The Lookout: A Journal of Undergraduate Research at ECU v11.1

Groups and Contributors

Management Team

Blake Rose (TL, Graduating Senior)

Megan Howell (Graduating Senior)

Matthew Davis (Graduating Senior)

Michael Yi (Graduating Senior)

Design Team

Kailauna White (TL, Graduating Senior)

Ellie Martin (Sophomore)

JR Sutton (Graduating Senior)

Blaine Leggett (Graduating Senior)

Communication Team

Jorden Hooper (TL, Graduating Senior)

Anna Armstrong (Graduating Senior)

Tristan Roach (Junior)

Sarah Pearce (Junior)

Editorial Team

Rachel Brown (TL, Graduating Senior)

Dasani Cropper (Graduating Senior)

Quadir Holmes (Graduating Senior)

Isaiah Acevedo (Junior)

Stephen Smith (Junior)

Editor in Chief

Donna Kain

ISSN (Print): 2372-580X

ISSN (Online): 2372-5834

Cover Art

Kailauna White

Editorial Letter

Dear Readers,

The Lookout: A Journal of Undergraduate Research at East Carolina University not only contains works created by students at East Carolina University but is also edited, designed, curated, and published by students as well. This semester, we’ve created another exceptional publication showcasing the hard work of the students at ECU. Working diligently throughout the semester, the staff, comprised wholly of students, at The Lookout have learned how to work together in order to edit and publish a journal of literary and artistic works. We are proud to present to you research articles, creative writing, poetry, music notation, and art in this edition.

As a class, we learned about the origin of this publication and the importance of collaboration and community. The staff came together under the guidance of our Editor in Chief, Dr. Donna Kain, to learn the basics of copyediting and the many layers of work that go into a publication. We then split off into four different teams and got to work on the journal. We split into an editorial team, a communications team, a design team, and a management team to complete all the various tasks associated with creating a publication. Each team had various tasks to complete throughout the semester. See

below for a list of individuals on each team.

Undertaking such a tedious task as undergraduate students was definitely challenging in a lot of ways. Nonetheless, we all worked hard to put together this publication and are all very pleased with what we were able to accomplish.

On behalf of the group as a whole, we thoroughly hope you enjoy this collection of student work. Be sure to check out the website (www.ecu.edu/lookout) for online content associated with this volume and for other resources regarding the process and the journal as a whole.

Best, The Communications Team

Intro to Editing and Publishing, Fall 2022

In order from left to right: Isaiah Acevedo (editing), Stephen Smith (editing), JR Sutton (design), Quadir Holmes (editing), Dasani Cooper (editing), Michael Yi (management), Rachel Brown (editing leader), Matthew Davis (management), Tristan Roach (communications), Kailauna White (design leader), Anna Armstrong (communications), Sarah Pearce (communications), Jorden Hooper (communications leader), Dr. Donna Kain (editor in chief), Blaine Leggett (design), Ellie Martin (design), Megan Howell (management), Blake Rose (management leader).

Effects of Naval Warfare on Marine Life and Ecosystems

Rachel Davis

Introduction

Ever since mankind has taken to the seas, naval warfare has existed in some capacity. However, as time goes on and technology evolves, the threat to ocean health increases. Naval warfare instigates an abundance of effects, mostly negative, on marine environments and their inhabitants. Such effects include pollution of the water, harming of marine species, and destruction of biodiversity. The international community has implemented measures to counteract these effects, but with mixed success. Because of how harmful many of these consequences can be, if current trends continue, naval warfare may accelerate the demise of both the ocean and the planet.

and these items are often dumped straight into the water (Government Technology, 2015). Since most ships have limited space designated for waste, only a small portion is saved for disposal after docking. Most trash, especially plastics, can cause harm to marine animals. Plastics are considered to be one of the biggest dangers to ocean life because of their persistence; they are not biodegradable and thus will outlive every marine species. Though there have been regulations forbidding the dumping of plastics into the ocean, some still find their way into the water. Fish and marine mammals have been killed by ingesting trash or becoming entangled in or injured by certain discarded products (Earle, 2009).

Pollution and waste

The presence and operation of naval vessels contributes to one of the biggest problems that oceans face pollution. The dumping of trash and other waste products has posed a threat for decades, and navies play a significant role in its exacerbation. Trash on an average ship can accumulate to 150 bags per day, including paper, food waste, and metal,

Another form of pollution is found in the form of radioactive waste. Many modern-day naval vessels are nuclear, meaning that they rely on a nuclear reactor to produce energy for ship operations and movement. For many years, the Soviet Union was the biggest offender for dumping radioactive waste into the ocean despite international bans passed earlier, this practice continued until 1993 (Dabrowska et al., 2021). Some radioactive waste pollution is not intentional, however. The sinkage of several nuclear submarines has inadvertently resulted in the spillage of

radioactive material. After analyzing samples of water and sediment collected from the wreckage of nuclear submarines, scientists found that radioactive isotopes were present, including cobalt-60 and cesium-137 (Dabrowska et al., 2021). Even trace amounts of radioactive substances can negatively impact marine ecosystems and create long-term contamination. Similarly to radioactive waste, munitions and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) can contaminate ecosystems and harm marine life. Mines and bombs can explode upon contact with animals or debris, inflicting damage to habitats and marine species. Furthermore, chemicals found in explosives are toxic and negatively impact animals that ingest them, and even human consumers of these animals. As observed with mercury in Japan, bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals can result in devastating effects. Blue mussels from the coast of northern Germany have been found to contain carcinogenic substances absorbed from munitions dumped during World War II (Maser & Strehse, 2020). The consumption of these mussels has posed health risks to humans and marine animals alike.

It comes as no surprise that the largest military in the world the United States’ is also the military that produces the most pollution. In fact, the United States military alone produces more pollution than 140 countries (Neimark et al., 2019). One large source of this pollution is through the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which are produced through the combustion of fuel. The United States

military consumes a significant amount of fuel; in 2017, they purchased almost 270,000 barrels of oil every day, which amounted to a total of more than 2.5 million metric tons of carbon emissions (Neimark et al., 2019). Additionally, the United States Navy’s ships and aircraft are notorious for their poor gas mileage. One of the most widely used types of aircraft carriers, the Nimitz class, can hold up to three million gallons of fuel, but burns one gallon every 12 inches it moves (Beloe, 2011). A single F-35 Raptor, a fighter jet deployed on aircraft carriers, typically produces 27.8 metric tons of carbon emissions annually (Crawford, 2019). These emissions, which are not regularly tracked by the US Department of Defense, are largely contributing to global climate change. Though the ocean absorbs a significant amount of carbon dioxide, it is nearing its maximum capacity (Earle, 2009). Thus, much of the carbon emissions from navies and other military forces are being released straight into the air and trapped within the atmosphere.

One of the most widely used types of aircraft carriers, the Nimitz class, can hold up to three million gallons of fuel, but burns one gallon every 12 inches it moves

In addition to polluting the air by burning oil, pollution of water sources from oil and other chemical spillage is also a common event perpetuated by navies. Fuel spills occur frequently around naval bases in the United States, and this has led to the contamination of drinking water and aquifers as well as

the ocean (Webb, 2017). The US Navy has also faced backlash for its use of “forever chemicals” per and polyfluoroalkyl materials which are toxic and have been found in water samples taken at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland (Wheeler, 2021). The presence of these substances has raised concern, as they are likely to travel down river and enter the Atlantic Ocean, where they would pose a threat to marine environments.

Though often featured in the spotlight, the United States is not the only country responsible for polluting the ocean with oil and fuel. In 1991, after invading Kuwait, Iraqi forces intentionally spilled oil into the Persian Gulf in attempt to stop the United States from launching an amphibious assault. An average of 6,000 barrels were spilled every day, for a total of 11 million throughout the course of the war (Joyner & Kirkhope, 1992). Additionally, much of the oil and many nearby oil rigs were set on fire, which further harmed marine ecosystems and produced toxic smoke that polluted the air. Saddam Hussein, the leader of Iraq at the time, drew harsh criticism for his authorization of an act of “ecological terrorism” (Joyner & Kirkhope, 1992). Oil spills, intentional or not, produce a variety of harmful effects for marine life. Oil is poisonous when ingested, and oil-polluted water creates difficult swimming conditions and depletes oxygen for marine animals with gills. Since oil is heavier than water, it has also been known to smother microscopic species of plankton and bacteria, which are beneficial to ocean health (Earle, 2009).

Impact on cetaceans

Naval warfare has not solely impacted smaller marine animals; cetaceans whales, dolphins, and porpoises have experienced their fair share of negative effects. In the Pacific Ocean, naval exercises have led to injuries and even deaths of several whales. In most of these instances, the whales were killed after being struck by naval vessels. For whales in California, ship collisions are the leading cause of death (Monsell, 2021). These incidents have sparked public outcry due to the fact that they were preventable events and that many whale species are endangered. For some species of whales, eliminating a few individuals can mean detrimental harm, since they take years to reach maturity and have single births (Earle, 2009). These factors prevent whale populations from being able to recover from such frequent and significant declines.

In addition to vessel strikes, cetaceans are also at risk for negative effects caused by naval sonar. Sonar is underwater radar utilized by the emission of sound waves; the reflection of sound waves off an object provides information such as location and size. Since cetaceans are known to use echolocation which uses the same principle as sonar they are sensitive to sounds, especially high-pitched frequencies. Changes in behavior as a result of sonar exposure has been observed in all main groups of cetaceans. Observable behavioral changes include agitation, interruption of feeding and resting, and separation of calves from their mothers or groups (Miller et al., 2012). Excessive use of sonar, as during naval exercises, has

been associated with mass stranding, or beaching, of cetaceans. In 2000, several beaked whales and northern minke whales were stranded on the beaches of the Bahamas due to nearby naval activity (Parsons, 2017). This incident was widely publicized and drew mass criticism. After launching an investigation, the United States Navy concluded that the stranding had occurred as a result of sonar use. There have been several other instances of mass stranding across the world, including the simultaneous stranding of more than 200 dolphins off the coast of the northern Indian Ocean and the stranding of several Cuvier’s beaked whales off the coast of the British Isles (Parsons, 2017). The use of sonar does not need to be excessive to inflict damage, however. Studies involving low level exposure to sonar have shown that even lower-pitched frequencies can induce behavioral changes in cetaceans. Decibel levels previously deemed to be “safe” for marine mammals have proved to still result in behavioral changes. Cuvier’s beaked whales, for example, were observed to exhibit agitation and avoidance at levels as low as 89 decibels (dB) per one micro-Pascal ( Pa) (Parsons, 2017). Though there is plentiful evidence that sonar negatively impacts large marine mammals, little has been done to counteract these effects.

damage to marine life and habitats caused by naval warfare, the ocean is losing its resiliency. The loss of ocean biodiversity can lead to many devastating effects, even for the entire planet. The ocean plays a significant role in regulating the Earth’s climate and temperature, and loss of biodiversity can disrupt this process (Earle, 2009). With marine animals being caught in the crossfire and entire ecosystems being contaminated by pollution and waste, the ocean is becoming a lackluster wasteland.

Traditional naval warfare can elicit a wide array of negative impacts on populations of marine species. Munitions and other explosives can pose tremendous risks. Many animals have been injured or killed by blasts, and habitats have been severely damaged or entirely destroyed. Naval sonar, in addition to triggering behavioral changes in cetaceans, can also inflict physical damage. High-frequency blasts have been known to cause ruptured eardrums and ear hemorrhaging in marine mammals (Lawrence et al., 2015).

Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of life found within an ecosystem. The ocean boasts some of the greatest biodiversity on the planet. However, with all of the

Naval warfare also has the potential to disrupt biodiversity through the introduction of foreign species. The dumping of ballast water from ships can introduce foreign bacteria and other microorganisms that can negatively impact existing species (Lawrence et al., 2015). There have also been instances of species stowing away on naval vessels. In 1949, the brown tree snake was unintentionally introduced to Guam, where it became an invasive species; as a result, many native bird, lizard, and

invertebrate species were driven to extinction (Lawrence et al., 2015). The preservation of marine biodiversity is crucial for the survival of the planet. The ocean is full of different photosynthetic species that provide a significant portion of breathable oxygen on the Earth. Biodiversity also acts as a protective layer; in the event of a disaster, the more diverse an ecosystem is, the more likely it is to recover and return to full strength (Earle, 2009). Humans are largely dependent on the ocean as well. The ocean provides several important avenues for human livelihood, including commerce, sustenance, and recreation. If marine health and biodiversity were to suffer, these outlets may be permanently reduced or even eliminated entirely.

Another international reform aimed to reduce pollution was Annex V of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Similarly to the London Convention, the US Navy was exempt from this policy until compliance was mandated by Congress in 1994 (National Research Council, 1996). This convention established regulations and expectations for ships’ methods of disposing waste. It outlined specific protocols and prohibitions for plastics, food waste, solid waste, and designated special areas with strict enforcement, such as the Baltic Sea (National Research Council, 1996).

Countermeasures

In recent decades, as the effects of pollution have become more apparent, the international community has taken steps to reduce them, particularly through legal action. Since the late 20th century, several international and national laws have been implemented with the intention of protecting the ocean environment. In 1972, an international law was passed, known as the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, or London Convention. This prohibited the dumping of waste products, especially plastic, into the oceans. However, this law did not become applicable to the US Navy until 1987, when it was mandated by Congress (Koss, 1997).

The United States Navy has taken measures to reduce its output of waste into the ocean and maintain compliance with the aforementioned international mandates. One such measure is the use of plastic waste processors (PWPs) onboard ships. These machines melt plastic into dense disks that are more suitable for long-term storage (US Navy, n.d.). Since space on ships is limited, it is important for waste to be condensed. Much of the other waste on ships is either incinerated or stored for onshore disposal.

Another method of environmental preservation that the US Navy is pursuing is alternative sources of fuel. Currently, the US military is heavily reliant on foreign oil, and is contributing to the depletion of worldwide fossil fuel reserves. However, the US Navy has filed a patent application for a method of developing fuel from seawater (Patent Yogi, n.d.). Though this method would not directly reduce the Navy’s carbon footprint, it would help preserve fossil

fuels and could lessen the United States’ dependency on foreign oil.

Counteractive measures are being implemented elsewhere in the world as well. In 2019, New Zealand passed legislation that requires national net carbon emissions to be reduced to zero by the year 2050 (Bergin, 2021). In order to meet this condition, the Royal New Zealand Navy has devised a series of potential solutions. One of the more promising solutions is the replacement of diesel fuel with methanol. When burned, methanol produces less carbon dioxide; additionally, it is not toxic when spilled (Bergin, 2021).

was shut down in early 2019 and its budget was allocated elsewhere (UCS, 2020).

Positive impacts

Countermeasure effectiveness

Though there have been numerous attempts by the international community to neutralize the negative effects of naval warfare, many have failed to produce sustainable change. Treaties and other international laws have proven to be ineffective overall, mainly due to military doctrine and objectives. During active armed conflict, many environmental treaties are ignored (Boelaert-Suominen, 2000). As mentioned previously, the Soviet Union ignored bans on dumping radioactive waste for years. Though many navies may attempt to reduce unnecessary environmental damage, their first priority is preserving national security (Wright, 1996). In the United States, for example, the Navy established a unit with the purpose of reducing the onset of climate change and counteracting its effects. This collective was known as Task Force Climate Change; however, it

Despite the long list of negative effects, naval warfare actually brings about some positive influences. Active naval conflicts are effective at reducing commercial fishing and mining, which has allowed populations of commonly overfished species to recover and has reduced habitat disturbance (Lawrence et al., 2015). Even the worst of naval warfare can be beneficial to marine ecosystems; sunken ships and submarines can serve as artificial reefs, providing additional habitats and protection for marine animals (Lawrence et al., 2015).

The United States Navy is also known for its promotion of naval research. After World War II, the US Navy funded and collaborated on several deep-sea exploration expeditions. In January of 1960, then-Lieutenant Don Walsh joined oceanographer Jacques Piccard in the Trieste bathyscaphe; the pair recorded the deepest dive in human history, reaching 35,797 feet at Challenger Deep (Ballard, 2017). Another naval officer who pursued research in marine ecology is Commander Robert Ballard. He is credited with discovering hydrothermal vents and the wreckage of the RMS Titanic (Ballard, 2017). The US Navy currently owns and operates the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), and has a sector devoted for research into environmental protection.

Conclusion

Though the effects of naval warfare are varied and sometimes result in positive changes, the vast majority negatively impact the ocean environment. Pollution and other products of naval warfare can cause devastating harm to marine habitats and species. Despite action by international organizations and world governments, the problem persists and shows no sign of significant future improvement. In order to combat the negative effects of naval warfare, navies must learn to further prioritize environmental protection. Unfortunately, given the current agenda of most of the world’s militaries, this prospect seems unlikely. However, the increasing attention and awareness given to climate change and other environmental issues provides hope that further action will be taken in the future.

Bibliography

Ballard, R. (2017). The Eternal Darkness: A Personal History of Deep-Sea Exploration. Princeton University Press. Princeton, New Jersey.

Beloe, S. (2011). MPG of an aircraft carrier? Retrieved from https://www.edie.net/blog/MPG-of-an-aircraft-carrier/5343565

Bergin, A. (2021). Navies must reduce their carbon emissions in the face of climate change. Retrieved from https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/navies-mustreduce-their-carbon-emissions-in-the-face-of-climate-change/

Boelaert-Suominen, S. A. J. (2000). International Environmental Law and Naval War: The Effect of Marine Safety and Pollution Conventions During International Armed Conflict (No. 374.0).

https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA421968

Crawford, N. C. (2019). Pentagon Fuel Use, Climate Change, and the Costs of War. Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs, Brown University, Rhode Island, United States. Retrieved from https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/Pentagon%20Fuel%2 0Use%2C%20Climate%20Change%20and%20the%20Costs%20of%20War%20Revi sed%20November%202019%20Crawford.pdf

Dabrowska, J., Sobata, M., Świader, M., Borowski, P., Moryl, A., et al. (2021). Marine Waste Sources, Fate, Risks, Challenges and Research Needs. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 433. doi:10.3390/ijerph18020433

Earle, S. A. (2009). The World is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean’s Are One. National Geographic Partners, LLC. Washington, D.C.

Government Technology. (2015). What does the Navy do with its trash while out at sea? Retrieved from https://www.govtech.com/question-of-the-day/questionof-the-day-for-08142015.html

Joyner, C. C. & Kirkhope, J. T. (1992). The Persian Gulf War Oil Spill: Reassessing the Law of Environmental Protection and the Law of Armed Conflict. Case Western Reserve Journal of International Law, 24(1), 29-62.

