Ann Marie Jakubowski wins the Fathman Award from the International T. S. Eliot Society!

 

Ann Marie Jakubowski won the Fatham Award, a prize given by the International T. S. Eliot Society at its annual meeting to the best paper presented by an early-career scholar, for her paper "Conversion as Revision: The Retrospective Poetics of Burnt Norton." She is currently a Lilly Postdoctoral Fellow at Valparaiso University, where she teaches literary and humanities courses in the undergrad honors college (Christ College). She graduated from Villanova's Masters program in English in 2017 and received a PhD from Washington University in St. Louis in 2024.

Kylie Horan ('24) wins the 2024 Angelica Garnett Undergraduate Essay Prize from International Virginia Woolf Society

Recent graduate, Kylie Horan, won the 2024 Angelica Garnett Undergraduate Essay Prize from International Virginia Woolf Society for her essay, "Woolf, Will, and the War Bride: Cymbeline and the Figure of Fascist Italy in Mrs. Dalloway.” This essay was the culmination of her Senior Seminar, Woolf and Her Daughters, taught by the brilliant Dr. Megan Quigley. As an English and Italian major, she sought to combine my foci through examining the sole Italian figure in Woolf’s canon: Rezia, Septimus Warren Smith’s war bride. She spent several months researching, drafting, and conferencing weekly with Dr. Quigley; the help of her wonderful colleagues at the Writing Center was instrumental, as well. The essay, as it will appear in the Virginia Woolf Miscellany, is a slightly excerpted form of the edition written for Villanova.

Here is an abstract of the essay: Literary critics have long analyzed Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway (1925) as a novel invested in issues of war and feminism. However, they have neglected the nexus point of these two matters: Rezia Warren Smith, the Italian war bride of main character Septimus Warren Smith. This essay centers this historically ignored character, arguing that she, as the embodiment of her nation, introduces the contemporary shadow of Italian fascism into the text. It considers Mrs. Dalloway as a precursor to Woolf’s famous anti-fascist, feminist work, Three Guineas, and Rezia an avatar through which Woolf explores the relationship between feminine bodies and feminized nations under violent, masculine domination. It argues that Woolf revises Shakespeare’s Cymbeline— a play about wartime nationhood quoted frequently throughout the novel— for a post-war Europe, with Rezia replacing heroine Imogen, who, too, stands in for her nation. Through an almost-exact replication of Imogen’s arc, down to a final consumption of a sleeping draught, Woolf draws a clear parallel between the two characters, only breaking away in Rezia’s final moments. Where Imogen-as-England wakes from her sedative, returning prosperity to her kingdom and reflecting England’s safety, Rezia-as-Italy merely fades into unconsciousness, seeing only the foreboding shadow of a man and visions of battlefields: a dark premonition of what Italy, freshly under Mussolini’s control, will come to face. Drawing on a unique collection of sources from Woolf’s diaries and London newspapers to Milanese history and Shakespeare criticism, the International Virginia Woolf Society has proclaimed the essay a work of “original insights… a true contribution to Woolf studies that will excite many readers.”

Just Published: Lauren Shohet on the Shield of Achilles

Dr. Lauren Shohet has just published an article in the journal Anglia titled "Touching the Shield of Achilles: Ekphrasis and/as Re-Mediation." Here is the abstract:

Homer’s treatment of the Matter of Troy illuminates the foundational impossibility of representation in ways that sponsor examination of the semiotic choices, the costs and benefits and tradeoffs, of different practices. Homer’s ekphrastic description of the shield of Achilles highlights a variety of available semiotic systems focused on different media of representation. This article explores Homeric ekphrasis in relation to later theories of media intersection, interaction, and transformation. Not only word, image, music, and dance, but also human perception as such, are subject to mediation.

You can view more information on the article here.

The shield's design as interpreted by Angelo Monticelli, ca. 1820, image courtesy of Wikipedia

Favorite Summer Books!

The start of the semester doesn't have to mean the end of reading for pleasure. Members of the advisory council share their favorite book from the summer to help you build your to-be-read list.

Maria Therese Barry really enjoyed reading The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams over the summer. It was a great historical fiction piece centered around the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary. I also appreciated how it delved into the topic of reviving the words that were originally missed in the Dictionary's first-ever published fascicles and fell out of common use (hence the "lost words").

