Graduation Year
2019
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree
Ph.D.
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Degree Granting Department
English
Major Professor
Diane Price-Herndl, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Ylce Irizarry, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Gary Lemons, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Yakini Kemp, Ph.D.
Keywords
Subjectivity, The Erotic, Epistemology, Black Girl Magic
Abstract
The Spirit of Friendship: Girlfriends in Contemporary African American Literature examines spiritual subjectivities that inspire girlfriends in three contemporary novels to journey towards actualization. It examines the girlfriend bond as a space where the Divine Spirit can flourish and assist girlfriends as they seek to become actualized. This project raises epistemological questions as it suggests that within the girlfriend dynamic, knowledge that is traditionally subjugated is formed and refined. Finally, girlfriend epistemology is considered in light of Black Girl Magic, a contemporary social and cultural movement among Black women.
Scholar Commons Citation
Serls, Tangela La'Chelle, "The Spirit of Friendship: Girlfriends in Contemporary African American Literature" (2017). USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/etd/7442
