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Title Exploring Palimpsestic Inscriptions on Memory in Moss and Picoult’s Selected COVID-19 Fiction

Author(s) Amber Kamran

Abstract This study employs textual analysis to investigate the representation of COVID-19 in the fiction of Moss and Picoult. By utilizing De Quincey's concept of the palimpsest and Manning's Palimpsest of Memory model, this research explores how the pandemic inscribes metaphorical layers on the human brain. The primary focus is on the impact of the pandemic's temporal and environmental contexts on these inscriptions. Through a detailed analysis of Moss's The Fell and Picoult's Wish You Were Here, the study examines how characters experience this metaphorical layering amidst the pandemic. By selecting fiction set in different countries, the research addresses both local and global ramifications of the pandemic. The nuanced character portrayals enable a comprehensive examination of the mental layers formed during this period. Additionally, the study investigates how contemporary printed texts function as metaphorical palimpsests, reflecting societal experiences, anxieties, and resilience during the pandemic. This exploration of surroundings and their influence on mental inscriptions opens potential avenues for future research. Furthermore, it delves into how literature serves as a medium for understanding the emotional and experiential complexities induced by global crises. Ultimately, this study aims to contribute to a deeper understanding of textual representations of the palimpsest, emphasizing its relationship to temporal and environmental contexts. It seeks to illustrate how fiction can mirror and elucidate the human condition during unprecedented times, laying the groundwork for future inquiries into the intersection of literature, human consciousness, and societal impacts of global events. By doing so, it not only enhances comprehension of the pandemic's narrative representations but also underscores the broader implications for literary studies and research on human experiences.

Type Thesis/Dissertation MS

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2024-05-13

Subject English Literature

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