"Homesick for You:" An Archival Analysis of Love Letters from World War II

Author

• Cambria B. Acheson, Chapman UniversityFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

First Advisor

Justine Van Meter

Second Advisor

Joanna Levin

Third Advisor

Rei Magosaki

Abstract

In this project, I cherish and explore a collection of correspondence exchanged between a married couple during World War II. Applying an embodied research approach that incorporates archival, historical, and cultural studies, I analyze key elements of these letters with special attention for themes of love and family, valuing their insights to touching personal stories that nuance the dominant narratives of history. I contend for the preservation and discussion of these letters and similar artifacts, advocating for their lasting significance within both past and present contexts and their irreplaceable contributions to the cultivation of collective memory and empathy across generations.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Acheson, Cambria B. "Homesick for You:" An Archival Analysis of Love Letters from World War II. 2025. Chapman University, MA Thesis. Chapman University Digital Commons,https://doi.org/10.36837/chapman.000658