I'm writing my paper about the similarities between Bone in Bastard Out of Carolina and the author Dorothy Allison. I really need the book One or Two Things I Know for Sure by Allison but it's out at the library and they don't have it at the bookstore. I've only checked one and I'm going to check some more. If anyone has a copy for whatever reason let me know if I can borrow it.

While doiong research for my paper I have not had any problems so far with finding materials. My paper is going to be based on a topic provided by one of the criteria sheets. I will discuss how the popular culture characterizes the american family, and discuss how that characterization fits or does not fit in the books we have read.

I did my paper with alcohol being the main theme. When I went to the library, I was surprised about all of the books that dealt with the exact issue of alcohol and the family. There had to been at least two to three shelves with that exact topic. I think that says something about the society we live in and the accuracy of the books that we just finished reading. Also, within these books it shows the families how they can deal with the problem. The characters in the different books could have really used them.

Edited by author 05-31-2002 10:15 AM
I have chosen to write my paper on the effects of rape on the victim. In most books that we have read, the common theme of rape has prevailed. I will compare actual research to the novels to find whether or not they hold true.

...i'm listening to ignite right now, they rock...anyway...my topic is about how rape affected the families in "Bastard" and "We Were the Mulvaneys." the library has plenty of books about rape in general but so far i haven't found any books about how a rape affects a family. nothing has been mentioned about how the parents and siblings of the rape victim are affected. so my endeavors have been a little frustrated to say the least.

  May I just offer the simple utterance of blah in relation to my research paper, which at the moment is rather kicking my ass. Anyway, my paper is quite doable, but I lack any sort of strong motivation. I think this mostly has to do with the fact that in less than a week's time I will be back home in good old Denver, Colorado. Anyway, I don't dislike the idea of a paper as our final. As a matter of fact I quite enjoy it. I do however strongly dislike the fact that this is not merely a research paper, but a research paper that is six pages in length. That makes me cringe. I remain positive however that this paper will be a good thing, and turn out well. I only hope that the mass amount of time devoted to this epic of a research paper does not effect my other finals in a negative manner. All the same this has been a interesting class which I am glad I took. See everyone in the fall.
-ChEeRs-

Well most of my research is done. Hoorah! I admit it was alot easier finding sources then I ever thought it would be. Finding sources for Beloved was a bit difficult, because everytime I searched for it I got reviews for the movie. The only thing left to do now is to actually write it. I knoe that once I get started it'll be over before I know it, but being the procrastinator that I am, there's always tomorrow to worry about that:)

Is it a bad thing that an English major has bad physical reactions to writing papers regardless of the length? Maybe it's just a phase? Hmmm...so yea, writing papers is not one of my favorite things. I just hope that when I do finish this paper I am halfway please with it. I have this habit of getting it done just to get it done and not really giving my best effort. I'm sure people can relate. In any case, I'm gonna kick this paper's arse this weekend.

Well this is my last posting and I wish it was my last thing to do for the end of the quarter but it isn't. My research hasn't been too thorough due to my other classes and their demands but this weekend I am planning on camping out at the library to get this paper done.