Jantos, Jennifer MarieSet during the 1990s on the East Coast of the United States, this collection of short stories explores identity and diaspora where grief manifests viscerally. Be it the loss of a sister, the loss of a childhood home, the loss of health, or the loss of a grandmother's memory, the alienating event pushes characters into a perceived state of paralysis yet the ensuing emotional trajectories explore how fear and grief can be empowering when borne with emotional resilience and compassion.en-USThesisFine Arts