Author Archives: Charles Carmody

The Importance of Paratextual Information in Claudia Rankine’s Don’t Let Me Be Lonely

Smith and Watson, the co-writers of the riveting text Reading Autobiography, define paratext as “the framing produced by their (a books) publication, reception, and circulation” (99).  “Cover designs, the author’s name, the dedication, titles, prefaces, introductions, chapter breaks, and endnotes” … Continue reading

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Canada: A Beautiful Land, A Freezing Land

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The Intersectional Identities of Baldwin and Anzaldua

My first reaction after reading James Baldwin and Gloria Anzaldua back to back was to seriously question Professor Vander Zee’s motives for having us read these two stories together.  Baldwin’s autobiography is written from the perspective of a black man … Continue reading

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A Good Education or Finding My Love of Literature in The Magus

My father always said to me, “Son, if there is one thing I am going to give you, it is a damn good education.”  This is why he sent me to Porter-Gaud.  For those of you who are not from … Continue reading

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A Call to Cook or Deep Fried Dandelion Wine: A Year of Cooking with Charles and Crystal

Check out our A Call to Cook Blog! Our cookbook tracks a year in our lives through food and the traditions that accompany its preparation and enjoyment. We created twelve recipes each, following a monthly format in order to cover special … Continue reading

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The Truthfulness and Authenticity of Confessionals

Michael Wigglesworth’s diary, Levi Ames’ Last Word and Dying Speech, and Jonathan Edwards’ Personal Narrative fit pretty snuggly into the category of Confessional Autobiographies.  Edwards and Wigglesworth’s narratives are more personal confessions, as they were not meant to be for … Continue reading

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The Identity of Cabeza de Vaca

While Cabeza’s autobiography centers around his travels, turmoils, and exploration of the new world, he clearly forms his own identity throughout the narrative.  Cabeza’s identity is especially important, as one of his goals as an explorer, colonizer, and writer is … Continue reading

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The Communal Identity of Self in Red Eagle’s Oral Coup Tale

One of the things that I most enjoyed about the readings on the oral Native American tales, especially the coup tales, was that their stories “played a vital role in maintaining a sense of identity—individual and tribal” (26).  Like we … Continue reading

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Those Things in Which I Take Pleasure

Among the things which pleases me greatly are cups of tea especially among friends and during the cold winter months.  One not only receives energy from the caffeine, but gains a sense of companionship and well being from the communal … Continue reading

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