Keywords

Masculinity; Identity; Family dynamics; Adolescence; Race relations

Abstract

Primarily through adolescent narrators, Boys to Men is a series of short stories that attempts to identify the lessons, traumas, and joys that offer—and in some cases, withhold—the tools that allow Black boys to become Black men. In "Hard Ball," an eleven-year-old baseball player on the cusp of entering middle school wants nothing more than to be less sensitive. In "That's the Way Love Goes," a fifteen-year-old visiting Florida for the summer faces his first hurricane, alone with only his grandmother and unresolved family turmoil as company. And in "Hallelujah," a young church-goer publicly challenges a powerful, yet unruly spiritual leader in an endeavor to defend the people he loves. Through the intersections of masculinity, racism, family, and even religion, this collection offers a unique perspective of how these various experiences influence the everchanging manhood of Black boys.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2023

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Poissant, David

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

English

Degree Program

Creative Writing

Identifier

CFE0009485; DP0027486

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027486

Language

English

Release Date

May 2023

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Subjects

African American boys in literature; African American teenage boys--Conduct of life; Boys in literature; African American men in literature; Young men in literature

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Accessibility Statement

This item was created or digitized prior to April 24, 2027, or is a reproduction of legacy media created before that date. It is preserved in its original, unmodified state specifically for research, reference, or historical recordkeeping. In accordance with the ADA Title II Final Rule, the University Libraries provides accessible versions of archival materials upon request. To request an accommodation for this item, please submit an accessibility request form.