“A bit odd and not quite like others” a thematic study of how alienation and identity seekers are portrayed in Inger Edelfeldt’s novels

Självständigt arbete på grundnivå (kandidatexamen) 10 poäng / 15 hp The main purpose of this study is to analyse how the main themes of alienation and the search for identity is portrayed by Swedish author Inger Edelfeldt. I have applied the theories of Rita Felski concerning feminist novels of self-discovery, in which the development of the female identity is the main question. As Edelfeldt’s writing consists of literature for the young as well as adults, I have included material from both of these genres. I have also taken use of Ulla Lundqvists theories about Swedish juvenile books when examining aspects of the main character’s feelings of alienation and identity searching. The results of my analysis show that the reading of my material as feminist novels of self-discovery has revealed pervading charachteristics of alienation, love, friendship and psychological development. The genre-crossing tendency of Edelfeldt’s writing shows in that the theme of identity crisis and the search for identity is an important issue in all of her novels, despite the protagonist’s age. Finally, I show in my study, that by rejecting the heterosexual love-story narrative, Edelfeldts novels put the woman’s own psychological development in focus. The main purpose of this study is to analyse how the main themes of alienation and the search for identity is portrayed by Swedish author Inger Edelfeldt. I have applied the theories of Rita Felski concerning feminist novels of self-discovery, in which the development of the female identity is the main question. As Edelfeldt’s writing consists of literature for the young as well as adults, I have included material from both of these genres. I have also taken use of Ulla Lundqvists theories about Swedish juvenile books when examining aspects of the main character’s feelings of alienation and identity searching. The results of my analysis show that the reading of my material as feminist novels of self-discovery has revealed pervading charachteristics of alienation, love, friendship and psychological development. The genre-crossing tendency of Edelfeldt’s writing shows in that the theme of identity crisis and the search for identity is an important issue in all of her novels, despite the protagonist’s age. Finally, I show in my study, that by rejecting the heterosexual love-story narrative, Edelfeldts novels put the woman’s own psychological development in focus. Självständigt arbete på grundnivå (kandidatexamen) 10 poäng / 15 hp