Koss, L. J. (1997). Dealing with Ship-Generated Plastics Waste on U.S. Navy Surface Ships. In: Coe J. M., Rogers D. B. (eds) Marine Debris. Springer Series on Environmental Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/9781-4613-8486-1_23

Lawrence, M. J., Stemberger, H. L. J., Zolderdo, A. J., Struthers, D. P., & Cooke, S. J. (2015). The effects of modern war and military activities on biodiversity

and the environment. Environmental Reviews, 23(4), 443-460.

https://doi.org/10.1139/er-2015-0039

Maser, E. & Strehse, J. S. (2020). “Don’t Blast”: blast-in-place (BiP) operations of dumped World War munitions in the oceans significantly increase hazards to the environment and the human seafood consumer. Archives of Toxicology, 94(6), 1941-1953. doi:10.1007/s00204-020-02743-0

Miller, P. J. O., Kvadsheim, P. H., Frans-Peter, A., Wensveen, P. J., Antunes, R., et al. (2012). The Severity of Behavioral Changes Observed During Experimental Exposures of Killer (Orcinus orca), Long-Finned Pilot (Globicephala melas), and Sperm (Physeter macrocephalus) Whales to Naval Sonar. Aquatic Mammals, 38(4), 362-401. doi:10.1578/AM.38.4.2012.362

Monsell, K. (2021). Lawsuit Launched After Pair of Fin Whales Killed During Military Exercise. Retrieved from https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/pressreleases/lawsuit-launched-after-pair-of-fin-whales-killed-during-military-exercise2021-05-17/

National Research Council. (1996). Shipboard Pollution Control: The U.S. Navy and MARPOL, Annex V. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/9190.

Neimark, B., Belcher, O., & Bigger, P. (2019). US military is a bigger polluter than as many as 140 countries – shrinking this war machine is a must. Retrieved from https://theconversation.com/us-military-is-a-bigger-polluter-than-as-manyas-140-countries-shrinking-this-war-machine-is-a-must-119269

Oreskes, N. (2003). A Context of Motivation: US Navy Oceanographic Research and the Discovery of Sea-Floor Hydrothermal Vents. Social Studies of Science, 33(5), 697-742. doi:10.1177/0306312703335004

Parsons, E. M. C. (2017). Impacts of Navy Sonar on Whales and Dolphins: Now beyond a Smoking Gun? Frontiers in Marine Science, 4, 295. doi:10.3389/fmars.2017.00295

Patent Yogi. (n.d.). How US Navy Plans to Produce Jet Fuel from Seawater On-Board the Aircraft Carriers. Retrieved from https://patentyogi.com/aircraft/usnavy-plans-produce-jet-fuel-seawater-board-aircraft-carriers/

Union of Concerned Scientists. (2020). The US Navy Quietly Shut Down its Task Force on Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/attacks-on-science/navy-quietly-shut-downclimate-task-force

U.S. Navy. (n.d.). Energy, Environment & Climate Change. Retrieved from https://www.hstteis.com/portals/hstteis/files/Plastic_Waste_Processor_Environm entFactsheet.pdf

Webb, W. (2017). U.S. Military Is World’s Biggest Polluter. Retrieved from https://www.ecowatch.com/military-largest-polluter-2408760609.html

Wheeler, T. B. (2021). Navy finds ‘forever chemicals’ at MD bases near two Chesapeake rivers. Retrieved from https://www.bayjournal.com/news/pollution/navy-finds-forever-chemicals-at-mdbases-near-two-chesapeake-rivers/article_7fda3a94-9e5f-11eb-9b6aefd7327dbf09.html

Wright, W. H. (1996). Naval Warfare and The Environment. International Law Studies, 69, 35-41. https://digitalcommons.usnwc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1540&context=ils

Rachel Davis

Rachel is a senior pursuing a BA in Political Science with a minor in History. Her primary interests in political science include international relations and comparative politics, particularly in Russia and the Middle East. She enjoys studying American and Russian history as well. Rachel is originally from Wake Forest, NC. She is a Chancellor’s Fellow in the Honors College. She is also a member of Pi Sigma Alpha – the National Political Science Honor Society, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, and Air Force ROTC. She will commission as an intelligence officer in the US Air Force upon graduation. Rachel currently acts as the cadet wing commander for the AFROTC detachment at ECU. Outside of classes, she works as a peer tutor for Russian language at the Pirate Academic Success Center. When not in class, doing homework, or tutoring, she enjoys exercising, playing tennis, cooking, reading, and drawing.

Education in Ancient Greece and the Impact It Had on the Foundations of Modern American Education

Anna Armstrong

The major civilization of Ancient Greece produced a plethora of artifacts, ideas, and societal functions that remain prevalent in discussions and studies today. They experienced a great deal of accomplishments within the realms of government, education, and society. The realm of education was quite important, and a lot of the ideas created by the Greeks are still used today. These ideas and functions essentially laid the foundations of education for modern societies and civilizations. This paper will seek to explore the various ideas, philosophies, and the functionality of education on Ancient Greek society and how modern education reflects those ideas, philosophies, and functions.

Majority of the sources considered will be journal articles and books analyzing education within Ancient Greek society. They will also explore modern educational practices in an attempt to draw connections between the two. Drawing connections between the educational practices between Ancient Greek society and modern society will be critical to the argument of this paper, so there will be a significant interpretation and analysis of sources regarding that subject matter. Various educational philosophers such as Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates will be

evaluated, particularly their distinct philosophies of education.

Understanding the history of education in a classical society, such as that of Ancient Greece, is important to conceptualize its interrelatedness to the foundations of American education. Educators today sometimes look back to the philosophies of Ancient Greek philosophers and employ them in their modern day classrooms and educational facilities. Understanding various philosophies from the original forms of education can aid in modern day educators evolving their own philosophies of education. Evolving these practices to things more appropriate to modern day teaching is a very important skill for modern day educators. However, these philosophies and practices must be analyzed before they can be adapted. This paper seeks to serve as an aid in the overall conceptualization.

I. Educational Practices in Ancient Greece

Education, much like other societal functions, such as democracy, government functionality, etc., were born and fostered within Ancient Greek society. Many great philosophers came along with many great ideas and philosophies that helped shape

education as well as societal function in Ancient Greece.

A. The Purpose of Education in Ancient Greek Society

For centuries, theorists have pondered the role of education in Ancient Greece. There seems to be “a clash between a view of education as a preparation for the kind of life that will meet the child when it leaves the schoolroom and a view that looks upon education as a training for a way of life that the educators would like to see prevail,” (Gries, p. 68). The latter viewpoint seems to hold the most footing due to Ancient Greece being the highlight of ancient civilization as well as the blueprints for many civilizations that came afterward; it only makes sense that educators during the time pushed for training to uphold the ways of life that would ultimately prevail. For the overall benefit of society, education in Ancient Greece seemed to be “restricted to the training for the demands of life which the parents could give,” as most of the men were capable of trading, fighting, and farming; knowing the skills for survival was of most importance to this society (Gries, p. 69). Of course, educational practices evolved as society evolved. As the need for specialized, well-trained, and educated people began to rise, education and educational practices also rose to meet the standards of creating these capable beings. Overall, the purpose of education in Ancient Greek societies was to simply foster the creation of “good citizens” (Ornstein, p. 66).

B. Relativism, Idealism, and Realism

Among many philosophical ideals circulating the ancient world at this time, relativism and idealism are two of the most prominent. A proponent group of relativism in morality lies with the sophists. Ornstein, et al. states, “Sophists were the precursors of the cultural relativism found in pragmatism, postmodernism, and critical theory,” (Ornstein, p. 68). To the sophists, relativism was the argument that the knowledge we should have as individuals is dependent on which our circumstances are and the situations in which it will be used (Ornstein, p. 68). While the sophists were focused on moral or ethical relativism, there were other realms of relativism that one could utilize, such as aesthetic judgements and judgements within and surrounding the social sciences (Bett, p. 141). John Dewey is a notable figure within the world of education that utilized relativist principles in his philosophy of education (Ornstein, p. 109).

Idealism is one of the oldest and traditional philosophical ideas beginning with the great philosopher Plato (Ornsetin, p. 164). Ornstein states, “Idealists, believing that the spiritual, nonmaterial world is ultimately real, envision the universe as an expression of a highly generalized intelligence and will - a universal mind,” (Ornstein, p. 164). Idealism is extended into the realms of metaphysics, epistemology, and axiology. Important figures that incorporated idealism into their philosophies include Socrates, Froebel, and Plato.

The last large philosophical idea discussed is realism. Realism, established by Aristotle, “sought to prepare the learner to live life as it is by emphasizing an objective reality,” (Ornstein, p. 71). Notably, a subcategory of realism is Thomism, coined by Saint Thomas Aquinas, which was essentially the culmination of realism ideas and Christian doctrine (Ornstein, p. 167). Realism also splits off into three other categories, or doctrines; these include naturalism, pragmatism, and quietism (Leiter, p. 245). As previously mentioned, important figures within the realm of realism include Saint Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle.

II. Theories of Education from Ancient Greek Philosophers

There are many important philosophers coming from Ancient Greece. Some of the most familiar names include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. These philosophers are famous partly for their role in formulating educational philosophies that have helped lay the foundation for

Socrates often motivated his students to use “critical selfexamination” to unveil “the universal truth” that he believed existed in every person's mind

educational practices in modern civilizations.

A. Socrates (469-399 BCE)

Socrates, most notably, stood for “moral excellence” and he “firmly defended the academic freedom to think, question, and teach,” (Ornstein, p. 68). Socrates was a big proponent of the idea of discussion; discussion often circulated around themes of courage, temperance, justice, and goodness (Rembert, p. 98). Socrates often motivated his students to use “critical self-examination” to unveil “the universal truth” that he believed existed in every person's mind (Ornstein, p. 68). This discussion-centered technique ultimately became known as the Socratic Method and is something that is heavily used by educators today.

B. Plato (427-346 BCE)

Plato was a pupil of Socrates and tended to follow the educational path that his mentor taught and initially led him down (Ornstein, p. 70). Plato was integral in the creation of the academy, Plato’s Republic, as well as his own curriculum that supports his philosophy of education (Ornstein, pp. 70-71).

One of Plato’s important contributions to education was his theory of knowledge and reminiscence, or “a process by which individuals recall the ideas present but latent in their minds,” (Ornstein, p. 70). Another crucial role that Plato played in the world of education was his Republic. Plato essentially created what he thought a “perfect society” should be that was ruled by a group of intellectually elite philosopher-kings (Ornstein, p. 70). Rorty, in “Plato’s Counsel on Education'' expands on this intellectual elite,

The education of the rulers is the pivotal fulcrum of all education: they structure social practices and institutions; they regulate and direct culture, they effectively form the opinions, desires and practices of all sectors of the polis (Rorty, p. 171).

Plato’s Republic divided its people into three categories based on their “intellectual capacity”; these included “the philosopher kings,” “the auxiliaries,” and “the workers,”

(Ornstein, p. 70). Lastly, Plato’s curriculum was also a significant culmination of ideas in which the structure fit the ideals and objectives of a specific class order and social structure as laid out in Plato’s Republic. Ornstein states, “Fearing that parents would pass on their ignorance and prejudices to their children, Plato wanted children reared by experts in child care,” (Ornstein, p. 71). Plato’s curriculum has been adapted by educators today to what we would now consider and recognize as daycare and preschool services.

C. Aristotle (384-322 BCE)

Aristotle was a student of Plato and tutored Alexander the Great. Some of his great accomplishments include, but are not limited to, the founding of the Lyceum, “an Athenian philosophical school,” the foundations of realism, and his writings on topics such as astronomy, physics, zoology, etc.

(Ornstein, p. 71). Aristotle was a large proponent of a liberal education, rather than that of vocational training due to its limiting factors of being trained specifically on certain skills (Ornstein, p. 72). He also believed that “learn[ing]

mainly by listening gives priority to lecturing as a teaching method,” (Himanka, p. 119). This idea of course has been adopted as well as adapted since lecturing is a large portion of how we are taught today in regular classrooms as well as in university lecture halls.

Aristotle's thoughts on realism inform his theory of education. Aristotle believed that “knowledge arise[s] from our knowing about objects rather than from preexisting ideas in the mind,” (Ornstein, p. 72). Aristotle’s realism differed from the ideas of his mentor, Plato, who was an idealist.

III. Modern Educational Practices and Philosophies of Education

The philosophers mentioned above, as well as many others from this time and area, developed important ideas and theories surrounding education. One of the largest contributing factors the Ancient Greeks had on education was their belief that cultivating “human excellence” was possible (Ornstein, p. 75). We can see the differentiation between vocational training and liberal education in our own society in the distinction between colleges and universities versus trade schools and community colleges. A lot of modern philosophies of education stem from principles of morality as well as the desire to better the lives of children and strive for excellence, all of which also stem from Ancient Greek philosophies of education, particularly those of the philosophers discussed throughout this paper.

IV. Conclusion

Societies in Ancient Greece put a great deal of emphasis on education and their desire to achieve moral excellence. Ancient Greece was a hub for many political and educational achievements. It is important to understand that these achievements and philosophies helped

to lay the foundations of education that we are familiar with today. Conceptualizing their importance will help to adapt and apply them to fit into today’s world and will ultimately help create a well-rounded educator, versed in how to help children achieve excellence in education.

Bibliography

Bett, Richard. “The Sophists and Relativism.” Phronesis 34, no. 2 (1989): 139169.

Good, H. G. “Education in the Ancient World.” Review of Educational Research 9, no. 4 (1939): 391-94.

Gries, Konrad. “Some Aspects of Ancient Greek Education.” The Classical Outlook 32, no. 7 (1955): 68-70.

Himanka, Juhan. “On the Aristotelian Origins of Higher Education.” Higher Education 69, no. 1 (2015): 117-128.

Leiter, Brian. “Classical Realism.” Philosophical Issues 11 (2001): 244-267.

Ornstein, A. C., & Levine, D. U. (2008). Foundations of Education (10th ed.). Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

Rembert, Ron B. “Socrates, Discussion, and Moral Education.” International Review of Education 41, no. ½ (1995): 97-108.

Rorty, Amélie Oksenberg. “Plato’s Counsel on Education.” Philosophy 73, no. 284 (1998): 157-178.

Anna Armstrong

Anna Armstrong is a senior studying Vocal Music Education and minoring in English at East Carolina University. She is from Zebulon, North Carolina, and came to ECU to pursue her passion for music. Anna hopes to graduate in May 2023 with her undergraduate degree in Music Education. She is a Maynard Scholar and a member of two National Honors Societies at the collegiate level, Phi Kappa Phi, multidisciplinary, and Pi Kappa Lambda, which is specific to music. Anna has goals to continue working to publish more of her work, both in academia and in creative works. She is grateful to have her first publication featured in The Lookout: A Journal of Undergraduate Research at East Carolina University.

Otherness and Disconnection in Giovanni’s Room

Jorden Hooper

James Baldwin’s Giovanni’s Room is a novel set in post WWII Paris and is centered around the characters David, Giovanni, and Hella. We see themes in the novel centered around masculinity and sexuality but focus on how David, the protagonist of the novel, deals with his internal struggle to maintain ideals of masculinity because of his internalized battle with his sexuality. As he fights with his hidden sexuality, we see him struggle to uphold relationships with any character, resulting in a disconnection from others and a dissociation from his true self. It is only at the end, once he has confronted his actions and behaviors, that he is capable of finding salvation and accept himself.

Throughout James Baldwin’s novel Giovanni’s Room, we see characters who are disconnected from the self and from Others. For David, he has a self-made reality, an illusion imposed upon himself due to the shame he has of his own sexuality. This causes him to fake relationships with others and eventually leads to a disconnect and confrontation with himself at the end of the novel. By the end of the novel, David must confront the fake relationships and false realities he has constructed with his fiancé, his father, Giovanni, and himself.

The book sets the motif early with David’s narration starting in the empty villa that he and Hella, his ex-fiancée, rented out. He discusses how he wants to be with Hella, stating he wants to “give myself something to be moored to” (Baldwin 5). A mooring post is an interesting comparison to use as they are not meant to be permanent spots for boats to stay in. The boat still has access to the ocean and can be untied easily to set sail again. Baldwin uses this example

to describe how David never makes a complete connection with others, he prefers something that can be easily ended that will allow him freedom once he has decided he is done with the relationship. This connection between seafaring and having no commitments gets brought up later when David cheats on Hella after having a one-night stand with a Navy sailor. As I discuss later, David is constantly engaging in relationships, drinking, work, and other distractions, only so he can attempt to ignore and block out the shame brought on by the rejection of his sexuality. As David puts less effort into everything because it’s all meant to support an illusion of his own creation, the world and his relationships in it start mattering less and less to him.

We can also see the relationship he has with his father is one made for appearance ’s sake rather than an actual relationship. After the car crash, David reconnects with his father but the relationship they have is a shallow façade of a relationship, created because David is ashamed of not being

heterosexual, which keeps David from fully connecting with his father. “...[T]he vision I gave my father of my life was exactly the vision in which I myself most desperately needed to believe” (Baldwin 20). He has made the appearance of a relationship with his father, but he exists in two worlds as he lives with the shame of his sexuality while keeping the veneer of a successful heterosexual man. He goes on to explain that his life is one of “...elaborate systems of evasion, of illusion, designed to make themselves and this world appear to be what they and the world are not,” and that this is due to the shame of the sexual relationship between himself and his childhood friend Joey (Baldwin 20). He feels he has succeeded with this illusion by “...not looking at the universe, by not looking at myself” but in the end, his life is just an illusion that he is trying to convince himself is reality, or at least distract himself from so he does not have to accept it and himself (Baldwin 21).

With Giovanni, and the titular living space the two share, we see David’s world take on that of a prison. David recognizes Giovanni’s intent to better himself by integrating David into his life and David allows this as “...a part of my own desperation,” but the role in the relationship is another illusion that David constructs (Baldwin 80). David describes how he “...invented in myself a kind of pleasure in playing the housewife... But I am not a housewifemen never can be housewives. And the pleasure was never real or deep” (Baldwin 83). This shows the relationship is a farce for him. David may love Giovanni but the parts of the

relationship that matter, like bettering one another, are not real for him. We see the conflicts David has as the relationship progresses and spends more time with Giovanni. David wants to occupy a masculine role in a romantic relationship but is confused because, in his mind, that cannot happen in a relationship between two men.

