Editors’ Introduction

CRĪTERION

A LITERARY JOURNAL

Dear Reader,

WELCOME TO THE FIRST FULLY ONLINE EDITION OF CRĪTERION. We are excited about this shift from paper to screen, and hope that the journal still inspires and moves you the same way as a physical copy. We also hope that the online format allows for greater accessibility that will ensure that CRĪTERION has a wider reach.

The ten essays in this year’s edition were meticulously sorted and selected to showcase the academic talent and devotion of LMU’s English students. After a difficult fully-virtual year, this edition's featured authors demonstrate resilience after a devastating year of pandemic, racial injustice, and social upheaval. These included works represent how students of LMU turned to the study of literature to comprehend, cope, and find meaning in the tragedies of a mentally-tolling year. We would like to thank everyone who submitted, including those whose essays were not selected this year. We hope that all readers of CRĪTERION will find these essays to be intriguing, unique, and an appropriate reflection of our wonderful university.

To produce this fully virtual edition of CRĪTERION, our usual preparation, selection, and editorial processes were also adapted into a virtual format. Despite the strangeness and the awkwardness of this transition, each person involved with this project committed precious time and energy and delivered exceptional work. It is only fitting to extend a tremendous thank you to all the authors, editors, and faculty advisors who contributed to the creation and curation of this collection. You all did such fantastic work by various deadlines while also attending online classes and handling other extracurricular and essential responsibilities. Truly, a fantastic effort, and we couldn’t be prouder that this beautiful end product was what came out of it. Thank you to all readers, as well, for taking the time to read through these essays. We hope you thoroughly enjoy them.

Christina Martinez Alexandra Paradzick Comer Wadzeck

CO-EDITORS-IN-CHIEF