Can't I Love What I Criticize?: The Masculine and Morrison

Acknowledgments

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 [Firs [-9], Line —— 6.3 —— Norm PgEn [-9], Acknowledgments Writing represents a journey in liberating, companionably solitary con- finement. Nobody, however, can do the time alone. Writing is, as Toni Morrison describes it, a “craft that appears solitary but needs another for its completion.” My four-year stint in solitary was eased considerably by the finishing touches of a number of astonishingly considerate others: Nancy Furlong and Gail Walker provided psychological guidance; Karen Porter sociological assistance; Laurie DeMott theological aid. Phyllis Gorfain , Candis LaPrade, and my colleagues in the English department at Alfred University, especially Ben Howard and Melissa Ryan, as well as the consummate professionals at the University of Georgia Press, notably Nancy Grayson, Courtney Denney, Daniel Simon, and Erin New, offered sound editorial and design advice; two anonymous readers invaluable research suggestions; Nancy Mayberry and Herbert Mayberry gracious family counseling. Undergirded by such fellowship, writing evolved for me into an adventure as well as a trip, an experience of self—segueing into other discoveries. Adopting an androgynous approach, allowing Morrison ’s men to lead, sent me to places where I was as free to love as to criticize . I took frequent refreshment along the way from the enthusiasm and honesty of students in my Morrison seminars, especially Kristin Bowers, Jaime Lacerte, and Jason Campbell. I owe much to the unflagging service of the staff at Herrick Memorial Library; to generous financial support from Alfred University administrators; and to university trustee Marlin Miller for the release time associated with the Fred H. Gertz Endowed Chair in English. I simply enjoyed Jake, Son of Solomon, who, despite his fierce desire to fly on off, sat loyally by my side in his un-endowed and under-stuffed chair. ix 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 [-10] Line —— * 377 —— Norm * PgEn [-10] I continue to appreciate the spirit of Toni Morrison, friend of my midlife (and midwife) mind, and the advocacy of the Toni Morrison Society , particularly its founder, Carolyn Denard, and president, Yvonne Atkinson. I marvel at the unfailing generosity of my children, Neal McDowell and Caroline McDowell, who tolerated my absent-minded presence even when they thought I had misplaced my sanity. Most of all, I thank my husband, Tom McDowell, who encouraged and believed in me because he wanted to. I like to consider this book my token of affection to all of you, my dedication echoing Morrison’s own epigraph to The Bluest Eye. However, I am well aware that the real gift comes from those who shared with me the closed yet wide-open space which allowed me room to move. x Acknowledgments 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 [-11] Line —— * 364 —— Norm * PgEn [-11] Can’t I Love What I Criticize? This page intentionally left blank ...