"One Could Do Worse Than Be a Househusband" <em>St. Anthony's Messenger</em> 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 activities challenge his manhood.
<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>
<em>St. Anthony's Messenger</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
May 1981
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5 x 11 magazine page
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Magazine+column">Magazine column</a>
177 Main St. USA, July 1972
In this column, Cormier writes about the age transitions all four of his children are experiencing: 4 to 5, 12 to 13, 15 to 16, and 20 to 21. Each stage is a different moment in time. Near the end of the column, Cormier talks of how parents also pass through different times and how watching a son turn to a man makes for a new friend, but to watch a daughter turn to a woman comes with a sense of loss.
<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>
<em>St. Anthony's Messenger</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
July 1972
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5 x 11 magazine page
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Magazine+column">Magazine column</a>
Tenderness Reader's Companion Packet
This Reader's Companion includes a biography of Cormier, an interview with him, a summary of <em>Tenderness</em>, and suggested discussion questions. Included with the companion is a promotional letter from the editor, Craig Virden, who talks about the monstrous protagonist that still garner compassion and the gritty, mature content and accompanying "sophisticated" design of the book. In his interview, Cormier talks about the importance of characters for achieving realism in his writing and mentions a writer's need to be able to write from all perspectives regardless of gender or ethnicity. He also reveals a fear of indifference. Discussion questions focus on character motives, reader response, social and cultural phenomena, and written craft (plot structure, point-of-view, setting, irony).
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Craig+Varden+and+Patty+Campbell">Craig Varden and Patty Campbell</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/102" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Delacorte Books for Young Readers Reading Group Guide</span></a>
Cover letter: JPG, 8.5x11 resumé paper
Folder: JPG, 9.5x11.5 glossy
Reader's Companion (unfolded) 21 3/4 x 8 1/4
Reader's Companion (folded) 5.5 x 8 1/4
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Cover+letter%2C+reader%27s+companion">Cover letter, reader's companion</a>
Delacorte Books for Young Readers Reading Group Guide
This draft version of Delacorte Press's reading guide for Robert Cormier's novel <em>Tenderness</em> presents the final 16 discussion questions and five others that were not selected for the publisher's Reader's Companion. The questions range from fairly straightforward, plot-driven questions to deeper questions of theology, morality, and literary themes in the novel. The five questions not selected address morality, sociopathology, the nature of love, the use of the term "monster," and the novel's adaptability to film. The draft includes the introduction to the novel, a list of other books by Cormier, and a short biography of the author.
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=39&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Patty+Campbell">Patty Campbell</a>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/103" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>Tenderness Reader's Companion Packet</span></a>
JPG, 8.5x11
English
<a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=51&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Typescript+guide">Typescript guide</a>
"And So On -- Words and Style" John Fitch IV Column
In this somewhat playful John Fitch IV column Cormier reviews the latest edition of the stylebook coauthored by the AP and UPI. In his review he revisits the question of gender, praising the guide's approach as common sense even if not gender-neutral.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
16 September 1977
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
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+column">Newspaper column</a>
"Writer and Feminist" John Fitch IV Column
In this John Fitch IV column Cormier profiles Norma Klein, a writer for both children and adults and a self-avowed feminist. Cormier praises her character, sums up her writing career, and shares a bit about her personal background, which he notes with some surprise was fairly normal. He alludes to how old school chivalry does not negate one's potential existence as a feminist.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
17 June 1977
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/67" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"The Good Word" John Fitch IV Column</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>"The Sexes And The Guidelines" John Fitch IV Column</span></a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Not Exactly Speaking 'Personally'" John Fitch IV Column</a>
JPG, 8.5x14
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+column">Newspaper column</a>
"And So On -- Letter from Gloria" John Fitch IV Column
In this piece, Cormier recounts how he received a letter from Gloria Steinem advertising the magazine, <em>Ms</em>. He reveals his consistent (if somewhat ambivalent) take on feminism. On the one hand, he states "I have never hidden the fact that I am an unabashed male chauvinist" juxtaposed with "Let me always be considered a dear friend of women." He wants beauty and chivalry, but he also seems to want women to feel free to pursue their own rights. A strange counterbalance of ideas.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
30 July 1976
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
JPG, 8.5x11
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+column">Newspaper column</a>
"The Good Word" John Fitch IV Column
In this column, Cormier discusses the new style guide released by the New York Times, particularly their recommendations related to gender-linked language. Of particular offense to him is the substitution of person for man and the use of the pronoun Ms.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
11 February 1976
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/78" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Writer and Feminist" John Fitch IV Column</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>"The Sexes And The Guidelines" John Fitch IV Column</span></a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Not Exactly Speaking 'Personally'" John Fitch IV Column</a>
JPG, 8.5x14
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+column">Newspaper column</a>
"The Sexes And The Guidelines" John Fitch IV Column
In his column, Cormier rails against the suggestions of publishers that writers be more mindful of gender-linked language - a trend he sees as ridiculous and potentially dangerous to creativity as it could trigger excessive self-censorship. While he supports removing "ess" from poetess or Jewess as a decluttering of language, other changes appear clunky to him, like replacing "man" with "person" or demonizing descriptions of women by their physical traits.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
1 October 1974
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/78" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Writer and Feminist" John Fitch IV Column</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/67" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"The Good Word" John Fitch IV Column</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/59" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Not Exactly Speaking 'Personally'" John Fitch IV Column</a>
JPG, 8.5x14
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+column">Newspaper column</a>
"Not Exactly Speaking 'Personally'" John Fitch IV Column
This column is one of a handful that deals with Cormier's thoughts on gender-neutral language. On the whole, he seems to think such language is "ridiculous." In an especially telling paragraph, he shares how he wants equal rights for women, in the same breath that he wants women to be feminine and beautiful.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
17 July 1974
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/78" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"Writer and Feminist" John Fitch IV Column</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/67" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"The Good Word" John Fitch IV Column</a><br /><a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/61" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><span>"The Sexes And The Guidelines" John Fitch IV Column</span></a>
JPG, 8.5x14
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+column">Newspaper column</a>
"The Hair Cut" John Fitch IV Column
In this John Fitch IV column, Cormier tells the story of his daughter's haircut experience, with all the excitement and anxiety that entails for a young girl. He touches on his own barbershop anxieties and his opinions on women's hairstyles. He is relieved that his daughter is happy with her new style but it still feels like the same person.
<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%0D%0A">Robert Cormier
</a>
<em>Fitchburg Sentinel</em>
Robert E. Cormier Collection at Fitchburg State University's Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library
5 June 1973
AnnaMary L. Consalvo
Katharine Covino
Elise Takehana
<a href="https://robertcormiertwistedintimacy.omeka.net/items/show/77" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">"And So On -- Ten Years Old" John Fitch IV Column</a>
JPG, 8.5x14
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+column">Newspaper column</a>