Strawberry Diamond

Presenter and Advisor Information

Joshua Cortez, Illinois Wesleyan University

Major

English – Writing

Second Major

Psychology

Submission Type

Oral Presentation

Area of Study or Work

English-Writing

Faculty Advisor

Michael Theune

Location

CNS E104

Start Date

4-13-2024 12:15 PM

End Date

4-13-2024 12:15 PM

Abstract

“Strawberry Diamond” is a fictional story about a mother and a father who sabotage their livelihoods to live out their own failed dreams through their son. No matter the obstacles they endure, every crazed action is taken to raise their child to be something he has no interest in being. Told in the alternating perspectives between the delusional mother and the father, the unfolding story reveals how they force the sport of bowling upon their child to try to make up for their own ruined experience as professional bowlers. Themes of parental neglect, pressure, projection, and madness run throughout the piece as the family is damaged, both economically and psychologically. While entirely a work of fiction, I use “Strawberry Diamond” to explore my own experiences with pressure to excel in sports. I utilize fiction to expand on the concept of parental dream projection to a larger degree so that others more readily may connect to my concern.

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Apr 13th, 12:15 PM Apr 13th, 12:15 PM

Strawberry Diamond

CNS E104

“Strawberry Diamond” is a fictional story about a mother and a father who sabotage their livelihoods to live out their own failed dreams through their son. No matter the obstacles they endure, every crazed action is taken to raise their child to be something he has no interest in being. Told in the alternating perspectives between the delusional mother and the father, the unfolding story reveals how they force the sport of bowling upon their child to try to make up for their own ruined experience as professional bowlers. Themes of parental neglect, pressure, projection, and madness run throughout the piece as the family is damaged, both economically and psychologically. While entirely a work of fiction, I use “Strawberry Diamond” to explore my own experiences with pressure to excel in sports. I utilize fiction to expand on the concept of parental dream projection to a larger degree so that others more readily may connect to my concern.