Author Archives: Sam Hoffman

I have to admit I was expecting BUST DOWN THE DOOR! to be much longer than it was. I also expected it to require a greater amount of concentration; however, what I found was that it was perhaps easier to … Continue reading →

After discussing chapters one and two of “The Crying of Lot 49” by Thomas Pynchon in class last Thursday I’m really starting to notice the theme of miscommunication throughout the novel even more as I read on. From the beginning … Continue reading →

“The Crying of Lot 49” by Thomas Pynchon was definitely one of the more difficult novels I’ve ever read. Knowing nothing about the novel, I usually will do exactly what you’re not supposed to do and “judge a book by … Continue reading →

Based solely of the title of “Blond” by Natasha Tretheway, I immediately wondered what this poem was going to be about. I knew from the small picture of the author of the back of the book and from the information … Continue reading →

I found “Graveyard Blues” by Natasha Tretheway extremely touching. I felt that Tretheway did her job as a poet in this particular poem because she is really able to appeal to the reader’s emotions. This poem immediately set a scene … Continue reading →

As I read Jennifer DeVere Brody’s “Race and Class Conflict in Nella Larsen’s Passing”, I found her idea of the power struggle between Irene and Clare most interesting. I think I find this so appealing because unlike many of the … Continue reading →

Say what you want about “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe but I think most people would agree that it’s a well-known piece that appeals to all audiences alike. When I read “The Raven” I find it so easy to … Continue reading →

I thought “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” by Ernest Hemingway was an interesting account of the main character’s life in both the past and present. Although the short story presents a few notable ideas; I thought the most interesting part was … Continue reading →

Despite how you choose to analyze Billy Collin’s “Taking off Emily Dickinson’s Clothes”; I think the poem is definitely a worthwhile read that leaves the reader with a lot to think about. To me, I initially envisioned a very tasteful, … Continue reading →

I had somewhat of a difficult time understanding William Wordsworth’s, “Nuns Fret Not”, and it wasn’t until I went through the poem line by line several times until I was able to interpret what it meant to me. Although I … Continue reading →