Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2025

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Thesis

Language

English

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

First Committee Advisor

Rosalie Purvis

Second Committee Member

Hollie Adams

Third Committee Member

Kathryn Swacha

Abstract

Set in the late Victorian period, The Greenbriar Siblings is a middle-grade fantasy novel that examines themes of found family, ethnocentrism, and moral responsibility through a richly imagined magical world. The narrative follows Nora-May and Ludwig Greenbriar, two adoptive siblings whose bond is defined not by blood, but by mutual devotion and shared magical lineage. Their journey—from the structured, rule-bound world of their English manor to a morally complex magical circus in Ireland—presents young readers with a compelling exploration of cultural difference, the ethics of intervention, and the costs of defying authority for the sake of justice.

By incorporating elements of Irish folklore and fantastical species—specifically the Fae and a banshee child in distress—the novel engages with nationalist ideologies and critiques the colonial gaze through allegory. The circus, a site of spectacle and exploitation, functions as a metaphor for systems that commodify and dehumanize cultural and racial "others." The protagonists’ confrontation with these injustices foregrounds questions of moral development, agency, and empathy, offering a narrative that supports early critical engagement with social ethics.

The Greenbriar Siblings blends the whimsical narrative tone of titles such as Nevermoor and Amari and the Night Brothers with more somber themes akin to those in The Girl Who Drank the Moon. Through its focus on rule-breaking, familial loyalty, and cross-cultural encounters, the text encourages readers to question inherited systems of belief and to recognize the value of difference. As such, it presents an ideal opportunity for publishers seeking literature that not only entertains, but also fosters reflection and dialogue around identity, power, and community.

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