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Background Not Backdrop: The Importance of Time-Space in Fiction

Black and white scribble art depicting a hand holding a calligraphy pen, scratching on a sheet of paper. Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/735634920356474407/

by Victoria Valle Imagine that you are on a train—a subway. What does it look like? What does it smell like? What does it feel like? This is a space you and other commuters occupy only briefly, one backdrop of many in a daily routine. You likely enter this space early in the morning andContinue reading “Background Not Backdrop: The Importance of Time-Space in Fiction”

Artificial Intelligence: The Modern Frankenstein’s Monster

“Beware; for I am fearless, and therefore powerful.” –Frankenstein’s monster As technology advances at an exponential rate, a pressing concern is Artificial Intelligence (AI). Mary W. Shelley’s Frankenstein is an appropriate example. In the beginning, the tale is fraught with optimism, but once Victor Frankenstein brings his creation to life, his ideals are shattered: he has unintentionally created a monster. We can takeContinue reading “Artificial Intelligence: The Modern Frankenstein’s Monster”

Leigh Ann’s Recs No. 8 – The Wild Irish

Book cover for The Wild Irish by Robin Maxwell, Author of The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. The quote at the bottom in the tan border reads, "Compelling, exhilarating, and thought-provoking." according to the Boston Irish Reporter. At the top half of the cover are two portraits mashed together. Grace O'Malley, a middle-aged white woman wearing a fur coat and a gold chain, is left and foregrounded. Elizabeth is slightly behind and to the right, egregiously decorated with pearls and gold, and wearing a white ruffle around her throat. She is sideglancing towards the left, while Grace seems to be looking towards the viewer. In a red Irish-knot border between the portraits and title is the text A Novel of Elizabeth I and the Pirate O'Malley. Source: amazon.com/Wild-Irish-Elizabeth-Pirate-OMalley/dp/0060091436

When it comes to reading (or writing!) historical fictions, historical accuracy is a must!

Engendering “A Brave New World”

By Zelda Elizondo Using James Lawson’s theory of chronotope and Robyn Warhol’s Feminist Perspective, Caballero, by Jovita Gonzalez, was told in a heteroglot and polyphonic manner (Lawson 386). As a result of this it caused a centrifugal world where everyone had their own differing thoughts, ideas, dreams, and goals at a crucial time in TexasContinue reading “Engendering “A Brave New World””

Book Bundles: Sex Sells

Drawing of books, open and closed and lined up in a row. A glass inkwell, calligraphy pen, old timey spectacles.

Welcome to the Modcast’s newest blog series, Book Bundles. This is where we recommend two or more books based around a topic or theme. So you’ve got options! I’ll admit that my title for this one is a little misleading, but it’s undeniable: just the word “sex” can pique one’s interest. After all, you’re here,Continue reading “Book Bundles: Sex Sells”

Rhetorical Grammar in Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Bluest Eye

By Amy Guajardo Through the rhetorical grammar lens, what differences and similarities can be found between the two novels The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston? The Bluest Eye, written in 1970, follows the life of a young African American girl named Pecola. Our main character’sContinue reading “Rhetorical Grammar in Their Eyes Were Watching God and The Bluest Eye”

Hypocriticisms: Double Standards in Literature No. 4

Clipart depicting two women. Left, a woman is bent double and struggling under a huge stack of books. Right, a woman stands on her tiptoes to add another book to the top of the stack.

Welcome back to Hypocritisms, the series in which we list a few double standards we find in literature! If you’ve ever read a book, you might have noticed that sometimes there are some double standards. All kinds. It’s not limited to gender roles or sexuality. Just like in real life, you see discrimination for aspectsContinue reading “Hypocriticisms: Double Standards in Literature No. 4”

I DON’T READ SELF-HELP BOOKS!

So, I finally read my first “self-help” book. It wasn’t actually a self-help book, but it’s quite close. “Will I Ever Be Good Enough? Healing the Daughters of Narcissistic Mothers” by Karyl McBride, Ph.D. This book made me cry, like ugly cry. But, I don’t ever cry that’s the thing. Every time a tear falls,Continue reading “I DON’T READ SELF-HELP BOOKS!”

Poem: “Lip-Reading” by Leigh Ann

4 by 3 grid showing different cartoon mouth shapes for English phonemes. Top left to right: A, E, I; then an O shape; then a mouth labeled C, D, N, S, T, X, Y, Z; and a mouth for G, K. Second row: a shape for L; then a pair of pressed lips for B, M, P; then a mouth for F, V; then a mouth for Ee. Bottom row: mouth shape showing the T-H sound; then a mouth for C-H, J, and Sh; then one for U; and last for Q and W.

It’s like putting together a jigsaw puzzle With no reference picture and, sometimes, With no edge pieces. I stare hard at moving lips, always a phoneme (or two, or three, or four) behind the conversation, While my brain plays the matching game With puzzle pieces that constantly change Colors and shapes and get lost among Continue reading “Poem: “Lip-Reading” by Leigh Ann”

Ball and “Chain of Iron”

Once again I am back to writing another rave review about my recent reading conquest. Recently author Cassandra Clare came out with the second book in The Last Hours trilogy. Now, some won’t know or maybe have not heard of Mrs. Clare, or her work, but I’m warning you now, I AM OBSESSED. I haveContinue reading “Ball and “Chain of Iron””