AKΦ THE ALPHA KAPPA PHI REVIEW ANNUAL JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES VOLUME VI SPRING 2020 ΑΚΦ THE ALPHA KAPPA PHI REVIEW ANNUAL JOURNAL OF UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH IN THE HUMANITIES VOLUME VI SPRING 2020 EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emma Turner EDITORIAL BOARD Jessica Armstrong Avery Crews Paige Enlow Macy Rattliff Justin Sturgeon Hannah VanArsdale ΑΚΦ REVIEW FACULTY EDITOR Karolyn Steffens, PhD Assistant Professor of English ΣΤΔ Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Kappa Phi Chapter Lindsey Wilson College Executive Board: Kaylie Butler Avery Crews Paige Enlow Macy Rattliff Justin Sturgeon Emma Turner Rachel Carr, PhD, Faculty Co-Sponsor Karolyn Steffens, PhD, Faculty Co-Sponsor ΑΚΦ REVIEW FOUNDER Paul Thifault, PhD © Copyright 2020 All Rights Reserved 2 CONTENTS Preface 4 Acknowledgements 5 Kaylie Butler 6 Communication and Collaboration in American Politics Zack Settle 17 Why Populism Takes Hold in Highly Developed Democratic Countries Richard Nichols 30 From 4 to 9 June: The Chinese Communist Party’s Response to Tiananmen Square ‘89 and Hong Kong ‘19 Macy Rattliff 46 American Disaster Narratives: An Examination of Language, Race, Class, and Politics in 9/11, Hurricane Katrina, and the Virginia Tech Shooting Avery Crews 63 Communism and Witchcraft: Power through Language in The Crucible: A Play in Four Acts Hannah VanArsdale 84 The Dissection of a Maus: Trauma and its Depiction and Manifestation in Art Spiegelman’s Maus: A Survivor’s Tale Justin Sturgeon 105 Dispelling Difference: Reader in the Role of Interpreter in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Interpreter of Maladies Emma Turner 122 Emily Brontë’s Heathcliff: An Affective and Linguistic Evaluation of Wuthering Heights’ Sadistic Protagonist Paige Enlow 149 Redefining My Voice: ‘Casting A Patronus’ to Guard Against the ‘Dementors’ of Traditional Academic Discourse Notes on the Contributors 159 3 PREFACE An institution puts forth a mission statement to capture its primary purpose, center of attention, and dedication. Lindsey Wilson College shows the depth of its love for education and the student body with its statement, “Every Student, Every Day.” The Alpha Kappa Phi Review is an extension of this mindset, with an interest in the work of all students at Lindsey Wilson College. This journal contains a broad range of student essays. These essays span a wide variety of topics and academic disciplines, including detailed analyses of works by major authors and solutions for pressing societal concerns that have major implications on our world today. All of the essays that appear in the Alpha Kappa Phi Review have gone through a rigorous peer-review selection and revision process resulting in the inclusion of only works that achieve the highest excellence. All of the essays rely on secondary research and/or extensive textual evidence to support their analyses and claims. The Review has sought to include a wide variety of writing from Lindsey Wilson’s student body with this grouping, encompassing the work of sophomores to upcoming graduates. This volume includes nine student essays on a variety of topics from politics to literature to methods of academic writing. The reader will find the essays organized thematically, not alphabetically, into four different groups. The three foremost essays included in this volume address the topic of discord in politics. Although Kaylie Butler, Zack Settle, and Richard Nichols each approach the topic from diverse viewpoints and disciplines, each essay discusses the importance of considering varying political approaches. The next three essays, by Macy Rattliff, Avery Crews, and Hannah VanArsdale, examine the implications and stakes of representation when making art from or memorializing a time period or historical event. The authors, through the incorporation of critical theory, examine facets of culture such as news media portrayals of 9/11, governmental responses to in the Salem witch trials, and artistic representations of the Holocaust, respectively. The next two essays—by Justin Sturgeon and Emma Turner—both perform textual analyses of literary works that emphasize the role of reader empathy in interpretation. The final essay included in this volume, written by Paige Enlow, is a hybrid form of academic writing combining secondary sources with the genre of a diary entry to question and challenge conventional academic style. The Alpha Kappa Phi Review is devoted to publishing the best student scholarly work that Lindsey Wilson College has to offer. We believe the broad range of topics and arguments within this volume showcase the excellent writing and research skills of Lindsey Wilson’s student body. —Emma Turner Editor-in-Chief April 2020 4 ❖❖❖ The editorial board would like to