Date of Award

Spring 2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

English

Program/Concentration

Creative Writing

Committee Director

John McManus

Committee Member

Janet Peery

Committee Member

Michael Pearson

Call Number for Print

Special Collections; LD4331.E64 Q36 2013

Abstract

Lowrider is a collection of interlinking short stories, adding up to a novelistic whole, which follows man in his late-20s, who is left paralyzed after a motorcycle accident. Set primarily in a Virginia Beach nursing home, but also in various locales around that city, the protagonist, nicknamed Youngblood by the members of his wheelchair gang, attempts to rehabilitate himself while confronted with the realities of age and isolation. Several themes are explored, including identity, love, permanence and transience, physical and emotional paralysis, and, ultimately, self-acceptance. The stories also aim to depict aspects of young adult life in America, when societal and peer pressure to settle down in life becomes noticeably acute, and what happens to a man who is both physically and psychologically unable to do so. An unrelated story and a memoir excerpt follow, entitled Ask for Directions and South Spigel Drive respectively. However, these also explore many of the same themes, with self-acceptance being of particular importance.

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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/k8bh-yz76

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