Abstract:
This dissertation uses positioning theory and narrative analysis to examine the
relationship of culture, emotion and agency in the dramatic construction, mobilization
and acceptance of an American war narrative and later of individual counter narratives.
The study takes the events of 9.11 as a traumatic trigger, or crisis, and then demonstrates
that the storylines in the 9.11/Iraq War narrative patterns were anchored more in
American mythological constructs, public memories and militarism than content about
terrorism or Iraq. In the second phase, I present micro-narratives of veterans of the Iraq
War. I analyze how they understood the presenting storylines by attempting to discern
the strength of the cultural influence inherent in the narrative patterns. Finally, I describe
the impact of the personal experience of serving in Iraq – living the intended trajectory of
the narrative. I attempt to locate shifts in attitudes or perceptions, which may have
resulted in the repositioning of self or discourse. Throughout the study I examine the role
of emotions, particularly anger, pride (honor), shame and humiliation.
