Type

Text

Type

Thesis

Advisor

McCormick, Patricia | Rosenblatt, Roger. | Masnik, Julia.

Date

2017-08-01

Keywords

Creative writing | Literature

Department

Department of Creative Writing and Literature.

Language

en_US

Source

This work is sponsored by the Stony Brook University Graduate School in compliance with the requirements for completion of degree

Identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/11401/78341

Publisher

The Graduate School, Stony Brook University: Stony Brook, NY.

Format

application/pdf

Abstract

A Beautiful Backdrop (approximatively 49,000 words) explores jealous love by following two characters who obsess in their own unhealthy ways. It also reflects the heightened impact of social media on the lives of teenagers who live out some of their most private moments in public. Damien Reid grew up in a hoard, a house overflowing with cats, broken ornaments, and other trinkets. He knows his father left because of his mother’s “collections.” He knows his peers and neighbors dislike him because of the hoard’s smell. He understands the dangers of obsessions, but can’t help developing one of his own: a fondness for his father’s 9mm handgun. Eliza Kane grew up on the same road as Damien, but stayed away because her boyfriend, football star and student body president Zack, told her to. Damien thought Eliza and Zack were inseparable, but a few weeks before homecoming, Eliza makes a rape claim against Zack, only to withdraw it the same day. As a result, Zack is kicked off the football team and Eliza is excommunicated by her peers. Sensing a weakness in the social chain, Damien develops a plan to pay Zack back for years of bullying. Step one: befriend Eliza, but when Eliza is receptive to his friendship, Damien begins to wonder, does she have a plan of her own? Does she have her own hidden obsession?,231 pages

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