Date of Award
Winter 2014
Project Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
First Advisor
Ann J Williams
Second Advisor
Janet Schofield
Third Advisor
Tom McNeely
Abstract
This collection of short stories is meant to attempt to demonstrate several ideas and to posit a theory. The first idea is that I'm a real human living man whose life experiences and unique emotional life are significant and worthy of regard. Next, literature can have jagged edges. Darkness can have heart. True love and visceral disgust often intertwine, sometimes one bursting forth from the other. The theory this thesis is meant to posit is that "man-love," in other words, strong non-sexual affection between males, while (in my opinion) underrepresented in fiction, is a concept that readers will gladly spend many stories exploring without ever thinking, "That was gay," if the stories are properly crafted.
It should be noted that at no point was it concretely established that this thesis does demonstrate these ideas or posit this theory. However, it is indisputable that it has attempted to do so. Verifiable success was never part of the plan, nor should it be in fiction. Proofs are for mathematicians, and fiction writers should continue to spill our ideas loosely on the page.
Recommended Citation
Geigley, Jay Matthew, "All-American Man-Love" (2014). Master's Theses and Capstones. 936.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/936