Date of Award
5-28-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
English
First Advisor
Theodora Ziolkowski
Committee Members
Brad Modlin; Mary Beth Ailes; Rebecca Umland
Keywords
adaptation;Arthurian;novel;retelling;Robin Hood;young adult
Abstract/Description
Inspired by the grand legends of King Arthur and Robin Hood, my novel, “An Archer’s Deceit,” blends these well-beloved stories with fantasy elements and the innovation of the 19th century Industrial Revolution. Set in a Victorian Camelot, sixteen-year-old Sybilla must survive living a dual life as one of Prince Arthur’s ruthless knights while playing a role in usurping the monarchy for the freedom of outlawed magic users, like herself. Forced to deal with her morals and her personal story while instigating a government coup, Sybilla must eventually choose a side, or it’ll end up killing her and those she’s grown to care for and sworn to protect. Utilizing cannon elements of the Arthurian legend based on Thomas Mallory’s work and striving to represent neurodivergence through the protagonist, my project aims to blend the genres of Young Adult, historical, fantasy, and romance while including a magic system built from somatic and EMDR therapy techniques. Emily Dickinson once wrote, “I am out with lanterns, looking for myself,” and the reader is invited to join Sybilla as she attempts to blend all facets of herself together to live an authentic, whole, and magical life.
Recommended Citation
Brazle, Alexandria Marie, "An Archer's Deceit" (2024). English Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity. 13.
https://openspaces.unk.edu/eng-etd/13