There is a further disconnect within him as he feels conflicting emotions toward Giovanni and the relationship they have: I was in a terrible confusion. Sometimes I thought, but this is your life. Stop fighting it. Stop fighting. Or I thought, but I am happy. And he loves me. I am safe. Sometimes, when he was not near me, I thought, I will never let him touch me again. Then, when he touched me, I thought, it doesn’t matter, it is only the body, it will soon be over. When it was over, I lay in the dark and listened to his breathing and dreamed of the touch of hands, of Giovanni's hands, or anybody’s hands, hands which would have the power to crush me and make me whole again. (Baldwin 88)

We can see that David loves Giovanni and wants to accept it but when committing sexual acts with Giovanni, there is the realization of what he is doing and feelings of shame. But after sex, David wants Giovanni to comfort him and turn his fractured self into a whole. However, David feels he cannot with Giovanni. Arguing with Giovanni near the end of the book, he and Giovanni go in a circle about what the

relationship was and what it could have been. David argues that Giovanni wanted to turn him into “a little girl” (Baldwin 142). Giovanni argues back and mentions, “You are the one who keeps talking about what I want. But I have only been talking about who I want.” David argues, “But I’m a man...What do you think can happen between us?” proving Giovanni right by arguing about what he is but not who he is (Baldwin 142). He wears the façade of a man and what it means to be masculine to deflect from his sexuality. David finds whatever feeds into his shame, chiefly internalized homophobia, and attacks against his masculinity, as excuses to leave Giovanni.

Throughout the novel, we see David fight the disconnect between himself and his sexuality. At the end of the Giovanni’s Room, David is staring at himself in a mirror and is confused by his own reflection. “The body in the mirror forces me to turn and face it... I do not know what moves in this body, what this body is searching... I long to crack that mirror and be free. I look at my sex, my troubling sex, and wonder how it can be redeemed, how I can save it from the knife” (Baldwin 168). Here, David is forced to reconcile his sexuality after the events of the book. He describes his reflection as a different being, with its own will that is enacting itself onto David. The body forces David to look at it, himself, and accept it.

However, David fails to recognize both himself and his desires. David has become so disconnected from his sexuality that it has become another person to him. However, this is just his own perception, as his sexuality is just a part of him. There is an importance to the body and the materialness of David, as David has mentioned in multiple passages. During sex with Giovanni, David is conflicted but says, “...it’s only the body” (Baldwin 88). This implies there is a part of David that can never be touched, or at least that is what he wants himself to think. He could mean his spirit, as he mentions, “Yet, the key to my salvation, which cannot save my body, is hidden in my flesh” (Baldwin 168). He comes to the realization that he can no longer run from his sexuality, which was his original purpose for coming to Paris.

One of the largest obstacles David must overcome is the shame he has regarding his sexuality. We can see that ideals of masculinity and cultural perceptions of homosexuality play a role in the way David navigates through life and around his sexuality. Because of the false reality that David creates, one where he is a man who engages with masculinity and is not homosexual, a dissonance is created within David that creates a divide between others and his internal self. Only accepting himself, as he truly is, can bring salvation and make David whole.

and Disconnection in Giovanni’s Room The Lookout

Bibliography

Baldwin, James. Giovanni's Room. Vintage International/Vintage Books, 2019.

Jorden Hooper

Jorden Hooper (It/They/She) is a graduating senior earning its BA in English with a minor in The Great Books Program along with a certificate in Business and Technical Communication. Jorden has focused its attention on technical communication and writing, document design, as well as studies around how online communities, especially those centered around transgender individuals, interact and grow. After Jorden graduates, she intends to pursue a career in technical writing. As a transgender individual, Jorden has volunteered on campus with the Dr. Jesse R. Peele LGBTQ Center. She takes pride in the collaborative efforts and the work she has done for the ECU community, hoping to have left her mark and improved her community. In their free time, Jorden enjoys exercising, trying fancy coffee, cooking, and reading. Jorden is proud to have their first publication featured in The Lookout. Concerning recent events surrounding the LGBTQ community, the author hopes that after reading her article, the reader will consider how they interact with LGBTQ Individuals and how they can better understand others. In a period of increasing bigotry and hatred targeting queer people, consider how you can help others. From telling a friend or family member you love them, to taking direct political action, we all have a voice and power, and work to make the world a better place for all.

Wuthering Heights: From a Nineteenth-Century Novel to the Big Screen

Anna Armstrong

It’s no secret that Hollywood often increases the Romantic appeal of movies to attract a wider audience. This happens quite frequently with movie genres ranging from action and adventure all across the spectrum to more outlandish genres such as horror and sci-fi. Sex appeal is a huge topic in movie productions hence the so-called “Hollywood formula” in this day and age, but is it necessary; does it draw in such a significant number of viewers to become truly relevant? For movies made from books, does it increase the desire to delve into the book itself, or does it just cause disappointment when one finds out it has been greatly exaggerated?

The 2009 film adaptation of Wuthering Heights adds a great deal of steaminess that is not found in the original nineteenth-century masterpiece by Emily Brontë, therefore causing viewers to desire to read the book itself to see if it is indeed as steamy and exciting as the movie portrays it to be. All in all, the answer is no. The novel is not as steamy and exciting as the film makes it seem; however, due to the success of the film, novel sales inherently increased.

The original novel Wuthering Heights, first published in 1847, by Emily Brontë tells the story of two young people who go through the torments of life loving each other without being able to be with one another. The story is narrated by Nelly, or Ellen Dean, a house servant, and maid to Catherine Earnshaw; one of the main protagonists in the story. She narrates this story to Mr. Lockwood, who has taken sick and is staying at Thrushcross Grange. Nelly has been working with Catherine’s family for about two generations at the present, starting with the elder Mr. Earnshaw, and ending with Catherine after she married Edgar Linton. She was physically there while the entire plot of the story was taking place. Despite Nelly’s constant presence in the family, in his article “The Unreliable Narrator in Wuthering Heights,” Gideon Shunami states,

“Nelly lacks the qualities and qualifications necessary for her to be a reliable narrator,” (Shunami, p. 449). Shunami classifies Nelly as an “eyewitness” to the events within the households she is involved in and a “minor figure” in the overall plot. This would inherently make her narrations valid, but perhaps biased or even exaggerated, thus making them

‘unreliable’ (Shunami, p. 449). This could furthermore be related to her servant status in the family or perhaps her seeming lack of education.

Ansgar Nünning, in his article on unreliable narrators, lists four reasons why narrators can be classified as unreliable. Mainly the third reason he lists, as well as the second to an extent, relates to Nelly’s character. Nünning’s third reason is as follows: “Third, these texts abound in narrational comments and judgements, and, importantly, in reader address. The high frequency of reader addresses and the style strongly suggest communication between a speaker and a listener,” (Nünning, p. 84). In the case of Wuthering Heights, although there is not necessarily a plethora of “reader addresses,” there is communication between a speaker, Nelly, and a listener, Mr. Lockwood. Nünning’s second reasoning credits Chatman’s designation of “‘overt narrators’” which he further explains as being “narrators who are clearly recognizable as speakers or writers and about whom the reader gets to know quite a lot,” (Nünning, p. 84). Readers learn a lot about Nelly throughout the novel but through her own eyes. Common sense would tell you that there must be bias within that. But according to Nünning, she could be considered reliable.

Further arguments from Shunami’s article would explain that Nelly’s character, according to some critics, is

quite stable; he states that “Nelly Dean remains steadfast and without permitting a breach in her limited world,” (Shunami, p. 450). The question is, however, does the fact of Nelly Dean being unreliable add to the apparent lack of romantic passion in Wuthering Heights, the novel, that the 2009 movie adaptation portrays? There is reason to believe that is partially the case; the movie does not necessarily portray Nelly as the narrator–though she is typically always present–but it is quite obvious that is the case in the book. Due to Nelly’s age and station, there is reason to believe that she may be unreliably recounting aspects of Catherine and Heathcliff’s romantic relationship and focusing more on things that vexed her character personally: mostly drama that came from the love triangle between Cathy, Heathcliff, and Edgar Linton, as well as Heathcliff’s behavior in general.

Is a fake, cheesy, played-up love story even that great to begin with?

Hollywood and various film production companies are notorious for playing up romance, or even adding it in where it does not belong. It is meant to appeal to the masses and increase ticket sales. In his study comparing romance found in novels to the romance found in its corresponding film, Lester Asheim concluded, “Of the twenty-four films in the sample, seventeen, or three quarters of the total group, increased the importance of the love story in relation to the whole over its proportionate importance in the novel upon which the film was based,” (Asheim, p. 55).

Producers make subtle decisions to make these things work–in the film, the three main protagonists, Catherine,

The novel is not as steamy and exciting as the film makes it seem

Heathcliff, and Edgar Linton, are all portrayed as older than they were supposed to be according to the book; Asheim states that this is “to make possible the beginning of the romance between Cathy and Edgar, and a more mature resentment on the part of Heathcliff,” (Asheim, p. 57). To some extent, this works. Regardless of what any die-hard and hopeless romantics may think, the film portraying these characters as older–the novel puts them around the ages of fifteen and sixteen whereas the film shows upwards to eighteen and twenty years of age–makes more sense to our society for them to be getting married and having romantic relationships. Though age was not as much of a concern to nineteenth-century romance authors, to our society, it has a decent amount of importance. Catherine was said to be about eighteen when she married Edgar and that is technically considered the legal age to marry, but is considered taboo in today’s society, particularly in the United States. On top of the age differences between the novel and the film, it is also reasonable to note that the added sensual and sex scenes were a bit awkward and uncomfortable. These scenes include Cathy and Heathcliff being sensual and romantic on the moors on two separate occasions and then Heathcliff and his wife, Isabella Linton, having sex, during which all Heathcliff can muster are “don’t look at me, don’t look at me,” (Wuthering Heights 25:35). The sole purpose of these scenes was to add to the drama of the synthetic romance plot filmmakers choose to enhance. This passion is not found anywhere in the book; the only hint of it is when we find out Catherine is pregnant.

Something else that is typical of all good love stories is some sort of a happy ending. Asheim considered this as well in his study and concluded that only two novels, one of which being Wuthering Heights, is in fact a combination of a happy ending and an unhappy ending; meaning that “the goal is achieved but the main protagonist dies,” (Asheim, p. 60). Yes, the main goal of the romantic plot was reached, however, the torment of the main characters throughout the process of achievement led to the death of the protagonist, Catherine (and also Heathcliff, by suicide, in the film adaptation and by starvation in the novel). Heathcliff committing suicide after being driven mad and essentially coming to peace with himself and his situation at the end of the film seems to be a full circle ending rather than him meekly dying of starvation. By taking his own life with such force, Heathcliff refused to let no one but himself determine his fate. This is yet another modification made by the film producers to enhance the drama and romance by adding or changing what originally happened in the novel.

Some good things rise from filmmakers adding drama and romance where it once wasn’t. In this instance, box office sales increased interest in the novel itself. In his 1956 article, “Word to Image: The Problem of the Filmed Novel,” George Bluestone describes a few instances in which films drove up sales on the novels on which they were based. These include The Good Earth which had sales of the book increase to “3,000 per week,” Pride and Prejudice skyrocketed to “a third of a million copies,” Lost Horizon went even further

with “1,400,000 copies,” and the first Wuthering Heights film increased book sales to “700,000 copies,” (Bluestone, p. 174). Due to these statistics, it can be easily concluded that once a novel is turned into a film, typically interest in the novel increases, furthermore, increasing sales of the novel.

Bluestone goes on to discuss some issues with film adaptations of novels. He states, “changes are inevitable the moment one abandons the linguistic for the visual medium,” (Bluestone, p. 174). How many movies have you seen that were altered versions of the book you originally read? Probably a lot; think about books like Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief or even the Harry Potter series. Fans are always so quick to point out all the ‘mistakes’ that filmmakers made and all the really important plot details that seem to be missing. These modifications were made for a reason, whether it be a time constraint (movies were not meant to last for upwards of four or five hours), lack of funding for production, or even just the way the book was written. Bluestone illustrates Samuel Goldwyn’s statement, “‘Some novels read like scenarios,’” from a conversation about screening novels and scriptwriting; in other words, it seems as if some novels are easier to make scripts out of than others (Bluestone, p. 175). Regardless of what changes have been made, or how many people are upset with the films, there is a lot that goes into creating films. The 2009 movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë was a beautiful film. It was gorgeously written and the original story was overall handled well by

screenwriters and producers. Perhaps you could argue that the added drama is warranted as it does draw in quite a larger audience, but for those that love the simplicity of the original novel or story, or even those that just don’t want to have sex scenes added into every movie produced nowadays, it is understandable to slightly detest film adaptations. Whether you find yourself enjoying the novel, or the movie better, there is no arguing that changes were ultimately made for a reason. Those changes may have even persuaded you to check the book out for yourself, and that may have been the point in the first place. In the case of the novel itself, we are led to believe that our main narrator, Mrs. Nelly Dean, is unreliable, though stable. This raises questions, and potentially a few problems, for any good screenwriter, making sure to include all of the important things and finding what is okay to weed out or what to add in its place. All in all, the film keeps the integrity of the original story written by Emily Brontë, just with a little added spice to keep things a little more interesting for viewers today.

Bibliography

Asheim, Lester. “From Book to Film: The Note of Affirmation.” The Quarterly of Film Radio and Television, vol. 6, no. 1, University of California Press, 1951, pp. 54-68, https://doi.org/10.2307/1209935.

Bluestone, George. “Word to Image: The Problem of the Filmed Novel.” The Quarterly of Film Radio and Television, vol. 11, no. 2, University of California Press, 1956, pp. 171-180, https://doi.org/10.2307/1209838.

Brontë, Emily. 1846. Wuthering Heights. Barnes & Noble, 2011.

Nünning, Ansgar. “‘But Why Will You Say That I Am Mad?’ On the Theory, History, and Signals of Unreliable Narration in British Fiction.” AAA: Arbeiten Aus Anglistik Und Amerikanistik, vol. 22, no. 1, Narr Francke Attempto Verlag GmbH Co. KG, 1997, pp. 83-105, https://www.jstor.org/stable/43025523.

Shunami, Gideon. “The Unreliable Narrator in Wuthering Heights.” NineteenthCentury Fiction, vol. 27, no. 4, University of California Press, 1973, pp. 449468, https://doi.org/10.2307/2933519.

Wuthering Heights. Directed by Coky Giedroyć, Produced by Radford Neville, Mammoth Screen, and Boston WGBH, Public Broadcasting Service, 2009.

Anna Armstrong

Anna Armstrong is a senior studying Vocal Music Education and minoring in English at East Carolina University. She is from Zebulon, North Carolina, and came to ECU to pursue her passion for music. Anna hopes to graduate in May 2023 with her undergraduate degree in Music Education. She is a Maynard Scholar and a member of two National Honors Societies at the collegiate level, Phi Kappa Phi, multidisciplinary, and Pi Kappa Lambda, which is specific to music. Anna has goals to continue working to publish more of her work, both in academia and in creative works. She is grateful to have her first publication featured in The Lookout: A Journal of Undergraduate Research at East Carolina University.

Expedition in the Futurity of Ergodic Literature

Blake V. Rose

Reaction is the game when it comes to literary movements. In the early twentieth century modernism existed to reflect a time when reason and knowledge were transparent and tangible; everything was built on solid logic and a clean sense of the real. Sometime in the 1940’s the postmodernists were born. They rebelled and eschewed the real and replaced the sciences with the spirit. They opted for messy absurdity instead of sterile logic. If the modernists reflected an educated culture, then the post-modernists reflected an awakened one. Alas, all great things come to an end. If the modernists lifespan could be used as a guide, then any given literary movement might be expected to last about a half of a century, but postmodernism is quickly approaching an age twice that of modernism.

I don’t believe postmodernism will live all that much longer. In fact, it may already be a thing of the past. Something not only in the literary landscape, but in human culture as a whole changed in the early 2000’s, possibly as far back as the 90’s. We are more connected than we have ever been – in seconds we can have entire conversations with people on the other side of the world, we can watch videos happening in those same places in real

time. There is also more of an emphasis on globalization, cultural understanding, and openness to the self in its many, many forms. Could all this shape the form of the novel? Some say that writing is leaning towards hyperrealism, others still believe in the strength of transrealism works that begin firmly rooted in reality but change genre midstream –and others trust the ergodic movement to succeed postmodernism. If we don’t answer this question, writers will have fewer ways of making sense of the way fiction is changing and if we do answer it writers will see additional possibilities for their own fiction. Ergodic literature is increasingly influential among many novelists today. It is gaining a foothold more than any other prospective movement has and it might just be strong enough to usurp the postmodernist throne.

First thing’s first: what exactly is ergodic literature? In his work

Cybertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature, Aarseth defines it as, “a term appropriated from physics that derives from the Greek words ergon and hodos, meaning ‘work’ and ‘path.’ In ergodic literature, nontrivial effort is required to allow the reader to traverse the text” (1). That is to say, if you were reading an ergodic text right now, you would be required by the author to put more effort into reading their novel than you normally would just picking up the latest

work by Stephen King. An ergodic novel is, more often than not, non-linear and stream of consciousness. Frame structures and footnotes abound in ergodic literature. All those examples might be commonly used in postmodernism and modernism alike; many writing techniques carry over from one movement to the next. Newer techniques implemented in ergodic fiction however are the use of textual games to allow the reader to become fully immersed in the novel, or by text manipulation to force the reader through a labyrinthine maze of words –forever hinting at areas of the story that the reader will not find out until they find the correct information which would allow them to proceed.

Some contemporary examples of ergodic literature are: Only Revolutions, by Mark Z. Danielewsky, Marisha Pessl’s Night Film., and S, by J.J. Abrams. Only Revolutions is a wild road novel told through two lovers’ perspectives over the course of centuries. Every page is filled with side notes giving historical context to the events. It only becomes ergodic when the reader makes it a few pages in and then realizes that they are supposed to flip the book over and read it from the other direction – emulating the motions of a steering wheel. In Pessl’s Night Film, the reader will find little bird symbols at seemingly random spots which they can scan like a QR code, resulting in media, such as videos, outside the novel that fill in and fully

flesh out the story. J.J. Abrams’ novel S is probably the easiest to exemplify as ergodic literature. There are puzzles littered in each chapter, illustrating a third story, the true story, of what happened to a missing author. Not only do the two college students help the reader solve and define some of the ciphers, but they do not solve others. This leaves the reader to their own devices to find out the truth. The pages are stuffed with ephemera – from newspapers to postcards to hotel napkins with hastily scrawled messages on them – and the last piece is the most cryptic, being a cipher wheel which nobody has been able to solve to date.

