Mapping the Self: Reconciling Identity through an Expansion of the American Road Genre

<p>This thesis explores the American road genre. I argue that in addition to the automobile and the highway, a discussion of trains, boats, and walkers and their alternative roads must also be included in the genre. Each method of transportation expands the genre by adding new themes and ideas. Hobos and tramps can take to the road in search of community in order to discover more about themselves; some boatmen can use America’s racial history to discover themselves; walkers can go through a state of liminality in order to discover their internal selves. When these travelers complete their journeys, many are unsuccessful and either return home disappointed or do not return home at all.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts - English

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year dc:date.available

2017

Author dc:creator

• Mix, Tinesha K

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Michael J. Martin
• Dr. Ericka Hoagland
• Dr. Michael Given

• wanderlust
• community
• race
• liminality
• road

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/122

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1128