Sampson Starkweather

L The hammer, the afterbirth, the anvil, the ink, the already-not-yet, the aperture, the armchair, the pleasure of cellar door, the chimera, the never, the more, the bullet, the born, the there, the uncle, the surrogate, the peninsula, the risen, the drown, the jig-saw, the Jew, the glass, the ceasefire, the phonograph, the smoke. Immutable, … More Sampson Starkweather

Someone agrees with me on composition and the introduction to literature, Dieu merci

Q. Do you have comments on the idea that “literature is not for everybody, and should only be taught in literature classes” — ? A. That idea makes me mad. I could point to cognitive theory, which makes the argument that literature is an important way we develop our ability to empathize with people who … More Someone agrees with me on composition and the introduction to literature, Dieu merci

The MLA, and a diagnosis, and some fascinating questions

The theme of the 2016 MLA convention is Literature and Its Publics: Past, Present, and Future. In the meantime, I am told there are two types of academic worker: intellectual knowledge workers and educational service workers. This is my problem: I am supposed to be the former, but pressed to be the latter. It is all well … More The MLA, and a diagnosis, and some fascinating questions

Encore de la nadería

No hay tal yo de conjunto. Allende toda posibilidad de sentenciosa tahurería, he tocado con mi emoción ese desengaño en trance de separarme de un compañero. Retornaba yo a Buenos Aires y dejábale a él en Mallorca. Entrambos comprendimos que salvo en esa cercanía mentirosa o distinta que hay en las cartas, no nos encontraríamos … More Encore de la nadería