Date of Award

2026-05-01

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Department

Creative Writing

Advisor(s)

Daniel D. Chacon

Abstract

In all its intersectionality, I see my thesis as a female journey of identity and maturation. A common theme in my writing always leads back to my upbringing in some way; my history, memories, and beliefs inevitably plague the storytelling animal that lives within me. These different kinds of narratives represent all the parts of my identity. At the same time, the fictional scenes allow me to dramatize and interpret specific life events, while the mythic narratives provide a symbolic framework for exploring psychological and spiritual truths that might transcend conventional logic. Almost all of these pieces reflect various aspects of life: childhood, families, traditions, maternal and sisterly relationships, learning who we are, dealing with who we are, and what we leave behind when we’re gone. These stories frequently explored the complexities of relationships and emotional survival, like the title story, "How to Make Tamales," where there’s dramatic dialogue and the fictional scenes show the conflicts of relationships. In scenes like "Grandma’s House," I use fictional, memory-driven narrative to establish a setting in the real world, yet I introduce a mythic element to show that this little girl’s world is just as real as the smell of "lemon soap and mashed potatoes." Just as I see my identity fragmented, I wove the order of these pieces, spreading the mystical storytelling across reflective pieces and memory-driven, fictional scenes. With the slight exception of "Late Hours," I still see a progression of my choices from child to adult within the order.

Language

en

Provenance

Received from ProQuest

File Size

131 p.

File Format

application/pdf

Rights Holder

Jeanette Colby

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