Date of Award

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts

First Advisor

Michael Castro

Second Advisor

Carolyn Scott

Third Advisor

Peter Carlos

Abstract

This culminating project is a memoir, which depicts my struggle with religion and spirituality. The piece is divided into eleven chapters. The chapters are arranged allowing the reader to focus on a chronological pattern of occurrences that affect me, the narrator of the story. The stories are first hand in most instances. Events before 1952 are embellished, but the characterizations are as true as elder family members could remember in their attempts to immortalize deceased family members.

A bit of humor is enjoyed in the story of my maternal grandparents lives during the 1930's, in Stamps, Arkansas. The story serves a two- fold purpose, one that they left their home and two that they left the church.

As I experienced life under the religious dictatorship of my mother, grandfather, and her sisters I seek comfort and understanding, searching. Searching for a safe distance from grandfather's brown handle cane, and trying to understanding the 'power' that my mother and her family profess to have that is different from what other Christians acclaim. Two chapters expound on experiences with my paternal relatives, my grandmother and aunt, who offer sound religious doctrine.

A desire of self worth grows as my awareness of the religious practices of my maternal family leads me to question the 'power'. My own sickness and the death of two personal heroes, President JFK and Granddaddy, find the narration close to accepting the 'power.'

A more balanced picture of the children of the Hall family's growing up is provided by accounts of their play time, like when they play hide and go seek. Also, baseball games in the alley, and football on the side street are memorable joys from my childhood. An important lesson on responsibility is taught when the duties of the furnace are given to the only boy of the family, when Daddy is at work on the night shift at the auto plant.

My security and individuality as a young man are enhanced by a neighborhood icon, an older woman who is rather brash, but honest about life. The story ends with an awakening of the narrator who is overcome with the simple truth regarding how does a young man take a spiritual stand.

Two poems were used to end the piece. The first poem entitled 'I Remember' describes the late 1950's and early 1960's, during the time that much of the story occurs. The poem relates to the chapters discussing children playing on city sidewalks and my mother walking with her children when going to visit relatives are vivid accounts of life during that time.

Download

Included in

Nonfiction Commons

Share

COinS