Date of Award

8-1-2023

Language

English

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

College/School/Department

Department of English

Dissertation/Thesis Chair

Edward Schwarzschild

Committee Members

Aashish Kaul

Keywords

fiction, flash fiction, Gothic, nature, short fiction, Washington Irving

Subject Categories

English Language and Literature

Abstract

This collection of short literary fiction springs loosely from a contemplation of the enduring influence of Washington Irving’s Gothic in the Hudson Valley. The first story, “Life Is Good,” centers on a fictionalized account of a morbidly obese bear named Allen and a resilient child, Henny, who forms an unlikely bond with the captive animal, reflecting on themes of nature, independence, and abandonment. The second story, “Recipes for Radicals,” delves into the COVID-19 pandemic with a diary-like structure and an underlying theme of confronting moral injustices and the complexities of justice and revenge. In “The Wild Thing,” the protagonist, Meredith, navigates the contradictions of her feelings in working for a morally bereft socialite, and her ultimate decision to choose integrity over loyalty. The final two stories, “A Very Special Murder” and “Season of the Chanterelles,” explore the danger and diversity of nature, including ominous aspects of the natural world that surpass human agency. Throughout the collection, the works of fiction authors such as Emily Dickinson, Carmen Maria Machado, David Means, and Truman Capote serve as inspiration, highlighting the power of nature and the boundaries of human art in capturing its awe and mystery.

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