Reprieved

Date of Award

2007

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts in Writing

Department

Creative Writing

First Advisor

Michael Castro

Second Advisor

Harry Jackson

Abstract

Reprieved is a hybrid memoir that explores the complexities of personal accountability, trauma, mental health, and the search for redemption. Through a combination of prose narrative and poetic reflection, the author examines a transformative period marked by profound loss, legal consequences, and emotional struggle.

Structured around a series of personal experiences, the work begins in the aftermath of a tragic accident and follows the author’s journey through various stages of the justice system, including court proceedings, incarceration, and parole. Woven throughout are themes of grief, guilt, and psychological resilience, offering a candid portrayal of how a single event can ripple through a life, altering its trajectory in lasting ways.

The memoir also addresses broader social issues, including the stigma of criminal records, the realities of the correctional system, and the challenges of living with multiple mental health diagnoses. The narrative voice is raw and introspective, offering a unique perspective on the nonlinear process of healing and the power of personal storytelling as a means of survival.

A key element of Reprieved is its exploration of forgiveness—both sought and offered—and the internal conflict that arises when self-forgiveness proves harder to attain than external absolution. The use of poetry interspersed with narrative sections allows for a layered emotional resonance and a deeper engagement with memory and identity.

Ultimately, Reprieved is not just a documentation of past events, but a work in progress that mirrors the unfinished nature of personal growth. It serves as both a creative thesis and a reflective space for the author to reframe lived experience into a narrative of resilience and tentative hope.

Research Highlights

Unavailable due to privacy restrictions.

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