Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Identifier

4931

Date

2017

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Major

Creative Writing

Committee Member

Tim Johnston

Committee Member

Courtney Santo

Committee Member

Theron Britt

Abstract

Blind Willie Johnson is a second-person novella that combines literary elements with a choose-your-own-adventure format. As the story progresses, the reader makes character and authorial choices which branch the narrative into alternative paths. While each branch remains similar, events and attitudes are affected by each choice, creating increasingly divergent paths. The paths are linked by a moment of inevitabilty in the middle before they separate again and move toward alternative endings. With this format, I sought to investigage the roles choice and inevitability play in a persons life. This novella, both in concept and execution, was primarily influenced by George Saunders and Jennifer Egan. Inspired by their mix of heavy and light elements, as well as their willingness to experiment, I dove into Blind Willie Johnson seeking to provide both depth and entertainment.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to the local University of Memphis Electronic Theses & dissertation (ETD) Repository.

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