a paper for a Shakespeare class I'm taking

What's it about? I'm so embarrassingly ignorant when it comes to Shakespeare.

write my thesis proposal for the committee

Would I understand what it's about? Can it be explained in a few short sentences?

When does the next semester start? Here we aren't finished with the exams of the former semester yet.

We aren't finished with this semester yet. The next one starts in September, but I'm taking a class on Victorian Literature and Science and another on Chaucer. Both reading intensive.

My paper on Shakespeare is looking at the plays that came immediately after the last minute save from an attempt on the King's life (called the Gunpowder Plot) including Macbeth and seeing the effect that the Plot had on the language of Jacobean theater with an eye toward what makes Macbeth different... it's a combo of history and lit analysis, with work on 2 plays that are rarely read in addition to Macbeth.

My thesis? I'm looking at cookbooks and housekeeping manuals from the 16th and 17th century to see if and how they had an impact on women's literacy. As women became more literate, they published more of these books so I want to see the impact on literacy and, ultimately, on culture. Though the time period might change, given the availability of early modern cookbooks.

That's a fantastic thesis topic, Kat!

Kat, that sounds fascinating!

In shallower news, apparently Lance Bass has confirmed the Reichen thing too.

Victorian Literature and Science

The conncetions between them? How each of them affected the other? Or am I far far away from what it's really supposed to be about?

seeing the effect that the Plot had on the language of Jacobean theater

Oh, that reads interestting, but way way over my hmm-that's-English-and-that's-all-I-can-figure head.

But the thesis reads fascinating! I've never thought of the connection, too - do you already have assumptions that you're going to check?

[Edit: amych - when reading Kat's topic, you were the first person I thought about!]

thanks, amych. It's a little tricky to find source material, but I've been sort of obsessed with this journal Gastronomica. I'd love to do a doctorate in cultural studies with an eye towards food, but I need to find the right program.

I know Boston University does an MA in Gastronomy that I'd love to do, but won't.

The irony, of course, is the less I eat the more I think and write about eating.

The conncetions between them? How each of them affected the other? Or am I far far away from what it's really supposed to be about?

Nope that's it, succinctly even!

I think that the big assumption that i'm checking with my thesis is that cookbooks were (and are still) transmitters of culture because they outline food taboos and regulations and tastes. That as women became more literate, they moved into more positions to be in charge, as it were, of culture transmission and less as culture receivers. Also, cookbooks were the first area where women were invited to practice literacy and it is these books that show when and how women became increasingly literate.

Very unique and interesting topic Kat. I can see where finding source material will be a challenge.

Dear Nilly, I hope the TA obligations provide a distraction for you. My thoughts and prayers remain with you and yours. The horrible situation there dominates our news, but that is much less upsetting than it dominating daily activity. May cooler heads prevail.

Nilly, what Laura said. I'm always unsure what to say, except that I hope you and yours are safe, and that I hope it stops, so I don't say anything at all, most of the time. I think it constantly, though.

that's it, succinctly even!

*I* said something succinctly? Me? That's even more surprising than actually figuring it out correctly. Do you know already what you will read for the class?

cookbooks were (and are still) transmitters of culture because they outline food taboos and regulations and tastes

I know it's not your topic, but what immediately jumped to my mind when reading this sentence is the kosher rules, how they've evolved over the years and the discoveries of new foods, and how now, when many different communities are all in Israel, the differences between their pasts are being highlighted through the familiar foods.

The way you look at the topic, through the changes in women, is fascinating. Your source material is from specific places, or a variety?

Laura, Cindy - thank you, so much. Your words mean a lot. The thing is, with my daily life, there is no much difference, other than the frequency of checking the news. The bombings is far north from where I live (well, "far" in Israeli terms, but still), so there actually is very little effect on my daily routine. The people who live there, however, can't even pretend to have a proper routine anymore. And Israel is so tiny, that you can't not-know somebody, or plenty of somebodies - who live in these areas, whose family members and friends are servign in the army, right there. So the biggest effect, now, is the emotional one, just like with you.