Ailish Wilson enjoyed Caraval by Stephanie Garber: Scarlett Dragna receives a ticket to Caraval, an enchanted carnival where nothing is what it seems.

Over the Summer, Sonia Singh enjoyed reading The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon, which is a sapphic retelling of St. George and the Dragon. If you're looking for a queer fantasy novel, you should add this one to your TBR list!

Katie Lewis enjoyed reading The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. The vivid Adirondack setting and engaging, twisting plot makes this a quintessential summer mystery (with lots of survival tips scattered throughout)!

Bianca Brucker's favorite read this summer would have to be The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand. The story takes place in the heart of Nantucket in a magnificent beach themed hotel where there is a lavish restaurant and bar, and all the hotel bathroom tiles are made out of real oyster shells. The novel is full of summer scandals and relationships. Many guests come to the hotel for a break (or to run away) from their day to day lives and somehow their stories start to intertwine. Even the ghost of the hotel has an interesting storyline and experiences a summer she won't forget! 

Amanda McKean recommends The Outsiders. Before seeing the now the Tony award-winning musical, she read the book and watched the movie to round out this classic American novel whose messages and adaptations stand the test of time with its original characters and complex portrayal of the American teenager. 

Over the summer, Mickey Wilcox enjoyed Stephanie McCarter's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses. He appreciated how McCarter's new translation portrayed the often immensely one-sided relationships between Gods and mortals, and confronted head-on the sexual violence that marked these relationships. The Metamorphoses is a wonderful encyclopedia of ancient Greek and Roman myth, and is a fun read when reading through a whole book (chapter), or just focusing on a specific mythological tale. 

 

Emily Hanlon enjoyed Writers & Lovers by Lily King.

Meet the Student Advisory Council!

Villanova's English department cares about community--whether that means discussions about literature in class, chatting about moldy mattresses and other horrors during All About the Bagels, or conversations about internships, careers, and upcoming classes at the pre-registration reception. Serving many important roles-- peer mentors, representatives of the English department, social media influencers, consultants, members of the English department's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee, journalists, swag designers--students on the Advisory Council do important work shaping our community. Look for them in classes and at English department events and don't be afraid to ask them about the major or share your ideas for Villanova English with them.

Camille Ferace

Hello! My name is Camille Ferace. I am a senior English and Communications double major. I plan on attending law school following graduation and had the amazing opportunity to intern at my local District Attorney’s office this past summer. Throughout this internship, I was able to sit in on numerous trials and hearings, read different cases, and gain exposure to the field and study of law. On campus, I am involved with many organizations including being on the volunteers committee for Special Olympics and Vice President of Operation Smile! I am very excited to be a part of the Student Advisory Council and cannot wait to be a contributing voice for the English department, which is such a great group of individuals!

Maria Therese Barry

I am Maria Therese Barry, a junior English major from Colorado with minors in Spanish Language and Literature and Humanities. Starting this year, I am working as a tutor at Villanova's Writing Center! I also enjoy my involvement with student organizations on campus such as the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week committee, Ellipsis literary magazine, the Copy Desk staff of The Villanovan, and Pastoral Musicians. Next semester in Spring 2025, I will be studying abroad at the University of Oxford, which I am very excited about! While I am away, I will really miss the people at the VU English department, along with the department's knack for combining a supportive academic community with fun social events.

Ailish Wilson

My name is Ailish Wilson, and I'm a junior English and economics major. I'm involved in organizations such as the Irish dance team, campus ministry, and The Villanovan. I am excited for everything that the English advisory council is planning!

Emily Hanlon

I am Emily Hanlon, a senior English major and Irish Studies minor. On campus, I am involved in Ellipsis Literary Magazine where I serve as the Co-Director of Social Media and Marketing and am of course involved in the wonderful English Department Student Advisory Council! I also work on campus as an Office Assistant in the Chemistry Department and have been involved with the New Student Orientation Program as a Transfer Counselor and as the Transfer Captain on the Steering Committee. In the future I plan to apply to law school! 

Sonia Singh

My name is Sonia Singh, and I'm a senior English major and an aspiring college professor and researcher. I transferred to Villanova two years ago and am going into my third year here. I am the Director of Outreach and Administration of ELLIPSIS, which is one of the literary magazines on campus, on the steering committee for VU Pride, and an RA in Trinity hall. I am a huge Agatha Christie, romance, and fantasy fan! I will never say no to buying a pretty notebook (the collection of unused pretty notebooks I have is beside the point)!

