Honors College Theses

Publication Date

4-1-2024

Major

English (B.A.)

Document Type and Release Option

Thesis (restricted to Georgia Southern)

Faculty Mentor

Professor Christina Olson

Abstract

When I raise the question “what is love?”, the answer seems pretty straight forward. The standard understanding of love is a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person. But I think there is more to explore with that definition. In fact, I don’t think there is one way to define such a complex emotion. I believe it comes in waves. Love can be dormant. It can be feverish. Love can look like a nod from someone who looks like you as an intimate statement of ethnic solidarity or mourning the loss of what once was. The following artistic thesis will explore the nature of love as it relates to how I have experienced it. I use the art of poetry to explore familial, paternal, platonic, and romantic relationships. Questions that surround self-image, sexuality, religion, societal norms can all be traced back to the way we as a society view and experience love. It’s imperative to my research that I explore multiple facets of love, because I’m arguing that there is no one way we can define love. The goal of this project was not to find an answer, but to begin to understand why there is no answer at all.

Thesis Summary

In the following project, I will reflect on the poetry chapbook developed for my Honors College thesis, exploring the multifaceted nature of love. This collection of poems serves as a creative outcome of my research, showcasing my growth as a writer in terms of voice, imagery, and structure. Each verse acts as a testament to my evolution as a poet, demonstrating a refined grasp of language and form, coupled with a deeper connection to the emotions that shape our lives. Navigating the delicate balance between vulnerability and craft, my poetic voice matured, weaving intricate narratives and evocative imagery that chart the tapestry of personal and creative development. The research's goal wasn't to define 'what is love?' but rather to embrace the complexity of the question, acknowledging the elusive nature of love and its varied manifestations.

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