Letter From The Editors

Dear Reader,

It is with greatpride that we present to you the 2020 edition of Moorings humanities journal! Within these pages is a unique collection of essays written by Mount students and recent alumni that showcase the extraordinary caliber of the Mount’s liberal arts curriculum.

There are many people that have contributed to the success of Moorings and are deserving of far more praise than we could possibly fit onto this page. First, we would like to extend the utmost gratitude to Provost Boyd Creasman, Dean PeterDorsey,the College of Liberal Arts, and the University Office of Marketing and Communications. Without their flexibility and assistance amid the COVID-19 pandemic,the publication of this journal truly would not have been possible. We would also like to thank our advisors Dr. Andrew Rosenfeld,Dr. Elizabeth Strauss, and Dr. Sean Lewis for their guidance and expertise along the way. Finally, we must acknowledge our amazing editorial staff who have been lending their time and skills since the summer of 2019 to turn this journal into a reality.

The following ten essays were chosen from one of the largest submission pools Moorings has ever received. They are shining examples of the interests and talents of the 2018-2019 Mount community. Topics cover the entire spectrum; the included essays discussthe roles of women in Ancient Rome, postmodernism in music, the tone of poetry written by Elizabethan-era Catholics, sexism in Reformation-era leaders, the darker side of the stand-up comedy industry, and Disney’s portrayal of witches in comparison withreal-life witch hunts, among others. And though the authors’ points of interest may be varied, their abilities are not. Each essay reveals the thoughtfulness, insight, and creative dexterity to be found in a student of the humanities.

We are proud to sharewith you the hard work of our authors and editors in the 2020 edition of Moorings. We hope you take the time to read and admire these essaysand find them as enjoyable as they are enlightening.

Happy Reading,

Kelley Northam and Katherine Stohlman