Luke Kenzel's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>In this hand-written letter, Luke Kenzel, a student from Hudson High School, shares his experience of reading <em>After the First Death</em>. He states how moved he was by the realism and the explicit events that come to pass. Luke goes on to ask questions about the relationship between Ben and the general and the details surround Ben's death and its aftermath.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Luke+Kenzel">Luke Kenzel</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
13 April 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/121" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Wayne Kent's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/123" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anny Lee's letter to Robert Cormier</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 lined paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Wayne Kent's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>In this short letter, Wayne Kent writers to Robert Cormier to ask him about where he found the information he used to portray the terrorist characters. He also compliments Cormier on the realism of the traumatic experiences he depicts. Kent concludes by asking about the general's mental health.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Wayne+Kent">Wayne Kent</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
14 April 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/122" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Luke Kenzel's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/123" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Anny Lee's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 lined paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
"Exposing Teenagers To One Fact of Life"
In this brief review of <em>After the First Death</em>, Jim Haskins, an associate professor of English at the University of Florida, offers his impressions of Robert Cormier's novel. After summarizing the plot broadly, Haskins goes onto compliment Cormier's writing as honest and powerful - in some cases as brutal as it is riveting.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Jim+Haskins">Jim Haskins</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
11 March 1979
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG newsprint
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Newspaper+article">Newspaper article</a>
"Born to Kill"
<p>In this paper, written for English 220 by Andrew Dimond in November 1982, the author explores themes of terrorism, innocence, personalities, and relationships. The piece begins with an investigation of the character, Miro. The author discusses Miro's early life in the terrorist camp - his education and indoctrination into the mindset of terror. From Miro's own perception, however, he is a freedom fighter and a hero. Standing opposed to Miro is Ben - an orphan of another sort. Similarly indoctrinated into patriotism, Ben's entire life has been subsumed by the general's prerogatives. Both have grown into conditioned believers - in both cases 'deprived children become depriving adults.'</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Andrew+Dimond">Andrew Dimond</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
November 1982
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/114" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Miro, The Terrorist With a Conscience"</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+term+paper">College term paper</a>
Speech card on <em>After the First Death</em>'s origins
In this short card, Robert Cormier alludes to an upcoming speech he will give wherein he will explore the origins of <em>After the First Death</em>. There is very little on the card itself - it merely suggests more to come.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG, index card
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Speech+card">Speech card</a>
Robert Cormier on <em>After the First Death</em>
In this piece, Robert Cormier reflects on the influences at work in <em>After the First Death</em>. He discusses the type of person who could commit a terrorist act, and yet who could still see himself or herself as a hero or a patriot. In such a case, innocence would be reconceived as monstrous. The novel also let Cormier explore the stereotypical cheerleader character as the center for sexual fantasy and a love story. <em>After the First Death</em>, like much of Cormier's work, deals with parent-child relationships - filled with emotion and betrayal. These factors came together in the writing of the piece but ended up taking their own course to a different destination than Cormier intended. <em>After the First Death</em>, like much of Cormier's work, deals with parent-child relationships - filled with emotion and betrayal. These factors came together in the writing of the piece but ended up taking their own course to a different destination than Cormier intended.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Loose+typescript">Loose typescript</a>
"Fact nor far behind fiction"
In this published news story included in <em>The Plain Dealer</em>, author Janice Carter discusses how the events detailed in <em>After the First Death</em> are not too far from fiction. Referring to a conversation with Robert Cormier, she shares how some of the novel's features reflect recent terrorist acts. Cormier notes how there is little research available to those interested in writing about terrorism. To that end, he wanted to use the novel to "explore the mind of a terrorist" - specifically the human side. Carter notes that these types of stories - violent, fast-paced and compelling - are often at the forefront of Cormier's young adult fiction.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Janice+Carter">Janice Carter</a>
<em>The Plain Dealer</em>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
2 May 1980
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG, newsprint
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Newspaper+article">Newspaper article</a>
<em>After the First Death</em> on "A Word on Books" KFAC Radio
<p>In this short on-air review, Millicent Braverman shares a summary of <em>After the First Death</em>. Calling the piece a "chilling and sensitive suspense novel," she focuses on the character of Miro, a young freedom fighter/terrorist trying to find out who he is amid a fraught and terrifying hostage situation. She closes by mentioning her opinion that the book is action-packed and psychologically disturbing.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Millicent+Braverman">Millicent Braverman</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
4 June 1979
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Radio+script">Radio script</a>
"Miro, The Terrorist With a Conscience"
<p>In this student-written piece, Haddie Bratwaite reflects on the character of Miro, in <em>After the First Death.</em> Specifically, she explores the sympathetic side of his nature that exists in contrast to his acts as a terrorist. Beginning with a look at his early life, Bratwaite argues that survival instincts shape Miro's nascent identity - that his desire to belong supersedes the better part of his nature. She cites his 'mask-wearing' as a sign of his need to distance himself from his terrorist identity. She also discusses Miro's complicated relationship with Kate - which tap into his repressed sexual identity. The division in Miro's personality comes to a head when he decides to kill Kate in an effort to truly and finally belong. Her death cements his identity as a terrorist.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Haddie+Bratwaite">Haddie Bratwaite</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/119" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Born to Kill"</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=College+term+paper">College term paper</a>
