Year of Award
2023
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Type
Master of Arts (MA)
Degree Name
English (Literature)
Other Degree Name/Area of Focus
Ecocriticism
Department or School/College
Department of English
Committee Chair
Katie Kane
Commitee Members
Louise Economides, Christopher J. Preston
Keywords
petromodernity, energy humanities, colonial studies, media studies, pop culture analysis
Subject Categories
English Language and Literature | Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | Film and Media Studies
Abstract
This thesis examines the relationship between blood and oil, that is, the multitude of ways in which the petromodernity industries harvests and threatens vitality. The introduction of this thesis is concerned tracking how petromodernity is a byproduct, offspring, or extension of colonialism. In this way, petromodernity can be thought about as “petro-colonialism.” Ursula K. LeGuin’s “Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction” informs the argument that the way thay petro-colonialism came to be and also maintains itself is by utilizing the “killer story.” This thesis also employs autorheoretical techniques informed by Lauren Fournier to show how petro-colonialism or “oiliness” sticks to its subjects. This thesis examines the metaphor of the vampire as just one example of a killer story which utimately upholds petromodern and colonial sensibilities like white supremacy, gender inequality, and the valorization of innovation and expansion.
Recommended Citation
DeMond, Sarah Marie, "BLOOD AND OIL: HOW VAMPIRIC LITERATURE BOLSTERS BIG OIL’S POWER" (2023). Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers. 12143.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/etd/12143
Included in
English Language and Literature Commons, Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Commons, Film and Media Studies Commons
© Copyright 2023 Sarah Marie DeMond