Illuminations

I Z: What are the characteristics of “Our America” in the famous essay by the same title? Student: Well, I understand that the author is referring to the multicultural, intellectual and spiritual Latin America as opposed to the industrial, utilitarian, and Anglo-Saxon United States. But when you actually read the essay this is not so … More Illuminations

Ana Bundgard

In her article on the semiotics of guilt in Garro’s work, Ana Bundgard asserts that falling into guilt is transgression and rupture, a necessary evil for anyone who aspires to status as subject. By taking on the role of writer, Lelinca carries a burden of guilt that represents rupture from the paradise of the patriarchal … More Ana Bundgard

Elena Garro

Cross posted at Seminario Permanente de Teoría y Crítica: In [a book] [a critic] distinguishes between silencing, a condition imposed from outside, and silence freely chosen. She further suggests that the latter can take two forms: using silence as a weapon or breaking silence with hipocrisy. The interplay between silencing and silence . . . … More Elena Garro

Freikorps

Read these stories and definitions: FREIKORPS 1 – FREIKORPS 2 – STURM ABTEILUNG – SCHUTZSTAFFEL – BLACKWATER. Draw the logical conclusion. And while we are on the general topic of terrorism, visit Elaine Vigneault for the best post on web harrassment I have seen to date. I, meanwhile, have gotten back to reading Virginia Woolf, … More Freikorps

Marjane Satrapi

La Changeseeker explica por qué tenemos todos que leer a Marjane Satrapi. A continuación reproducimos unos trozos de la entrevista con Satrapi que cita la Changeseeker: Satrapi: If I have any advice, it’s that every day that you wake up, don’t say, ‘This is normal.’ Every day, wake up with this idea that you have … More Marjane Satrapi

Per Petterson

En el blog de Lisa, supe del escritor noruego Per Petterson, quien dice: “If you consider it, what you say has less importance in your life compared to what you think. The words you say are also outnumbered by your thoughts.” Per Petterson “I wanted to do what the good writers did, and I knew … More Per Petterson

Dissertation Topic

Ralph Ellison and Octavio Paz? I am not sure this would work, but it occurs to me. Read this and think about it: Ralph Ellison and alienation: It would seem an obvious pairing. After all, he won his initial acclaim for extending the most fashionable affectation of the 1950s onto black America. Yet he may … More Dissertation Topic