Violence in Selected Short Stories by Joyce Carol Oates

Abstract

This dissertation examines the theme of violence in selected short stories from the collection, The Museum of Dr. Moses: Tales of Mystery and Suspense (2007) by the American writer, Joyce Carol Oates. This work will illuminate Joyce Carol Oates' dark aesthetic when writing short stories; as well as how she approaches the subject of violence with a sense of mystery and suspense. The chosen short stories for this study are "The Museum of Dr. Moses", and "Suicide Watch". Additionally, this dissertation attempts to shed light on the social issues that each short story keenly portrays. Therefore, the selected short stories will be analyzed through the lenses of psychological realism theory as well as gothic and grotesque in order to demonstrate the human psyche and the essence of violence in American society. Through an analysis of the selected short stories, this study demonstrates Joyce Carol Oates’ determination to raise awareness about the prevalence of violence in America.