Leah Turner

#367britlit

MT: The graphic novel Lovelace and Babbage is an example, and further evidence, that STEM and the arts are better companions than enemies. STEM needs humanities to stay, well, human. #britlit367

Ava referring to her father’s poetry as “misused genius” (17) is such a statement to read in a STEM focused world that is in Dire need of some humanities #367britlit

In the beginning Guo Yi says that Okwe doesn't exist, which is only exemplified by the manner in which he melds into different jobs/roles #367britilit

He does not get paid enough to be doing all of that #367britlit

Yes in the final chapter Barry tells Morris about him cheating on him, but I don't think back in 2010, Barry would have come out to Carmel or even asked for a divorce if he was up to him #367britlit

MT: Carmel's relationship to marriage is both derived from her view of gender roles and women's work and also as a way to have a chance to save herself from her perceived damnation after cheating #367BritLit

MT: Carmel’s “song” chapters are an expression of her connection to her community, reminiscent of slave hymns and musical culture of Antigua. #367BritLit

“everybody knows you can’t be too clever or you won’t catch a man” (28) in just the introduction of these characters, there is such emphasis on the importance of roles #367britlit

the lists she's used as this sort of defense? of her ideas, but when mcsomebody pulls that gun on her and she uses the correct terminology like grabbing the barrel and then it like no whatever it's called she uses the lists to deny? her knowledge of guns-further ignoring the violence? #367britlit

MT: Middle Sister describes her relationship (detachment) to her body, like her legs floating signaling the pressure she feels. She is haunted by Milkman and her troubles, but her denial of reality?, her jolts of adrenaline are an othering of supernatural origin. #367BritLit

Cats, vampires, the ghosts that are shaking her legs - what’s up with the occult and middle sister? #367BritLit

MT: The symbolism of middle sister looking down and the renouncers (milkman and longest friend) looking ahead showcases the roles and involvement of each in their community. #367britlit

Considering the importance of names and roles, with the reveal that the Renouncers used the milkman’s home without his knowledge, is there greater significance to Milkman using his name/role?
Why haven’t the renouncers Disappeared the milkman? #367britlit

I know America is really hyper-individualistic, but is Northern Ireland more collectivist? Do they have this history of community importance/self policing/reliance? or is this something born out of war? #367BritLit

mt: Reading for the narrator is a coping mechanism that leaves her outside the community whereas the milkman provides a service, setting up a form of a Hester Prynne-esque dynamic. The roles of these two in their community isn’t necessarily about hierarchy but rather just involvement. #367britlit

“It seemed, listening to him, that if a person was determined, they could make an argument out of anything” #367britlit

mt: the repetition about words and stories and phrases in the pillowman provide a play on words and twist perspective causing the meaning of something simple to be skewed, showcasing the lack of transparency and nature of an authoritation government #367BritLit

MT: Ian McEwan’s Atonement uses the character of Briony to explore the limits of power and concept of blame in relation to age, class, sexuality, and gender. #367BritLit

What is the importance of literature? Fiction still affects real life, as we see with the rise of book bans. Briony has a lifelong question of how to navigate the results of her lie. Of her words. I suppose I’m just pondering the use of language and weaponization of words. #367BritLit

I have a lot of unorganized thoughts about the Atonement ending, but the editor says something about writing in times of war and Briony’s atonement is an inner war and also literally wwii. But with the rise of fascism in the US and our Unkind administration, what is the role of artists? #367BritLit

"But what did poets know about survival?" With the editor's letter at the end, McEwan offers meta commentary about writing and its importance. If fictionalizing got Briony into this mess, can writing get her out? But what exactly is McEwan's larger point? #367britlit

Yes! His schooling on account of Jack's charity is their lifeline? here and yet he's still condemned due to the rank of his birth and situation (false accusation)

“He was lower in rank, but they followed and did everything he suggested, and to preserve their dignity, they teased him.” Could this be considered upward mobility for Robbie? #367BritLit

MT: Discomfort and pain in Atonement is used as a tool to convey the characters’ penance such as with Robbie’s shrapnel that he keeps hidden. In this book, to hurt is to amend. #367BritLit

"That seemed about right---truth was strange and deceptive, it had to be struggled for, against the flow of the everyday" #367britlit

MT: The desire to fit in at the expense of not only their personal comfort with the drinks but the lack of investigation into Lola’s assault highlights the fragility of how the Tallises view their upward mobility as well as underscores class and aristocracy in pre-WWII England #367britlit

Briony would love 3rd places #367britlit

“At some moments chilling, at others desperately sad, the play told a tale of the heart whose message, conveyed in a rhyming prologue, was that love which did not build a foundation on good sense was doomed.” #367britlit

MT: The depiction of clones and the inevitability of their fate mimics the social class structure/social status of England. #britlit367