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Writing the intergenerational effects of the Vietnam War through the illustrated historical adolescent novel: An illustrated young adult novel and exegesis

thesis
posted on 2024-10-14, 05:40 authored by Amy Benn

Researched and produced using practice-led research methodologies, this hybrid thesis consists of a historically inspired young adult novel illustrated with privately owned photographs and original drawings set alongside one another to tell the story of a twelve-year-old boy and his journey to discover the role his father played in the Vietnam War. 

The exegetical component of this thesis analyses the research and processes undertaken to complete this project by focusing on historical accuracy, authenticity, and the task of attempting to represent intergenerational trauma in the form of an illustrated novel. Set in a rural town in 1997 and the Vietnam War era, the young adult novel, Vietnam was my war too, explores the relationship between a pre-teen and his father with the aim of demonstrating the transmission of intergenerational trauma as a consequence of a historical event – the Vietnam War. Seeking to fill a gap in contemporary young adult fiction, it is the intention of this thesis to illuminate the lasting and reverberating significance of the Vietnam War in an Australian context to bridge that gap. 

The exegetical component of this thesis records and responds to the questions that emerged throughout the process of writing and illustrating a young adult novel. This project attempts to define an illustrated young adult novel as an artefact inspired by history. As a result of the research undertaken, fictional narrative written, and artwork created, this research identified a gap within young adult literature that speaks to the intergenerational trauma of the Vietnam War in Australia. This generated a workable and accessible definition of the illustrated historical novel for a young adult audience. In response to questions raised in the research process, a greater understanding of the way themes of authenticity and accuracy play in the legitimacy of historical fiction as a genre were uncovered. The main findings of the research identified various aspects of intergenerational trauma experienced by those with a veteran parent, the interconnectivity between research and the process of writing a work of fiction, and the process of designing artwork to express both research and creative writing.

History

Location

Central Queensland University

Open Access

  • No

Cultural Warning

This research output may contain the images, voices or names of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander or First Nations people now deceased. We apologize for any distress that may occur.

Era Eligible

  • No

Supervisor

Professor Donna Lee Brien; Professor Margaret Mcallister

Thesis Type

  • Doctoral Thesis

Thesis Format

  • By creative work

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