This is all well and good, but these are all, in a sense, regular novels, experimental, but otherwise normal insomuch as they are books with pages and covers. Not so. Let’s take a look again at Only Revolutions. When the novel was made into an iBook – possibly the only one of his novels that could be given such a treatment – several changes occurred which bring us to another, arguably the most important, aspect of ergodic literature: Hypertext.

More and more, people are turning to their Nooks and iPads for their reading, and the medium which they operate as offers something that a physical book never could. That is access to the internet. Hypertext is interesting as a storytelling device because it allows the storyteller to accomplish the one task which ergodic fiction sets out to accomplish: immerse the reader in the world of the story more than was ever possible in times before the age of technology. In the article “Hypertext Fiction: The Latest in Postmodern

It is gaining a foothold more than any other prospective movement has

Literary Theory” one could ascertain that hypertext adds both extra sensory facets to a novel and the ability to navigate a text according to what interest the reader (10). This gives the author more control of story and atmosphere than ever before the advent of hypertext. With such tools available it is not surprising that such an innovative author such as Mark Z. Danielewski would choose to implement hypertext when adapting one of his novels to the iBook format. To take it a step further, when the iBook version of Only Revolutions was adapted, the ability to click on events on the sidebars of the novel played music relevant to the current year at that point in the story, effectively creating a playlist for the lives of the protagonists (Piatkowski).

About the conversion of Danielewski’s Only Revolutions, Sascha Pohlmann states, reasonably so, “it espouses a multiplicity of voices, viewpoints and identities on the levels of content, form, typography, layout, visuality, and materiality” (29). All the points Pohlmann lists are instrumental in immersing the reader and making the text authentic. So authentic in fact that reading then feels almost more like a virtual reality game than it does like reading a book, even though that is exactly what the reader is doing, or they would not still be called a reader; instead, they would be a player.

Although it is difficult to draw the line between reading and playing, some video games are being defended as having literary significance. Everquest is one such game which Hayot and Wesp defend in their essay, “Style: Strategy and Mimesis in Ergodic Literature,”

positing that it addresses certain racial biases by giving the player options when creating their character to choose a race and a class, and all these decisions can lead to empathy or discrimination later on in the narrative (415). There are other games that hold literary merit as well, such as the Dark Souls series where a story full of world building and atmosphere exist with little to no plot, seemingly. But the entirety of the story is text based and told in an extremely unique way. The player must separate the playing and reading because the only way to find the story is in the descriptions of items acquired through the course of the game. This effectively makes Dark souls ergodic by definition: the story is non-linear and requires nontrivial action to get through the story. There is no way to read the plot information in order or in more than short bursts so between snippets of storyline the reader must again become a player to search out an item to seek out another piece of the puzzle.

Speaking of short bursts, entire novels have been written on Twitter 240 characters at a time. Social media provides a wonderful platform for those willing to post once per day until an entire story is told. Some writers on the platform take it a step further and post multiple times a day, sometimes with video logs as peripherals and sometimes utilizing hyperlinks to provide backgrounds to characters of settings. Social media is a game changer for many readers living in the digital age because it offers a platform to writers which the world has never experienced –something that also greatly benefits the reader. It is also spectacular for many of

the same reasons because our culture is slowly being trained to lose their attention span. Sometimes a short post on social media is enough to garner some cult acclaim or even greatness. The small space available in a tweet forces the author of such a work to economize and through regular posting an entire novel can be posted with great alacrity; this also speaks volumes about some Twitter author’s creativity (Thomas 51). Not only does releasing a novel in tweets challenge the author but it engages the reader to participate in critical discussion and analysis of events in the story as it is released with other readers in the comment section.

In the end, ergodic literature, though not always called as such, is growing stronger with each hyperlinked and cybertext riddled eBook, with the innovative story-telling each video game, and with each tweeted snippet of story. Although I acknowledge the staying power of postmodernism, it cannot be disputed that times are changing. Creativity in fiction writing isn’t going anywhere and, here in the digital age with connectivity stronger than most ancient gods, neither is ergodic literature.

Bibliography

Aarseth, Espen. Cybertext: Perspectives on Ergodic Literature. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1997.

Hayot, Eric, and Edward Wesp. “Style: Strategy and Mimesis in Ergodic Literature.” Comparative Literature Studies, vol. 41, no. 3, Penn State University Press, 2004, pp. 404–23, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40247420. Accessed 29 Sept. 2021.

Anonymous, "Hypertext Fiction: The Latest in Postmodern Literary Theory."

Academe, vol. 85, no. 1, 1999, pp. 10. ProQuest, https://www.proquest.com/tradejournals/hypertext-fiction-latest-postmodern-literary/docview/232309238/se2?accountid=10639. Accessed 29 Sept. 2021.

Thomas, Bronwen. Literature and social media. Routledge, 2020.

Piatkowski, Paul. "Deterritorializing the Textual Site in the Digital Age: Paratextual and Narrative Democracy in Mark Z. Danielewski's Only Revolutions."

Journal of Modern Literature, vol. 43, no. 1, fall 2019, pp. 169+. Gale Literature Resource Center, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A616447895/LitRC?u=ncliveecu&sid=summon&xid=e12e0 23c. Accessed 29 Sept. 2021.

Author Name

Blake V. Rose lives in Greenville, NC where he pursues a bachelor’s degree in English at East Carolina University. In no particular order, he loves wildlife, music, his family, reading, and writing. He likes to believe he would take a bullet for a tree but might be too entranced by a book to do so. He currently has poetry anthologized in Under the Cherry Tree: 20 Great Poets in Their 20’s, and poetry coming soon from Local Gems Press and Spire: A Journal of Creative Expression. Blake’s short fiction can be found in both Alban Lakes Publishing and Hiraeth Books in their Lovecraftian anthologies. His story, King of the Boot-stomp Ghetto, can be found in Adelaide literary Journal, the September 2019 edition. Blake is also a finalist for the 2020 Adelaide Literary Short Story Award.

Marketing Professionals Communication

Brandon Burke

Executive Summary

Marketing professionals use rhetoric’s and supporting data to persuade our audience while communicating. It was discovered that using data to support your persuasion will make you more convincing to an audience of industry professionals. They were able to analyze press release documents using data to persuade decision makers in a partnership. Making things easy on the reader is the logical thing to do, “smoothly carrying a customer from one spot to another.” (Edelman, 2015). Job titles add credibility and marketing professionals will use them. Marketing professional Erica Pennell stated, “Once entering a professional work environment, I began ensuring my writing was more concise and relayed the appropriate level of details to each audience.” (Interview, 2022). The feeling purveyed forming this executive summary is concision to save important time for decision makers.

Introduction

Persuasion is used in marketing communications in the professional business environment. The topic of this report is persuasive techniques. There was extensive research to form this report using primary research conducted as well as secondary research to support the primary research. Due to

the interview, they learned how marketing professionals use data to support written text. Primary research is the most attuned to my topic of persuasive techniques used in marketing communication around the business environment. The primary research is respected although, the secondary research provides power through respected journals such as the Harvard Business Review. The Harvard Business Review is a general management magazine affiliated with Harvard University. They also included the Routledge Companion to Consumer Behavior as secondary research. The Routledge Companion to Consumer Behavior is an eclectic novel for a marketing centered economy. Through the interview they were encouraged to research Lowes and Petco to Harness the Power of Home and Pets with new Store-In-Store concept. Also, a document from Lowes with a broad overview of the company is the Investor Fact Sheet was pulled as secondary research. They feel like this piece is powerful in persuading business professionals in marketing industry. The communication skills within marketing have improved. Marketing uses written communication to persuade our audience. Different forms of persuasion we can use for decision makers are data supporting evidence, foot in the door, personal, and personal connections. Professional communication techniques in marketing are important to me

because that’s the industry they want to go into.

Interview

They were interconnected enough to interview Erica Pennell. Erica attended University of North Carolina at Wilmington and later graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree Concentrated in Marketing, all while participating in the American Marketing Association. The American Marketing Association is an association of marketing professionals with 250 collegiate chapters in The United States. They know how important the American Marketing Association is because they’ve been our Vice President of Community Outreach for two semesters. After graduation, Erica gained key management experience from Enterprise. Erica worked her way up to Bodily injury Claims Specialist III at Liberty Mutual Insurance. Erica’s experience shows that she earned a promotion about every year after graduation. She started with Lowes as a Claims Examiner. She was promoted to Merchandising Operations Senior Specialist- Product data compliance. Next, she became Marketing Senior Specialist, Targeted Marketing. Her next promotion was to Senior Marketing Analyst. Second to last, she become an Assistant Marketing Manager- Loyalty and CRM. Then her most recent promotion was to Channel Marketing Manager. They chose Erica to interview as primary research because she was a marketing professional. They interviewed a sales professional as well

to decide Marketing is the industry they are going into.

Rhetorical Analysis Press Release

They rhetorically analyzed the press release from October 13th, 2021, by Lowe’s companies, inc. My rhetorical analysis consisted of ethos, pathos, and logos. The purpose of the rhetorical analysis is to see how the author of the press release persuaded its reader.

• Ethos used character, credibility, and ethics to persuade. An example of how Lowes persuaded with credibility in the press release is using Bill Boltz’ title of Vice President of Merchandising. Titles always make the person seem more credible and are often formed to glorify the position.

• Pathos used emotions and passion to persuade. An example of Lowes when they used emotions to persuade is using the word comfort. Lowes and Petco collaborate allowing the reader to feel comfort to make this idea of a joint store floor model more doable.

• Logos used logical reasoning and evidence to persuade. An example of how Lowes uses logic is with statistics. “More than 11 million new pets have entered U.S homes since the start of the pandemic” (Lowes, 2022). When they added a number, it helps the reader see how the pandemic could’ve caused an increase in pets.

Investor

Fact Sheet

The rhetorical analysis of the investor fact sheet is in depth. The investor fact sheet we found to go along with the interview was found with the help of Erica. The investor fact sheets they’re analyzing are from February 1st , 2019. In the investor fact sheet analysis, we’re still looking at ethos, pathos, and logos.

• The most credibility of the fact sheet comes from the mentioning of Lowes being the second largest home improvement retailer. This is one of the reasons they’d see themselves working at Lowes. Lowes is a very well-known company, so the author is using its credibility to persuade the reader.

• The most emotional persuasion the author does is put in pictures of front-line workers and customers both having pleasant experiences. Anyone who is a stakeholder or shareholder with Lowes can feel the emotion in the pictures. The reason the imaging is persuasive is because it shows them having a pleasant time; therefore, the shareholder or stakeholder can feel good about customer relationships. A stakeholder is interested in a company. A shareholder owns stock in a company and is financially involved.

• The bullet points and formatting make this logically pleasing. Investors want quick information that gets to the point. The bullet points also show evidence of success that is persuading. For

example, “More than 18 million customers served each week.” (Lowes, 2019). Customers per week are very good at showing evidence that Lowes is a success brand.

Conclusion

During this writing piece they learned a lot about communicating in marketing. They always say that most of the marketing’s communication is an effort to persuade. Solomon states, (2017) “Persuasion attempts are often accompanied by efforts to change people’s moods.” (Pg. 246). Persuasion to me is providing evidence that will convince someone to decide or form an opinion in the evidence favor. The takeaway for the marketing professional reading this is that they know how to communicate well as a marketer to persuade an audience. Business marketing professionals is the target audience for this research report. My own experiences with Lowes have been great. Erica is a great marketing professional that uses data to persuade her audience. In this research report there are key points of persuading business professionals both internal and external. Using data to persuade upperlevel executives of companies is a great way to communicate with marketers.

Bibliography

Edelman, D. C. (2015). Competing on Customer Journeys. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2015/11/competing-on-customer-journeys

Lowes. (2022) "LOWE'S, PETCO TO HARNESS THE POWER OF HOME AND PETS WITH NEW STORE-IN-STORE CONCEPT." Corporate.Lowes.com.

https://corporate.lowes.com/newsroom/press-releases/lowes-petco-harness-powerhome-and-pets-new-store-store-concept-01-27-22

Lowes. (2019) Investor Fact Sheet. https://corporate.lowes.com/sites/lowescorp/files/Pdf/Lowes-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Solomon, M. R. (2018). Mood Effects. In The Routledge Companion to Consumer Behavior (p. 246). Routledge Taylor and Francis Group. www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781315526935/routledge-companionconsumer-behavior-michael-solomon-tina-lowrey?refId=9ec315dc-912a-4475-a24fb4d4a69e2c4c&context=ubx.

The Ethics of Censorship-Resistant Cryptocurrency Mass Adoption

Omar Murad

Since the release of Bitcoin, many cryptocurrency users have dreamed of overhauling the current monetary system with a peer-to-peer banking system utilizing the latest in blockchain technology. However, in the eyes of many cryptocurrency researchers and enthusiasts, the Bitcoin project’s blockchain is too transparent, thus enabling the continuation of the unethical practices of the current monetary system. Other digital assets, such as Monero, aim to provide fully fungible cash via complete privacy by default: no opt-in required. While this approach would solve many of the unethical overreaches we currently face, it also introduces a few ethical concerns of its own. Given the history of central bank regulation of monetary policy over the past few decades, it is evident that private cryptocurrencies are the ethical choice for mass adoption.

The Ethics of Fungible Cryptocurrency Mass Adoption

Central banks and currencies are concepts that have been applied by societies since the establishment of Sweden’s central bank, the Riksbank, in 1668. While their existences have been deemed necessary in order to apply policy and control the supply of money, the emergence of blockchain technology has sparked a debate on whether or not to eliminate their monopoly.

Amongst the cryptocurrency community, the answer to whether central banks should still exist is almost always a no. However, there is no consensus as to how a massively adopted, decentralized cryptocurrency should be designed. Specifically, the discussion around the degree of privacy that a coin should implement has various opinions butting heads.

Arguments for a more transparent blockchain use regulation and the general enforcement of policies as a justification for the lack of privacy, while the flip side of that argument states that anything but a fully private digital coin is giving up the mostly fungible nature of cash and opening the doors for censorship.

Background

On January 9th, 2009, Bitcoin, the first ever cryptocurrency, was launched by an unknown entity under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto. Along with releasing the source code, Nakamoto put forth a whitepaper outlining his vision for “A purely peerto-peer version of electronic cash” (Nakamoto, 2008, para. 1). While this revolutionary idea of utilizing blockchain technology to create a digital currency wasn’t immediately popular,

interest in Bitcoin gradually reached the mainstream over the next few years. Despite Bitcoin’s only privacy mechanism being wallet pseudonymity (Conti et al., 2018), at the time of this paper’s writing, Bitcoin continues to hold the number one spot on the list of most popular cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, coins such as Monero that provide cutting edge privacy by default have been much slower to gain popularity, with its current ranking sitting at 47th in market capitalization.

Many cryptocurrency adopters view Bitcoin as the more ethical coin to massively adopt due to its almost complete transparency which allows for easier regulatory enforcement compared to private coins. Meanwhile, those who support private cryptocurrencies argue that any lack of privacy in a widely adopted cryptocurrency can be exploited by adversaries and governments to censor and conduct attacks on users. While the arguments on both sides have valid points, the positive aspects of complete privacy outweigh the risks associated with its lack of transparency.

Stakeholders and the Impact of Censorship Resistant Currencies

Following the terrorist attacks in New York in 2001, the United States government decided it would be best to compromise the privacy of Americans in exchange for the promise of a better secured country (Mell, 2002). A country where federal agencies are granted the authority to collect and monitor all digital communications within the country without a warrant. In the past two decades since the passage of the PATRIOT Act, it has become obvious

that when governments are entrusted with such responsibilities, that power is bound to be abused. This is especially evident in the NSA’s PRISM program which allowed them to collect any data they wish on American citizens via their ISPs and other services such as search engines (Landau, 2013).

This ongoing battle between privacy and security is extremely relevant to the ethical considerations behind the adoption of truly private cryptocurrencies. Almost all of today’s governments use a central bank and fiat currency, and many users of those currencies in modern countries keep portions of their funds in regulated banks. Ideally, governments would use their legal powers to regulate monetary policy in a fair, equitable manner. However, the unfortunate fact is the government’s regulatory powers have resulted in great harm, especially to those who do not fall in the upper echelons of wealth. From bailing out greedy corporations (Taibbi, 2019), to unfair tax enforcement (ProPublica, 2020), and even plain theft (ACLU, 2022), the idea of a central monopoly on money and its regulations has been a burden to most of the world’s population.

Various Viewpoints

The primary arguments for a more transparent blockchain revolve around its audibility and ability to more seamlessly merge with today’s monetary legal frameworks (Nabilou, 2019). An example of how this occurs can be seen when purchasing digital assets from exchanges. The exchange follows the Know Your Customer (KYC) guidelines.

This is the process of associating any wallets and assets that a user buys or sells on the platform with their government-provided identity. Thus, any regulation from taxation to avoiding terrorist financing can be more easily enforced. This is due to the government having complete access to all exchange users’ wallets, assets, transactions, trades, profits, losses, etc. Those who argue for this level of transparency tend to have a strong belief in governments as institutions and see them as a necessary and capable forces for combatting malicious forces in today’s world. Thus, theoretically, if one’s funds were stolen, the transparent nature of the blockchain would allow law enforcement agencies to track down the thieves more easily.

Arguments for a completely private and censorship-resistant digital currency revolve around the idea that humans are inherently flawed. While it would be nice to think that we are capable of being impartial and objective, the truth is various studies have exposed how such judgements are almost outside of our control (Harris & Fiske, 2006). Thus, when a technology like blockchain emerges and provides us with the ability to remove the need for trust in our monetary system, it is seen as a great positive. Those who fall within this ideology tend to believe that any regulations that would be imposed on the monetary system can be solved outside of it. In fact, they believe regulations would be better solved outside of the monetary system than it would be inside of it. Taking the PATRIOT Act as an example, had the United States government not taken so many actions that caused many eastern

countries to view us in such a bad light, but instead tried to foster a sense of cooperation and unity amongst the world’s powers, there would not be a need for such privacy violations due to the fear of being attacked. Another example can be seen in the financial collapse of 2008 and the taxpayerfunded bailouts that followed it. The government allowed certain financial institutions to become too big to fail, thus putting them in a position where they were aware that they could not collapse, which gave them almost complete immunity from taking massively greedy bets. When those bets failed, governments were forced to bail them out by printing more currency, thus not only stealing taxpayer money but also devaluing it. Had there been no central bank, or policies that prevent banks from gaining too much power, such a collapse and its associated inflation would not have occurred.

