Apparitions of the Virgin Mary in contemporary fiction
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Date
2006-06
Authors
Le Chevallier, Anne Marie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Called apparitions, the widespread phenomenon of appearances of Mary has been
reported to occur since the apostle St. James the Greater roamed Spain, and it continues
to this day. A folklore and following has developed surrounding her apparitions to the
laity, poor, uneducated and young occurring, especially, in modem times. Contemporary
authors have reinterpreted Mary and these apparitions in order to explore and understand
their meaning.
This thesis reviews both the history of Marian devotion and theology, and it narrates
major, modem apparitions. It further examines how apparitions of Mary are portrayed in
the three contemporary novels Our Lady of the Lost and Found by Diane Schoemperlen,
Bernardo and the Virgin by Silvio Sirias and Our Lady of the Forest by David Guterson.
These novels show the traditional representations of Mary and how this tradition is
reinterpreted in a post-modem and contemporary lens: they portray the suffering and
liberation of the characters and author through their relationship with Mary.
Description
iv, 64 p. A THESIS Presented to the Department of English and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Spring 2006.
A print copy of this title is available through the UO Libraries under the call number: SCA Archiv Le Chevallier 2006
Keywords
Mary, Blessed Virgin, Saint