Nec(Romantic)

Authors

Cathleen F. Chambless, Florida International UniversityFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Major/Program

Creative Writing

First Advisor's Name

Denise Duhamel

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Chair

Second Advisor's Name

Campbell McGrath

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Maneck Daruwala

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Arts and Humanities, Creative writing, Poetry

Date of Defense

3-16-2015

Abstract

NEC(ROMANTIC) is a poetry collection thematically linked through images of insects, celestial bodies, bones, and other elements of the supernatural. These images are indicative of spells, but the parenthesis around romantic in the collection’s title also implies idealism. The poems explore the author’s experiences with death, grief, love, oppression, and addiction. NEC(ROMANTIC) employs the use of traditional forms such as the villanelle, sestina, and haiku to organize these experiences. Prose poetry and a peca kucha ground the center of NEC(ROMANTIC) which alternates between lyrical and narrative gestures.

NEC(ROMANTIC) is influenced by Sylvia Plath. The author uses Plath’s methods of compression, sound, and rhythm to create a swift, child-like tone when examining emotionally laden topics. Ilya Kaminsky influences lyrical elements of the poems, including surrealism. Spencer Reese’s combination of the natural and personal world is also paramount to this book. Adrienne Rich and Audre Lorde influence NEC(ROMANTIC)’s political poetry.

Identifier

FI15032136

Recommended Citation

Chambless, Cathleen F., "Nec(Romantic)" (2015). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 1933.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/1933