Intercessory Power: a Literary Analysis of Ethics and Care in Toni

University of South Florida Scholar Commons

Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate School

2-11-2020

Intercessory Power: A Literary Analysis of Ethics and Care in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, Alice Walker’s Meridian, and Toni Cade Bambara’s Those Bones Are Not My Child

Kelly Mills University of South Florida

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Scholar Commons Citation Mills, Kelly, "Intercessory Power: A Literary Analysis of Ethics and Care in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon, Alice Walker’s Meridian, and Toni Cade Bambara’s Those Bones Are Not My Child" (2020). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/etd/8258

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Intercessory Power: A Literary Analysis of Ethics and Care in Toni Morrison’s Song of Solomon,

Alice Walker’s Meridian, and Toni Cade Bambara’s Those Bones Are Not My Child

Kelly Mills

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of English College of Arts and Sciences University of South Florida

Major Professor: Diane Price Herndl, Ph.D. Michelle Hughes-Miller, Ph.D. Gary Lemons, Ph.D. John Lennon, Ph.D.

Date of Approval: March 18, 2020

Keywords: coalitions, feminism, narrative, retribution, violence, womanism

DEDICATION

This dissertation is dedicated to my loving, supportive family. Joseph, you are my person.

You love me even though I am imperfect, and I cannot imagine life without you and the joy you bring our family. Mom, you have always believed in me more than anyone else and known exactly what I needed to hear to be encouraged and motivated. You also made late night writing sessions possible, without which I would not have finished this project. Dad, you have always made me feel as if I could accomplish my highest goals. Olivia, you do not know this, but you have been one of my biggest inspirations. I wanted to show you what Mommy can do, and I pray that you will always believe in yourself and know that I am forever in your corner, cheering you on. Levi, you made late-night thinking and writing sessions possible with your inability to sleep through the night. As I held you tight in those wee hours, I admired you and had the inspiration I needed to persist. To my extended family, you have been patient and continued to believe in me, and for that, I am incredibly grateful. I love you all.

ACKNOWLEGMENTS

I would like to express gratitude to Dr. Diane Price Herndl, my major professor, who has shown unwavering support throughout my doctoral career. From my earliest courses, to qualifying exams, and finally this dissertation, she has come alongside me and encouraged me through her steadfastness. She has seen the ideas presented here from their infancy, and she has helped me present them in a more cogent manner. This dissertation would not be what it is without her guidance, and I would not have the confidence I do without her leadership. I would also like to thank each of my committee members for their continued support. Dr. Michelle

Hughes-Miller helped me think through my methodology and has been a consistent source of encouragement with her communiques. Dr. Gary Lemons encouraged me to claim my positionality and inspired the autocritographical sections of the dissertation. Dr. John Lennon has provided meaningful, challenging feedback, making me think through my assertio