Thesis Submitted To The Department Of English In Candidacy For The Degree Of Doctorate In General And Comparative Literature

Résumé: Since the COVID-19 pandemic has dispersed the population around the world, literature has been a source of comfort for many. At a time when so many people are geographically separated, literature helps to promote a sense of community. The aim of this thesis is to investigate how contemporary literature represents, portrays, and depicts the world during pandemics. Following a comparative approach, this thesis sheds light on two contemporary works attempting to compare the impact of the pandemic through an analysis of Blindness by José Saramago and Bird Box by Josh Malerman. This thesis uses reader response theory to interpret the reception of pandemic literature. The thesis also applies the theories of trauma and resilience to analyse the novels. Trauma and resilience theory explores how individuals and communities cope with and respond to traumatic events, such as the pandemic, and examines into the psychological and emotional aspects of survival and resilience in the face of adversity. By employing these theories, the thesis aims to understand the behaviour of the characters and the impacts the pandemic has on their lives, shedding light on the experiences and responses of individuals during challenging times. These two sources discuss the impact and effects of the pandemic on various aspects of society. The analysis of contemporary literary depictions of pandemics, as illustrated in the novels Blindness and Bird Box, reveals compelling insights into the human experience during such crises. Both narratives seek into the psychological and emotional toll of a pandemic on individuals and societies, shedding light on the challenges of socialization, mental health, and the dynamics of collective action in the face of an invisible threat. The portrayals in these works provide a nuanced understanding of the complexity of human responses to pandemics and offer poignant reflections on the resilience and fragility of the human spirit amidst pandemic traumas.

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