Sandman’s Emotional Effect Survey

Stephen Rauch is writing a thesis on The Sandman as modern mythology and needs your help (originally posted on alt.fan.neil-gaiman):

Hi All,
I’ve been lurking for a while, and I was hoping you could help me out with something. I’m currently writing a thesis on Sandman as a modern mythology. I’ve got some material looking at the series from an intellectual perspective, how it combines elements from so many systems of belief and makes them sing together. But what I really want is something about the series’ emotional effect on its readers. I guess I’m looking for stories of personal transformation (not to sound too flaky), that aren’t just my own, or why certain parts of Sandman have meant so much to people. I get the feeling that there are people out there for whom the series has meant as much as it has for me. Anyway, I’d love to hear your stories (and it ALL comes down to stories, doesn’t it?), even if you don’t want to be quoted in the actual paper, since it’s something I’ve been curious about for a while. Feel free to post responses here, but what I’d really prefer is email (srauch1@swarthmore.edu).

Thanks for all your help.

Pleasant dreams,
Stephen