Underwood : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Creative Writing at Massey University, (Distance) New Zealand. EMBARGOED until 8 May 2027.

Abstract

This thesis explores the excavation metaphor in memoir. It explores its efficacy when used as a recurring metaphor and as a structuring tool in the genre. I examine how the metaphor helps to describe the process of writers digging into memories and experiences; how it helps writers provide structure to their final texts; and how it helps guide readers through them. I conclude this metaphor helps explain what memoirists do, how they do it and why. I chose to explore three recent New Zealand memoirs. My main focus is Caroline Barron’s 2020 memoir Ripiro Beach, which is as much a description of her process of unearthing artefacts about her background as it is a traditional memoir. Having considered the three uses of the excavation metaphor in her work, I then extend my examination beyond the pages of the text to examine the impact of writing a published memoir. Charlotte Grimshaw’s 2021 memoir, The Mirror Book, and to a lesser extent Kyle Mewburn’s 2021 Faking It are the main focuses of this exploration. In this section, I focus less on a close reading of texts and more on their impact: how what is unearthed resonates with readers after the works are published. This thesis is comprised of two parts: the Creative (Underwood) 80%, and the Critical (‘Exploring the Excavation Metaphor in Memoir’) 20%.