Importance of Adopting a Private Cryptocurrency

While the concept of blockchain technology is new, its rapid proliferation today provides us with sufficient reasons to believe that it will be widely adopted soon. When it comes to how a blockchain is designed for monetary purposes, it is incredibly important that societies weigh the benefits and consequences of a financial system that is either transparent or private. The fundamental principles upon which each side of the arguments are positioned vary vastly, but their impact of society cannot be understated. A move towards a more private currency, like cash, would be a chance for a more private, independent, egalitarian society. A

society where we can rethink how previous monetary policies have served us and discover alternatives that don’t rely on everyday citizens giving up their privacy.

Ideal Outcome

Many of the world’s regulations and policies have remained the same over the past few centuries. These polices have not necessarily been in place for so long due to their efficacy, but rather due to how entrenched we have become surrounding them. Thus, the ideal outcome for the mass adoption of a private, cash alternative, digital currency should take place, and is the most ethical compared to a blockchain that can be easily surveilled. While such an adoption would require massive overhauls in how the government conducts monetary regulation, such a restructuring is overdue. Were a private cryptocurrency, such as Monero, to become widely popular, governments would have no choice but to cave to the demands that favor everyone, rather than a select few.

Summary and Conclusions

The release of Bitcoin and the prevalence of blockchain technology has made it clear that fundamental changes are on the horizon for many aspects of our lives. Most importantly, a massive disruption to how currency is issued and regulated can reasonably be expected to take place in the near future. Such a disruption provides the world with a chance at restructuring the balance of power when it comes to monetary policy. The legacy system where a central bank has absolute power to print

and seize money is no longer necessary. However, it is critical that we make the right choice of what we replace it with. It would be unethical to continue many of the policies that have failed our society and marginalized some groups. The ethical choice is clear, and it is to put the power of monetary policy into the hands of citizens via today’s latest peer-to-peer technologies.

References

ACLU. (2022, February 16). Asset Forfeiture Abuse. American Civil Liberties Union. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from https://www.aclu.org/issues/criminallaw-reform/reforming-police/asset-forfeiture-abuse

Conti, M., Sandeep Kumar, E., Lal, C., & Ruj, S. (2018). A Survey on Security and Privacy Issues of Bitcoin. IEEE Communications Surveys & Tutorials, 20(4), 3416–3452. https://doi.org/10.1109/comst.2018.2842460

Harris, L. T., & Fiske, S. T. (2006). Dehumanizing the Lowest of the Low. Psychological Science, 17(10), 847–853. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.14679280.2006.01793.x

Landau, S. (2013). Making Sense from Snowden: What’s Significant in the NSA Surveillance Revelations. IEEE Security & Privacy, 11(4), 54–63.

https://doi.org/10.1109/msp.2013.90

Mell, P. (2002). Big Brother at the Door: Balancing National Security with Privacy under the USA Patriot Actunder the USA Patriot Ac. Denver Law Review, 80(2).

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1657&context=dlr

Nabilou, H. (2019). How to Regulate Bitcoin? Decentralized Regulation for a Decentralized Cryptocurrency. SSRN Electronic Journal, 27(3).

https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3360319

Nakamoto, S. N. (2008, October 28). Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System. Bitcoin.Org. Retrieved February 16, 2022, from

https://bitcoin.org/bitcoin.pdf

ProPublica. (2020, March 2). IRS: Sorry, but It’s Just Easier and Cheaper to Audit the Poor. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from

https://www.propublica.org/article/irs-sorry-but-its-just-easier-and-cheaper-toaudit-the-poor

Taibbi, M. (2019, March 18). Turns Out That Trillion-Dollar Bailout Was, in Fact, Real. Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 17, 2022, from

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/2008-financial-bailout809731/

Image Encryption Using AES

Saha Subhojit

In our present society where, online communication is becoming the mainstream form of interacting in all fields, securing the information transmitted is becoming very important. Over the last few years most communication has shifted from textual to pictorial through widespread photo sharing applications and websites. As a result, it has become very important to find efficient ways to transmit images over the internet. This paper focuses on the AES Rijndael Algorithm and its application in image encryption. In this method, the image is converted into a string and then encrypted using a 128-bit key and performing a bitwise XOR operation.

Introduction

Encryption is a method of securing data in a way that enables only authorized individuals to read it properly. It involves scrambling data using mathematical algorithms with a password or a key which is known only to the relevant people. The password here is a cryptographic key that is a string of characters that appears random and is used for altering the data.

When the same procedure is repeated with the data of an image, the process becomes image encryption. Image encryption is important because people in all fields share data in the form of images, and this data is more often than not, confidential and needs to be transmitted over secure channels. However, it is not possible in all scenarios to use secure channels, and this is where image encryption would

play a huge role. It could be applied in all major sectors like hospitality, banking, education, military applications, etc.

Due to the urgency of having secure ways of transmitting data, a lot of encryption algorithms were developed. Overtime they were improved upon and one such trustworthy algorithm was AES. AES is a symmetric-key encryption algorithm in which the same unique key is used for encryption and decryption. It takes 128bit or 16-byte data blocks and encrypts them using 128/192/256bit encryption keys. It iterates the same process over and over again according to the key length. The 16-byte data block is arranged in a 4x4 matrix, and all operations are performed on this matrix. AES is one of the most secure cryptographic algorithms available for use. To this day there has not been a single successful cryptanalytic attack on it. It is also future proof with the in-built key expansion ability. It is widely

accepted and implemented both in hardware and software.

Literature Review

[1] The paper described the process of creating a 128-bit image encoding software based on the modified Rindjael algorithm or also known as the AES to encrypt and decrypt. The implementation was done via a very quick and accurate VHDl code for the encoding process. It is a very basic and direct application of encryption techniques on images not taking into account the latest media technologies.

[2] Through this paper the author has tried to describe a very efficient way for transferring digital media over different forms of networks. The main highlight of this paper was using Advanced Encryption Standard for securely converting plain text in a digital pictorial format to cipher text. The whole process makes extensive use of the bitwise XOR operation where the operation is performed on each distinct pixel of an image. The data for each pixel is taken and AES is applied to it. This, however, has the huge drawback of significantly slowing the process down as repeatedly performing AES on each pixel will take a very long time.

[3] An application of the popular AES was described through this paper. It was expressed as a way to encrypt colored images, which had not been performed earlier to it. The highlight of this paper, as described by the author, was that it

allowed people to encrypt not only black and white pictures but also colored ones. However, this very feature is also its drawback. The way this process was implemented was to first monochrome the colored image to get a uniform pixel data and then perform AES on it. This process could severely bottleneck the entire cycle as converting from colored to monochrome would take a long time.

[4] In this research paper the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is analyzed to find a solution to image encryption, with an added key stream generator (A5/1, W7) to AES to help in improving the encryption performance; mainly for images which are usually seen as with reduced entropy. Much more suitable for images with reduced entropy thus making it a more specific technique rather than a general use technique for everyone.

System Design

Problem statement: The implementation of this project requires a consistent replication of the source code with time limit bound computations on devices ranging from high computational capabilities to simple single core ARM processors or even simple microcontrollers acting as an interface between multiple devices connecting over a hub.

Python IDE: The given system is developed using Anaconda Navigator IDE with Spyder to compile and execute the codes. Python provides with many

options for using already written classes by importing them on as per need basis rather than having a clunky base file to be executed, this keeps the implementation of the code within the time bounds that is required to keep it useful in all scenarios all the while keeping the base files lean enough to be executed on any device irrespective of their computational capabilities.

Strengths of AES

• Extremely fast when compared to other block ciphers.

• Round transforms can be computed parallel to each other.

• Unbiased towards big- or littleendian architectures

• Self-sufficient

• No possible trapdoor or backdoor.

Conclusion

Over the course of this paper, we have come to the understanding that AES is a very secure, simple to implement and easy to use method of encryption. As a result, it makes it very accessible and easy for a user to securely transmit images to anyone. The Advanced encryption Standard gives us the flexibility to work with a variety of key sizes. Along with that, the paper gives us a better understanding of the AES algorithm and how it works. This implementation can further be enhanced with better key distribution

and improved key encryption to ensure that the key used is secure in all scenarios.

P. Karthigai Kumar and Soumiya Rasheed, Simu;ation of Image Encryption Using AES Algorithm, IJCA Special Issue on “Computational Science – New Dimensions and Perspectives” (2011)

Roshni Padate, Aamna Patel, nImage Encryption and DecryptionUsing AES Algorithm, International Journal of Electronics and Communication Engineering Technology (IJECET)

P. Radhadevi, P. Kalpana, Secure Image Encryption Using AES International Journal of Research and Technology

M, Zeghid, M. Machhout, L. Kjriji, A. Baganne, and R. Tourki A Modified AES Based Algorithm dor Image Encryption, International Journal of Computer Science and Engineering

An Analysis of Franz Schubert’s Der Erlkönig

Anna Armstrong

Franz Schubert’s excellence in composition and musicality reached far and wide across Europe, arguably rivaled only by the mastery of works produced by Mozart. A contemporary of Beethoven and a true native of Vienna, Schubert’s reign was exceedingly significant, though, unfortunately, quite short.1 Schubert composed Der Erlkönig while just a teenager; this piece will go on to be known as one of the greatest of his Lied compositions, its admirable qualities evident when it was written and even continues to be studied and enjoyed to this day.2

The text of Der Erlkönig stems from a poetic work by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.3 Goethe’s poems were often attractive to composers due to his ability to be emotional and sensual while remaining intellectual and philosophical; with many composers displaying a similar duality emotional and connected to the music, but still intellectual and philosophical about the

1 Schubert lived from 1797-1828 giving him only roughly 31 years of life. He was also the only “celebrated Viennese composer” to actually be a Vienna native according to Romantic Music, Leon Plantinga, New York: W.W. Norton and Company Inc., 1984, p 82.

2 Plantinga, Romantic Music, p. 117.

3 Schubert supplies us with four versions of this song, the last becoming the standard and most well-known. Plantinga, Romantic Music, pp. 118-119.

nature of the music. It would be hard to fully capture the entire context of a work by Goethe whilst only being concerned with the fussy technicalities of the music. Approaching a Goethe text without feeling is like eating a delicious cuisine without the ability to taste anything.4 Schubert, no doubt, possesses the ability to accomplish appropriately setting a Goethe text to music. So much so, that he ended up setting eighty total works written by Goethe, Der Erlkönig being one of the most notable.5

This ballad exemplifies many interesting components that are combined to create a masterful work. One of the most forward-driving components of Der Erlkönig is the text itself. Goethe’s text revolves around a nightmare in which a father and son, travel home late at night and encounter the infamous Erlkönig, or King of the Alders. The text, being truly quite dramatic in nature, of course, would require accompanying music to match the levels of intensity and drama the text presents. The English

4 Whitton, Kenneth S. Goethe and Schubert: The Unseen Bond. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press, 1999, pp. 77-78.

5 Unbeknownst to Schubert, some of these were actually written by Goethe’s lover, Marianne von Willemer, and published in the twelve volume Westöstlicher Divan, by Goethe, according to Whitton.

translation of the German text is as follows:

Who rides so late through night and wind? It is father with his child; He holds the boy in his arm, He clasps him tight, he keeps him warm.

“My son, why hidest thy face in fear?” “Seest thou not, Father, the Erlking? The Erlking with crown and train?” “My son, ‘tis but a streak of mist.”

“O dear child, come away with me! Lovely games I’ll play with thee! Many colored flowers grow by the shore. My mother has many golden robes.”

“My father, my father hearest thou not what Erlking softly promises me?” “Be calm, be calm, my child; In the withered leaves rustles the wind.”

“Fair boy, wilt thou not come with me? My lovely daughters shall wait on thee; My daughters keep their nightly revels; They will rock thee, dance, and sing thee to sleep.”

“My father, my father, seest thou not Erlking’s daughters in that dark place?”

“My son, my son, I see clearly; It is only the gleam of the old gray willows.”

“I love thee, thy fair form ravishes me; And if though art not willing, I’ll take thee by force.” “My father, my father, now he is seizing me! Erlking has done me harm!”

The father shudders, he rides fast, and holds in his arm the moaning child; He reaches home with effort and toil; In his

6 Translation provided by: Burkhart, Charles, and William Rothstein. Anthology for Musical Analysis 7th ed. Boston: Schirmer, Cengage Learning, 2012, p. 319.

7 Istel, Edgar. “Schubert’s Lyric Style,” The Musical Quarterly vol. 14, no. 4, (1928): p. 580. 8 The chart

arms the child lay dead!

6

The vocal melody presents some quite interesting demands on the vocalist. The piece overall exhibits four different characters, each with different styles, vocal timbre, phrasing, and use of various tessituras. These characters include a child, the father, the Erlking, and of course, a narrator. Schubert does a masterful job composing the music to project the character differentiation. There is a delicate contrast between the vocal registers of the father and the son while the Erlking is presented in a vastly different, and somewhat seductive manner. These things of course aid in the listener’s ability to differentiate between the characters.7 These characters all interact with one another to create the story of the terrifying journey home. As seen above in the translation, it is evident that each stanza typically only introduces one or two characters within. Those with two characters typically indicate a conversation between those two characters at hand. The listener can hear this predominantly between the father and the son, and once with the son and the Erlking. The narrator is only present in the first stanza, for the sake of the introduction and description of the setting and situation, and in the last stanza, for the sake of explaining the conclusion and tragic ending of the story: the death of the child. Each

seen here was derived from an example found in Plantinga’s Romantic Music, p. 119 and adapted to appear clearer and more cohesive for the purposes of this paper using the score found within Burkhart’s Anthology for Musical Analysis, pp. 320-325.

character also seems to inhabit their own key, or tonal centers in each stanza. Notice the following chart:8

direct conversation. This stanza also marks the shift in which the Erlking, typically represented in major tonal centers to seem enticing and harmless, being represented by a minor tonal center when he threatens the child, “And if thou art not willing, I’ll take thee by force,” in measures 116-123. Here, the intentions of the Erlking are truly unveiled to be sinister and severe, and the need for them to be taken seriously also becomes evident. The son and the father are also typically grouped together in stanzas, except, as previously mentioned, for the seventh in which the son is grouped with the Erlking. Plantinga states,

[And] the relationship between them is subtly underlined by tonal continuities: when the child responds to the blandishments - or the mere presence - of the Erlking, the tonality is obscured; the father each time answers reassuringly, takes up the tonal syntax where his son had left it, and resolves all ambiguities.9

The groupings of the characters within stanzas mark an interesting aspect of the storytelling within this poem. The narrator is the only persona that is presented alone every time they are speaking. The Erlking follows this trend of appearing in its respective stanza(s) alone until stanza seven (mm. 116-131) in which the Erlking and the son have a

8 The chart seen here was derived from an example found in Plantinga’s Romantic Music, p. 119 and adapted to appear clearer and more cohesive for the purposes of this paper using the score found within

The poem itself has all the dramatic qualities to keep things interesting, but the music that is used to highlight each character is why this piece is so extraordinary; the immense trepidation felt by the son, the easeful tones used by the father, and the three enticing iterations of the Erlking, add to the suspense of the nightmare and tragedy of the poem. Of course, starting and ending with the objective instances in which the narrator is speaking.10 Schubert’s ability to set this text to music and have the music be equally

Burkhart’s Anthology for Musical Analysis, pp. 320325.

9 Plantinga, Romantic Music, p. 120.

10 Whitton, Goethe and Schubert, p. 206.

matched in dramatic effect is quite impressive.

The various tonal centers outlined in this piece are also reflective of the context of the text in Goethe’s poem. The narrator both starts and ends the piece with G minor, which is the overarching key of the piece. Nothing outwardly spontaneous occurs at these times. The music is reflective of the narrator’s overall purpose, to objectively tell the story; and specifically, in this case, introduce the scene and then break the news that the son has died in the arms of the father upon their return home.

The character of the father typically projects two tonal centers for each iteration of his character. Out of the four total occurrences in which the father is speaking, the only instance in which he does not experience a major tonal center, at all, is in stanza six, the final iteration of his character. The tonal centers of the father include G minor, C major, and Bb major in stanza two; B minor and G major in stanza four; and finally, C# minor and D minor in stanza six, D minor is an appropriate closing for his character as the minor dominant of G minor, in which the piece is written.

Compared to all the other characters, the son is the only one to experience all minor tonal centers when his character is speaking. This is deliberately representative of the text spoken by this character. The son is often heard starting his phrases by crying out to his father, “my father, my father,” his

desperation and fear are made quite evident by the vocal line.11

There are three instances in which the son repeats the text “my father, my father,” all of which start with an anacrusis and a half step interval; most of the line will remain between those two pitches as well. The first iteration occurs on D and Eb starting with the pickup in measure 72. The second one rises a half step up from Eb and starts with an E natural going to F natural with the pickup in measure 97. Lastly, the final iteration starting with the pickup in measure 123, rises a half step from the E natural and starts on F natural, and rises to Gb. Again, most of the vocal line lives between those two pitches. Each different occurrence of this same text is altered slightly, but only within the realm of starting pitches; it always rises by a half-step.12

12 Screenshot from IMSLP free download.

This could reflect the terror being experienced by the son and the rising tension of the situation at hand: the Erlking attempting to ‘steal’ the child and overall disturb the father and son on their long journey home.

The horror felt by the child relates to the accompanying piano music. It constantly projects dissonance with the child’s vocal melody. In measure 73, the Eb sung by the child clashes with the pedal C in the left hand and the repeated D in the right.13

Again, in measure 98, the F sung by the child clashes with the repeated Es in the right hand. Lastly, in measure 124, the child, singing on a Gb clashes with the right hand’s F. These dissonances also have a major effect on the evident fear evoked from the child’s melody line.14

The last character to discuss is the Erlking. The Erlking is typically represented solely by major tonal centers. This is because the intent of the Erlking is to entice the child, lure him in with promises of play, and not to outwardly scare him away. The Erlking speaks on three separate occasions, two of which occur in separate stanzas in which he is speaking individually, and in the last one, again in a different stanza, he speaks along with the child. The last stanza we see the Erlking featured in is also the stanza in which we hear him associated with a minor tonal center for the first and only time. The first tonal center heard is Bb major or the mediant of G minor in measure 57. The second time the Erlking is heard occurs after the key change in measures 80 and 81, and the tonicization to G major which finally resolves to C major when the Erlking starts speaking in measure 87. The

13 Screenshot from IMSLP free download.

14 Istel, “Shubert’s Lyric Style,” The Musical Quarterly, p. 580.

Erlking carries on in C major for the rest of this stanza. The third instance in which we hear the Erlking starts with the pickup in measure 116. Here, we have modulated to D minor, but the Erlking starts in Eb major, highlighting the bII chord in D minor. The last iteration is just the tonicization of that bII chord.

