This term paper discussed the portrayal of conversion therapy in the book "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by Emily M. Danforth. Methods and effects of conversion therapy are covered and how those are visible in the book in various aspects. Furthermore, the protagonist is analysed as a survivor of conversion therapy. Throughout history, the opinion regarding members of the LGBTQ+-community has changed drastically. From accepting homosexuality as normal in ancient Greece to presenting homosexuality as a sin in medieval and still modern times. Nowadays an overall accepting and even supporting position for the community can be seen, but certain negative tendencies still exist.
Those negative tendencies can be especially seen in the church and are often validated with religious arguments but naturally, not all tendencies can be noticed from religious institutions. Those tendencies differ in intensity; however, a certain number of individuals is feeling threatened by members of the LGBTQ+-community and desire to interfere in personal lives to change the homosexuality of a person. This is often done with conversion therapy. Conversion therapy is an issue that many people are unaware of but if they do know of it, people are commonly uncertain of what conversion therapy is like.
Most information is gathered from media and books as in the book The Miseducation of Cameron Post. The teenage girl Cameron Post is sent to a conversion therapy camp to be cured of her homosexuality. Before and during her time in the camp, she writes down her experiences and her eventual escape. Since conversion therapy is not banned in all US states and considering that society only knows about conversion therapy through books and media, it is interesting to examine if the conversion therapy in "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" is an accurate portrayal of conversion therapy in the United States in the 1990s.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- 1. Defining an accurate image of conversion therapy in the United States in the 1990s
- 1.1. Health care and religious conversion therapy
- 1.2. Methods of therapy and treatment in the 1990s in the US
- 1.3. Effects of Conversion therapy
- 2. Defining Young Adult fiction and its protagonists
- 3. The portrayal of conversion therapy in “The Miseducation of Cameron Post”
- 3.1. Cameron right before going to Conversion therapy
- 3.2. The Methods of God's Promise
- 3.2.1. The Iceberg Metaphor
- 3.3. Reverend Rick
- 3.4. The Effects of God's Promise on the young adults
- 3.4.1. Mark Turner
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This term paper aims to analyze the portrayal of conversion therapy in Emily M. Danforth's young adult novel, "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," comparing it to the reality of conversion therapy practices in the United States during the 1990s. The paper seeks to determine the accuracy of the novel's depiction, considering the specific context of young adult fiction and its characteristic narrative techniques.
- The nature and methods of conversion therapy in the 1990s.
- The characteristics of young adult fiction and its protagonists.
- A comparative analysis of the fictional portrayal of conversion therapy in "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" with historical realities.
- The impact of conversion therapy on young adults, as depicted in the novel.
- The accuracy and limitations of the novel's representation of conversion therapy experiences.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
1. Defining an accurate image of conversion therapy in the United States in the 1990s: This chapter establishes a foundation for understanding conversion therapy in the 1990s by differentiating between healthcare and religious forms of the practice. It highlights the prevalence of religiously-motivated conversion therapy among LGBTQ+ youth, citing statistics to illustrate the scale of the issue. The chapter then details the varied methods employed, ranging from invasive physical interventions like electric shock to more psychologically manipulative techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy. This establishes a context for evaluating the novel's depiction, providing a framework against which the fictional portrayal can be measured.
3. The portrayal of conversion therapy in “The Miseducation of Cameron Post”: This chapter delves into the novel's depiction of conversion therapy, examining the protagonist's experiences before, during, and after her time at the God's Promise camp. It explores the specific methods portrayed in the novel, such as the use of manipulative psychological techniques and the oppressive environment, comparing these to the historical methods discussed in Chapter 1. The chapter also analyses the impact of the camp on Cameron and other characters, illustrating the emotional and psychological consequences of conversion therapy as shown in the novel. The analysis uses specific examples and character interactions to showcase the effects of the "therapy".
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Conversion therapy, LGBTQ+ youth, young adult fiction, "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," religious institutions, psychological manipulation, 1990s USA, accuracy of portrayal, harmful practices.
Frequently Asked Questions: The Miseducation of Cameron Post - A Literary and Historical Analysis
What is the main focus of this academic paper?
This paper analyzes the portrayal of conversion therapy in Emily M. Danforth's young adult novel, "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," comparing it to the actual practices in the United States during the 1990s. It aims to assess the novel's accuracy in depicting conversion therapy within the context of young adult fiction.
What topics are covered in the paper's different sections?
The paper includes an introduction, a detailed table of contents, clearly defined objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and a list of keywords. The main body focuses on defining conversion therapy in the 1990s, characterizing young adult fiction, and conducting a comparative analysis of the novel's portrayal against historical realities. It also examines the impact of conversion therapy on young adults as depicted in the novel.
How does the paper define conversion therapy in the 1990s?
The paper differentiates between healthcare and religious forms of conversion therapy, emphasizing the prevalence of religiously motivated practices among LGBTQ+ youth. It details various methods employed, from physical interventions (like electric shock) to psychologically manipulative techniques (like cognitive-behavioral therapy).
What are the key characteristics of young adult fiction and its protagonists discussed in the paper?
While not explicitly detailed in the provided preview, the paper clearly indicates that it addresses the genre conventions and typical protagonist traits of young adult fiction to better understand the context of the novel's portrayal of conversion therapy.
How does the paper analyze "The Miseducation of Cameron Post"?
The analysis examines Cameron's experiences before, during, and after her time at the God's Promise conversion therapy camp. It compares the novel's portrayal of methods (manipulative psychological techniques, oppressive environment) to historical realities. The analysis also focuses on the impact on Cameron and other characters, illustrating the emotional and psychological consequences.
What are the key findings or arguments suggested by the paper (based on the preview)?
The paper aims to determine the accuracy and limitations of the novel's representation of conversion therapy experiences, comparing the fictional depiction with historical evidence of the practices in the 1990s. The preview suggests a comparative analysis focusing on the effectiveness of the novel's portrayal of the realities of conversion therapy.
What are the keywords associated with this research?
The keywords include conversion therapy, LGBTQ+ youth, young adult fiction, "The Miseducation of Cameron Post," religious institutions, psychological manipulation, 1990s USA, accuracy of portrayal, and harmful practices.
- Quote paper
- Tabea Wiegand (Author), 2021, Conversion Therapy in "The Miseducation of Cameron Post" by Emily M. Danforth, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/1184326