The Innocence of Amma Crellin that Transformed the Mystery Genre

Submitting Student(s)

Courtney Hatcher

Session Title

Social Media, Online Spaces and Literature

Faculty Mentor

Casey Cothran, Ph.D

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Department

English

Abstract

Sharp Objects, based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, is an HBO television miniseries that follows a reserved and heavy-drinking journalist named Camilla Parker returning home to Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the second disappearance of a young girl. The series premiered in 2018 and consists of eight episodes that explores themes such as abuse and mother-daughter relationships. But what makes Sharp Objects so different and compelling from other mysteries is their use of innocence. Amma Crellin, Camilla’s younger half-sister, is a pristine, perfect daughter, but this is just a disguise to cover up her obsessive desire for control and love. In this essay, I argue that Amma’s character transformed the mystery genre because she doesn’t allow herself to fall into the set characteristics that being innocent usually has and instead uses it as a tool to get what she wants. Through characterization, it becomes evident that Amma is not who she says she is, especially towards her mother, and is putting up a front so she can get one step closer to what she wants. But what both Amma’s mother and half-sister fail to see is that, through the perfection and obsession, Amma is simply just a girl who wants to be seen.

Course Assignment

ENGL 311 – Cothran

Previously Presented/Performed?

Movement(s) in a Dynamic World: Interdisciplinary Perspectives Conference, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, February, 2023 | Winthrop University Showcase of Winthrop University Undergraduate Research and Creative Endeavors, Rock Hill, SC, April 2023

Type of Presentation

Oral presentation

Start Date

15-4-2023 12:00 PM

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS
 
Apr 15th, 12:00 PM

The Innocence of Amma Crellin that Transformed the Mystery Genre

Sharp Objects, based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Gillian Flynn, is an HBO television miniseries that follows a reserved and heavy-drinking journalist named Camilla Parker returning home to Wind Gap, Missouri, to investigate the second disappearance of a young girl. The series premiered in 2018 and consists of eight episodes that explores themes such as abuse and mother-daughter relationships. But what makes Sharp Objects so different and compelling from other mysteries is their use of innocence. Amma Crellin, Camilla’s younger half-sister, is a pristine, perfect daughter, but this is just a disguise to cover up her obsessive desire for control and love. In this essay, I argue that Amma’s character transformed the mystery genre because she doesn’t allow herself to fall into the set characteristics that being innocent usually has and instead uses it as a tool to get what she wants. Through characterization, it becomes evident that Amma is not who she says she is, especially towards her mother, and is putting up a front so she can get one step closer to what she wants. But what both Amma’s mother and half-sister fail to see is that, through the perfection and obsession, Amma is simply just a girl who wants to be seen.