From Solstice to Success: My Unforgettable Thesis Defense

I successfully defended my thesis just three days ago. The timing couldn’t have been better—it happened shortly after the summer solstice, which is my favorite time of the year in Finland. During this season, the sun barely sets in the West, creating a vibrant and luminous atmosphere.

On the day of my defense, Jyväskylä welcomed us with full sunshine and an unusually warm temperature of 29 degrees Celsius. As a Swedo-Finn, I know that such warmth is a rare treat here. The discussion with my opponent, Professor Emerita Carol Mastrangelo Bové from the University of Pittsburgh, was intellectually stimulating. What made the event even more special was the diverse group of people who gathered to celebrate with me—representing at least six different nationalities from around the world.

Completing this journey was not an individual accomplishment; it was a collective effort. I express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who played a part, whether seen or unseen, known or unknown. Thank you for being part of this exciting chapter in my life! 

Summary of my dissertation, published in the JYX digital repository:

• Title: “Oh, how frightened I was”: The Kristevan Feminine, Narration, Initiation, and Intergeneration in Contemporary, Red-hooded Heroines’ Transformation of Fear-provoking Cultural Rape Trauma 

• Research Focus: The dissertation explores trauma, the feminine, and “Little Red Riding Hood”, specifically examining cultural rape trauma and Julia Kristeva’s concept of the feminine in contemporary versions of “Little Red Riding Hood” by female storytellers, such as Margaret Atwood, Angela Carter, Kiki Smith, and Paula Rego.

• Research Gaps: It addresses gaps in research on cultural rape trauma in contemporary LRRH versions and girls’ feminine as conceptualized by Kristeva.

• Central Question: How do contemporary female storytellers’ versions of LRRH represent the Kristevan feminine to transform the narrative of cultural rape trauma found in canonical versions by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm?

• Key Themes: The dissertation highlights trauma narration, female initiation, and intergenerational female relationships as ways to represent and reorient trauma through the feminine.

Key contributions:

• Trauma Transformation through the Feminine Lens:

  • Wide investigates how female storytellers portray trauma transformation using the concept of the Kristevan feminine. She examines how young-adult or adult heroines in LRRH narratives overcome cultural rape trauma.

  • The dissertation emphasizes the role of the feminine, as in the girl genius, in helping young heroines cope with trauma and negotiate their social identity.

  • Wide’s work sheds light on the transformative power of storytelling and the representation of trauma in fairy tales.

• Critical Analysis of Cultural Sexual Trauma:

  • Although trauma is explicitly studied in Article 1 of the dissertation, the overall work delves into the theme of cultural sexual trauma.

  • Wide’s research contributes to the understanding of how trauma narratives are constructed and reconstructed in contemporary versions of classic tales.

• Interdisciplinary Approach:

  • By combining literary analysis, Kristevan theory, visual and trauma studies, Wide’s practice-based dissertation bridges disciplines and offers fresh insights into the portrayal of girl heroines and trauma in literature.

  • Her work encourages interdisciplinary dialogue and enriches both literary studies and trauma research.

Carola Maria Wide’s dissertation contributes the understanding of the girl genius to Kristevan studies, feminist scholarship, trauma studies, and the interpretation of fairy tales by examining how female storytellers transform trauma through the lens of the Kristevan feminine in “Little Red Riding Hood” narratives to empower girls. Her innovative research highlights the significance of storytelling and the feminine perspective in addressing cultural rape trauma.

Wide’s dissertation has, furthermore, significant relevance to contemporary discussions about sexual violence. Here’s how:

1. Narrative Empowerment:

• Wide’s exploration of how young heroines navigate trauma through storytelling aligns with current conversations about empowering survivors.

• By emphasizing the role of female storytellers, her work highlights the power of narratives in giving voice to survivors and fostering resilience.

1. Cultural Context:

• The dissertation analyzes cultural rape trauma, which resonates with ongoing discussions about sexual violence in society.

• Wide’s examination of how trauma narratives are constructed sheds light on the broader cultural context in which sexual violence occurs.

1. Feminist Perspectives:

• Wide’s use of the Kristevan feminine lens underscores the importance of feminist perspectives in understanding and addressing sexual violence.

• Contemporary discussions often emphasize intersectionality and the need for diverse voices to combat sexual violence.

In conclusion, Carola Maria Wide’s research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing dialogue about sexual violence, trauma, and the transformative potential of storytelling. Her work encourages us to consider the role of narratives in healing and advocacy.