Category: language

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Language and the Crafting of Anger and Fear

Throughout Louise Kennedy’s Trespasses, language plays an important role in the ways that it defines individuals and creates divisions even where similarities exist. During a session with Michel Agnew and his friends, Cushla teaches them Irish. One of Michael’s friends, Victor, goads Cushla into teaching him the Irish words that would denigrate her as a Catholic, Irish speaker. He tells her, “There are lots of … Read More Language and the Crafting of Anger and Fear

Language and Power in N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell’s “Far Sector”

We all know the power of words and the ways that words shape our reality. The student in Ernest Gaines’ “The Sky is Gray” points this out when he gets into a conversation with other individuals in the waiting room at a dentist office. He tells those around him that the grass is black and that the wind is pink. Immediately, they laugh at him and … Read More Language and Power in N.K. Jemisin and Jamal Campbell’s “Far Sector”

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The Role of the Artist in Interesting Times: A Look at Albert Camus’s “Creating Dangerously”

Almost two years ago to the day, I finally read Albert Camus’ The Stranger. I had come across, somewhere, a discussion of the novel’s ending, which I won’t spoil here, and I became intrigued, especially since I was reading texts about the Algerian War and about France’s protectorate control of Morocco. Since then, I have been wanting to read more Camus, especially his 1947 novel The Plague which … Read More The Role of the Artist in Interesting Times: A Look at Albert Camus’s “Creating Dangerously”

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Race in Judy Blume’s “Wifey”: Part II

Last post, I started looking at race in Judy Blume’s Wifey. Today, I want to continue that exploration by looking at the ways that characters in the novel deploy language to cover up their racism when referring to African Americans in the novel. Language becomes a thread weaving its way throughout the novel, masking, for the public, the racist attitudes behind the words. All of … Read More Race in Judy Blume’s “Wifey”: Part II

The Importance of Critically Engaging with Language

Growing up, I’d be riding with someone and as we drove through a parking lot, the person may look at a Cadillac or a car that was not parked correctly and say, “Gotta be a Democrat.” Or, while waiting in line somewhere, a person might say, “Look at that Canadian acting like that.” In each of these cases, the speaker attempted to code their … Read More The Importance of Critically Engaging with Language