The Church of Our Blessed Redeemer Who Walked Upon the Waters

Authors

Preston L. Allen, Florida International University

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Major/Program

Creative Writing

First Advisor's Name

Lester Standiford

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Lynne Barrett

Third Advisor's Name

Meri-Jane Rochelson

Date of Defense

5-11-1994

Abstract

The Church of Our Blessed Redeemer Who Walked Upon the Waters is a collection of short stories about Elwyn Parker, a devout pianist who becomes a worldly car salesman. "Thirty Fingers," "My Father's Business," and "Apostate" introduce Elwyn, a saint at church and a trouble-making evangelist at school, who nevertheless finds himself in a love affair with an older woman, Sister Morrisohn. In "Captivity," Elwyn, a college freshman, experiences worldliness, then grows to resent and ultimately reject Sister Morrisohn. In "The Leap," Elwyn is back at the piano, but unemployed and unhappily married. He finds comfort only in his decade-old affair. In "The Lord of Travel," Elwyn, a car salesman, appears bereft of his former morals until he hoodwinks Ida, who reminds him of the now deceased Sister Morrisohn. Elwyn repairs Ida's car, redeeming himself in the process.

Identifier

FI13101590

Recommended Citation

Allen, Preston L., "The Church of Our Blessed Redeemer Who Walked Upon the Waters" (1994). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1067.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1067