Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Arts in English Literary Studies
Advisor
Laura D'Amore, Ph.D.
Abstract
My thesis explores the construction and use of villain’s backstories and flashbacks in fictional media and how they trigger the audience’s sympathy enough to the point of forgiving them. My methodology revolves around looking at Attack on Titan, Demon Slayer, and Arcane through the psychological lens and the humanities lens, as well as the use of the disabled identity within literature. By examining how all of these factors influence the author’s decisions to write a multidimensional and complex villain that leads the audience to feeling sympathy for them, I will conclude on how these choices are effective and have purpose.
Recommended Citation
Sowers, Allie, "How the Traumatic Backstory Redeems the Villain" (2025). English Theses. 368.
https://docs.rwu.edu/english_theses/368
