Date of Award

2011

Degree Name

English

College

College of Liberal Arts

Type of Degree

M.A.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Anthony Viola

Second Advisor

Chris Green

Third Advisor

Kelli Prejean

Abstract

Persistence: “My Grandmother’s Eyes” and Other Memories is a collection of five essays based on the author’s life. “My Grandmother’s Eyes” depicts the difficult, but loving, communication between the author and her grandmother, who speaks Italian as a first language. “Christmas: A Journey” compares and contrasts the celebration of Christmas in the author’s Italian-American family and her celebration of Christmas as an adult. “Room in My Heart” describes the events leading up to a decision to adopt a child. “Renaming Oriental Avenue” follows three threads: the author’s relationship to the Monopoly game; the author’s study of the Japanese language and culture; and the difficulties and joys of intercultural relationships. “Four Faces of Joy” is a series of meditations in which four stressful situations are reclaimed as joyful. Themes include multiculturalism, family, Christmas, adoption, friendship, faith, and joy.

Subject(s)

American essays - 21st century.

Families in literature.

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