Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Class notes: All those twins & other siblings

Twin siblings Regis & Raven, 2012

Earlier this year, one of my friends, Emily VanDette published her book Sibling Romance in American Fiction, 1835-1900, which highlights representations of brother-sister connections in literature. I got a chance to read bits and pieces of her work at different stages of development, and I couldn't help but think of her project as I reflected recently about siblings from my classes over the years.

So far, I've had 5 sets of twins in my classes. First in 2006, there was Justin and Martin. In 2010, it was Raven and Regis and Parys and Pierre, all first-year students. In 2012, I had David and Daniel and again Raven and Regis, who signed up for another literature course with me.

This year, I have twins, Jeremiah and Isaiah, who resemble each other most among sets of twins I've had in classes. I asked how could I tell them a part, and one of their friends quickly spoke up: "One only wears short socks; the other one only wears long socks." Ummm...that hasn't helped.

This year, in one class, I have a student Chloe, who's older sister Coryn was in my class two years ago. I joke those two frequently on how their mannerisms are strikingly similar. Last year and the year before that, two sisters--Brittany and Tiffany--together took three different courses with me.

Abiola was a first-year student in one of my classes last year, and her older brother Bolaji was a first-year student in my class in 2008. Rajene was a first-year student in one of my classes last year, and her older brother Edmonn was a first-year student in my class in 2006. Jamison was a student in my class in 2006, and his younger brother was in my class in 2008.

Justin was in my class his first year in 2011, and in 2012, his younger brother Joshua was in my class for his first year. KeNecia was in my class for her first year in 2008, and her younger sister Licia was in my class for her first year in 2011.

What a connective journey. I'm going to see if my friend Emily already has plans for her next book. If not, I'll see if she'll consider writing about all those twin and other siblings from my classes.

Related:
Collegiate Students  

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