"The Reader and the Text: Transaction and Reaction in Cormier's <em>After the First Death</em>"
<p>In this scholarly article, written by Hugh Agee and Eugenia Vazey, the authors explore the narrative ambiguity of <em>After the First Death</em> through the lens of student responses. Drawing from writing produced by his college class of English education majors, Agee and his co-author draw upon Louise Rosenblatt's transactional theory and address the personal dimension of the literary transactional experience. Specifically, they contrast the author's intention with the reader's personal response and interpretation. That is to say, where two interpretations are possible, what should hold sway - the author's plan or the reader's feelings? Agee's conclusion - the best interpretation is based on textual evidence.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Hugh+Agee%2C+Eugenia+Veazey">Hugh Agee, Eugenia Veazey</a>
Focus: Teaching English Language Arts Volume 18 Number 2
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Spring 1992
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugh Agee's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's draft response to Hugh Agee</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Journal+article">Journal article</a>
Robert Cormier's draft response to Hugh Agee
<p>In this drafted letter, Robert Cormier responds to Agee's correspondence. He opens by sharing how impressed he is with the students' insights and interpretations. In a section that is largely penciled out and re-written, Cormier shares his disappointment in the portrayal of the general - how he wished he had been better able to maintain more ambiguity until the end of the piece. He continues by mentioning that he had not anticipated such close analysis, but instead, hoped readers would be moved emotionally.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/111" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hugh Agee's letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"The Reader and the Text: Transaction and Reaction in Cormier's After the First Death"</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Hugh Agee's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>In this short letter, Hugh Agee, an instructor at the University of Georgia, shares an article he wrote that explores student responses to <em>After the First Death</em>, specifically their questions regarding the narrative perspective. Agee shares with Robert Cormier his enjoyment of teaching the author's work, and his students' feelings that Cormier is "a major writer of Young Adult literature."</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Hugh+Agee">Hugh Agee</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
24 June 1992
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/112" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's draft response to Hugh Agee</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/113" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"The Reader and the Text: Transaction and Reaction in Cormier's After the First Death"</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Chapter Draft <em>We All Fall Down</em>
<p>This seven-page draft of a section of <em>We All Fall Down</em> includes many pencil edits. The draft opens with the scene at the mall and the remarks on the crowds. Lines about teenagers and older people are crossed out. The piece continues with the Avenger considering where the Trashers will be found, and patrolling the mall in search of them. Then, the Avenger spots Jane and shares his memories/fantasies of her. Pencil edits make more clear how thinking about Jane makes the Avenger feel relieved and sad. The draft closes with the Avenger's determined thoughts of enacting justice.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Book+chapter+draft">Book chapter draft</a>
Sally-Anne Whyatt's letter to Robert Cormier
<p>In this hand-written letter, Sally-Anne shares with Cormier a number of quotes from <em>After the First Death</em> exploring the idea that Mark and Ben are the same character. She also asks a number of questions that are left obscured in the novel - having to do with the dream sequences. She poses specific questions with the goal of understanding the answers and better teaching her students. She closes with just a few questions about <em>I Am the Cheese</em>.</p>
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Sally-Anne+Whyatt">Sally-Anne Whyatt</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/105" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's response to Sally-Anne</a>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>
Robert Cormier's response to Mrs. Anti's class
In this letter to Mrs. Anti's class, Cormier answers many questions posed by the students. First, he outlines how he got the idea for the novel. As in other letters, Cormier cites his life as a news reporter and his proximity to Fort Devens - as well as his thoughts on terrorism. He goes onto address his interest in the Abrahman-Isaac story, specifically the elements of sacrifice, patriotism, and extremism. He then moves onto discussing some of the psychoanalytic aspects of the characters and situations - like the schizophrenic characters - present in the novel.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Robert+Cormier">Robert Cormier</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
25 November 1988
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/56" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Robert Cormier's letter to Mrs. Anti</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/70" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Anti's Class Project "Hallowell Highlights"</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/128" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Belinda Lothrop letter to Robert Cormier 25 October 1988</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/129" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">David Key letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/130" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Denise Concheri letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/131" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jamie Argento letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/132" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kimberly Dawes letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/133" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristi Kozak letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/134" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kristin Doton letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/135" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Michael Ryan letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/137" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs. Barbara Anti letter to Robert Cormier </a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/admin/items/show/137">Pamela Carpenter letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/138" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rachel Flynn letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
<p><a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/139" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephanie Synder letter to Robert Cormier</a></p>
JPG, 8.5 x 11 paper
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Letter">Letter</a>