Theses and Dissertations

Advisor

Ogundimu, Olufunke O.

Committee Member

Marquardt, Meg M.

Committee Member

Hagenston, Becky

Committee Member

Thorat, Dhanashree

Date of Degree

5-16-2025

Original embargo terms

Visible MSU Only 2 Years

Document Type

Graduate Thesis - Campus Access Only

Major

English

Degree Name

Master of Arts (M.A.)

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

Department of English

Abstract

Many fictional stories featuring adoption, written from the perspective of non-adoptees, lack the authenticity required to resonate with adoptees who want to see themselves accurately represented. These narratives often perpetuate harmful stereotypes of adoptees and must be challenged by more genuine and respectful portrayals in fictional stories. In a series of short stories, I developed characters who provided realistic representations of unique feelings and experiences regarding loss, belonging, and family. Across various genres, six short stories were written from the perspective of adoptees to include multiple pathways to adoption and define the term “family.” A richer and more nuanced perspective of adoptees in fictional stories, as seen in these stories, offers a voice for those who struggle to find themselves accurately represented.

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