Browse Items (61 total)
- Creator is exactly "Robert Cormier"
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"One Could Do Worse Than Be a Househusband" St. Anthony's Messenger column, 1177 Main St. USA
In this column, Cormier describes his daily routine as a househusband. He writes at home, does the shopping, cooks dinner, get his daughter off of the bus, cleans house, and meets with friends and neighbors at lunch. He states that none of these…
"Not Banned in Boston"
In this magazine feature for The Sign, a Catholic periodical, Cormier praises the efforts of priest Monsignor Russell Novello to bolster sex education in the Boston archdiocese. The sex education program he has developed with regional gynecologists…
"My First Negro" The Sign
This story, set in Frenchtown, recounts the protagonist's brief friendship with an African American kid from the disadvantaged neighborhood, Alphabet Soup. The story deals with issues of race and poverty (including blackface and government…
"My Father's Gamble" The Sign
The young protagonist of this story witnesses the consequences of his father's alcoholism and poor money management skills for his entire family. The father takes out a loan to pay his debts in a time of uncertain employment. He loses the money,…
"Mine on Thursdays" Woman's Day
This story recounts a father's visit with his daughter Holly, who is "his on Thursdays." The father realizes that he has been bribing his daughter for her love rather than having a meaningful role in her life.
"Meet The Bully" John Fitch IV Column
In this bi-weekly column written under the name "John Fitch IV", Cormier recounts his childhood encounters with an unnamed bully after hearing Jonathan Winters share his experience with bullies on a talk show. Cormier wonders whether or not bullies…
"Holding To What Is Magic" John Fitch IV Column
This John Fitch IV article is one of a few in which Cormier talks about magic and dad jokes. Here, as in other pieces, he links magic and the belief in magic to the innocence of childhood. When he teaches his daughter a trick, he is sad for the lost…
"Her Caterpillar Summer" typescript
In the typescript of "Her Caterpillar Summer", Cormier tells of the summer when his daughter turned six, where she is still a caterpillar waiting to become a butterfly. He talks of her awkward movements, her dwindling number of teeth, and her sudden…
"Her Caterpillar Summer" Parents magazine
This published version of "Her Caterpillar Summer", Cormier tells of the summer when his daughter turned six, of her caterpillar state. He talks of her awkward movements, her dwindling number of teeth, and her sudden fear of the water. Yet he sees…
"Goodbye Little Girl" Woman's Own
In Cormier's short story "Goodbye Little Girl" a father comes to grips with his daughter encountering her first love. The father is skeptical of the boy and expresses sadness in the idea of being replaced by a boy who can make her happy when he…
"Dear Dad"
This magazine article tells the story of several fathers whose daughters have left home for college. Interviews with sets of fathers and daughters echo themes of tension between fathers and daughters particularly regarding emotional intimacy and…
"Charlie Mitchell, You Rat, Be Kind to My Little Girl" McCall's
This short story features a father coming to grips with his daughter falling in love for the first time. It is difficult not to read this story as autobiographical or to overlook the gender bias regarding a woman's ability to think logically. This…
"Bunny Berigan-Wasn't He a Musician or Something?" Redbook Magazine
In this story, two middle-aged men meet at a restaurant, where Walt tells Jerry he's leaving his wife for another woman. The situation becomes even more awkward when said other woman, Jennifer, arrives on the scene. Walt tries to normalize…
"Between the Darkness and the Daylight" The Sign
This Cormier story shows the unfolding thoughts of a husband who realizes his wife is an alcoholic after finding bottles hidden throughout their home. A significant factor that affects her mental health is the wife's recent miscarriage. While the…
"Anniversary" The Sign
This story's protagonist is not a youth, but a 43-year-old librarian celebrating 25 years at her post. An old lover chooses this day, of all days, to resurface in her life, causing her to consider the role her life has played in the community and…