While the vocal line itself is taxing and relentless, the accompanying piano is no less than unforgiving. This piece maintains its momentum and high intensity throughout. One of the most prominent aspects of the piano part in this piece is the unrelenting triplets that are played throughout the whole piece except in the last few measures. Interestingly, the vocal melody line never adopts this rhythm pattern despite its extremely evident prominence throughout the piano part.15 The triplets exemplify many aspects of this piece, the feverishly galloping horse through the night, the trepid winds, and the lingering storms, among other things. Istel states,

That triplet movement, which fairly takes away the breath, is carried on without interruption; even when, as in the fifth stanza, it passes over into a gentle murmuring; the hammering bass recalls the gloomy fundamental mood which, as in “Gretchen am Spinnrad,” is retained throughout. Here too, the piano expresses the child’s feverishly exalted excitement and the father’s anxiety. 16

It makes sense that the accompanying music shifts in stanza five. Here, the

15 Newbould, Brian. Schubert: The Music and the Man. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press, 1997, p. 57.

Erlking is on its second attempt to lure in the son with his terrifying, yet enticing and simplistic words. The sense of desperation becomes quite present and alive during stanzas five and six. The text, as well as the accompanying music highlight this. The start of stanza five underlines the Erlking with arpeggiated triplets in C major in the right-hand piano part and pedal Cs in the bass, or left-hand piano part, through measures 87-88. It then shifts to pedal Es in the bass accompanied by arpeggiated triplets in E major through measures 89-90. The longest portion of this repeated pattern on arpeggiated triplets underlined with pedaled notes occurs from measures 93-96. Typically, these patterns have been occurring across two measures; however, this last iteration that lasts three measures coincides with the last phrase the Erlking speaks before the son begins in stanza six. This marks the highlight of the piece in terms of the described journey. The journey is approaching its ending and the Erlking is close to having a grasp on the child, the intense music being reflective of that.

Schubert’s masterful ability to evoke emotions through his music that match the underlying tones found in Goethe’s original poem is remarkable. The storytelling is immaculate and the seamless transitions from character to character, and tonal center to tonal center aid in the listener’s engagement with the music. For Der Erlkönig to be written while Schubert was merely a

16 The rapid and constant motion in the piano most definitely influences the overall mood of this piece; Istel describes it best in his “Schubert’s Lyric Style.” The Musical Quarterly, p. 579.

teenager seems unfathomable to many. There is no doubt that this is considered one of the best Lieder composed by

Schubert and that is why it is still widely valued and studied today.

Bibliography

Burkhart, Charles, and William Rothstein. Anthology for Musical Analysis 7th ed. Boston: Schirmer, Cengage Learning, 2012, p. 319-325.

Istel, Edgar and Frederick H. Martens. “Schubert’s Lyric Style.” The Musical Quarterly 14, no. 4 (1928): 575-95.

Newbould, Brian. Schubert: The Music and the Man. Berkeley and Los Angeles, California: University of California Press, 1997.

Plantinga, Leon. Romantic Music: A History of Music Style in NineteenthCentury Europe. New York: W. W. Norton and Company Inc., 1984.

Whitton, Kenneth S. Goethe and Schubert: The Unseen Bond. Portland, Oregon: Amadeus Press, 1999.

About This Piece

The Haunting was created for a composition assignment in my Theory IV class. It was our final project which accentuated the practical application of our studies of atonal music theory and compositional techniques. The piece was written in a ternary form, with an A section, a B section, and an A’ section–these sections are marked in the score. We each got to choose from a list of starting sets to work with, mine being (01478) for the A and A’ sections and (01268) for the B section. Each number represents a specific scale degree within the chromatic scale; for example 0=C, 1=C#/Db, 4=E, 7=G, 8=G#/Fb, and so on, and so forth. Each measure after the iteration of that first set is either a transposition or inversion of the original set, each notated and circled. The text came from an anonymous poem found on Google–I was offered extra credit to add text in my vocal line, so obviously, I did it! In my opinion, atonal music often sounds like random collections of pitches, so it was in that spirit that I created The Haunting, learning to be okay with stepping out of the bounds of what is normally perceived as beautiful. I hope you enjoy my piece!

Anna Armstrong

Anna Armstrong is a senior studying Vocal Music Education and minoring in English at East Carolina University. She is from Zebulon, North Carolina, and came to ECU to pursue her passion for music. Anna hopes to graduate in May 2023 with her undergraduate degree in Music Education. She is a Maynard Scholar and a member of two National Honors Societies at the collegiate level, Phi Kappa Phi, multidisciplinary, and Pi Kappa Lambda, which is specific to music. Anna has goals to continue working to publish more of her work, both in academia and in creative works. She is grateful to have her first publication featured in The Lookout: A Journal of Undergraduate Research at East Carolina University.

White Walls and Ceiling

Essence Hunt

Every morning, I’m faced against the white walls and ceiling.

A blank canvas to embody the emptiness felt inside.

Its soft texture, and cool touch, on this white wall; it’s peeling.

The paint chip is a piece of life I rather deny.

Imagine the withered white walls during the process of healing.

Empty love and broken pieces are left on the curbside.

Uncover the white walls’ bare surface and it becomes revealing.

Denied, separated, and dyed like the chipped wall I hide.

Every night, shed a tear at the broken white walls and ceiling.

To fix what is broken will take time for it to dry.

Its plain beauty will, once again, be a white wall and appealing.

Don’t hide and cry; there’s still beauty and it’s divine.

Essence Hunt

Essence Hunt is the author of a self-published book, Dandelion Sunshine, which aims to uplift young girls and women alike. Her first poetry collection embarks on a journey of encouragement and belief. She is currently a member of East Carolina University's Women in Business and the Ledonia Wright Cultural Center Organization. Here, she is devoted to working with women of color to develop their entrepreneurial skills as established writers. Her mission is to provide support and guidance to creative writers as they navigate societal pressures and critical thinking. As a hobby, she collaborates with aspiring filmmakers to produce good-quality independent films in North Carolina. She has also interviewed women from around the world about their impact on the writing community with her podcast. Essence intends to continue her studies by earning a Bachelor of Science in Communications at East Carolina University. You can follow Essence Hunt on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Women have Power

Quadir Holmes

Many think they are weak which is pretty bleak

Some think they are meek which is unique

Cause women have power that grows like a flower

Women have power as high as a tower

Try to bring them down they will get back up stronger

Man hitting or raping a lady there ain’t nothing wronger

Women have power better treat them with respect

Women have power better not reject

Women have come a very long way, look at the past and present day

In the past they had a movement for rights, they wanted without delay

In the present they fight along the men almost everyday

Women have power, their hearts are stronger than any weapon made by man

Women have power, that’s why when they're around, you have a low attention span

Knowledge and courage that’s what they got

They’ll use it whether you like or or not

They ain’t a game you can beat and then leave

They the type to fight back you better believe

Women have power don’t make them grieve

Women have power they aren’t something you can pull out of your sleeve

Women weren’t meant to be broken

Women are known be outspoken

Women have power it grows like a flower

Women have power as high as a tower

Women have power don’t doubt that for an hour

My Apocalypse

Quadir Holmes

Is Death miles away from this city searching for an opening in the defenses or stalking war through the fields in Northern Rome?

Is he scheming the final act, altering the immune system, withering away cells like plants, cutting the lines of life with the fates

to worry about my secret room that others pass by unawares?

Or is he pulling up in a black charger parked at the dark end of the lane, Dusting off the silky cloak, its hood raised like the ears of a wolf, and extracting the scythe from the passenger seat?

Was the road as difficult for you as it was for me?

I will ask, trying to buy time for a chance at temporary escape.

Highway to Hell

Quadir Holmes

Life is like a journey on a long road, and when that road diverges you have to make a choice. The right choice leads to happiness but the wrong choice, as many are tricked to choose leads to sorrow. If your luck is good your journey is smooth sailing, but if your luck is bad your engine is likely to break down should your engine stall you’ll wander around until you find a bar where you’ll meet an old friend drinking shots like there is no tomorrow. He’s been looking for you for quite some time and thought you lost your way. You sit with him and drink until you are drunk and dizzy. you see your friend’s trait change but think nothing of it And that is when he gets up with a face as red as an apple, eyes bright as an inferno

He pats you on the shoulder and says Welcome to hell, the first day’s a doozy. You are somehow back in the car driving down the road when you see a pit dead ahead. There is no way to stop or turn around. You fall and crash and then the process repeats, without the bar or your friend.

Quadir Holmes

Quadir Holmes is a senior who double majors in Theater and English at ECU. He is from Wilson, North Carolina and graduated from Hunt High School. Quadir loves to read books, novels, and manga/manhwa/manhua. He also enjoys watching anime and playing video games like Call of Duty. He will probably move to Georgia in about five to eight years after he graduate to pursue a career in acting. He has always had a love for poetry, despite not writing it as often as he should. He tried many of the different mediums for writing poetry, but mostly enjoys writing pieces that rhyme. Although, he plans to use his English major for writing books, Quadir will also try to get some pieces of poetry published. He may also try to write some play albeit small ones as he is not strong in writing them. He hopes you enjoy his poems.

Series of Poems

Jackie Dodds in the rain

i’m sorry for making you wait in the rain. i know it was heavy. the rain poured onto you loudly. but you just stood there. why did you stand there? even if it didn’t hurt, you still stood and let the beads bounce against your skin.

splat onto the pavement.

the other droplets held your reflection on your complexion. then you watched them drip off of your silky skin… and i watched them drip onto me; the ground. that was where i lay.

the heated concrete consumes your leftovers. it sizzles and screams of release at the second one drip hits.

the used droplets that once held your reflection on your complexion are found in the crevices of my perception. i soaked them in just to feel an ounce of you so that way i can feel something even if it doesn’t belong with me.

so my skin welcomes the contaminated water, but inevitably realizes it will survive longer beside me rather than in me. the droplets exit quickly and now even if, when i walk away, more of me stays in the puddle of you that i left behind than you do.

but i am still sorry.

the giant and the insect

you’re a stink. a smell. a roach.

six legs, no head with eyes.

two of them.

i’m a giant.

i’ll swallow you. but i fear.

what will you do to me?

your six legs crawling inside me.

your two eyes dissecting me.

i’m a giant. i’m bigger than you.

stronger too.

you should fear me.

why is it always the thing we should be fearful of isn’t actually our fear?

i’m a giant. i’m scared of rejection, reliance, revelation.

i’m bigger than you

yet the biggest thing i fear is you.

your rejection, my reliance and the revelation are somethings i don’t want to touch.

i don’t want to feel your six legs inside me or see your eyes transcribe me. leave me alone little insect because i lack the courage to stomp on you.

about my hair

you loved it. you told me that.

should i believe everything you tell me?

then we parted ways for a while

i made a joke once that the next time you see my hair will be this long. and i pointed to my neck.

you said i doubt it.

we both laughed. about my hair.

it’s grown its length.

it has captured memories from the time we’ve spent away from each other.

it makes me feel something that you couldn’t.

about it it’s grown out. more long and healthy. black and curly. but now it reached my neck. and i think of you.

i made a joke once that the next time you see me my hair will be this long. and pointed to my neck. the place where you put the most damage. i pointed to it to show you how long my hair would be. that it would keep growing, even if you didn’t grow with me. i pointed to the damage and you brushed my hand away. you said i doubt it. and we laughed.

not realizing that you’ll never see the length i can grow to.

Jackie Dodds

Jackie Dodds is a Senior Dance Performance and Choreography major at ECU. She will not only receive her BFA, but also a minor in Composite Natural Science as well as an Entrepreneurship Certificate. She is originally from the Jersey Shore and plans to move to New York City following graduation to continue a professional career in dance; traveling with companies, teaching, and nourishing her love for art that impacts others. Jackie began journaling three years ago but started writing poetry within the past year. She finds it to be a comforting release when she writes, comparable to the feeling of dancing. She writes from personal experience and raw feelings, working on discovering her most authentic self. After adopting this newfound enjoyment in creative writing, Jackie plans to water these roots to grow in her future! She has created several works in ECU’s dance program and loves to choreograph. As she gets deeper into her craft, she focuses more on process rather than progress. She incorporates her writings into the dance pieces she has created for her final year in the program and invites all to come see them!

Burnout

Sophie Brotemarkle

Evelyn sat straight up in bed. It wasn’t real. She knew that. She knew that. And yet, her brain had convinced her she was at a register at the grocery store she worked at. Reaching around wildly in her bed, she tried to find her scanner gun. Met with only a pillow, she exhaled in frustration.

“One second, sir,” she apologized groggily, talking to the wall. Surely the imaginary man wouldn’t care if she was in bed while she rung up his order? “I can’t open my trash can,” she complained to nobody. Why was the store suddenly in her bedroom, anyway?

“Nope. Nope. This isn’t real. I know you’re not really there,” she accused as she squinted into the darkness. She slumped back onto her mattress and pulled up her blanket. She turned her head, hoping the man took the hint. He had left, thank God. But behind him were three people with two carts piled high of the most unorganized shit Evelyn had ever seen and she groaned.

“Sorry, my register is closed,” she explained, throwing up her arm to show that her register light was off. Was it off? It didn’t really matter; customers will show up to the express line when they are clearly not express. These customers kept coming anyway, unloading their items onto the conveyer belt that was actually the desk beside Evelyn’s bed.

“Fucking hell…” she muttered to herself while trying to access her register screen, submitting to the tidal wave of frozen food. After a few moments of furiously pressing into thin air, she gave up. “Whatever! Let me go to bed! I’m not even on shift anyway, I can sleep. But if I can’t sleep. I should get paid. Why aren’t I being paid right now?” She started to address her supervisor. “Hey, David, give me a raise! No? Fuck you!” And then, as David:

“Now, Evelyn, let’s talk about this another time ”

Evelyn sat up again. “Oh, another time? No, let’s do this now, in my bed! Let’s do it in my bed! Let’s do it! We havin’ sex yet?” She immediately cringed. David was gay. And a weird coworker, though not because he was gay. Whereas she might’ve been a little weird because her sexual awakening was Nala from “The Lion King.” But David was barely a coworker, just a supervisor. Supervisors are scum. Supervisors Are Scum. SAS. Wasn’t SAS something she learned in geometry? Side Angle Side? And now Evelyn was thinking about geometry and how her geometry teacher had definitely been gay, and speaking of gay, should she put on the ASMR playlist she had put together featuring a creator who was also definitely gay? She hated waking up and going on her phone in the middle of the night, it took her forever to fall back

asleep. She always knew how long it was taking for her to fall asleep because she knew how long her favorite videos were. If she made it through one without falling asleep, she knew another twenty minutes had gone by. She remembered once in 7th grade her social studies teacher had told her class that it took the eyes twelve to fifteen minutes to adjust to darkness and she didn’t want to mess up their progress. What if somewhere the neurons and atoms in the brain that connected to her eyes were like “Nice, we’re halfway through. We’re almost tired and Oh, Jesus Christ ”

That was how Evelyn figured she was being overworked at her job. She rubbed her eyelids with the palm of her hand as a massive yawn forced its way through her body, which made her jaw ache by the time it was over. Now that she was awake, everything seemed wrong. Of course, everything was already wrong. Work sucks, period. But when it enters the subconscious, it just sucks even more. But now her bed was too hot, her blanket was tangled everywhere, and she was simultaneously thirsty and needing to pee. She also hated to leave her bed in the middle of the night, as it was a loft bed and even though she wasn’t a little kid, there was a tiny fear that monsters would come out of her closet and try to attack her in the dark. Specifically, werewolf Professor Lupin from the third Harry Potter movie. Whenever she would turn out the lights for bed she would dash across her room and literally throw herself onto her bed, moving around furiously to get her feet under the covers. As a kid she had believed that once her feet were under the covers, the monsters couldn’t get her, and she believed it now.

But she felt braver if she had music with her. She craned around, reached for her Airpods case, and slid the two buds within her ears. After quickly hunting for some classical music, she slipped down the front of the bed, hitting the ground toes first. The edge of the mattress came to about her upper chest when she stood up straight on the ground. She would get into bed by using little footholds that were cut out of the board that helped to support the bed, and during those crucial moments while she climbed, she would look behind her so Professor Lupin wouldn’t be able to get her. Even now, as she was on her way to the bathroom, she peered into the closet just for good measure.

“Nobody better fuckin’ be in there,” she warned as she scowled into the darkness. She paused. “Nobody better be fuckin’ in there either.” She snorted at her own joke and began to move on her way. Unfortunately for her, as she entered the hallway, another coworker stepped into her path and had a question about the lottery machine.

“Hey, Evelyn, do you have the keys to get in ”

“No, I don’t,” Evelyn cut them off. “That’s not even my job, dude, and I’m just trying to go pee,” she huffed.

“Okay, fine, go pee,” the faceless coworker replied, clearly sounding exasperated. “And take your Airpods out! You don’t wear those on the sales floor.” They left, making Evelyn feel even worse. She turned around to call back to them, to apologize. “Sorry! I’ll get carts when I’m done, okay?” Evelyn offered, after she had put away both of her Airpods. She didn’t know what she had been thinking. She never wore them on the sales floor. The coworker just gave a thumbs up, not even looking at her. Evelyn wrung her hands a little, still feeling guilty. If someone offered to get carts, it was like Christmas came early, because everybody hated to do it. It was always hot and uncomfortable, and so many times were carts strewn about the parking lot, put in places by assholes who clearly thought it was easier to lug a cart onto a ledge of concrete than push it back to the cart corral. Evelyn exhaled sharply, mentally preparing herself for the shitshow she’d face.

