Abstract
What does it mean to know thyself? What does it mean to know? At its core, this Independent Study seeks to explore these two questions through a mixture of poetry, prose, and creative nonfiction. The writer meditates on memory, those that remain and those that have faded, by including pieces of legacy writing and “talking back” to them. Identity also plays a key role, as the writer reflects on how she has navigated the world as a Chinese transracial adoptee. The critical introduction precedes the writing collection and provides insight into the writer’s key influences and craft process.
Advisor
Kang, Christopher
Department
English
Recommended Citation
Lepore, Mary, "A Fickle Thing: Poetry and Prose on Identity and Memory" (2026). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 13147.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/13147
Disciplines
English Language and Literature
Keywords
creative non-fiction, prose poem, adoption, identity, memory
Publication Date
2026
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2026 Mary Lepore