2. Self identity – who we are
Abstract
Gradual – life changing events
Existential crisis – journey to find himself
Both found in YA genre
Protagonists of Riyria series – Michael J. Sullivan
Introduction
3. How self-identity and existential development are catered to
in YA genre and how does the Riyria series serve as an
example to these?
What indications probe at the development of self-identity for
the protagonists in YA literature and how these indications are
implied in Riyria series?
What incidents, quotes and dialogues throw light on the
identities of the characters in Riyria?
What are the factors that facilitate the characters' journey of
excavating his stable existential form?
Research Questions and Objectives
4. To explain self-identity and existential development in YA genre
and show how Riyria serves as an example.
To find the indications that probe at the development of self-
identity of the protagonists in the Riyria series.
To sift through the Riyria series in order to isolate examples that
throw light on the identities of the characters.
To list the factors that facilitates the characters’ journey towards a
stable existential form.
Research Objectives
5. Help future researchers
Build foundations – portrayal of self identity and development
in YA
Character development – chosen novel
Significance of Study
6. Personal behavioral characteristics – race, ethnicity, religion
Who you are – how you define yourself
Abstract – immaterial – no clear meaning
Past – present – future
Philosophical questions – Purpose? Living for?
Self Identity
7. Evolves gradually – product of situations
Aspects of life – no control
Grew up? Color? Choices? Beliefs?
Express differently – Some may remain hidden
May keep changing
Exploration and commitment – development and growth
Adopt what feels right
Journey to Self Identity
8. Existence – Core of a man
Virtues, goodness, mental abilities
Existential crisis – questions foundations of life
Search for purpose and meaning
Realization – define life ho they want
Result - Depressive disorder; trauma; dissatisfaction, isolation,
Existential Development
9. Written, published or marketed for adolescents and young
adults
Young Adults’ – between the ages of twelve to twenty
Adult issues – identity, maturity, sexual orientation, drugs,
relationships
Characteristics -
What is Young Adult (YA) genre?
10. Phase of “trying different personas”
Conflicts and dilemmas – real life problems
Racism, family, political, love life, social life, friendship,
transferring, bullying, health, class difference, etc.
Find stable identity
In YA literature
11. Readers relate to emotions and problems
Existential dilemmas invoke thinking of readers
Read, decipher, dicuss more openly
Readers question existence
Applicable in fictional as well as real world
How does it help Readers?
12. Qualitative – content
Text of Riyria series
Development of YA characters through dialogues form text
traits characters retained, acquired or lost with time
Factors responsible
Methodology
13. Appearance
He looks like an assassin”
“No, its his eyes. Have you seen them? Cold, I tell you. Dead eyes.
The kind used to seeing and handing out death”
“You can tell just by looking at him. He has blood on is hands. The
man is evil, I tell you”
Analysis
Royce Melborne
14. “My name is Hadrian Blackwater”
“Congratulations”, Royce’s reply was as cold as the wind that
carried it.
“Uh… What’s yours?” The man turned away. “Leave me alone.”
“Old lunatic was right... We did make a good team”
“He didn’t do anything wrong.” Tears formed in his eyes as he
said it. “He doesn’t deserve to die with me”
“Save Hadrian.” Royce begged.
Friendship with Hadrian
15. He should quit and take her away somewhere, perhaps get a
small bit of land where they could raise a family
Loving Gwen
16. “That’s just it – I don’t want to! I’ve always survived. Life is like
a bully that gets laughs by seeing how much humiliation you’ll
put up with… I was a kid. I did everything it demanded just to
survive but as I’ve gotten older I realized there are limits. I
won’t eat mud just to survive”
“I wanted to say thank you for being there for me, for being
here. For being the closest thing to a brother I’ll ever know. I just
- I want you to know that”
Gwen’s death – Existential crisis
17. “Gwen doesn’t want you to die. She agrees with me. You can’t
kill yourself. You can’t do it without betraying her wishes”
“This time I’m right and I know I’m right because Gwen saw the
future and she’s backing me up”
Purpose of Life
18. Regret of Leaving Home
“I called him a coward. It was the worst thing I could think of,
and the last thing I said to him”
“… his newly won freedom was wrought from the blood of his
father made it feel like a punishment”
“I know, but when I was young I used to think I was… well…
special. I imagined that I would triumph in some great purpose,
win the girl, and save the kingdom but I suppose every boy feels
the same way”
Hadrian Blackwater
19. “He had been more skilled and the crowds loved him… He had
defeated opponent after opponent… men had challenged him
and died. The crowds had begun to chant his new name, Galenti
– killer”
Trying different Identity
20. “That’s just it Royce. There’s a war on and what am I doing? I’m
making a profit of it rather than fighting in it. I’m tired of
collecting money for being dishonorable”
“I’ve tried to find meaning in it. I’ve tried to pretend we
achieved some greater good but in the end I have to be honest
with myself. I’m not a thief and I’m not a spy. So I know what I
am not. I just wish I knew what I am”
Self Doubt – Existential Crisis
21. “There are no honorable causes. There is no good or evil. Evil is
only what we call those who oppose us”
“I’m not the hero who saves he kingdom and wins the girl. Life
isn’t like that”
Questioning Identity – depression
22. “Guarding you is sort of a family tradition that I would hate to
break”
Purpose of finding the heir
23. “How is it we never had kings and emperor on our list of
potential careers? When you think about it, it beats the heck out
of wine makers, actors and fishermen”
Stable Identity
24. Weak, Helpless and Vulnerable
Thrace had rummaged through a pile of debris and
human limbs looking for a weapon to fight an invincible
beast. Had it been bravery or had she been too naïve to
understand the futility”
“The girl I knew as Thrace was a sweet, innocent child
who wanted only the love of her father.
Thrace / Modina
25. “…she clutched her knees to her chest and pressed her cheek
against the straw, she blinked occasionally and her chest rose
and fell with each breath but nothing more “
Loss of purpose of life
26. “I’m not afraid of anything anymore”
I am Thrace Wood of Dahlgren village, daughter of Theron and
Addie. The beast killed my parents, my friends. Then it killed
my father – the last reason I had to live. But it did not kill me. I
survived.
My family - my life - was gone but then I found a new family.
You are my family now, my father, my brother, my son and I
will not let the beast in… Here we stop it, here we fight, here we
face our enemy, without running… and here we kill it…”
Awakening of Self
27. Self identity and existential development – major themes of YA
Characters underwent drastic changes – gradual
Depends on factors - realization, adversity, hardships,
friendship and relationships
Conclusion