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theses

This capstone project examined the significance contributions of war literate towards bringing public awareness to, and helping to alleviate, the condition among some veterans that is commonly referred to as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). PTSD (also referred to as Post Traumatic Stress Injury – PTSI) is generally defined as a mental health condition that develops after a person is exposed to a traumatic event, such as sexual assault or warfare. Throughout history, men and women who have suffered through the horrors of battle have often times struggled with an invisible wound via a misunderstood affliction caused by severe tragedy, shock, and trauma through their combat experiences. In American history, military leaders and mental health advocates have endeavored to define this condition. In the US Civil War, the condition was referred to as Soldiers Heart. In the aftermath of World War I, it was deemed Shell Shock. During World War II, the affliction was termed Battle Fatigue. This project will examine the contributions of great war novelists such as Ernst Hemingway, Kurt Vonnegut, Kevin Powers, and others who through their gift of prose have helped to cultivate public awareness to the condition. The project will frame specific examples of PTSD/PTSI in their works, and how intricately the author’s own wartime and life experiences were reflected in the written page and through their characters. The paper will finish with inquiring whether or not there is therapeutic value in the power of art and the healing power of literature itself. Through electronic journal articles, books, and other source material, I have compiled extensive information on the topic at hand. As a retired Air Force officer and pilot, my experiences have augmented my presentation of this topic and the material at hand.

ETD_9374

M.A.

Includes bibliographical references

by Gregory M. Hannon

doi:10.7282/t3-29cj-hn59

ETD graduate

The author owns the copyright to this work.