Session I: Family and Domesticity in American History and Literature
9:45 AM - 10:45 AM
Second Floor of Campus Union
Dodge A & B
Thomas Lincoln's influence on Abraham Lincoln's Life and Leadership
Subject: Conference Paper (American Studies and Elementary/Special Education)
Presenter: Olivia Baker
Faculty Sponsor: Ian Delahanty
Abstract: Not a staggering amount is known about the relationship Abraham Lincoln had with his father, Thomas Lincoln; however, the influence of this relationship throughout his life, especially in the choices made throughout his presidency, truly helped to shape his ideas, values, and connections to his fellow citizens of the United States.
The paucity of information about Lincoln and his father does not inhibit historians from making the conclusion that Thomas Lincoln fundamentally influenced the way Abraham Lincoln brought the nation together, and the overall vision he had for the U.S.
Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with his father, Thomas Lincoln, heavily influenced his ideas on how to bring a divided nation together during the Civil War.
Toxic Marriage in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Subject: Conference Paper (English)
Presenter: Lea Michaud
Faculty Sponsor: Paul Thifault
This essay examines the common theme of marrying for convenience. It suggests that couples tie the knot in order to simplify their lives or situations they are involved in. Edward Albee is one of the greatest playwrights of his generation for the emotionally confrontational play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Beginning with a fight between husband and wife, Albee’s four main characters are in marriages portrayed to be loveless and forced. This essay includes a discussion of the confrontation between husband and wife, as well as from couple to couple and how they expose each other for the sham of a marriage they have. Albee shines a light on the concept of how early marriage leads to early downfalls and relates to the current issue of an increasing divorce rate.
Lost In Love: Love as a Source of Captivity in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Subject: Conference Paper (English)
Presenter: Bella Grimes
Faculty Sponsor: Paul Thifault
This essay discusses the source of captivity known as love and how it impacts the decisions a character makes and how the characters might react around specific people. This novel dives deep into the complexities of one couple’s marriage and the role that both physical and mental power plays in their relationship.
As the novel comes to a close and George has made a final decision about his and Martha’s “son,” this drastically affects Martha. This essay also examines the idea of pretending, in order to satisfy the desires of the yourself or those around you. In conclusion, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf displays the true actions one might do for love and acceptance.
Domestic Captivity - "The Yellow Wallpaper", Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf
Subject: Conference Paper (English)
Presenters: Stephanie Brochu
Faculty Sponsor: Paul Thifault
This essay analyzes unhealthy and toxic relationships and the impact they can have on an individual, leading the relationship to be a viewed as captivity. In the short story “The Yellow Wallpaper" written by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, the main character is suffering from a mental illness but does not get the correct treatment she needs due to her husband, the doctor, as he disregards her and leads her to an unsuccessful cure. He viewed her as crazy and refused to listen to her cries for help.
In a separate written play, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf by Edward Albee, there are two sets of main characters, George and Martha, and Nick and Honey. Each couple presenting flaws and actions of an unhealthy relationship. In each of these stories the people involved in relationships are the ones held captive by their own love and significant other. In conclusion, these texts aim to illuminate the power one holds in a relationship can affect the other individual leaving them trapped with no way to escape.
Keywords: Captive, relationships, power, unhealthy, mistreatment