"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>
"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> Japanese Article
This article is written in Japanese with a few words and phrases translated into English. It seems to be a brief review or reflection of <em>After the First Death</em>. The reviewer seems to think that while the novel is well-written it may cover some of the same ground as Robert Cormier's previous pieces. At one point in the article, there are two quotes that express the contention between individual identity and collective identity. However, without a translation, it is hard to know exactly what is said in this piece.
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
1982
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
JPG, folded A4 booklet
Japanese
<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>
Book Review: "Nightmarish Novel of Terrorist Violence"
Grover Sales' review of <em>After the First Death</em> for the <em>San Francisco Examiner-Chronicle</em> praises the book's treatment of terrorism as above the current trends on the topic. He specifically speaks of patriotism and Ben Marchant's spoiled innocence.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Grover+Sales">Grover Sales</a>
Robert Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
24 June 1979
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo
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>
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>
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>
Robert Cormier's response to Sally-Anne
<p>In this letter to Sally-Anne, Robert Cormier discusses two of his novels. He talks first about the schizophrenic character in <em>After the First Death</em> and the guilt that arises from sacrifice. Additionally, he addresses patriotism, freedom, and extremism. He then segues into <em>I Am The Cheese</em>, where he mentions the clues pointing to the fantastical elements of the story, specifically OZ.</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
22 July 1986
Elise Takehana, Anna Consalvo, Katy Covino
<a href="https://terrorandbullies.omeka.net/items/show/109" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sally-Anne Whyatt's letter to Robert Cormier</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>