Date of Award
5-2023
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Arts
Department
English
Program
Creative Writing (MFA)
First Advisor/Chairperson
Matthew Gavin Frank
Abstract
The following thesis is a creative work that explores the intersection of pop culture criticism and personal identity. This is a work of creative nonfiction, comprised of formally experimental essays, accompanied by a critical introduction which interrogates what it means, in this context, for a piece of writing to be creative nonfiction, as well as what it means for a piece of writing to be an essay. The essays within engage music from the perspective of a listener, and turn that same perspective on its thematic concerns, such as queerness, love, heartache, depression, alcoholism, and creativity. Throughout this work, the essays are presented in segmented forms that challenge the typical constraints of the prose essay.
Recommended Citation
Howard, Matthew R., "I Made You this Playlist because I Don't Know How to Say "I Love You"" (2023). All NMU Master's Theses. 750.
https://commons.nmu.edu/theses/750
Access Type
Open Access
Justification for Restricting Access
This thesis is a creative work that I am seeking to publish, in part or in whole, within the next 5 years. For many literary publishing venues, open access would mean the thesis is considered "previously published" and would disqualify it from publication with those venues.