Abstract
This thesis explores shell shock--a common but misunderstood disorder seen in soldiers of World War One--through a Medical Humanities framework. Chapter 1 conducts a traditional medical review of scientific articles published on the pathology, symptoms, and treatment of shell shock between 1914-50. Chapter 2 builds upon this by offering a literary reading of Rebecca West's novel, The Return of the Soldier, which was published as the war drew to a close in 1918. The reading of West draws upon the medical research detailed in Chapter 1 to offer new conclusions about Chris's shell shock. The thesis shows how taking an interdisciplinary approach to shell shock enables the development of new perspectives of and approaches to shell shock, its history and significance, and its links to present-day mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Thesis Completion
2019
Semester
Spring
Thesis Chair/Advisor
Kane, Louise
Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
College
College of Undergraduate Studies
Department
Interdisciplinary Studies
Degree Program
Interdisciplinary Studies
Language
English
Access Status
Open Access
Release Date
5-1-2019
Recommended Citation
Das, Madison, "A Comparative Study of Medical and Literary Representations of Shell Shock, 1914-50" (2019). Honors Undergraduate Theses. 543.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/honorstheses/543