THE REPRESENTATION AND CAUSE OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE IN CLAIRE VAYE WATKIN’S GOLD FAME CITRUS: A Literary Criticism

TARWIYAH, LAILATUT (2026) THE REPRESENTATION AND CAUSE OF SPIRITUAL ABUSE IN CLAIRE VAYE WATKIN’S GOLD FAME CITRUS: A Literary Criticism. Other thesis, Universitas Nurul Jadid.

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Abstract

Literature reflects human experiences and social realities, enabling readers to understand complex issues represented through fictional narratives. One of these issues is spiritual abuse, a form of psychological and ideological domination in which authority, belief, and manipulation are used to control individuals. While previous studies have primarily examined spiritual abuse within religious institutions and faith communities, its representation in literary works remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate (1) How spiritual abuse is presented and (2) What the root causes of spiritual abuse are in Claire Vaye Watkins' novel Gold Fame Citrus. The study employs a qualitative literary research design using the approach of literary criticism. The primary data source is the novel Gold Fame Citrus, while the secondary data consist of scholarly books and journal articles related to literary criticism and spiritual abuse. Data were collected through documentation and close reading techniques and analyzed using qualitative textual analysis. The analysis applies the concept of spiritual abuse proposed by Oakley (2024), supported by Demasure (2022), Koch and Van Schoiack Edstrom (2022), and Figueroa and Tombs (2023).
The findings reveal that spiritual abuse in the novel is represented through two dominant manifestations: controlling leadership and maintaining the system. These manifestations are reflected in Levi's charismatic authority, his regulation of followers' behaviour, and the preservation of an ideological system that normalizes obedience and dependence. Furthermore, the study identifies three major root causes of spiritual abuse, namely manipulation, fear and guilt, and blind obedience. These factors operate simultaneously to establish psychological control, diminish followers' autonomy, and strengthen Levi's authority within the dystopian community. The findings demonstrate that spiritual abuse in Gold Fame Citrus develops through gradual psychological and ideological processes rather than explicit physical coercion.
This study contributes to literary criticism by extending the concept of spiritual abuse
beyond religious institutions into the analysis of literary texts. It also offers a new
perspective on Gold Fame Citrus by demonstrating that, in addition to portraying
ecological collapse and dystopian survival, the novel critically represents the dynamics
of charismatic leadership, psychological domination, and ideological control.
Consequently, this research broadens the interdisciplinary discussion between literary
studies and spiritual abuse, highlighting literature as an important medium for
understanding contemporary forms of power and manipulation.

Item Type:	Thesis (Other)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Literary Criticism, Spiritual Abuse, Gold Fame Citrus
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform P Language and Literature > PE English P Language and Literature > PL Languages and literatures of Eastern Asia, Africa, Oceania P Language and Literature > PR English literature
Divisions:	Fakultas Sosial dan Humaniora > S1 Pendidikan Bahasa Inggris
Depositing User:	Unnamed user with email tarwiyahlailatut012@gmail.com
Date Deposited:	20 Oct 2026 07:33
Last Modified:	20 Oct 2026 07:33
URI:	https://repository.unuja.ac.id/id/eprint/5129

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