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Missouri State University

The Pain of Astronomy

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

This autobiographical collection of poetry discusses the affect of trauma on the human psyche, the cyclical nature of generational flaws, and the struggle of recovery. A significant point of tragedy revealed is rooted in a well-documented, American triple-homicide case often referred to as the West Memphis child murders of 1993. Most of the poems are free verse, though formal elements such as repetition, lyric, narrative, sonic coherence, and fixed meter are employed. There are references to and quotations from classic children's literature and pop culture. The construction of this thesis revealed the need for weaving tools of prosody versus using one or two elements, the importance of balancing narrative and lyric elements to create a universal work, and the power of poetry that caters to both casual and seasoned readers.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Arts in English
Level thesis:degree_level
Masters
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
English
Year
2014

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Byers, Natalie J.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Marcus Cafagna

Subjects

dc:subject × 10

Rights

dc:rights
Statement dc:rights
  • © Natalie J. Byers

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1131
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-2132

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Missouri State University
Base URL
bearworks.missouristate.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Byers, Natalie J.. The Pain of Astronomy. Masters thesis, 2014. https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/1131