Author Archives: glasfsu

By Maggie Jaghatspanyan In recent years, claims of cultural appropriation have reached a new high. In the academic sphere, “cultural appropriation” is described to be the taking of a disparaged group’s culture by a more dominant group without the slightest regard for the former group’s cultural significance. The significance of the discussion of cultural appropriationContinue reading “Staying Woke in the Sunken Place: Cultural Appropriation Seen in Jordan Peele’s Hit Movie “Get Out””

By Lizzy Lyons-Beal Published in 1995, Helena María Viramontes’ novel Under the Feet of Jesus primarily follows the story of Estrella, the eldest daughter of migrant workers, as she navigates love, loss, and adolescence in the California grape fields. Over the course of the novel, Viramontes masterfully explores Estrella’s many rich, complicated personal relationships—from herContinue reading “Estrella’s Barn as a Method of Reflection in Helena María Viramontes’ Under the Feet of Jesus”

By Lizzy Lyons-Beal Introduction“You know nothing good will come, but the ride it takes you on proves fascinating” (Liz Shannon Miller). This is one IndieWire television critic’s take on the first episode of Black Mirror’s third season, yet the sentiment rings true across the series as a whole. As an anthologized television serial, each episodeContinue reading “The Role of Temporality and Social Connection in Establishing Humanity in Black Mirror”

By Lisa Haugen what is intimacyif all that can be mutually found isthe abrupt and aloof denialsthe ordersof discord, of chaos?It is in the softness of subtleties,the delicacy of awareness,the tenderness that recognizesitselfrippling and reflected and resonant inanother—and it’s in all the strategieswe use to keep it selective,even deceptive,held at arm’s length.Under the influence of one’sownContinue reading “prelude”

By Lisa Haugen             It’s just after solstice in Sonoma County where the summer evenings are often warm and breezy and bright. I’m walking on my favorite nearby trail along a creek. Any trail I walk seems to be my favorite, though this gets the greater claim by default for its being the most-often-trodden. IContinue reading “The Doppler Effect”

By Lisa Haugen Discrimination is a formof personal disorientation—it’s not the same as differentiation.Discern, don’t discriminateintegrate“turn from fear to love”“all violence stems from hate.”When you look outsideyou’re always seeinginside.Learn to navigate.Self-regulate.If you must (and you must) expostulatethen take some time to let gorest, reinstate peace, don’t shunbut engage in some creative interpolation.Use your imagination:don’t beContinue reading “Navigate”

By Anthony Abuan Abstract Reading Paradise Lost requires cognitive and interpretive dissonance between the Biblical and Miltonic Genesis narratives. Milton’s reconceptualization of words towards his own narrative utility is a hallmark of his writing. Inconsistent with his internal monologue, Adam labels Eve as “adventurous” upon recognition of her transgression (IX.921). By disassociating “adventure” from itsContinue reading “Errant Eve: The Adventure Politics of Paradise Lost”

By Samer Dabit Initially perceptible as a pair of texts lacking correlation and connection, Carl Franklin’s 1995 film adaptation of Walter Mosley’s 1990 novel Devil in a Blue Dress and Gilroy’s 2014 film Nightcrawler, can be read upon closer inspection as deeply engaged in a singular conversation. Although varying considerably in tone, this interconnected dialogueContinue reading “Daywalking/Nightcrawling: Analyzing Devil in a Blue Dress and Nightcrawler in Conversation”

“Enduring Relationships: Difficult Times in Literature and Our Lives” Brief Description Interpretations is the annual peer-reviewed journal of literary criticism, theory, and creative works published by the Graduate Literature Association, the student-run organization for the Master’s in English Literatures at San Francisco State University. The journal showcases the highest quality graduate-level work in literature by students in theContinue reading “Call For Papers: Interpretations Journal 2020 – 2021”

Elizabeth Lyons-Beal Released in 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is a beautiful blend of old and new—seamlessly blurring the boundaries of animation and live action within a midcentury American landscape. However, these are not the only boundaries the film blurs. Who Framed Roger Rabbit? takes place in 1947 and tells the story of Eddie Valiant,Continue reading ““Smile Darn Ya Smile”: Xenophobic Anxiety, Femmes Fatales, and Fatalism in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”