Paul Fussell on Class

We now quote from Antonio Núñez’ Amazon.com review of Paul Fussell’s Class: A Guide Through the American Status System (Touchstone, 1983). It is true that the traditional lower (rather than the underclass) and the higher classes have many things in common, among them a deeply ingrained conservatism and a fierce pride in their way of … More Paul Fussell on Class

On Convolution

HYPOTHESIS Another difference I have with Reeducation, as well as with popular psychology generally and also much standard advice on how to “strategize” and hedge your bets so as to “succeed,” is that all of these modes of thought involve so much convolution. Simplicity and directness are not allowed, because it is assumed people are … More On Convolution

Paulinho da Viola

It is the weekend, so we will sing! This is the stellar Paulinho da Viola on Rosa de Ouro Potpourri, taped from television in 1980. Also singing are Elton Medeiros, Jair do Cavaquinho Anescar do Salgueiro, and Nelson Sargento. Axé.

On Hiring Women

In my graduate department was a Bright Student who had, furthermore, an excellent situation since she was married to a Nurse. She therefore had no financial worries, roommate worries, or dating worries, and her situation was slated to continue indefinitely: this Nurse, being a Nurse, was in a position to move, when she got an … More On Hiring Women

Escritura

I enjoyed Becoming Jane for the morning scenes of Austen intent on her page of writing. Jumping into the words, she seemed like me. I was one of those children who went to many music lessons and drama groups, and who had art projects. My grandmother, curious for reasons of her own to decide which … More Escritura

Keep Blogging Chiquita – and Boycott!

For this momentuous day, remember that the activities of Chiquita Brands are also an emergency! Immigration Orange says, please boycott Chiquita, and blog about its activities. What follows is quoted from him. CITIZENS FOR BOYCOTTING CHIQUITA Join the Facebook Group and the MySpace Group. “It is time to boycott Chiquita Brands International, Inc. I covered … More Keep Blogging Chiquita – and Boycott!

On Fitting In. On Graduating. On Succeeding. On Wives

I Freshman year I inhabited a dormitory filled with graduate students largely in scientific and technical fields. In the first semester I became famous there by helping some of them pass their French reading examinations, and translating some letters from the Niels Bohr archive for another. In the second semester I tackled the first part … More On Fitting In. On Graduating. On Succeeding. On Wives