Vietnam Voices: a Comparative Analysis of Vietnam Veteran Narratives

Date of Graduation

Spring 1998

Degree

Master of Arts in Communication

Department

Communication

Committee Chair

John Fritch

Abstract

This thesis utilizes a narrative criticism to examine the significant narrative elements in Vietnam veteran survivor narratives. the narratives within Al Santoli's Everything we had, Wallace Terry's Bloods, and Lynda Van Devanter's Home before morning are used as representative narratives for the White soldiers, Black soldiers, and women, respectively. This thesis compares the narratives on the basis of gender and racial issues. It was found that each narrative group discussed problems assimilating back into American society resulting from participation in Vietnam. The narratives of black solders exhibited a predominant theme of racial discrimination in the military, but the narrative by Van Devanter did not discuss any problems with gender discrimination.

Subject Categories

Communication

Copyright

© Daniel R Kneeshaw

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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