thank the following English and History faculty members for serving as Faculty Reviewers for this volume: Ms. Mary Baker Dr. Tim McAlpine Dr. Kara Mollis Dr. Matt Powers Dr. Kerry Robertson Dr. Allison Smith Each submission to the Alpha Kappa Phi Review undergoes an extensive review process in which it is anonymously evaluated by both student editors and faculty. We are grateful to Dr. Paul Thifault for founding and establishing the Alpha Kappa Phi Review in 2015, the sole undergraduate research journal at Lindsey Wilson College. Special thanks also to Dr. Tip Shanklin for continuing his legacy by editing and publishing the second volume. Finally, the last four volumes of the Review would not have been possible without the mentorship of Dr. Steffens. ❖❖❖ Critical essays in the Humanities, broadly defined as the fields of English, History, Women’s and Gender Studies, Philosophy, Theology, Theatre, Film, Political Science, and Art, are welcomed and encouraged from current or recently graduated Lindsey Wilson College students. For more information, please contact Dr. Karolyn Steffens, Assistant Professor of English and Faculty Editor: [email protected]. 5 Communication and Collaboration in American Politics Kaylie Butler Abstract It is important to examine the power and presence of the Democrat and Republican parties within American politics. In an effort to understand the politics of American government, this paper explains the purpose of political parties, the origins of parties in America, the evolution of the dominant bi-partisan parties, and the current state of American politics through a variety of scholarly sources. By exploring extent literature, this paper dissects the various issues presented within the bi-partisan American political landscape. Additionally, through the exploration of the interrelationship between the American political research and critical thinking and communication concepts, this paper provides an approach to resolve the American political issues of present day. The political landscape of modern America has been dominated by two prominent political parties: Democrat and Republican. For better or worse, these parties have become the backbone and driving force of political America. Originally intended to unite individuals and make positive change, it is ironic that the majority of the issues presented within American politics today appear to have arisen as a consequence of congressional members’ loyalty to their respective political party or personal agendas rather than to the betterment of the United States and its inhabitants. This train of thought is apparent through politicians and their actions in discussion of recent political events, such as President Trump’s immigration policy attempts. The pre-existing tension between the two parties is increasing at an alarming rate due to this misplaced loyalty. Further, the tension between the political parties and their members has escalated to the point that the United States government, and its multitude of employees, has had to endure a shutdown that lasted approximately a month. In order to find a solution, the attention should be directed toward understanding the purpose, origins, and goals of the political parties throughout history. Tracing the original intent of the parties and its members will bring enlightenment concerning their strength and function within society today. Further, by gaining a firm foundation of knowledge regarding the parties, the formation of a prescriptive plan to benefit their functions can begin to take place. This solution to the various issues posed by the modern American political party system can be alleviated through 6 the application of the critical thinking and leadership concepts to the party leaders and also the voting public. Overall, by applying these concepts within American politics, the leadership of the bipartisan parties will become more collaborative with one another. Additionally, the leaders of the parties and their backing voters will have a more harmonious relationship in which voters will feel better represented. Literature Review Through extent literature, a variety of research has been provided regarding the purpose, origins, evolution, and current state of the American political system. The sources reveal various foundational issues within the American political system and demonstrate the translation of these problems into contemporary society. By tracing the roots of political parties and understanding the current divisions within modern American politics, a foundation will be provided for the application of a solution to the multitude of issues found within the contemporary political landscape. Origins and Purpose As discussed previously, it is vital to have a firm foundational understanding of the intended purpose for political parties. The original