Abstract

The use of Holocaust literature within education starts with Anne Frank and ends with Elie Wiesel's Night; however, the need for a more comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust starts with utilizing the literature to discuss the horrific events. The theories of trauma and affect are relatively new to Holocaust literature studies, which brings a lack of sources to the overall subject. Although there is a lack of sources, understanding trauma, denial, and affect relies on analyzing the written language. This thesis's significance is to detail the importance of Holocaust literature within education and to comprehend the effects denial has on significant genocidal events portrayed in literature. My thesis, Vergissmeinnicht, will provide critical comparative analysis of reading of the novels, This Way for the Gas, Ladies and Gentlemen (1946) by Tadeusz Borowski and Lilac Girls (2016) by Martha Hall Kelly with memoirs, Surviving the Angel of Death (2009) by Eva Kor and Auschwitz: A Doctor's Eyewitness Account (1960) by Dr. Miklos Nyiszli. This paper aims to explore the use of denial, trauma, and affect within each genre. The literature analyzed will focus on medical experimentation discourse and the silenced voices of their victims. Through Holocaust literature, both fiction and non-fiction, comprehending the concepts of denial, trauma, and affect will allow for a deeper connection to the Holocaust and maintain that education will never allow it to repeat.

Thesis Completion

2021

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Hasanat, Fayeza

Degree

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

English

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

5-1-2021

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