In Writing In the Age of Obsession the author has attempted to create a novel which examines a number of important issues. By writing the narrative in the first person he has been able to pursue these themes through the development of Daniel Rackham, the main character.
The author chose the late nineteenth century as the setting because the period was one of dynamic and often revolutionary change. Within such a time period as this, when an old era is passing away and a new era is beginning, we are able to witness phenomena which can only be precipitated by such extraordinary circumstances. The religious, social, political and industrial revolutions of this period provide a perfect setting in which to examine issues which confront all eras.
Through the character of Daniel Rackham and his interaction with the other characters, the author tries to examine the forces which drive men to their often unfortunate end.
The author attempts to examine the nature and role of the human soul. He follows the descending path of those who try to rid themselves of the restrictions that conscience puts on the individual. He also maps out the course and final results of the actions of men and women who are ruled by obsessive needs.
Through the character of Daniel Rackham the author seeks to show a journey from innocence to experience. It is not the unintended journey of an unfortunate bystander. Rather it portrays a character who, perhaps misguidedly, seeks to lose his soul and thus fit himself for a life guiltless pleasure.
In researching the novel the author has read widely in nineteenth century literature and attempted to encapsulate the spirit of the age. The locations, scenes, and action are all considered, by the author, to be an accurate reflection of the times.
","abstract_html":"<p>In Writing <em>In the Age of Obsession</em> the author has attempted to create a novel which examines a number of important issues. By writing the narrative in the first person he has been able to pursue these themes through the development of Daniel Rackham, the main character.</p> <p>The author chose the late nineteenth century as the setting because the period was one of dynamic and often revolutionary change. Within such a time period as this, when an old era is passing away and a new era is beginning, we are able to witness phenomena which can only be precipitated by such extraordinary circumstances. The religious, social, political and industrial revolutions of this period provide a perfect setting in which to examine issues which confront all eras.</p> <p>Through the character of Daniel Rackham and his interaction with the other characters, the author tries to examine the forces which drive men to their often unfortunate end.</p> <p>The author attempts to examine the nature and role of the human soul. He follows the descending path of those who try to rid themselves of the restrictions that conscience puts on the individual. He also maps out the course and final results of the actions of men and women who are ruled by obsessive needs.</p> <p>Through the character of Daniel Rackham the author seeks to show a journey from innocence to experience. It is not the unintended journey of an unfortunate bystander. Rather it portrays a character who, perhaps misguidedly, seeks to lose his soul and thus fit himself for a life guiltless pleasure.</p> <p>In researching the novel the author has read widely in nineteenth century literature and attempted to encapsulate the spirit of the age. The locations, scenes, and action are all considered, by the author, to be an accurate reflection of the times.</p>","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Cooper, Ivor E."],"institution":null,"degree_name":"Master of Arts (MA)","degree_level":"Thesis","degree_discipline":"English","degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Frank Knittel","Dorothy Minchin-Comm","Robert Dunn"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":1985,"date_issued":"1985-06-01T07:00:00Z","date_published":"1985-06-01T07:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:52:52Z","subjects":["English Language and Literature"],"languages":["English"],"rights":["This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights."],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/880","outbound_label":"Repository record","outbound_source":"dc:identifier"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Frank Knittel","Dorothy Minchin-Comm","Robert Dunn"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Cooper, Ivor E."]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"thesis:degree_discipline","label":"Discipline","values":["English"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_level","label":"Degree Level","values":["Thesis"]},{"key":"thesis:degree_name","label":"Degree Name","values":["Master of Arts (MA)"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["English Language and Literature"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language","label":"Dc Language","values":["English"]},{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights."]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/880"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["In Writing In the Age of Obsession the author has attempted to create a novel which examines a number of important issues. By writing the narrative in the first person he has been able to pursue these themes through the development of Daniel Rackham, the main character.
The author chose the late nineteenth century as the setting because the period was one of dynamic and often revolutionary change. Within such a time period as this, when an old era is passing away and a new era is beginning, we are able to witness phenomena which can only be precipitated by such extraordinary circumstances. The religious, social, political and industrial revolutions of this period provide a perfect setting in which to examine issues which confront all eras.
Through the character of Daniel Rackham and his interaction with the other characters, the author tries to examine the forces which drive men to their often unfortunate end.
The author attempts to examine the nature and role of the human soul. He follows the descending path of those who try to rid themselves of the restrictions that conscience puts on the individual. He also maps out the course and final results of the actions of men and women who are ruled by obsessive needs.
Through the character of Daniel Rackham the author seeks to show a journey from innocence to experience. It is not the unintended journey of an unfortunate bystander. Rather it portrays a character who, perhaps misguidedly, seeks to lose his soul and thus fit himself for a life guiltless pleasure.
In researching the novel the author has read widely in nineteenth century literature and attempted to encapsulate the spirit of the age. The locations, scenes, and action are all considered, by the author, to be an accurate reflection of the times.
"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["In the Age of Obsession"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Frank Knittel","Dorothy Minchin-Comm","Robert Dunn"],"dc:creator":["Cooper, Ivor E."],"dc:description.abstract":["In Writing In the Age of Obsession the author has attempted to create a novel which examines a number of important issues. By writing the narrative in the first person he has been able to pursue these themes through the development of Daniel Rackham, the main character.
The author chose the late nineteenth century as the setting because the period was one of dynamic and often revolutionary change. Within such a time period as this, when an old era is passing away and a new era is beginning, we are able to witness phenomena which can only be precipitated by such extraordinary circumstances. The religious, social, political and industrial revolutions of this period provide a perfect setting in which to examine issues which confront all eras.
Through the character of Daniel Rackham and his interaction with the other characters, the author tries to examine the forces which drive men to their often unfortunate end.
The author attempts to examine the nature and role of the human soul. He follows the descending path of those who try to rid themselves of the restrictions that conscience puts on the individual. He also maps out the course and final results of the actions of men and women who are ruled by obsessive needs.
Through the character of Daniel Rackham the author seeks to show a journey from innocence to experience. It is not the unintended journey of an unfortunate bystander. Rather it portrays a character who, perhaps misguidedly, seeks to lose his soul and thus fit himself for a life guiltless pleasure.
In researching the novel the author has read widely in nineteenth century literature and attempted to encapsulate the spirit of the age. The locations, scenes, and action are all considered, by the author, to be an accurate reflection of the times.
"],"dc:identifier":["https://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/880"],"dc:language":["English"],"dc:rights":["This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights."],"dc:subject":["English Language and Literature"],"dc:title":["In the Age of Obsession"],"thesis:degree_discipline":["English"],"thesis:degree_level":["Thesis"],"thesis:degree_name":["Master of Arts (MA)"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-24T02:52:52Z"}