Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

English

First Advisor

Charles D. Nicol

Second Advisor

John M. Jakaitis

Third Advisor

Brendan Corcoran

Abstract

Good storytelling never goes out of style. Writing that is provocative, challenging, and witty will always fill a need the human animal craves. Supplying that type of writing in a novel that is accessible to the largest readership is the goal of this master's thesis. Writing this novel is the culmination of all my knowledge and experienc;e manifested into a tangible format which serves as the ultimate expression of my worldview at this point in my life and also serves as the stepping stone upon which I will build future literary projects. This novel, as does all good writing, addresses the human condition through a fictional portrayal which raises some important issues about the larger questions of our lives. The work presented for consideration is a genre-blending novel that is recalcitrant toward any one-line description of it and exemplifies Flannery O'Connor's assertion that if you want to know what a story is about, read the story; that's what it's about. I have studied extensively the genres of science fiction, dark fantasy, and horror, as well as more than dabbling in comedy, mysteries, and philosophy. This novel encapsulates all of these.

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