you, prey

Identifier

etd-04022013-152408

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

English

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

In "you, prey," a poetry manuscript, the unnamed first person narrator performs the role of “creator.” Interested in “what if’s,” she performs scientific “social experiments” to satisfy her own curiosity. Haunted by the characters of Missy, a kind of phantom sister, and Mother, the narrator manages to maintain her powerful authority until the end of the manuscript threatens this self-created control with the notion of “cleansings,” menstruation. Within the manuscript, the “nurturing” and “motherly” role often attributed to women is subverted through the depiction of manipulative and often violent outcomes of “conception,” performed by the lyric “I.” The merciful, loving notion of God is challenged through the presentation of a narrator who plays with her creations like a child plays with toys, who considers herself a predator. Distinctions between reader, character, and artist grow unclear through the use of personal pronouns to suggest initiation as either predator or prey into an unsafe space.

Date

2013

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Glenum, Lara

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1268

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