Nicholas Notes

Thirteen weeks later, in conclusion, I echo my peers’ comments, saying that it is definitely a proud moment to be finishing up this course knowing how much we have covered together. From gaining a perspective of the most influential moment in Latin American literary history, to the fine grain details that have made some of the most complex, rewarding, and imaginative work many of us will ever read. From poetry, to thriller, to puzzling Borges, there certainly have been preferences - but also exposure to work I would not have sought out myself.  As Jon mentions in his concluding lecture, there was never any “right” way we were told to read or interpret a text, and this was one of the features of this course which I am sure many of us respected most. Approaching each week with a spirit of play, hoping to learn from each author but not feeling a need to learn “correctly” was a huge relief that made these difficult works so digestible. That, in combination with the extremely informativ...

Another alluring, and thought-provoking read this week. Rigoberta’s recounting of the many stories and ‘highlights’ of her life, although sometimes very hard to wrap my head around or to come to terms with their severity - I was eager to continue reading, almost out of respect and admiration for such a strong character.  My initial thoughts while reading were about this book in relation to our past readings. Albeit unique, there were some parallels I felt - such as the themes of death, reflective tone, and even some of the cultural beliefs that Rigoberta had shared with us. When her little brother passes as a result of the brutal conditions on the Finca, not only are we reminded that this could happen to any individual unfortunate enough to live their life, but we see a shift in Rigoberta’s perspectives of their poverty. A reflection of this growth, on page 34 she recounts: “That’s when my consciousness was born”. Although many instances of violence occurred (like the performance-k...