Defense Date

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts

Department

English

First Advisor

Clint McCown

Second Advisor

Gretchen Comba

Third Advisor

Mary-Caton Lingold

Abstract

Roman Sherwood, a repressed gay teenager, joins the Marine Corps in 2006, during the time of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. He dreams of earning his “mosquito wings”—the rank insignia of a private first-class—and thus proving he belongs in the Marine Corps infantry and further denying his true identity. As Roman’s company trains for a combat deployment to Afghanistan, his quest for promotion and self-denial is threatened by his growing relationship with the rebellious Kirby Jones.

Roman falls in love with Kirby, despite the interference and hostility of their immediate superior, Lance Corporal Gutfeld. When Kirby decides to desert to California on the eve of their deployment, Roman must choose whether to desert with Kirby and be true to himself, or to remain with the Marines and go to war.

Rights

© The Author

Is Part Of

VCU University Archives

Is Part Of

VCU Theses and Dissertations

Date of Submission

5-3-2024

Available for download on Tuesday, March 16, 2224

Included in

Fiction Commons

Share

COinS