coldhearted scientist وداد

Tropical towns, Creole looks, and articles I do not have time to write

10/03/2013

Introductory matter or contorno: Cirilo Villaverde, the U.S. Latino writer, or at least his novel Cecilia Valdés as American novel where “America” includes but is not limited to the United States (following Rodrigo Lazo‘s lead on this). Central discussion: the image of plaçage in American literature including Cecilia Valdés. Kenneth Aslakson has already done significant … More Tropical towns, Creole looks, and articles I do not have time to write

Z

10/03/2013

Revista de poesia e arte contemporânea. Axé.

Daniel Sada

10/03/2013

Lo que había No hay riesgo. En la hondura se apaga la ansiedad, se enciende el sinsentido. No hay hilo que seguir Pero ¿a dónde?, ¿por qué?, y la salida: otrora atrae como la luna, apenas picajosa la fisura por donde el riesgo ¿corre? Hay una luz quizás y una pregunta… De otro modo mejor … More Daniel Sada

Half revealed, half concealed

09/03/2013

Martineau, apud Aslakson, emphasis added: What security for domestic purity and peace can be where every man has had two connections, one of which must be concealed; and two families whose existence must not be known to each other; where the conjugal relations begin in treachery, and must be carried on with a heavy secret … More Half revealed, half concealed

Militant Hispanist

09/03/2013

I had been threatening to use this as a blog title. It would require writing an avant-garde manifesto. Once coldhearted scientist has served its purpose, I may change. I have rejoined the Revista Iberoamericana although this journal is one of the things we do still receive at our library; I have rejoined IAS and I … More Militant Hispanist

Fernando de Lemos. Truth and fiction. A novel. Gayarré, Charles, 1805-1895. New York, G. W. Carleton, 1872.

09/03/2013

This book exists at LSU, Tulane, and the Louisiana State Library. I must acquire and read it as it apparently describes the experience of this Louisiana historian and his Creole concubine. I found out about it on the plaçage wiki which, interestingly, locates plaçage in Saint-Domingue and in various other places, but not in Havana. … More Fernando de Lemos. Truth and fiction. A novel. Gayarré, Charles, 1805-1895. New York, G. W. Carleton, 1872.

Writing Group, Week 10

08/03/2013

The writing group is ill so I am calling people here since this is the check-in day. I am reiterating the prompt from last week, on being a happy writer. It is good and applies to more than theses; like all writing advice it applies to academic work generally and I in particular would do well … More Writing Group, Week 10

On why I should definitely not be a professor

08/03/2013

“I wish I could always have classes from you, because you are so much fun,” said my student. “It is not true that your classes are so demanding or difficult; you are merely intelligent and this challenges people.” She is in the minority. I have been telling people for twenty years that I should not … More On why I should definitely not be a professor

On college classes

07/03/2013

I like my classes this semester because I have programs for them I can believe in. We have current theory and criticism, and engaging, authentic materials; we are not classifying texts according to movements, nor authors according to generations. Memorable courses I took in college include: –Calculus with a Buddhist T.A. Theoretical and wiggy. –Denmark’s … More On college classes

Blanc kreyòl

06/03/2013

It is a commonplace thing, but it has its complexities and charm. In every class there is a blond Latin American with a last name in Spanish who at some point during the semester pronounces an anti-Spain rant. The other students say “Now, now, they at least gave you your language,” and the speaker says … More Blanc kreyòl

Writing in Memory of Paulo Freire