I Didn't Mean to Get You All Riled Up, or The Gruesome Tale of Buster Malone: Pikachu's Last Survival
Open Access
- Author:
- Hooks, Ariel
- Area of Honors:
- Letters, Arts, and Sciences (Abington)
- Degree:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Document Type:
- Thesis
- Thesis Supervisors:
- Liliana Marika Naydan, Thesis Supervisor
Dave Ruth, Thesis Honors Advisor
Jimmy Joseph Pack, Jr., Faculty Reader - Keywords:
- creative writing
english
fiction
short story
creative
letters art and sciences - Abstract:
- Through a collection of short stories, this thesis aims to position Generation Z (1997 – 2010) against the backdrop of the equally chaotic, ludicrous, and exploratory mannerisms of 1980s North America. Many of these short stories discuss, either overtly or subtly, issues of gender, sexuality, stereotypes, and mental health in order to navigate modern society’s perception of such topics and to ultimately say, “This is our reality, so let’s make the best of it.” Members of Generation Z are particularly interested in nostalgia and vintage materials, claiming it elevates their modern aesthetic while bringing them back to a simpler time. However, with this thesis, I will attempt to show that Generation Z does not simply use nostalgia as a means of “aesthetic”; Generation Z uses nostalgia as a form of escapism. Our faceless narrator, Buster Malone, takes us through a list of quotes taken from individuals who embody the tumultuous essence of the 1980s and asks us, “Why is this funny? Why do you feel uncomfortable at the end of this story? What does this say about you?” Ultimately, Buster Malone implores readers to understand that blurring the lines between reality and fiction, between audience and actor, between author and reader, can be beneficial for seeing today’s social issues in a new perspective. We cannot take life too seriously when everything is awash in the bright neon lights and outrageously fake blood splatters of the 1980s.