Annotated Bibliography
Text Box: Database Sources: Brent, Liz. “Overview of ‘Janus’.” Short Stories for Students. Ed. Ira Mark Milne. 9 (2000) Literature Resource Center. Infotrac. Richard Stockton College Lib., Pomona, NJ. 7 Jun. 2009 <http://infotrac.galegroup.com>. In her overview of “Janus”, Liz Brent argues that the ceramic bowl acts as an object of fetishism for the main character (Andrea) and her obsessive devotion to the bowl reveals the emotional emptiness and meaninglessness of her current life. Brent further argues that the bowl being a “consumer” object is essential in representing Andrea’s commercial-based marriage; one that is grounded in the couple’s financial success rather than an emotional foundation. Hardy, Sarah Madsen. “Overview of ‘Janus’.” Short Stories for Students. Ed. Ira Mark Milne. 9 (2000) Literature Resource Center. Infotrac. Richard Stockton College Lib., Pomona, NJ. 7 Jun. 2009 <http://infotrac.galegroup.com>. Sarah Madsen Hardy’s summary of “Janus” centers on the minimalist writing style of the piece and presents both critical viewpoints regarding Beattie’s simplistic writing style. Supporters of Beattie’s style argue that the gaps and sparseness in her work reflect a social disconnect and emptiness, and that these gaps require “active participation” from the reader to connect characters and determine symbolism. Opposing critics argue that sparse details and lack of narrative guidance do not create the sense of emptiness; rather they create a story that is empty. Schneiderman, Leo. “Ann Beattie: Emotional Loss and Strategies of Reparation.” The American Journal of Psychoanalysis. 53.4 (1993): 317-333. Rpt. in Contemporary Literary Criticism. Ed. Jeffrey W. Hunter. 146 (2002) Literature Resource Center. Infotrac. Richard Stockton College Lib., Pomona, NJ. 7 Jun. 2009 <http://infotrac.galegroup.com>. In his article, Leo Schneiderman uses the psychoanalytical approach to examine Beattie’s characters throughout her works of fiction; placing special focus on issues of abandonment, depression, and coping mechanisms and how her characters’ emotional loss plays out in “adult love relationships”. In regard to “Janus”, Schneiderman argues that the bowl is the manifestation of the main character’s attempt at emotional reparation and it becomes a symbol not only for the lost lover, but for the ability to have the powerful emotions that accompanied the relationship. Web Sources: Beattie, Ann. “All the Things You Look for in a Ring: An Interview with Ann Beattie.” Lara Koch. Folio: A Literary Journal at American University. Win. 2006 9 Jun 2009 <http://www1.american.edu/cas/lit/folio/2006winter_inter.html>. Lara Koch’s interview, conducted via e-mail, gives reader’s a closer look into Ann Beattie’s writing style and her modes of creative inspiration. While obviously not a scholarly source, this article does provide insightful information on how Beattie goes about her minimalistic form and character development. With regard to “Janus”, Beattie reveals the story’s beginning: her stab at a children’s story that ended up being about a real estate agent’s fixation with a bowl. As for the bowl, it is loosely based on the real ceramic bowls Beattie has collected over the years from artist Scott McDowell. Cole, Charles E. The Quarterly Review: A Scholarly Journal for Reflection on Ministry. 5.4 (1985): 3-9 9 Jun 2009 <http://www.quarterlyreview.org/pdfs/VOL5NO4WINTER1985.pdf>. Charles E. Cole’s editorial involves the art of American short story fiction and draws a parallel between symbolic interpretations in the short story with that of theological interpretation. Cole argues that “Janus” is a prime metaphorical work that exemplifies the movement away from conventional story elements to more symbolic conventions. Cole urges those in the theological profession who rely on the art of interpretation to look to the short story as an enjoyable analytical tool. Although the Quarterly Review is considered a scholarly journal, it is not scholarly in the literary realm, rather the theological arena. Articles may be selective or biased and in this case it is definitely biased because it is an editorial, never a reliable source for scholarly research. Richard, Cicely A ©. “ Ann Beattie’s ‘Janus’: Beattie’s Bowls Symbolizes Unsuccessful Attempt to Live in Two Worlds.” Suite101.com. 6 Jun. 2009 <http://americanfiction.suite101.com/article.cfm/ann_beatties_janus>. The online summary of “Janus” argues that the story’s central idea is that happiness can only result in letting go of the past. The article focuses on symbolism of the bowl and its representation of the main character’s inability to live contently while hanging on to the notion of her ex-lover. The article is not a scholarly source; freelance writers are hired to write brief literary criticisms. It is a bare bones analysis but it lacks any substantial examples from the story to support its arguments.