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Title Pandemic and Spiritual Awakening: A Study of Selected Characters in Hall’s Burntcoat and Picoult’s Wish You Were Here

Author(s) Rosheen Malik

Abstract Pandemic literature is based on the lived experiences of individuals who have survived through it. A lot of work has been done in this field during the last three years during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. The current study focuses on the impacts of Covid-19 and how it has affected the mental health of people around the globe. The study has explored the fictional works of Jodi Picoult Wish You Were Here (2021), and Sarah Hall Burntcoat (2021) to prove that spirituality allows you to explore yourself and the world around. This study has used the theoretical framework of spirituality by Lisa Miller and Forrest Rivers to analyze the texts under study. Miller claims that a spiritually awakened mind is more innovative and creative, and spirituality allows you to explore yourself and the world around (Miller 50). Forrest Rivers states that Covid-19 has made us face our “existential anxieties,” it has cleared the way for many productive and useful thoughts (Forrest 68). My study talks about the lack of focus on spirituality as one of the techniques which can help people come out of the crisis but also suggests taking challenging times as an opportunity. This study explores the thematic shift in literature because of Covid-19 pandemic and thus has adopted the thematic analysis methodology by Braun and Clarke as a technique for analysis. This study finds spirituality as one of the best techniques to deal with uncertain circumstances as it keeps an individual hopeful and optimistic about his/her life and future. The research concludes that spirituality and other therapeutic practices like Art as well as works of literature are a powerful source to inspire and motivate people who have been struggling with depression and anxiety due to the Covid-19 pandemic or life in general. This research also indicates that the social connections between people are of great importance as these help provide mutual support to each other.

Type Thesis/Dissertation

Faculty Languages

Department English

Language English

Publication Date 2025-05-27

Subject English Literature

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