| Title |
Kynaston, Caci MENG_2025 |
| Alternative Title |
The Young Adult Novel and Social Hegemony:; How The Outsiders and Bad Girls Never Say Die Challenge; and Reinforce Dominant Culture |
| Creator |
Kynaston, Caci |
| Contributors |
Van Deventer, Megan (advisor) |
| Collection Name |
Master of English |
| Description |
This thesis analyzes how The Outsiders and Bad Girls Never Say Die both challenge and uphold dominant ideologies through their portrayals of class and gender. Despite addressing systemic issues, both novels stop short of modeling true oppositional resistance, highlighting the need for more transformative YA literature in schools. |
| Abstract |
This thesis explores how young adult (YA) literature both challenges and reinforces dominant cultural ideologies, focusing on a comparative analysis of The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton and Bad Girls Never Say Die by Jennifer Mathieu. Using theoretical frameworks from Louis Althusser and Raymond Williams, the project examines how these novels function as ideological and hegemonic apparatuses within society and the classroom. While both novels appear to highlight systemic issues such as classism and patriarchy, they ultimately offer limited or ideologically "safe" solutions that fall short of true oppositional change. The Outsiders uses personal reflection and education as a path to growth, thereby reifying class hierarchies. Bad Girls Never Say Die offers a feminist lens and emphasizes collective female solidarity but avoids systemic solutions, presenting individual growth or emotional catharsis as the endpoint. The study argues that despite these novels' potential to spark critical awareness among adolescent readers, they remain constrained by the cultural apparatuses in which they operate-especially when incorporated into English Language Arts curricula. The conclusion calls for more YA literature that models concrete resistance and action, urging educators and publishers to move beyond symbolic representation toward stories that inspire structural change. |
| Subject |
Creative writing; Characters and characteristics in literature; Education; Literature |
| Digital Publisher |
Digitized by Special Collections & University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University. |
| Date |
2025-08 |
| Medium |
Thesis |
| Type |
Text |
| Access Extent |
23 page pdf |
| Conversion Specifications |
Adobe Acrobat |
| Language |
eng |
| Rights |
The author has granted Weber State University Archives a limited, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce his or her thesis, in whole or in part, in electronic or paper form and to make it available to the general public at no charge. The author retains all other rights. For further information:  |
| Source |
University Archives Electronic Records: Master of English. Stewart Library, Weber State University |
| Format |
application/pdf |
| ARK |
ark:/87278/s6hzw449 |
| Setname |
wsu_smt |
| ID |
155050 |
| Reference URL |
https://digital.weber.edu/ark:/87278/s6hzw449 |
