Abstract

This dissertation examines the representation of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) neuronarratives (NN), works that centralize the brain or consciousness in the plot, in multiple modalities to support that argument that neuronarratives should be expanded into a transmedia genre. These modalities include neurogames, neurocomics, and neuromemoirs. These three modalities were analyzed to determine how selfhood and social networks are represented by characters or authors with Alzheimer's Disease. As AD is often viewed as the loss of selfhood and is associated with isolation, these works combat these stigmas and complicate representations of the disease. The use of images was also examined in neurogames and neurocomics as a means of expressing complex emotions without relying on text. As the selected neurocomics were written by carers or based on experiences with AD patients and the neuromemoirs were written by AD patients, these works were also analyzed as a means to provide agency for AD patients and carers. This dissertation approaches these neuronarratives through the lens and medium of hypertext. Applying this approach complicates the concept of fragmentation and memory in AD NN and reveals that selfhood in these works are constructed through the creation of many selves rather than one cohesive self or a dual self that represents the healthy and ill AD patient. Regardless of the medium, these selves remain in conversation with each other, emphasizing the active process of creating selfhood by the author's themselves and by the player or reader. Comparing the affordances and limitations of the medium reveal conversations between the digital and print mediums that may not be initially apparent. Viewing these works through hypertext de-centers AD at the core of the narrative and instead emphasizes the personhood of the patient. Expanding analytical approaches to transmedia NN provides new means of exploring selfhood and consciousness by writers, artists, and developers.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2023

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Salter, Anastasia

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Degree Program

Texts and Technology

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009507; DP0027511

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027511

Language

English

Release Date

May 2023

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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