Date of Award

Fall 2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

English

Program/Concentration

Creative Writing

Committee Director

Janet Peery

Committee Member

John McManus

Committee Member

Sheri Reynolds

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.E64 M326 2009

Abstract

Absence Makes The Heart explores, in six short stories, characters who face ordinary problems, but search for grace through extraordinary means. Inspired by the tragi­ comic styles of writers such as Lorrie Moore, Lee K. Abbott, Ron Carlson and others, these stories follow regular, if somewhat oddball folks, who - intentionally or by accident - invoke creativity to overcome or circumvent desperate circumstances. Throughout their journeys, these mothers, fathers, fishermen, and saxophone players find support from surprising co-conspirators: other oddballs, equally vulnerable and in need of redemption. Though the characters don't necessarily find the answers or forgiveness they seek, they find pathways and crevices that allow them to advance in their quests for happiness, peace, and stability. In these stories the saviors who ultimately provide a means for healing and shoring up others' spirits emerge, quite often, from the most unlikely places. And in their very oddity, they demonstrate how worthwhile it is to have faith in the inexplicable, to believe in the wily wisdom of maintaining hope when logic suggests all is lost.

Rights

In Copyright. URI: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).

DOI

10.25777/8az2-h072

Download

Included in

Fiction Commons

Share

COinS