by Morgan Mann When Halloween was once about candy, it’s now about costumes. So while you’re tearing through the internet for original ideas that aren’t Miley Cyrus or Katy Perry’s left shark, why not stay true to your English major and dress up as a classic author or character? Inspired by literary classics (and their…
Baby Steps: What Bob Wiley Taught Me About Life After Graduation
by Hannah Robinson When I was asked to write this post, I have to admit that my first thought was “Wait, am I even qualified to write about life after graduation?” And, at the risk of undermining what little authority I have, I must say that even after a few months out in the “real”…
The Books Have Hit the Big Screen
With Oscar spirit still hanging in the air it is undeniable that 2012 was a huge year for book to film adaptations. While some argue that such films never quite live up to the books they are based on, looking back on 2012 shows that film scripts and visual representations can be as enjoyable as…
The Genesis of the “Bard’s Book Club”
With graduation just around the corner for many UP senior English majors, the question of how to stay engaged with literature after college is becoming more pertinent. While the freedom to read whatever strikes your fancy may sound appealing now, once jobs, family, and other responsibilities kick in analytical reading might drop on your list…
Honoring African American Literature
Black History Month is not only about Black history, but also about Black literature. By hosting an annual African American Read-In every February the University of Portland works with the rest of the nation as well as other countries to encourage awareness of African American Literature during Black History Month. Our Read-In is not the…
The English Major: What is it Good For?
Many articles have cropped up lately, some of which were highlighted here, that praise the English major, promising lucrative career opportunities after graduation. Most of these articles focus on an English major’s ability to write and the careers best suited to this ability (marketing, public relations, etc). Two recent articles, however, focus not just on…
Anna Karenina Goes to the Theatre
In the past few months our blog has been host to many posts about book to film adaptations. You read about The Perks of Being a Wallflower’s safe and easy transition onto the big screen, as well as Cloud Atlas’ more risky adaptation. Today we bring you yet another adaptation story, again along the risky…
Writers Are My Rock Stars
Did you miss Wordstock this year? Here’s a piece written by UP English Professor and Wordstock volunteer Dr. Brassard to tell you what you missed and why you should attend next fall. Wordstock is one of my favorite things about living in Portland. Like Powell’s, it showcases our city’s love of the written word, and…
A Transformation from Word to Image
This post is based off of the article Beyond the Matrix by Aleksandar Hemon and published in The New Yorker. How does one go about adapting a book to a screenplay when its own author deemed it “unfilmable” due to its complications? Lana and Andy Wachowski (known for writing and directing the “Matrix”…
Poetry for Our Time
A post and video by Beacon Reporter and English major Will Lyons who last year had the opportunity to interview hip-hop artist Macklemore. Macklemore is performing at The Crystal Ballroom Thursday, October 11th at 8 p.m. For more information about tickets and times visit http://www.mcmenamins.com/events/104967-The-Heist-World-Tour “Sometimes opportunity slaps you in the face. As a reporter…