Katie Lewis

My name is Katie Lewis and I am a junior English and Communication major from Miami, FL. I have concentrations in Writing & Rhetoric and Journalism. My main interests and career goals are in writing and journalism. I am Co-Sports Editor of The Villanovan and a Sports Desk Intern with The Philadelphia Inquirer. At Villanova, I’m also a member of the Honors Program, Faith & Learning Scholars program, and the club tennis team.

Will Corliss

My name is Will Corliss. I am a senior English and Psychology double major (with a focus in pre-law) from Barnegat, NJ. I am a huge fan/nerd of lacrosse, basketball, and football. On campus, I work as a tutor at the Writing Center and participate in a handful of intramural sports. I plan on attending law school after graduating, and although every English class is great preparation for a legal career, my time in Legal Writing and Analysis was one of my favorite academic experiences at Villanova. I conducted legal research project that analyzed and advocated for the benefits of natural grass over artificial turf fields in professional football. During my research, I talked with Andrew Brandt, former Green Bay Packers Vice President and current Executive Director of the Moorad Center for the Study of Sports Law at Villanova Law, examining sections of the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement regarding player injury lawsuits as well as proposed solutions for artificial turf-using teams to implement natural grass in the future. I strongly believe that the versatility of the English major here at Villanova is a valuable and worthwhile investment for any student in CLAS!

Bianca Brucker

Hi! My name is Bianca Brucker and I am a Junior English and Peace and Justice major with minors in Communication and Writing and Rhetoric from Bel Air, Maryland. On campus I am involved in Villanova's Service-Learning Community, Villanova Student Theatre, Villanova's Mock Trial Team, and Villanova's Pre-Law Society. My favorite English course taken at Villanova so far is a course titled, "Motherhood and Reproductive Fictions" with Dr. Lutes. (I highly recommend taking it!!) This summer, I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Greece, through Villanova's communication department. My study abroad gave me a newfound passion for Greek Literature. After graduating Villanova, I hope to attend Law School! 

Amanda McKean

My name is Amanda McKean, and I am a senior English and Political Science double major. My goal is to attend law school in 1-2 years but until that time I want to work in a law firm or under a lawyer to get some experience in the field. At Villanova, I am a columnist for the sports section of The Villanovan, a member of COV, and I work at the Career Center! I am excited to join this great group of peers and being a representative of the English Department! 

Mickey Wilcox

My name is Mickey Wilcox, and I am a senior English and Classical Studies double major, along with minors in Creative Writing and Business. Besides the Student Advisory Council, I am the Secretary of Villanova Student Musical Theatre, and have performed in many musicals on campus. I thrive in the English Department in part due to our wonderful professors. Each and every one not only wants to see you succeed, but is dedicated to helping you become a stronger writer, a closer reader, and the best version of yourself. 

BIPOC Writing Hangouts Are Back!

The monthly BIPOC creative writing hangouts are for Villanova community members—current students, staff, faculty, and alumni—who identify as people of color. No creative writing experience is necessary! This term, we will have three in-person hangouts hosted by BIPOC faculty in the English Department. Pizza, prompts, and spectacular company will be provided. So, mark your calendars for 6:00-7:30 pm on September 17th, October 22nd, November 19th, and come write with us in 402 SAC! As always, we'll provide creative writing prompts to get folks started. For those who like to share their brilliant words, there will be time for that too. Email Tsering Wangmo at twangmo@villanova.eduwith any questions. 

Professor Mary Mullen will present research at NAVSA keynote panel

On September 13, 2024, Mary Mullen will present "Ireland, Public Money, and the Price of Emancipation" as part of a keynote panel on Revisiting the Irish Famine at the North American Victorian Studies Association 2024 meeting at Boston College. 

Her talk considers debates over public money in the context of slavery emancipation—enslavers received 20 million pounds from the British government for their 'lost property’—and Irish famine relief. It focuses especially on how Irish nationalists like Daniel O’Connell and John Mitchel used slavery compensation to argue for Irish famine relief. In quite different ways, these nationalists argue for Irish inclusion into a British public sphere by claiming whiteness and excluding formerly enslaved people from public accounting.