After entering the bathroom, she immediately dropped down on the toilet. She never touched the seat at work, but her legs were already shaking with the prospect of getting carts. Plus, she’d been standing for God knows how long, who knew when she’d get another chance to sit today? She thought back to her experience with her coworker. She knew how to sell lottery tickets, but not actually operate the machine itself. She could’ve been less snippy, she supposed. But who’s not grouchy when their right to pee is delayed? Besides, she reasoned, it’s not like she was snippy all the time. In fact, she thought her outward attitude was one of the best. Her inward attitude was sometimes in the gutter after a really bad day, but the image she presented to customers was polite, polished, though always a little sweaty. Most of the time she was in a good mood! There was satisfaction in her work. She even liked to print out blank slates of receipt paper from time to time and leave notes on the service desk for anybody who would read them. Often, they would say Have a great day! ☺

Or:

You’re doing a great job!

Sometimes she would come back, and the note would be gone, so she would mentally rescind whatever good vibes she had put out into the universe.

‘Oh, you want to throw away my positivity? Fuck you then. Have a shitty day. I’ll tell Ruby what you really think about her and how she’s a bitch.’

Though, to be fair, Ruby, the front-end manager, was a bitch.

She didn’t feel bad about wasting company resources, as the company had given her a heat rash on her ankle after one particularly hot day of getting carts, as well a promotion in title but with no actual raise, so Evelyn thought her actions were just evening the playing field. It wasn’t her fault corporate was being sued so they put a freeze on raises. She had been so proud of her promotion, till her parents asked how much more she would be making, and she had realized she didn’t know. At least she

had more responsibility, right? But it was Evelyn’s fault for being too efficient at her job that she became an “asset,” in Ruby’s words. Although, except for Ruby, Evelyn really liked the people there; she had friends there. People she saw daily who were her age, mostly, plus a couple of moms, so it was easy to feel cared for and welcomed. And every time she worked multiple days in a row, she had felt too burnt out to go socialize with many people. So, her coworkers became her closest relations.

Evelyn heard a knock on the bathroom door and scrambled to finish. “I’ll be out in a second! Thank you for your patience!” The words rolled off her tongue with ease. After washing her hands, she turned to side where the hand dryer should’ve been. She felt the towels hanging on the shower rod and clenched her fists around the fabric in confusion. When did this get here? She shook her hands in the air a few times to remove any water, fed up with the changing bathroom layout. When she left, she didn’t recognize the tall figure of her brother.

“Dude, did you thank me for my patience?” he whispered, holding back a laugh.

“Yes, I’m sorry for the wait, sir!” Evelyn blurted out, mortified.

“Whatever,” he said as he shuffled into the bathroom and squeezed her out. Evelyn stood still, praying that the man going to the bathroom wouldn’t make a complaint about her. Maybe she should take a minute to sit in the break room just to calm down. Her feet started to lead her there until she remembered she had promised her coworker she would get carts. She moved back towards the front of the store, which was really the downstairs of her house. Even from the break room hallway, she could tell the store was low on carts. Ruby, for one, was pacing and looking antsy. As if she would ever have to go outside herself. There was about half a dozen on each side of the store entrances. But twelve people could easily come in and take them, especially since a rush was starting and everybody would be on register. Except for Evelyn, who would be sweating her ass off bringing in carts for ungrateful customers who just leave their McDonald’s bag in them anyway.

She collected the rope and pulley device that was used to wrangle the carts and went back to the main sales floor area to tell someone she’d be outside. Last time she assumed a coworker would tell a supervisor or manager where she was, she’d gotten hauled to the office and was given a lecture about how she can’t just “wander off.” It wasn’t the first time Evelyn had been in the office. One time, Ruby had taken Evelyn in there to show off the plant Ruby planned to take care of, like she apparently took care of the cashiers. At the time, Evelyn didn’t have the heart to mention the plant would surely die in an overheated office with no natural light. And sure enough, when Evelyn received her lecture on the importance of the employees being accounted for, she had seen the withered thing in a corner. Memories of Ruby’s speech about “looking out for each other” rang in Evelyn’s ears, but the thing was dead as a doornail.

Finally, Evelyn was able to catch a coworker’s eye. “I’ll be outside,” she told them. She waited to hear their reply, but none came. “What?” she asked. Again, nothing. She could tell their mouth was moving, but she didn’t know what they were saying. “I’m telling you I’ll be outside!” she repeated insistently. “What are you saying?”

Frustrated, Evelyn began to stride over to her coworker when Ruby’s voice sounded behind her.

“You getting’ carts, Miss Evelyn?”

Evelyn turned around, all aggression dying in her throat. “Yes, ma’am,” she answered before heading to the door. She was met with even more frustration here; why was the door locked and deadbolted? Normally it was automatic. And now she was embarrassed, the security cameras could surely see how much she was struggling; she couldn’t even open the stupid door! Finally, she wrenched it open and headed outside. As she stepped into the cool air, she dropped her pulley tool for getting carts. Embarrassed, she glanced around to check if anybody had seen. Thankfully, nobody was entering the store at the time, but she still pretending to be tying her shoe before she straightened up. She checked her phone, noting her classical music was still paused. And suddenly, a surge of defiance came over her. If I have to do this, she reasoned, I should be able to listen to music. She could wear her Airpods out here, it wasn’t like she had anybody to answer to. After putting them into her ears, she set off to get carts. She swung the pulley as she went, the music building as she marched over parking lot.

Sure enough, there was a rogue cart, all by itself by a light pole. She began to make a beeline for it. Though she wasn’t particularly religious, she imagined this was how Jesus felt by bringing back the lost sheep to the flock. After arriving at the cart, she realized she was sweating through the fabric of her shirt. She stopped to look down and inspect the damage, it was always embarrassing when she came in sweaty and smelly, not to mention with a million flyaway hairs. Plus, the reflective vest was never washed and had BO of its own. The reflective vest! She had just realized she wasn’t wearing it when the twin headlights came around the bend, with a screech of tires that echoed the crescendo of song bursting in her brain. “Sorry, sir.” The apology bubbled from her mouth before impact because it was her fault. Her blood bubbled from her lips and skull as well. It pooled as her lungs fought for breath. He chest shuddered once, twice, and then didn’t move again. The acrid smell of burnt rubber from an attempt at braking flooded over the scene, but it was too late. After all, she wasn’t wearing the vest.

After the fact, her family felt guilty. Three days after the accident, they received a call from the store. The customer service rep demanded an explanation and told them that Evelyn would be suspended unless she came in to work that day. Evelyn’s dad gave the customer service rep a piece of his mind. As luck would have it, it was Ruby. But Evelyn was irreplaceable to her family, and though the store may have claimed the same, her position was filled within two weeks.

Letters to Mara

Sophie Brotemarkle

Dear Mara-bella-ding-dong, May 21st

It feels like forever since your last letter. Of course, it feels like it takes forever for our letters to reach each other. It’s like, what do you mean I can’t invent a supersonic cannon to deliver letters to my sister? Anyway, Ethan’s fine, he misses you. Not that he’s said it, but he acts like a kicked puppy. He comes around a lot, it’s like he’s trying to be useful. Remember when he first came over and Mom told me to see what you two were doing? It’s like she really expected y’all to be hardcore making out on the couch. I remember y’all were sitting on nearly opposite ends, playing Go Fish. I know you want us to believe you don’t care about him, but I picked up on that offhand comment in your last letter. Dad probably missed it, and Mom is probably trying to repress everything at all, but I know you. Asking how the camp was gonna look this summer, like he hasn’t been a counselor for years. Like you were too. I think Mrs. Smith is gonna have enough staffers and it’ll keep going on. I hope your studies are going well and take care of yourself out there.

Love, Frankie

P.S. I almost forgot, you mentioned someone named Clark? Do tell. I was distracted by your not-so-subtle inquiry about Ethan.

P.P.S. I hope your doctor’s visit went well! Being sick is for losers.

Dear Frankenstein, May 31st

Can’t you believe that I was genuinely curious about the kids camp? Gosh. Let me at least pretend I can be maternal…

Bully for Ethan, I guess. He can galivant all he wants, but you pay him no mind. Honestly, I should’ve seen the signs when we went to the movies and he accidentally on purpose put the popcorn bag a little too close to his family jewels

for comfort. “Accident,” my ass. Just like how it was an accident that I dumped the bag over his head and then accidentally left the theater, pocketing his wallet while he got kernels stuck in his hair and a bunch of staring eyes at his public embarrassment. Oh, how I wish I could relive that feeling when Mom opened the door, and he was standing there on the porch with his hands sheepishly in his pockets. I could’ve kissed him if I wasn’t trying so hard to keep a straight face. I swiped a few bucks before giving his wallet back, and if he ever noticed anything he never said a word. To tell you the truth, I’ll probably do the same to Clark someday. He’s a good guy, but you know me; I always just come up short. Meanwhile, it’s official…I…have allergies. What else is new? I had a friend come with; they were sick too. Love, Mara

P.S. Use that nickname again, and you will get no picture of Clark. Consider this a threat.

P.P.S. Calling someone a loser is for losers. Loser.

I can’t wait to see the picture of Clark. Really, I don’t know how you’ve managed to not spill the beans about this guy. With Ethan, you went buck wild on and off again it seems. Taking it slow this time? Clark must be special. How did he catch your eye? Did he defend your honor? Is chivalry alive and well? Speaking of Ethan, he got caught trying to shoplift today. Can you believe that? I mean, we all knew he hit rock bottom’s basement after losing a girl like you. But stealing? That’s a new low. I heard from Candice who heard from her boyfriend Greg (the one who’s actually named Greg, not the other one, Gregory) who heard it from his buddy Harry, who works at the store, that Ethan was going on about getting supplies? He probably had his usual haul of chips and was all dramatic about it. He’s still acting up, though. Did I tell you that Mrs. Smith actually kicked him off the camp staff after it happened? All the kids were sad, you know how good he is with them. Now, where is my picture of Clark? Or better yet, you and Clark?

Love,

Dear Mara-thon, June 5th

Frankie P.S. That’s real creative.

Dear Frankfurter (or, Frankfarter), June 17th

It’s almost comforting how the grapevine of gossip there is still alive and well. And yet, nobody will prune it. It’s like a fucked-up game of telephone nobody grew out of.

I guess you’ve earned a little background to Clark. We met a while ago, after I realized I was late to a test. I’d just left the building and I threw up right on the ground because I’d been so anxious beforehand. That’s when I met Clark. He just gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I’ll admit, I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. I think we could take care of each other, Frankie. My favorite times with him are when we just sit together in silence. Jesus, I can’t help but smile. The things I tell you…are things you can never tell Mom.

Love, Mara

Dear Mar(i)ana Trench, June 27th

You’ve gotta stop keeping me in suspense! And it’s not just me anymore, even Dad is reluctantly invested now. He wants to know more about the “newfangled boy that’s good enough this time. Doesn’t your sister tell you anything, Francesca?” (his words). To which I said, “Of course, she talks about her murder plot. And new business. And her spaceship.” At that point, Mom stepped in and told me stop making things up. Which is just as well, because next I was thinking of making a pregnancy joke. Now Mom’s getting the wedding bells ready. She said, “If they’ve kissed, they’re as good as engaged.” Remember how stunned she was when you brought Ethan home? And then when things ended between you? I remember her

telling Dad she was worried about our “reputation,” and, “what will the neighbors think?” I never understand the scandal; why shouldn’t you be free to dump a guy who has the weirdest haircut known to man? I’m kidding, but you get the point. I try to keep your secrets, but you know how she pries. I’ve noticed a suspicious lack of Clark pictures from you. Could it be he isn’t real after all, and I’m right all along? Let me know, I have money on this.

Love, Frankie P.S. Reply faster

I’m glad Mom stopped you before you made a pregnancy joke! I don’t appreciate that, by the way. You know how seriously Mom takes that, and Dad…well, I haven’t forgotten what he said during a Sunday service after the Vivian Gresch down the road brought her baby to the service without any man on her arm or ring on her finger. And by the way, just because you’ve never had a boy doesn’t mean you can project on me, just so you know. He’s real. Almost painfully real. He can be a little helpless, but I know he loves me. We go out together, and it’s so freeing. I’m so glad I don’t have to hide here. As soon as I can get him to sit still, I’ll get a picture of the two of us. He’s so energetic, you would not believe it, but he makes me laugh. I’m always worn out after spending time with him. But in a good way. I hope you’re helping around at home more now that I’m not there. Even if I can clean better than you.

Love, Mara

Dear Frankincense, July 6th

Dear Mar(in)ara Sauce, July 13th

Okay, I’m sorry I almost made that joke. It’s weird, I apologize for the things I don’t say, rather than the things I do. I hope we’re cool, though. But Clark sounds like a handful. I know I’d want my man to be quiet and just sit. Or take a nap for all I care! Honestly, a corpse would be my first choice if they didn’t stink so much. If I could have a rich, fresh smelling corpse, I could call myself married and nobody would care. What is it called when saints die but don’t rot? They’re lucky. But then again, imagine dying and then being displayed to the world. Gross, never mind. Dad calls bullshit on Clark’s looks, but I told him how happy Clark makes you, and he seemed to settle down, for now. I made sure not to mention how it seems you do more providing though, because then he’d for sure hit the roof. Mom has just about fainted from nerves. Let me check, she might still be out! Don’t talk about my chore skills, you don’t have a monopoly on them. Get some rest and take care of yourself! You’ve got people in your corner.

Love, Frankie

Dear Mara-nda Rights, July 22nd

Is all good? Haven’t heard from you in a while. Hope all is well. Has Clark been keeping you busy? What a rascal. I thought he was all clean cut, but maybe he’s dirtier than I gave him credit for. Nothing much going on here. I miss spring, even if the pollen does get dumped everywhere. It’s so gross when it coats the cars like powdered sugar, but not as tasty. (No, I don’t want to try it. Shut up.) The leaves become almost too green, like if you stare hard enough, they won’t be real. I miss you. Maybe you’ll be home soon?

Love, Frankie

Dear Mara, July 31st

What do you and Ethan have in common? Nobody seems to be able to get a hold of either of you. Not that many are trying to contact him, but you’ve not been replying to my letters. If his mom knows where he is, she’s not saying a word. Apparently, before he vanished, he’d been caught trying to steal again. I heard that he said his items weren’t for him, but I honestly don’t see Ethan becoming this great philanthropist. Only an asshole like him would take baby formula and use it for his own dumb purposes. Anyway, please reply soon, Mara. I’m a little worried. You better have a good excuse for ignoring me. I do accept apologies in the form of pictures of men my sister may or may not be dating.

Lovingly concerned,

Frankie

Dear Frankie, August 7th

I’m so sorry for not replying sooner. Clark had an accident, and I’ve been a wreck. I had to put everything on pause to help him. He didn’t know what he was doing, and he’s doing better now. At any rate, he’ll recover.

Didn’t I tell you to not to worry about Ethan? You don’t know what he’s up to, and if he’s trying to do something good, then just leave it there. Maybe he’ll finally take some responsibility. He has a habit of creating messes, and if he’s stepping up and accepting it, then we shouldn’t complain.

Love, Mara

Dear Mara, August 17th

What’s gotten into you? What happened? Did Clark hurt you? By your handwriting I can tell that you were in a bigger rush than normal what are you hiding from me?

I thought you didn’t care about Ethan. But even he wasn’t worse than whatever Clark’s done to you. If he’s such a big boy, what’s he doing running around with diapers and such? Can you imagine Ethan being a father?

If you don’t reply soon, I’ll come there and bring you back here myself if I have to.

Love, Frankie

Dear Mara, August 23rd

Ethan’s mother said he’s left, for good apparently. And he’s near where you are. Did he try to contact you? Is that why you’ve been acting so strange? Did Clark find out and hurt you?

Assembling a rescue squad as I write.

Love, Frankie

Dear Frankie, August 31st

No, no, God no. Nothing like that. Clark doesn’t know who Ethan really is, but he will, I promise. And now it’s about time I sent you a picture of Clark and me.

Love, Mara

Dear Mara, September 5th

Mara…why didn’t you tell me sooner that you’re a mother?

Love, Frankie

The Messes We Make Sophie Brotemarkle

The heat was the miserable sort that would dry out your nostrils enough to make them bleed. It permeated the skin, and begged your tongue to crave water, and made you swallow uncomfortably every mouthful of air you got. It was the kind of heat that made a seatbelt burn, and a car’s leather seat glue to your back, requiring it to be peeled away like dead skin once you wanted to leave. Spending mere moments in it would cause sweat to break out across anyone’s brow, would make their cheeks red, and wonder at the probability of spontaneous melting. A fate that Goldie was almost seriously contemplating if only to avoid going to her employer’s estate. Her hands hesitantly held the steering wheel, probably too loose for safety’s sake, but the leather was so hot she couldn’t bear it otherwise. The air conditioning was turned on full blast, screaming out of the open windows and roof. It alleviated the stains at her pits, but couldn’t reach the moisture pooling under her breasts, down her back, racing down to rest at the very top of her

“Ass,” Mister said in appreciation. “Golds, I swear, every time I see you, it’s like your ass is begging for attention. Attention I’m more than happy to provide,” he said smugly, his hand reaching to firmly palm her

“ASSHOLE!” That shook Goldie out of her disturbing reverie. The bicyclist kept shouting. “You have to fucking STOP!” He punched the side of Goldie’s car before she could protest. With that, he pedaled away. Goldie blinked hard; the light she was stopped at was still red. She hadn’t meant to accelerate, and thank God she hadn’t gotten very far, but when her thoughts had begun to overtake her, her foot had acted of its own accord, as if it too wanted to race away. She couldn’t afford to be rethinking those thoughts while driving a car, but her physical discomfort lingered. She shifted in her seat, as if trying to shake off the phantom hand. Still, she knew that hand would return for real soon enough.

The asphalt driveway looked like it was hot enough to fry an egg, and Goldie still considered it a privilege to be able to enter through the front entrance. She preferred the sound of a gravel driveway though; they always reminded her of home. Where the little granules of rock demanded to be heard, crunched under tire or foot. Little projectiles littered everywhere, promising an uneven step. This time Goldie was grateful for the balance that the asphalt afforded her, as she was carrying an assortment of groceries. As she came up to the door, she could see the cooler left by

the milk delivery service was tucked into a corner of the small porch, garnering little protection in the shade. She unlocked the front door, offering a small smile to the security camera above as she did so. She knew Mister didn’t really check the recordings ever as she was the one constant that would ever be on the tape. He just wanted it there for anyone who ever got any ideas.

