The Flower Shop

Date of Award

January 2020

Degree Type

Closed Access Thesis

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

English and Theatre

First Advisor

R. Dean Johnson

Department Affiliation

English

Second Advisor

Julie Hensley

Department Affiliation

English

Third Advisor

Nancy Jensen

Department Affiliation

English

Abstract

The Flower Shop is a novel centered on the contrast and conflict between the creation of art for passion and the creation of art for profit. Exploring this division from the perspective of an individual in the music industry, the novel additionally explores themes of growing up, growing apart, the exploitation of artists, harassment, vengeance, fantasy versus reality, and the evolving way media is produced and consumed. As protagonist David Fair fulfills his lifelong dream of being a musician, he finds himself not in a place to share his music with the world, but rather a cog in an business that places money and status over artistic merit. Through encounters with his overzealous and fame seeking roommate, an aging rock star obsessed with maintaining his image, an alcoholic superstar, and two women disillusioned with the predatory industry, David must decide what matters more—being a celebrity or being true to himself. Inspired partially by the author’s time working in close proximity with aspiring musicians and his own experiences with writing and editing, The Flower Shop aims to provide a reflective look at what it means to be an artist.

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