Emotional resonance in Louise O'Neill's novels : an analysis of Asking for It, The Surface breaks and After the silence

Abstract

This research aims to analyse the link between feminist literature and the reader’s emotions. Through a thorough analysis of Louise O’Neill’s works: Asking For It (2015), The Surface Breaks (2018) and After The Silence (2020); this research will go into detail as to how emotions are evoked through a variety of literary techniques. Particularly this thesis will also analyse the characterisation of Emma, Muirgen and Keelin respectively, the female protagonists of the novels. A feminist approach will be taken in this research analysis, using feminist theorists like Sara Ahmed, Hélène Cixous and Sam Mills, supported by other secondary critics. This dissertation will also draw on themes of abuse, rape culture and patriarchal structures. It will show how the texts present themselves to be mimetic, by holding a mirror to reality, to its readership. Furthermore, as a result of these evoked emotions, readers do not only acknowledge the hardships of the characters, but the texts also instigate readers to reconsider the role we play in society.