Amanda L. Rautio 5 ebook.jpg__PID:f166e883-4e7c-40c4-beab-bb4d0cfe53eb

The Sum of My Undergraduate Degree

Call it being Type "A", being anal retentive, intelligent, stupid, crazy, on-crack, but I saved every single paper from my undergraduate degree (at least most of them.)

Most people write their papers, wipe their brows with tear-soaked tissues, and say "thank fuck that's done so I can never think about THAT again," before moving onto the next paper.

To me, I thought that was a waste. If I'm going to spend five years of my life writing papers, researching, and learning how to think deeply and critically, how can you measure your actual progress without keeping that record? So. I kept it. And it is very obvious how much I grew even year to year, never mind how much I grew from year one to year five.

Preserved entirely, I present, ALL of my papers that have survived (alas, when my mac died on me, I didn't have every single one backed up, so you can see the gaps in the earlier years). I have published them so it actually adheres to the dates they were submitted, and from most recent to least recent.

The growth is astonishing.

All the essays are available for free below, but a bound edition will soon be available, and the funds from the sales of this book will be 100% going to my student debt.

Button label

Juvenilia: University-Era Essays

Delightful Wordplay and Concealed Conflict in 'Jane Eyre'

Delightful Wordplay and Concealed Conflict in '...

Amanda Rautio

Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre, employs a wonderful turn of phrase, all stemming from Jane’s last name, “Eyre”. It is so unbelievably multifunctional, I could barely tolerate my excitement and...

Delightful Wordplay and Concealed Conflict in '...

Amanda Rautio

Charlotte Brontë’s novel, Jane Eyre, employs a wonderful turn of phrase, all stemming from Jane’s last name, “Eyre”. It is so unbelievably multifunctional, I could barely tolerate my excitement and...

Identity Explored Through Mystery and Discovery in Victorian Literature

Identity Explored Through Mystery and Discovery...

Amanda Rautio

The Victorian Era of literature was vast, and the evolution of ideas and stakes grew particularly towards the end of 19th century. The four novels, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens...

Identity Explored Through Mystery and Discovery...

Amanda Rautio

The Victorian Era of literature was vast, and the evolution of ideas and stakes grew particularly towards the end of 19th century. The four novels, Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens...

Success in Equal Companionship: A "Jane Eyre" Discussion

Success in Equal Companionship: A "Jane Eyre" D...

Amanda Rautio

The ending has caused much consternation over the years amongst critics and readers; in your estimation, is Jane’s return to Rochester a success or a failure The ending of Jane...

Success in Equal Companionship: A "Jane Eyre" D...

Amanda Rautio

The ending has caused much consternation over the years amongst critics and readers; in your estimation, is Jane’s return to Rochester a success or a failure The ending of Jane...

Playing God - The Folly of Mad Scientists: A Discussion of "The Island of Doctor Moreau"

Playing God - The Folly of Mad Scientists: A Di...

Amanda Rautio

The Island of Doctor Moreau explores scientific ethics, and despite the years that have passed, I think it’s as relevant as ever. The animal cruelty, the playing at God, the secrecy...

Playing God - The Folly of Mad Scientists: A Di...

Amanda Rautio

The Island of Doctor Moreau explores scientific ethics, and despite the years that have passed, I think it’s as relevant as ever. The animal cruelty, the playing at God, the secrecy...

The Third Time is Not the Charm: A "Dracula" Discussion

The Third Time is Not the Charm: A "Dracula" Di...

Amanda Rautio

Context is key – what kind of fears and anxieties of the 1890s do you think this novel might address? This was my third time reading this novel, and it’s...

The Third Time is Not the Charm: A "Dracula" Di...

Amanda Rautio

Context is key – what kind of fears and anxieties of the 1890s do you think this novel might address? This was my third time reading this novel, and it’s...

An Optimistic Trajectory: A "Great Expectations" Discussion

An Optimistic Trajectory: A "Great Expectations...

Amanda Rautio

Is it realistic that a child of the lower class would ever be given the opportunity that Pip receives? Would Pip have had the desire if he had not had...

An Optimistic Trajectory: A "Great Expectations...

Amanda Rautio

Is it realistic that a child of the lower class would ever be given the opportunity that Pip receives? Would Pip have had the desire if he had not had...