Identity Theory and the Lunar Chronicles: Expanding the Study of Identity in Young Adult Literature

Abstract

This Master’s Thesis applies Identity Theory from Social Psychology to The Lunar Chronicles, a young adult novel series by Marissa Meyer. In this thesis, I explain the theory in detail, apply it to the text, and discuss what can be gained by applying such a theory to young adult literature. Young adult literature (YAL) works with the concept of identity, and applying a Social Psychological theory of identity to YAL can provide a new vantage point from which to examine the concept of identity as portrayed in YAL. Through my application of Identity Theory to the texts, I demonstrate how we can apply this theory to young adult novels, focusing on three specific identities of the main character, Cinder. Following this analysis, I discuss potential pedagogical implications of this type of textual analysis in addition to implications for the field of YAL itself.