Chatter that Matters: A new path to progressive understandings of disability through the online discussion of popular novels Joanna Rankin A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Critical Disability Studies: York University, Toronto, Ontario November, 2014 © Joanna Rankin Abstract Looking to the novel as a source of information for real lives, this paper investigates the role of the popular culture book club and the informal discussion of novels in the recognition of and response to disability in contemporary society. Reviewing the books chosen for the Oprah’s Book Club as well as readers’ online posts about characters with disabilities are considered in this research. The online, middlebrow discussion of novels is assessed as a productive and developing public sphere related to the discussion of disability. Within this context readers demonstrate their interest in and ability to challenge ideas about disability. This research identifies three key areas which encourage the development of progressive dialogue around this topic including: (a) providing a challenge to traditional literary authority allowing for new and innovative ideas, (b) the recognition of the significant role of emotion and the emotional connection of readers’ with fictional characters, including characters with disabilities, and finally (c) the frequently overlooked existence of discussion surrounding disability within this sphere and the acknowledgment of the social role of disability by readers. ii Acknowledgements This project has been a journey, to say the least, one that I could not have completed without the support, friendship and love of a team of remarkable people. I would like to thank all of my family, friends and colleagues who have believed in me and who have anticipated the completion of this project even when I could not. Thank you to all of the people who have been involved in my committee. Thank you John Radford, my superb supervisor, who has guided, supported and challenged my ideas with wisdom and kindness and somehow has always known when to leave me on my own and when to push me. I am grateful to Marcia Rioux for her ongoing mentorship, insight and support and for providing numerous opportunities that I would never have had the courage to pursue on my own. Similarly, I would like to thank Beth Haller for her time and the provision of new ideas and exciting and innovative ways to look at the world. I would also like to thank my parents Pauline and David Stephen for their unwavering support, through all this journey has brought. You have gone way beyond the call-of-duty. To my colleagues who have helped me to develop my ideas and encourage my progress. A special thanks to Bonnie Heath who has always been there for me, to listen to my woes and support me to go on, and even to take me to the hospital. Finally, my overwhelming gratitude goes to my husband Chris, and to our two beautiful boys Ben and Charlie, both born into the life of a student. You have all been so supportive of this momentous intrusion into your lives. iii Table of Contents Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ...................................................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................... iv List of Tables .............................................................................................................................................. vii List of Figures ............................................................................................................................................ viii Section 1: OVERVIEW ................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter 1 ....................................................................................................................................................... 1 The Role of Fiction in the Context of Disability .......................................................................................... 1 Locating the Research in the Context of Disability ................................................................................ 12 Overview of Dissertation ........................................................................................................................ 20 Chapter 2 ..................................................................................................................................................... 25 Theory ......................................................................................................................................................... 25 The Public Sphere ................................................................................................................................... 28 Habermas and the Public Sphere ............................................................................................................ 32 Public Sphere(s) Moving Forward .......................................................................................................... 35 Technology and the Public Sphere.......................................................................................................... 43 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................... 47 Chapter 3 ..................................................................................................................................................... 50 A New Public Sphere: The History, Development and Contemporary Incarnations of ............................. 50 the Book Club ............................................................................................................................................. 50 The Popular Culture Book Club.............................................................................................................. 53 Section 2: METHODS AND CONTENT ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 57 Chapter 4 ..................................................................................................................................................... 58 Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 58 Content Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 59 Units of Analysis – Coding Procedure .................................................................................................... 63 Social Capital and Social Change Indicators .......................................................................................... 67 Coder Training ........................................................................................................................................ 72 Textual Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 78 Chapter 5 ..................................................................................................................................................... 82 Results of Content Analysis ........................................................................................................................ 82 iv Disability Specific Information ............................................................................................................... 87 Social Capital .......................................................................................................................................... 96 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 101 Section 3: READER INTERPRETATIONS ............................................................................................ 104 Chapter 6 ................................................................................................................................................... 105 The Role of Reader Interpretations .......................................................................................................... 105 The Potential of Book Club Discussion to Challenge Beliefs and Attitudes ........................................ 114 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 115 Chapter 7 ................................................................................................................................................... 118 Disability on the Periphery: Characters with Disabilities in Peripheral Roles ......................................... 118 Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 135 Chapter 8 ..................................................................................................................................................