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University of Denver

Spectral Evidence

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>My novel, <em>Spectral Evidence</em>, weaves together my interests in the history of witchcraft and reproductive rights, colonial New England and the modern media landscape, and the female lived experience past and present. The novel begins when a fledgling female journalist is assigned to travel to a Massachusetts town where a number of high school girls have allegedly conspired to get pregnant at the same time. Although the journalist tries her best to disregard implications of the occult that surface with every lead she chases down, the explanation for this contemporary happening is ultimately out of her hands, originating in a forgotten chapter in the town’s history in which a midwife who was illegally helping young unmarried servants terminate their pregnancies gets swept up in the witchcraft outbreak of 1692.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Ph.D.
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation
Year
2022

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Schrafft, Gretchen D.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Joanna Howard

Subjects

dc:subject × 3

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • <p>Copyright is held by the author. Permanently suppressed.</p>
Language dc:language
en

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2198
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-3190

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
University of Denver
Base URL
digitalcommons.du.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Schrafft, Gretchen D.. Spectral Evidence. Dissertation thesis, 2022. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/2198