Folk/Americana

Abstract

Folk/Americana is a novella that follows Tom, a Director of Photography and cameraman, and Ron Da Zont, a reality-TV bail bondsman, as they travel across America pursuing a criminal. The story is told from Tom’s point of view as the two protagonists struggle with making the show and their own apathy and identity confusion. As these characters make their way across America, they continuously encounter digression and distraction and must work to overcome their own understanding of themselves as fictional characters. Classic American detective fiction and road novels largely influence the progression of this novella. References to pop culture are a major element of the narrative progression as Tom, the narrator, constantly acknowledges popular songs alongside classical literature and history. The first major influence on this work is that of Erving Goffman. His sociological ideas about the self in society and the theatrics of life are a major thematic undercurrent to this work. Stylistically, I’ve taken from every author I’ve ever read in terms of my telling of the story, but most largely from Thomas Pynchon—whose worlds of “hysterical realism” have been a major influence on this writing.

Approved Lorraine Lopez April 21, 2015