In this collection of short stories, I have attempted to capture truth in unexpected places. For instance, a recent amputee resents her limitations until a brush with her past and the needs of another drives her to act and she discovers her ability. "Crutches" reveals a character developed from within. Dawn's frustrations, stubbornness, and humor illustrate her fully lived past and approach to her future. In "Noel", a waitress treats herself on her birthday which makes her recall her past and envision her future and the life that she can lead on her own. Evie's transformation shows the lifelong discoveries of a woman and the breaking point, which ultimately propels her on. "Winning Hands" captures a career woman who visits an elderly relative seeking support and validation and instead finds the miseries of Dementia and the frustration of lost time and opportunities. Crystal not only faces her aunt's limitations, but her own in the inability to communicate with her aunt. In "Trophies", a restaurant manager returns home to find her ailing stepfather, a lost inheritance, and her estranged brother, but rediscovers their connection in the catch of her life. Stephanie's problems with her past are overshadowed by her concerns and suspicions about her inheritance. However, she confronts her fears and reconnects with her brother and reconciles her past. Finally, "What Lasts" portrays the struggle of a sister to provide for herself during the Great Depression and the result of her secrecy and deception. This historical story illustrates the timeless concern of self-preservation and the story of Agnes' deception to achieve her dreams. Ultimately, in this collection I have tried to create lasting characters, characters who invite the reader in and develop a true connection. / A Thesis submitted to the Department of English in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts. / Summer Semester, 2003. / May 1, 2003. / Short Stories / Includes bibliographical references. / , ; , ; , .
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_182175 |
| Contributors | Grimes, Christine (authoraut), Department of English (degree granting department), Florida State University (degree granting institution) |
| Publisher | Florida State University, Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text |
| Format | 1 online resource, computer, application/pdf |
| Rights | 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). The copyright in theses and dissertations completed at Florida State University is held by the students who author them. |
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