Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel that deals with the inequality, prejudice and ignorance that black people faced in the South in the 1930s. It’s widely been regarded as an exemplary anti-racist text; however, the contrary is true, as is shown by recent criticism. I will hereby analyze how, by taking onContinue reading “Why My Favourite Classic, To Kill a Mockingbird, Turns Out to be Racist”
Taking a break
Living in the burn-out era is not easy. Millennials and gen Z-s either overwork themselves, are exploited or just can’t cope with the transition to adult life. Burn-out is a condition that appears as a reaction to long-term stress, primarily from overworking oneself at school or in the workplace. Symptoms of burnout include psychological orContinue reading “Taking a break”
Lady Macbeth Is Not Evil; You Guys Are Just Sexist
A Psychoanalytic and Feminist Look into One of Literature’s Most (In)famous Women Focusing on the character of Lady Macbeth provides an in-depth analysis of how Shakespeare uses the limitations of traditional gender roles to create conflict within Macbeth (1606). The murder of King Duncan serves as a turning point for the play: prior to thisContinue reading “Lady Macbeth Is Not Evil; You Guys Are Just Sexist”
To Be Queer and (In)Visible
Sometimes I feel like a ghost. A distorted, wavery, pellucid figure, one of the many in an endless sea of other ghosts. It’s not always so bad to be a ghost, to go unnoticed, to remain concealed in the corners of a haunted planet. But when I decide to announce my presence – “Here IContinue reading “To Be Queer and (In)Visible”
Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Teenage Emotion: A Semi-Review of SOUR
Since May 21st, 2021, my little corner of the internet has been dominated by love for one 18yr old: Olivia Rodrigo. If you are not on my corner of the internet, let me explain: Olivia is an actress, known for starring in Disney+’s High School Musical: The Musical: The Series since 2019, which, despite itsContinue reading “Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Teenage Emotion: A Semi-Review of SOUR”
Analysis of Patrick Bateman through Marxist and Psychoanalytic Perspectives
American Psycho by Brett Easton Ellis is a masterfully crafted satire that immerses its reader into the disgustingly immoral lifestyle of 1980s Wall Street men. Its clever criticisms of capitalism is one of the reasons it has earned much acclaim throughout the years. In this essay I will be using Psychoanalytic and Marxist perspectives inContinue reading “Analysis of Patrick Bateman through Marxist and Psychoanalytic Perspectives”
In Search of Meaning: Analyzing the Poem Saint Sebastian by W.S. Mervin
Disclaimer: I am an atheist. I do not condone any of the messages found within this poem but simply believe it to be beautiful and worth unpacking. If you find yourself agreeing with this poem, good for you, but I don’t give a shit. Here’s the poem: Saint Sebastian by W.S. Mervin So many timesContinue reading “In Search of Meaning: Analyzing the Poem Saint Sebastian by W.S. Mervin”
Join the Writer’s Block Board
Writer’s Block Magazine is looking for fresh, enthusiastic and creative editorial board members! Do you like writing and editing? Do you have any journalistic aspirations? Then join the Writer’s Block editorial board! What/who is Writer’s Block?Writer’s Block Magazine is a student-run magazine at University of Amsterdam. We have an international readership and contributors from acrossContinue reading “Join the Writer’s Block Board”
The Un-return of the King
“How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand… there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend. Some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.” Well, this line from The Lord of the Rings has definitelyContinue reading “The Un-return of the King”
The Language of Gratitude
Robin Wall Kimmerer’s Braiding Sweetgrass discusses various native North American cultures and their wisdom regarding coexistence in respectful reciprocity with nonhuman beings. Kimmerer’s insights of the significance of language systems in defining our perception of nonhumans, and thus our relationship with them, help to shed light on why this relationship is rather unbalanced in theContinue reading “The Language of Gratitude”
