Gaja Kolodziej

Citation

Thesis Title
Unforgettably in Love: Uses of the Amnesia Trope in Contemporary Romance

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Representations of amnesia in fiction have received very little critical attention, despite their popularity and relevance to searching questions of personal identity and human existence. Ms Kołodziej investigated their meaning and usages in contemporary romance fiction, with a particular focus on medical amnesia resulting from external trauma. To demonstrate a spectrum of possibilities available to authors, she examined ways in which contemporary romance employs the trope, focusing on its potential for both plot development and protagonists’ personal transformation. Based on an in-depth analysis of six romance novels, she identified three frequently occurring approaches to the trope: amnesia as an ultimate proof that love conquers all; amnesia as an extreme vulnerability which transforms strangers into lovers; and amnesia as inner drive for reinvention, which heals emotional wounds and fosters personal development. Ms Kołodziej’s creative dissertation includes a full-length amnesia novel titled “Disremembered”, which incorporates elements of romance, suspense, travelogue, and metafiction.

Supervisors
Associate Professor Jenny Lawn
Dr Jack Ross