
- Auburn University (USA) (1989)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Inspected

Title: Sue Ellen Bridgers' Southern literature for young adults

Abstract: Sue Ellen Bridgers' five novels, Home Before Dark (1976), All Together Now (1979), Notes for Another Life (1981), Sara Will (1985), and Permanent Connections (1987), are award-winning works of young adult literature (YAL). The primary purpose of this study is to demonstrate that Bridgers' novels can also be classified as Southern literature.

First, the characteristics of YAL are described. Theoretical and empirical studies by experts, including Probst (1988), Small (1986, 1980), Nilsen and Donelson (1985), and Carlsen (1980), give attention to the genre's place in the classroom, its potential role in adolescents' psychosocial development, and its literary quality. Second, in order to establish criteria by which Bridgers' novels will be analyzed, works of leading critics of contemporary Southern literature, including Rubin (1969, 1963, 1961, 1953), Core (1969), Lawson (1984), Holman (1969), and Tate (1968), are reviewed. The review reveals that four features give Southern literature its unique self-consciousness: attention to place, emphasis on memory, concern with the clash of traditional values against modernity, and use of language. Third, each of Bridgers' novels is analyzed according to the four features of Southern literature. The detailed analysis suggests that Southern and young adult literature intersect in Bridgers' novels. Fourth, three hypothetical teachers of secondary school English/language arts with differing opinions about the value of YAL are introduced. The first has never used or recommended YAL; the second restricts YAL to out-of-class assignments; the third incorporates YAL into classroom assignments. Practical suggestions for using Bridgers' novels to enhance each teacher's literature curriculum are offered.

Bridgers' southern literature for young adults, which attracts adolescents with its realistic treatment of their concern and appeals to teachers with its merit as art, deserves to be included as a standard part of the secondary school English/language arts curriculum.

MPACT Scores for Pamela Carroll

A = 0
C = 1
A+C = 1
T = 0
G = 0
W = 0
TD = 0
TA = 0
calculated 2010-02-03 23:19:54

Advisors and Advisees Graph