On the Subject of My Thesiss

I have formally decided to base my thesis on the poetry (and/or essays) of Adrienne Rich (having just spent a good deal of money on those volumes I was lacking), primarily for two reasons:

1. I love her stuff. I have been reading her for several months now, and feel I have properly acquainted myself with her work, her life, her politics. I also have read several articles about her, and consequently become familiar with the major players in "Adrienne Rich studies," if I can call it that. I do not want to have to go through this process again with another writer.

2. Adrienne Rich is a unique subject in that I am provided several scholarly doors to choose from. If I were to write my thesis on John Steinbeck, for instance, I would show competence in just one or two areas of scholarship (Early 20th C. American Lit, for example). With Rich, the possibilities are essentially endless (as far as my own interests are concerned): Gender Studies, Sexuality Studies/Queer Theory, Jewish-American Lit, Late 20th Century American Lit, even Holocaust Lit/Trauma Studies, etc. I can show I have a background in any one of these areas. And while she is a well-known literary figure, she is not necessarily a popular scholarly subject.

Epiphany of the week: All the stress I'm bringing to this long-term project is counterproductive at this point. I mean, this is supposed to be the fun part, right? Right now the possibilities are endless. I need to relish it. As I continue to read, I can plan and organize according to the principles of The Craft of Research. I don't need to have an exact idea of what I'm going to do. My ideas will inevitably evolve into something completely different, anyhow.

Right now my biggest concern is becoming better acquainted with the works of Adrienne Rich. I'm reading "The Sounds of Poetry" by Robert Pinsky to help me see and hear more deeply into the sounds and structure of the poems. I also plan on memorizing a few of my favorites.