Date of Award
Winter 3-2024
Document Type
Undergraduate Honors Thesis
Degree Name
B.A. in English Literature
Organizational Unit
College of Arts Humanities and Social Sciences, English and Literary Arts
First Advisor
Joanna Howard
Second Advisor
Adam Rovner
Keywords
Speculative fiction, Strange, Reality, Short stories, Time, Eerie, Suburban Gothic
Abstract
Endeavoring to explore a new dimension of strange realities, The Clementine Tree and Other Uncanny Stories is a contemporary take on the age old-question – what happens when we let our imaginations wander just past the point of possibility? Rich with the stark imagery, eerie undertones, and poignant endings of speculative fiction, these short stories create microcosms of fantastic and uncanny worlds. “The Partitoners” illustrates a refusal to accept reality; “The Long Goodbye” takes a dark and satirical look at impending doom on a Midwestern family dinner. “Stay the Pulpit” blurs the line between dreams and reality, illuminating the dangers of beliefs passed down, while “I Swear There Were Pearls” finds a dangerous and electic narrator seemingly mold time to his liking. “Things are Good In the Village” exemplifies how too much of a good thing can be fatal, and the collection’s truly weird titular story “The Clementine Tree” follows the passing of ghosts through haunting symbols and relationships. Collectively, The Clementine Tree and Other Uncanny Stories extends an invitation to illusion, cycles of deception, and strange afflictions, encouraging readers to leave no symbol, word, or phrase unturned – nothing is as it seems!
Copyright Date
5-13-2024
Copyright Statement / License for Reuse
All Rights Reserved.
Publication Statement
Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.
Rights Holder
Marcella E. Senti
Provenance
Received from author
File Format
application/pdf
Language
English (eng)
Extent
75 pgs
File Size
419 KB
Recommended Citation
Senti, Marcella E., "The Clementine Tree and Other Uncanny Stories" (2024). Undergraduate Theses, Capstones, and Recitals. 31.
https://digitalcommons.du.edu/undergraduate_theses/31