Date of Award
Fall 12-2012
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.F.A.
Degree Program
Creative Writing
Major Professor
Henry Griffin; Kevin Graves
Second Advisor
Erik Hansen
Abstract
Grandpa Bandit tells the story of elderly Virgil Wells, an upstanding citizen who is forced to partake in criminal activities in order to be able to provide for his ailing wife, Mary. As their funds decrease and their medicare is terminated, Virgil applies for work but is overlooked. His abilities are underestimated. He's viewed as a liability because of his age. When all attempts at making an honest living fails, Virgil decides that his only option is to rob a bank.
Throughline: The common misconception that the elderly are incapable of working hard during their golden years often leaves these people in financial strain, without much assistance from the government. Many of them surrender to poverty and imminent death. While others, like Virgil, take fate into their own hands, going to extremes in order to ensure their families survival, no matter the risk.
Recommended Citation
Dunn, Jasmine D., "Grandpa Bandit" (2012). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1586.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1586
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.