Sherlocked In: A Thesis Guessing Game
Hello, beautiful world. I have an idea: in order to avoid working on my own thesis I’m gonna try and guess what other people’s theses are about based on their thesis desks! COOL! Before I dive in, though, here’s my methodology: deduction and vibe. Every item on the desk counts towards what I think your thesis could be about. Of course, this means books, but it also means little knicknacks, pens, wrappers, anything. Also, I won’t choose a thesis desk if I already know what your thesis is about—that’s cheating! BOOOO!
My first victim is thesis desk number 59, specifically the right side. Right off the bat, you have hella books, which immediately makes me think you are somewhere in the humanities or literature realms. I think I’m leaning towards literature because of how many books are about authors here (see Faulkner and Morrison, Morrison and Faulkner: Revisited, and Melville and Aesthetics). I shudder in fear from the two copies of Moby-Dick (sorry I couldn’t protect you from that fate <3). If these were the only books, I would say some hooplah about a literature thesis on Morrison and Faulkner with a little tangent on Moby-Dick. However, that would be a cop-out. Dramaturgically, I see three branches. Taking into account the Melville books, the Odyssey, and Mariners, Renegades, & Castaways, I’m sensing that there’s something in your thesis about maritime literature. I’m also seeing criticism about the whiteness of the literary canon (see The Dream of the Great American Novel and playing in the dark) alongside critiques of imperialism (see Edward W. Said’s Orientalism and Culture and Imperialism). The last branch I see is the Faulkner one. He’s probably at the core of this thesis, or at least near it.
However, I’m perplexed. Maybe even a little lost. Who the eff is Propertius? After consulting Wikipedia, I'm even more lost. Maybe the Odyssey was lonely and you gave him a little Greek friend? If so, at least put them next to each other! I’m also unsure as to where Ezra Pound fits into this. There’s also that big ass book on consciousness, I don’t know where that goes. As for the rest of your desk, I’m not seeing much that will help with my deduction. I only have compliments for your really cool pen and ink. I like that! I also see the open Willamette Weekly which I appreciate– bring back reading newspapers! Wonderful stranger at the right side of thesis desk 59, you get me.
For my final trick, I will reveal my leading theory: your thesis is a critique of the Great American Novel through a dissection of maritime literature and Faulkner? I think? Honestly, that’s all I got. Tell me if I’m wrong or right. Love you!