Date of Award
5-2021
Degree Type
Creative Project
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
English
Committee Chair(s)
Michael Sowder (Committee Chair)
Committee
Michael Sowder
Committee
Jennifer Sinor
Committee
Benjamin Gunsberg
Committee
John McLaughlin
Abstract
What if being understood becomes even more dreadful than being isolated? This collection of poetry stands between two extremes, using form and language to reflect the struggle of living on a continuum between being understood and being alone. By echoing the direct style of poets like Charles Bukowski and Mark Strand, as well as more abstract figures like May Swenson and Sylvia Plath, this collection asserts that the contradictions we carry can coexist, and even complement one another. Part One features original poetry that relies on the senses to recover old memories. A direct style in Part One seeks to gain common ground with the reader. Part Two, however, drifts away from this goal in favor of abstraction. As each poem adopts more unconventional forms, those forms work to reflect an alienated mind.
Recommended Citation
Smeltzer, Mark, "A Collection for a Better Misunderstanding" (2021). All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023. 1552.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/gradreports/1552
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