"A living fire to enlighten the darkness": allegorical interpretations of Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time and J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
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The Department of English seeks to provide all university students with the skills of effective communication and critical thinking, as well as imparting knowledge of literature, creative writing, linguistics, speech and technical communication to students within and outside of the department.
History
The Department of English and Speech was formed in 1939 from the merger of the Department of English and the Department of Public Speaking. In 1971 its name changed to the Department of English.
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1939-present
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- Department of English and Speech (1939-1971)
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- College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (parent college)
- Department of English (predecessor, 1898-1939)
- Department of Public Speaking (predecessor, 1898-1939)
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Abstract
This thesis discusses three allegorical interpretations of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time. Thesis begins with explanations of the terms allegory, fantasy, and science-fiction, ultimately proposing the term allegorical fantasy for the combined genre. Allegorical interpretations of the two novels include the battle between good and evil (psychomachia), interconnectedness of life, and omniscient and omnipotent love. The final implications include the use and application of allegory to teach moral decision making and empowerment to young adult readers. Thesis is focused on educators and English allegorists, but has applications for literary criticism as well.