Abstract:
This thesis analyzes cultural icons categorized as Imaginal Guardians in Western
civilization. The term "Imaginal Guardians" refers to figures that exist not in the
physical world but in a collective social consciousness, whose role as symbols is to
comfort humans from facing the tough abstract fears in life. The Imaginal Guardians
examined in this thesis include Jesus Christ, the Devil, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, the
Sandman, Cupid, the Boogie Monster, the Grim Reaper, the Stork, the Easter Bunny,
and Bigfoot.
As each of these beings possesses roots in the storied aspects of life, the
majority of this thesis consists of a script that was written and performed at the
University of Oregon in the Pocket Playhouse in the Spring of 2015. The following
thesis document studies the relationships the Imaginal Guardians share with humanity,
and their reasons for existence, which were synthesized into the ideas put onto the stage
during the production of the play Apartment 111.
Description:
115 pages. A thesis presented to the Department of Theatre Arts and the Clark Honors College of the University of Oregon in partial fulfillment of the requirements for degree of Bachelor of Arts, Winter 2015.