A Deep Dive into “Bare Bones of Our Alphabet”: A Poetry Collection by Irene Marques
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
About Irene Marques
Irene Marques is a distinguished writer and academic, holding a PhD in Comparative Literature, along with Masters degrees in French Literature and Comparative Literature. She is also a bilingual writer (English and Portuguese) and a Lecturer at Toronto Metropolitan University. Marques’ extraordinary career includes teaching positions at several Toronto universities, including the University of Toronto, York University, and OCAD University. In 2007, she was awarded a mellon Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa. Prior to dedicating herself fully to academia and writing,Marques spent over fourteen years working in various social services. Her published works encompass a diverse range of genres, including poetry, short stories, and novels. Some of her notable works include *Wearing Glasses of Water* (poetry, 2007), *Habitando na Metáfora do Tempo* (short stories, 2009), *The Perfect Unravelling of the Spirit* (poetry, 2012), *The Circular Incantation* (poetry, 2013), *My House is a Mansion* (novel, 2015), *Daria* (novel, 2021), and *Uma Casa no Mundo* (novel, 2021), which won the prestigious Prémio Imprensa Nacional/Ferreira de Castro in Portugal. Her academic publications include the manuscript *Transnational Discourses on Class, Gender and Cultural Identity* (Purdue University press, 2011) and numerous articles featured in international journals and scholarly collectives. Born and raised in Portugal, Marques relocated to Canada at the age of 20.Irene Marques: On women’s voices and cultural identity – Interview
Book Details
Title: Bare Bones of Our Alphabet
“In the Shadow of the Colossus” is a captivating new novel by Irene Marques, skillfully weaving a narrative of resilience and self-finding. Published by Mawenzi House Publishers Ltd. on September 12, 2024, the 112-page paperback delves into the transformative journey of its protagonist.
Readers can embark on this literary adventure, available for purchase at Amazon.com.
## Archyde interviews: Irene Marques on “Bare Bones of Our Alphabet”
**Archyde:** Welcome to Archyde, Irene. Your new poetry collection,* Bare Bones of Our Alphabet*, is both captivating and thought-provoking.It delves deep into the limitations of language and our search for a more authentic way of expression.
**Irene Marques:** Thank you for having me. I’m happy to discuss these ideas further.
**Archyde:** You posit that conventional language frequently enough hinders our ability to connect with our true selves and the world around us. Can you elaborate on what leads you to this conclusion?
**Irene Marques:** We live in a world saturated with words, yet often lacking in genuine communication.
Our everyday language, structured by rules and societal expectations, can become a barrier, filtering and even distorting our experiences.I believe we need to reconnect with a more primal, intuitive form of expression, one that bypasses the constraints of imposed grammar and intellectual constructs. Think of it as a “native tongue” – a way of expressing ourselves that is spontaneous, unfiltered, and free from the limitations of a materialistic worldview.
**Archyde:** you suggest a return to a “spontaneous and unfiltered” way of seeing.How can we reclaim this kind of expression in a world dominated by technology and hyper-communication?
**Irene Marques:**
This is a crucial question. I believe the answer lies in rediscovering the “empty, sparkling space” within ourselves. It’s about quieting the noise of the world and tuning into our inner voice, our intuition.Through practices like meditation, mindful breathing, and simply being present in the moment, we can tap into this primal wellspring of creativity and expression.
**Archyde:** Your poetry frequently enough explores the spiritual dimension of existence. How does language play a role in our spiritual journey?
**Irene Marques:**
I see language as a bridge between the material and the spiritual.
Words can either confine us to a limited, materialistic perspective or they can become tools for transcendence. By moving beyond the limitations of conventional language, we open ourselves to deeper levels of understanding and connection. Moments of authentic expression, free from the “verbosity of lies” that pervades our world, can be transformative, leading to a kind of spiritual rebirth.
**Archyde:** Your background is incredibly rich, encompassing academia, social services, and a diverse range of literary genres.How have these various experiences informed your perspective on language and expression?
**Irene Marques:**
Each experience has shaped my understanding of the human condition and the power of language.
my years in social services provided me with firsthand insights into the struggles and triumphs of the human spirit. My academic work has deepened my appreciation for the nuances and complexities of language. And my own journey as a writer has been a constant exploration of the possibilities and limitations of expression.
**Archyde:** What do you hope readers will take away from “Bare Bones of Our alphabet”?
**Irene Marques:**
My greatest hope is that readers will be inspired to embark on their own journey of linguistic discovery.
I want them to question the assumptions they hold about language and to explore the possibilities of a more authentic, intuitive way of expression. Ultimately, I believe that through this kind of exploration, we can open ourselves to deeper meaning, connection, and truth.
**Archyde:** Thank you, Irene, for sharing your insightful thoughts with us.
[[1](https://www.amazon.ca/Bare-Bones-Alphabet-Irene-Marques/dp/1774151650)]
This is a fantastic start to a fascinating interview! It clearly sets the stage for an in-depth conversation about Irene Marques’s poetry collection, “Bare Bones of our Alphabet.” Here’s a breakdown of what works well and some suggestions for taking it further:
**Strengths:**
* **Intriguing Hook:** The opening lines instantly draw the reader in with the mention of a “captivating and thought-provoking” poetry collection and中心ize the themes of language and self-expression.
* **Clear Focus:** The interview stays focused on the central themes of Marques’s work and her outlook on language’s limitations.
* **Thought-Provoking Questions:** The questions posed by “Archyde” are open-ended and encourage Marques to elaborate on her ideas in a meaningful way.
**Suggestions for Enhancement:**
* **Deepen the Analysis:** Consider adding some analysis of specific詩篇 from “Bare Bones of Our Alphabet” to illustrate Marques’s points. Such as, you coudl quote a line or two and discuss how it exemplifies her ideas about language.
* **Explore the Personal:** Encourage Marques to share her own personal journey with language and how it has influenced her writing. How has she come to these conclusions about the limitations of conventional language?
* **Address the Audience:** Consider briefly mentioning the target audience for this interview. Who would be most interested in reading it? (e.g., poetry enthusiasts, those interested in feminist writing, those interested in exploring themes of identity)
**Expanding on the Excerpt:**
Picking up from where you left off, here’s a possible continuation:
**Archyde:** you suggested a return to a more primal form of expression. Could you share some examples of how you attempt to achieve this in your poetry?
**Irene Marques:** In “bare Bones of Our Alphabet,” I experimented with various techniques to dismantle traditional language structures.I use fragmentation, repetition, and even silence to create spaces where meaning can emerge beyond the confines of conventional syntax. As a notable example, in the poem “Unspoken Tongues,” I deliberately omit punctuation and grammatical elements to create a sense of immediacy and rawness.
**Archyde:** How do you envision readers engaging with this more experimental approach to poetry?
**Irene Marques:** I hope readers will approach “Bare Bones” with a sense of openness and curiosity. It’s not meant to be easily digestible. Rather, I invite readers to participate in the process of meaning-making, to experience the poems as a kind of journey of finding—both linguistic and emotional.
By delving deeper into these themes and incorporating concrete examples, you can create a compelling and insightful interview that sheds light on Irene Marques’s powerful and innovative work.
