This thesis investigates the representation of domestic violence in Colleen Hoover’s popular romance novel It Ends with Us (2016). The novel maintained a top position on the New York Times best seller list in 2016, and once again in 2021. Despite its enduring popularity, the novel has also received negative feedback and sparked debates among readers and critics who perceive it as highly controversial. The thesis conducts an analysis of the portrayal of domestic violence and abuse, exploring ideas and events related to the various forms of abuse, textual features, narrative strategies, and genre traits within the novel. Due to the limited relevant academic sources specifically addressing this novel, the thesis draws upon articles and chapters that discuss intimate partner abuse and domestic violence in other literary works. By utilising concepts introduced by Dorrit Cohn, such as “diarist,” “consonant narrator,” and “dissonant narrator,” the thesis aims to uncover how the novel’s narrative strategies, categorisation as a romance novel, its packaging as a typical romance novel, and other factors contribute to a complex and ambiguous depiction and interpretation. Thus, the thesis sheds light on how all these factors collectively contribute to an understanding of the different perspectives in the ongoing debates.
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One problematic aspect, according to some, is the classification of It Ends with Us as ’spicy romance’ and ’romance,’ due to its inclusion of dark themes like abuse and domestic violence. The marketing of the novel as a popular romance novel, packaged as such, may set certain expectations for readers. (1)
This dissertation dismisses arguments that the subject matter should disqualify the novel from being classified as a romance. As such, I felt it should be included in the database.
Here's the abstract:
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This dissertation dismisses arguments that the subject matter should disqualify the novel from being classified as a romance. As such, I felt it should be included in the database.