Read Coordinates

Identifier

etd-04142010-132618

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

English

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

An autobiography working in a hybrid medium, Read Coordinates is a Franken-text reveling in a space of in-betweens. It flits between written and visual genres incorporating prose and poetry, visual images including photographs and embroideries, and code switches between languages and homophonic play. Read Coordinates tackles the complexities of transnational immigrant experiences and the politics of the foreigner as contaminant both on the level of content and craft. The work explores the erotics of writing as a place of self-discovery; the process of writing as a process of self-definition—and the residual pleasure (and pains!) that comes from those discoveries. The text is indebted to several sources, most notably Theresa Hak Kyung Cha’s DICTEE, Susan Sontag’s On Photography, Lyn Hejinian’s My Life, Juliana Spahr’s poetics and critical writings on autobiography, and Chris Ware’s graphic novel Jimmy Corrigan: Smartest Kid on Earth.

Date

2010

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Secure the entire work for patent and/or proprietary purposes for a period of one year. Student has submitted appropriate documentation which states: During this period the copyright owner also agrees not to exercise her/his ownership rights, including public use in works, without prior authorization from LSU. At the end of the one year period, either we or LSU may request an automatic extension for one additional year. At the end of the one year secure period (or its extension, if such is requested), the work will be released for access worldwide.

Committee Chair

Mullen, Laura K.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.1198

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