Date of Award
May 2014
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy
Department
English
First Advisor
George Clark
Committee Members
Valerie Laken, Maurice Kilwein-Guevara, William VanPelt, Anika Wilson
Abstract
The Talent Thief narrates an amateur con artist's philanthropic efforts in Windhoek, Namibia, and her psychological struggle with the guilt of a past crime. Guided by a literalistic interpretation of the Biblical "Parable of the Talents," Callie Donne works to redeem herself and restore her mother's reputation with a high-profile charity fundraising event. The novel's plot echoes elements of the United States' involvement in the economic and political development of the African continent. In its themes and settings, it also offers a point of contact between the Lutheran tradition and post-colonial cultural scholarship for contemporary American readers.
Recommended Citation
Nesheim, Kate Olson, "The Talent Thief" (2014). Theses and Dissertations. 738.
https://dc.uwm.edu/etd/738