As soon as Goldie stepped over the threshold, a wave of stench so thick it was practically a fur coat immediately bathed her. Mister must have really overdone it this time. The aftereffects of whatever wild night he had hosted here had already made themselves at home, practically reclining in the armchairs. Still, there were groceries to be put away. She dumped the bags on a kitchen counter, then returned for the milk outside. Taking a bottle out of the cooler, she couldn’t help but press one cold glass against her forehead. The sensation of condensation mixing with her own perspiration made a soft moan escape her lips. She swayed for a moment, letting the gentle pressure soothe her. The last time she’d felt something like this was when she’d once held a pack of frozen peas against her face to stop the swelling…

Goldie staggered down the stairs, clutching the left side of her face. Half blind in pain and shock, she gripped the banister tightly, determined for it to be her guide as she trundled away. She could still hear Mister upstairs; it sounded like he had just upended the desk. She knew it wasn’t her fault that he had come up behind her while she was tidying things, wasn’t her fault that he had first grabbed her wrist, and then chin in his vise-like grip. She especially knew it wasn’t her fault when her refusal sent his palm slamming into the side of her face. But it would be her fault if she couldn’t make the house look presentable for the party that night, so she had to find something that would calm down the burning injury. Her body knew she was in the kitchen, and she felt her hands clutch the freezer door. She opened it desperately, searching for something, anything. A splash of green caught her eye. She thrust her hands forward and was rewarded by a cool and pleasant sensation, ready to counteract the pain in her cheek. Goldie gently pressed it on her cheek, leaned against a counter and tried to steady her breath.

Now the milk bottle was slick against her fingers. She wasn’t paid to dwell on her employer’s misdeeds. Really, she was lucky, all things considered. Mister’s payments were the only thing keeping her daughter, Darlene, alive currently. Darlene, with a tube down her throat, her hair shaved, and her skin dangling off her as if it wanted to drop off and run away. Darlene, who sounded too weak for her age when she spoke. Darlene, who was clinging to Mister’s money tighter than Mister clung to Goldie.

Goldie put away the groceries in a daze, relying on familiar muscle memory to focus on where things went. It wasn’t until she closed the fridge for the last time that she noticed the sticky note on the door, slapped on haphazardly.

Golds, mistake in room.

Get rid of it.

He acted like he thought she wasn’t going to clean his room, so why put a note specifying it? She’d seen all sorts of messes over the years, a particularly disgusting memory involving a condom and a stick of butter rose to her mind. Whatever was in his room would have to wait. Goldie set about cleaning the ground floor. Bottles with liquid leaking from their lips were strewn all about the hardwood paneling here; chip crumbs had been imbedded in the carpet, creating a disgusting mosaic. Goldie neatly disposed of the assorted bottles and bags, wrapping it up with vacuuming. ~

Goldie always saved Mister’s bedroom for last, not out of any reverence, but because she always dreaded entering. Steeling her nerves, she turned the handle on the thick wooden door, bracing herself for a tidal wave of unholy fumes. She registered a musky scent and her foot collided with a black dress. She instinctively kicked it away; it wasn’t the first one she’d seen in this house, but she didn’t want it on her foot. Unfortunately, in her overzealous kick, her foot collided with a dresser against the wall.

“SHIT!” Goldie almost sank to her knees; the immediate pain in her foot was practically crippling.

“Who’s there?” a sluggish voice asked. Goldie whipped her head up; there hadn’t been a person in his room before. Let alone someone who was asleep so late. Would she need a weapon? It was unlikely; if this stranger has slept all through her cleaning, she could probably hold her own against them. She crept towards the bed, discreetly slipping off a shoe to wield. A wide-set pair of frightened brown eyes greeted her, complemented by the red of her hair. At the sight of the shoe, the girl flinched and slid under the cover she was using, almost like a shield. Goldie immediately knew she wasn’t a threat. She couldn’t have been much older than her dear Darlene, late teens at most.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m not going to hurt you,” she said soothingly, returning the shoe to her foot. She hadn’t missed the way the girl had reacted, and it struck a chord with her.

“No, I’m sorry.” The girl’s voice was so quiet, and hoarse. “So silly of me, I’d thought you were someone else…” She trailed off. “Who are you?” Now that the adrenaline had passed, an expression of guarded curiosity came over her face.

“I’m just a maid here.” Goldie’s eyes examined the girl further, noting how the bare skin around the girl’s neck and collarbone was discolored; it was splotchy red. “Were you here last night for a party?”

“I was,” the girl responded, drawing her hand to her forehead. “It was crazy. I think two guys had jumped in the pool. You should make sure they haven’t drowned,” she said, smiling weakly. “But I remember one of the other girls wanting to leave, but someone told me to stay and have another drink. I really shouldn’t have, because as soon as I took it my head started killing me. I remember some guys helping me up the stairs and putting me on the bed. They’d wanted to have some fun, but I couldn’t think straight, and I just remember so many hands " She suddenly ducked her head under the blanket. “My dress, where’s my dress?” she cried. Goldie fetched it, and when she returned to the bedside the girl’s eyes had a look of fear. “My underwear is gone too. And there’s blood.” And suddenly Goldie remembered the sticky note. Mistake in room.

Get rid of it.

The girl couldn’t have been older than Darlene. Goldie took a steadying breath and rubbed her fingers to her temples. She had to get this girl out of here now.

“Look, grab your things, and come with me. I’ll take you with me and help get you fixed up. I don’t want you to spend another minute in this room or in this house.”

The girl smiled gratefully. “Are you sure? I-I don’t want to be a burden to you ”

“Don’t worry about it,” Goldie said. “You remind me of my daughter, Darlene.” Darlene! Goldie had been so preoccupied; she had forgotten to text her daughter. She pulled out her phone, quickly drafting a text to Darlene, explaining that she’d be bringing this girl home. Ignoring her previous unanswered texts, Goldie finished the message with a promise to visit tomorrow. Darlene probably hadn’t been able to be active on her phone today. Meanwhile, the girl had gotten out of bed and began moving slowly throughout the room. “Do you have everything ” she started to ask until she was interrupted by the slamming of the heavy front door from downstairs. At the sound, the girl let out a startled moan and started shaking, falling back down onto the bed. Goldie sprang to her side, placing her hands on the girl’s arms. “Hey, hey, hey, hey. It’s okay. It’s okay. You’re gonna be okay, you hear me? You’re gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay. Trust me. I’ll distract him ” Goldie began to speak more fiercely, for the girl had started to forcefully shake her head. “And when you can’t hear us anymore, you can sneak out. Okay?” Goldie prayed the girl was understanding her plan, but she needed to get downstairs before Mister came up.

Goldie crept outside of the room, her breath coming in short shallow gasps as she rounded the last corner before appearing at the top of the stairs. She willed herself to look down, where she saw Mister reclining in the newly clean armchair, his legs crossed at the ankles. He looked like a panther at home in his natural habitat. His fingers idly tapped against a vodka bottle. At the sight of Goldie, a toothless smile crept onto his face, as if he couldn’t be happier to see her.

“Golds, Golds, Golds.” The sound of his voice was akin to the gravel of the driveways that Goldie liked. Rough, gritty, and capable of settling beneath your skin. She shivered involuntarily, and Mister threw his head back in laughter. “Mm, is that what I do to you? How flattering. Come down, why don’t you?” he called. Goldie didn’t move. “It’s past your time to go anyway. You’ve never taken this long before.” He rose and the friendly glint in his eye froze to steel. “Aw, come on, Golds. Surely, you’re dying to go to your little girl, Golds Junior if you will!” He laughed again. “I know just how much you want her to get better. And you know I’m the key to that. Consider how easily I could throw you both over if I wanted to. And we wouldn’t want that, would we? Not when Junior hasn’t had the chance to grow into the assets handed down from the big woman herself!” Mister gestured loosely to Goldie as if he had just bestowed some great honor on her. He took a swig from the bottle that was now clenched tightly in his hand.

Goldie took the chance to weigh her options. She couldn’t hope to get past the front door with him in the way. She had almost forgotten about the girl in her desire to get out. She couldn’t count on help from the girl. But suddenly her idea to lead Mister away was proving to seem less and less plausible.

“Come on, come down,” he repeated, a sadistic grin on his face. “I won’t tell you again.” He had moved between the door and the bottom of the stairs, and Goldie didn’t trust him to let her pass. “If you don’t come down,” he said, a note of impatience in his voice, “then I’m coming up.” That almost made Goldie’s knees buckle. He’d surely take her to the bedroom, where he’d find the girl. Goldie began to go down the stairs, her legs moving almost robotically. Mister had crooked his index finger and was curling it, as if pulling her by strings. Goldie forced herself to look in his eyes and willed herself to play his game. When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she kept a hand on the banister; her last tether free from him. She let her hand fall and immediately knew she had made a mistake. He had dropped his bottle and darted forward faster than she thought possible and soon had her wrist in his grip. Oh. He wanted to have fun. He spun her around till his chest pressed against her back and his other hand slid to her throat, moving her head back to allow his lips greater access to her neck.

“There’s a good girl,” he whispered, his words ticklish against her skin. Goldie’s eyes had squinted shut when the hand on her wrist snaked down to her stomach where it flirted with the waistband of her pants. Goldie had started to whimper weakly in protest when she heard something hit the banister. Her eyes flew open, and she locked eyes with the girl, who was standing frozen at the top of the stairs.

“NO!” The cry pealed from Goldie on instinct, and laughter from Mister rumbled behind her.

“Oh, looks like we have two screamers in our midst!” Mister exclaimed. “So, Goldie, you didn’t do what I asked, did you? Naughty, naughty,” he scolded.

To Goldie’s surprise, the girl managed to speak. “I-I hadn’t heard anything, and so I thought you had gone.” Goldie choked back a sob. When she had gone down the stairs so quietly, the girl had thought that the coast was clear. All because Goldie hadn’t acted faster.

And then Mister finally interjected. “Now, you can’t be leaving just yet, can you? Do you know how much fun two girls and a guy can have? Or for that matter, four guys and a girl,” he amended. Goldie heard the girl inhale sharply, and her own gut dropped. “In any case, I think you’re missing something, aren’t you?” he continued. He kept an arm around Goldie’s waist, but the hand at her throat finally let go, and she felt him rummage in his pocket. After retrieving whatever he was looking for, she heard him inhale deeply, as if he was smelling something. “Delicious. Of course, not as much as you, my dear.” He threw the object, and it wasn’t until it landed on that newly cleaned carpet that Goldie saw it was a pair of underwear. “Golds, pick it up,” he commanded, shoving her towards the underwear. Goldie lurched forward, and the girl wobbled down a few stairs, as if she wanted to catch Goldie. Goldie looked up at the girl and the pair of them locked eyes. A second passed, then another. Each seemed to understand the other without speaking. Goldie lunged for the underwear at the same time the girl began to rush down the stairs. Goldie hurled the underwear in Mister’s direction as the girl bolted. Goldie hoped with two targets that Mister would hopefully be distracted while the girl escaped. Mister had chosen to pursue Goldie, and she felt his hands on her ankles. Within seconds, he had dragged her back and had straddled her waist, preoccupied with keeping her grounded. Behind his back, Goldie saw the girl bolt. Yes! But rather than flee to the door, as Goldie expected, the girl instead picked up the forgotten vodka bottle and turned back, raising it high in her hands. Mister’s fingers had just returned to Goldie’s throat and encircled it in a tight grip when the girl brought the bottle smashing down on his skull.

There was a ringing in Goldie’s ears. The pressure from Mister’s fingers was gone from her neck, but her throat still hurt. She wasn’t sure if it was from the choking or the scream that was still coming from her mouth. She dimly registered hot and labored breathing at her chest. She had felt this before, but this time it was different. The one breathing so heavily wasn’t enjoying the moment. Opening her eyes, she registered Mister had fallen forward on her and was clinging to consciousness.

“Shit…” He murmured into her shirt, blood trickling down from the back of his head. Fragments of glass glittered from the carpet, as they tend to blend in deceptively. Horrified, Goldie scrambled out from under him, scooting backward on her palms. The girl had vanished. Where did she go? Goldie straightened up, brushing off her hands on her pant legs. Mister was trying to turn over, and she could see how damp his hair was with blood. She was trying to catch her breath when the girl suddenly came skidding in from the direction of the kitchen. Much like Mister had gripped the bottle that proved to be his enemy in the end, so was the girl clutching a large chef’s

knife. It looked too big in her small hands. Goldie didn’t put the pieces together until the girl advanced and she recoiled in instinct.

“Get away!” the girl hissed; her voice as steady as Goldie had ever heard it.

“We have to get out of here!” Goldie insisted. “You can’t kill him now "

“Why not?” The girl shrieked derisively. “After what he did to me? Tell me, why not? WHY NOT!” she roared. Goldie flinched.

“Telllherrr…Goldsss….” Mister slurred from the carpet, his voice full of contempt.

“Just…just think, okay?” Goldie put her hands up. “Look, our DNA is already all over the place here anyway. If you kill him, you’ll go to jail.”

“And if I don’t?” the girl breathed, brandishing the knife. “If I let him live? What would he do to me to make sure I never said a word about this? He’d do it!”

“At the state he’s in, he might die from the blunt force trauma. No matter what he did, killing someone doesn’t just go away ”

“Justputmeoutofmymotherfuckingmiseryyy,” Mister moaned. He was looking up at the pair from an odd angle with a stupid grin on his face.

“He wants it, don’t give it to him,” Goldie implored. “Don’t let him get off that easy.”

“OhhIgotoffeasyallriiiiight,” he said while trying to focus on the girl. “Can’t do it can youuu? Whaaaat a puss ” He interrupted himself by grunting sharply. It was hard to blame him. After all, the girl had just plunged the knife forward into his chest.

“Don’t.” She twisted the knife. “Call me.” Another twist. “That.” With her last word, she wrenched the knife from his chest, seemingly unaware of the blood that dripped from it. It wasn’t until Mister stopped breathing that she seemed to take a breath herself. She shuddered and fell backward, right onto the shards of glass. Her yelp was what shook Goldie into action. After helping the girl up and away from the glass, Goldie held her in an embrace.

“Let’s get you out of here. Go try to rinse some of the blood from your shirt. And then get in my car.” Goldie retrieved her keys. “And we’ll figure out where to go from here. I don’t want to spend a moment longer than necessary in this place.” The girl sobbed on her shoulder, her body shaking against Goldie. “If only I could’ve taken care of this mess,” Goldie whispered.

Goldie stepped out of the house and breathed in the hot air. She got into her car and reached over to hold the hand of the redheaded teenager in the passenger seat. Once

Goldie was seated, there was a familiar feeling underneath her, and she realized it was the wad of cash in her back pocket. Retrieved from under a sheaf of papers in the third drawer in Mister’s nightstand, it pressed against her ass. Like he used to. Like he never would again.

Sophie Brotemarkle

Sophie Brotemarkle is a Virginia Beach native who came to ECU to study theater and found an additional passion for creative writing. She is thrilled to have multiple pieces published within The Lookout and is honored that her work will be read by others. She enjoys writing stories from female identifying perspectives and prefers realism in her writing. Sophie also enjoys comedy, and currently is a co-captain of ECU’s improv team, SWISH. She hopes to pursue a career in comedy, including stand-up and sketch, while honing her skills as a writer. Her ambition is to write for a living, specifically for television.

Ready for battle, Jacob Neal

ink and alcohol markers About This Piece

The piece I made is a black and white narrative art piece on bristol board using ink and alcohol markers. The purpose of this piece was to convey a narrative imagery with at minimum 4 panels without using words. The narrative of my art piece depicts a man preparing for an epic battle against a beast that threatens his home. The piece focuses on the main principles of value and texture, conveying high contrast with positive and negative values.

Let go, Jacob Neal

Bristol board with ink and alcohol markers

About This Piece

The piece I made as a color, black and white narrative piece on bristol board using ink and alcohol markers. The purpose of this piece was to use take what we had learned in the module and convey it into a final piece. The narrative of this piece is a young man enraged by a mocking villain egging him on. He then leaps at the villain, gearing up for an epic battle. The piece focuses on the main principles of value and texture while adding color in some parts of the piece.

Jacob Neal

Jacob Neal is a 20-year-old junior from Gainesville, Virginia majoring in animation at ECU. Ever since he was a kid, he loved doing art and wanted to make a career out of it, so he has been honing and improving his art to make a name for himself and create interesting pieces of art that audiences can engage in and enjoy. Jacob mainly enjoys creating line and value pieces; however, he is trying to get out of his comfort zone by creating different mediums of art. He has experimented with woodworking, ceramics, animation, and painting, but he enjoys creating animations and illustrations the most. When Jacob is not making art, he likes to do weight training and competitive swimming. In the future after he graduates from ECU, Jacob hopes to get a job at Disney or Pixar as an Animator so he can help create interesting films that everyone can enjoy.

Still Life, Shari White

White colored pencil on black paper About This Piece

This piece was an assignment for a drawing class last year where we recreated a still life that was set up in the classroom. We could only use white colored pencils and had to work backwards to creates lights and shadows. I really enjoyed working with white on black and really feel like it challenged me and made me a more accurate drawer. I also became a lot more sensitive to the different values and really thinking about the drawing from the very beginning and planning it out.

Shell, Shari White

Ink/Charcoal Drawing About This Piece

This piece was an assignment for a drawing class last year where we used our own objects to do a composition with water, ink, and charcoal on top. I enjoyed this project because it gave me lots of creative freedom. The medium was enjoyable to experiment with, even though it was a challenge at first. It really made me appreciate all the different values as far as drawing goes and taught me a lot when it comes to rendering real world objects effectively.

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Shari White

Digital illustration About This Piece

This piece was an assignment for an Illustration survey class last year where we had to choose a significant figure to base our posters on. I chose Jean-Michel Basquiat as my significant figure because his art has always really stood out to me and because of our similar backgrounds. I took inspiration from his figures in this work, sampled his color scheme, and pose from a photo I felt encapsulated his style. I really enjoyed the colors I used in this piece and really feel like it gives a similar energy to Basquiat’s work.

Shari White is a Graphic Design major at ECU. Her hometown is Greenville, NC, right here in the heart of Pirate Nation. This artist dabbles in graphic design, illustration, and photography, with an interest in collage work as well. She has had an underlying love for graphic design that became fully realized when they enrolled to the university. Once seeing the eye-catching and vibrant works of students that came before her, she started taking the design path seriously and dove in headfirst. A recent top five finalist in the LIFE Water Design competition and designing for student organizations on campus are her most recent feats. Having been in a couple exhibitions throughout her growing art career, she is no stranger to sharing their work with the world. Through her work, Shari wishes to spread the appreciation of great design, as well add more colorful artworks in our mundane looking over-modernized society.

Shari White