The UTC Graduate School is pleased to announce that Mary Sheppard will present Master's research titled, Funneling Chaos: Interiority in the Landscapes of Dystopian Fiction on 03/03/2025 at 4 PM in Lupton 372. Everyone is invited to attend. 

English

Chair: Sybil Baker

Co-Chair: 

Abstract:

Dystopian fiction immerses readers in chaotic, oppressive worlds where survival often hinges on understanding unspoken rules. However, readers navigate these treacherous landscapes through the lens of the protagonist’s interiority—their fears, desires, and rationalizations. This paper explores how interiority serves as a crucial narrative tool in dystopian literature, enabling readers to connect with protagonists and interpret their worlds. Through an analysis of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and The Stand by Stephen King, this study examines how interiority is achieved through point of view, layering of emotions, and the interplay of desire and misbelief. By evaluating these techniques, this study not only highlights the role of interiority in dystopian fiction but also provides a framework for applying these strategies to my own novel-in-progress, Hidden Bruises.