Date of Award

Spring 5-10-2025

Level of Access Assigned by Author

Open-Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

First Committee Advisor

Hollie Adams

Second Committee Member

Rosalie Purvis

Third Committee Member

Benjamin Friedlander

Abstract

My work explores the intersection between religious faith and scientific knowledge through the story of Juno, a young woman who discovers that her community's sacred mountain, upon which some of the major tenets of her religion is based, is actually a dormant volcano on the verge of a catastrophic eruption. My novel has roots in young adult fiction, dystopia, apocalyptic, and romantic fiction, all of which are themes I believe will land with contemporary readers, but also lay the groundwork for a prosperous trilogy, of which this is the first book in such a collection. At its core, my thesis explores the tension between inherited belief systems and scientific understanding through the fictional community of Coilwater.

I believe this theme has incredible relevance at this point in the 21st century because in our world, the interpretation of writings of the past—the Bible, the Constitution, etc.—have the power to govern large groups of people and individual lives and therefore warrant discussion, or at least consideration, toward the potential of abuse. In introducing the idea that not everything is always as it seems, or that there is a layer of understanding greater than what we may have at any given moment, I'm bringing to the forefront a relevant theme to a specific and impressionable audience.

This novel is one of three that I hope to write inspired by the anthropological work of Graham Hancock, primarily his theory about a lost human civilization of the past. This framework provided an interesting perch to examine how societies interpret catastrophe, and how natural experiences can challenge and inspire religious traditions. What began as a casual research pursuit evolved into a years-long creative project that has inspired the following work, and will likewise influence its sequels in their exploration of past knowledge construction, story building and understanding, and speculation on ancient myths for symbolic appeal.

Additional Files
R.Emmerling Creative Thesis MA Submit.pdf (739 kB)
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