Date of Award

2004

Publication Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

M.A.

Department

English Language, Literature, and Creative Writing

Keywords

Literature, Canadian (English)

Supervisor

Whetter, Darryl

Rights

info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess

Abstract

My novel, Ellisheva Gold, tells the story of an Orthodox Jewish teenager living in Toronto. Ellisheva, or Ellie never doubts her strict religious upbringing until she falls in love with another girl at her grandmother's cottage. Aware that her homosexuality and Jewish observance clash, Ellie feels forced to either change her sexuality or leave her community. While Ellie finds Judaism limiting, her mother, Chana, is convinced she has a messianic role to play, Chana tries to help other Jews be more observant, and expresses her religious devotion through song. Both Chana and Ellie ultimately violate the taboos of their community and are forced to find alternative outlets for their spiritual, religious life. Although Ellie feels there is no way to be both gay and Jewish, her mother offers an alternative concept of God that helps Ellie find a place for herself as a Queer Jew. Ellisheva Gold explores the limitations of a literal biblical interpretation in our modern day. Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-03, page: 0685. Adviser: Darryl Whetter. Thesis (M.A.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2004.

Share

COinS