Thesis

Into the unknown : re-writing the 'Brighton quickie'

Creator
Rights statement
Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2018
Thesis identifier
  • T15046
Person Identifier (Local)
  • 201791718
Qualification Level
Qualification Name
Department, School or Faculty
Abstract
  • This two-part thesis is comprised of a creative and a critical component. The creative component consists of approximately 25,000 words from the opening chapters of my novel, Woman Unknown. This novel, which is just over 100,000 words in total, seeks to re-tell the narrative of interwar English divorce from the perspective of a hired female co-respondent. I have foregrounded this narrative perspective to highlight issues of class, sexuality and agency, and to demonstrate that whilst women’s horizons had broadened in the post-war period, they remained confined to certain spheres and under social scrutiny. In my novel the hired co-respondent is Elspeth Anderson, and what she really wants to be is a painter. Elspeth is thus an occupier of liminal spaces; she is caught between classes, on the periphery of decency, and on the contested ground between the loaded concepts of ‘artist’ and ‘woman.’ The essay component of my thesis, titled ‘Artist Unknown,’ examines the portrayal of artists in early twentieth century historical fiction. By analysing artist narratives from writers Pat Barker and A. S. Byatt, I demonstrate that character development and narrative point of view are key factors in the successful portrayal of visual art through words. The essay argues that the figure of the artist lends itself to narratives exploring fulfilment quests and the conflicts of civic, social or familial duty – particularly of the female artist – and proposes that artist characters in historical fiction offer creative ways of probing our relationship with both history and art.
Resource Type
Note
  • Previously held under moratorium from 26 October 2018 until 26 October 2026.
DOI
Date Created
  • 2018
Former identifier
  • 9912727791802996
Embargo Note
  • This thesis is restricted to Strathclyde users only.

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