So. This student does the following things:
– disregards every single suggestion I offered for the first draft of the essay;
– keeps thinking she can pull a fast one and keep analyzing an English-language movie instead of a Spanish-language novel;
– does not offer a single quote from the novel she is supposedly analyzing;
– does not correct any of the grammar or spelling mistakes I pointed out;
– hands in an essay with no Spanish-language critical sources and ends up with a work where a bunch of Anglos pontificate about a Latin American novel. (I write criticism in English, too, but we have a requirement where students have to use the majority of Spanish-language sources.)***
And then on top of all this, she blames a character who is raped for “letting herself get raped.”
Seriously, she should start writing brochures on “How to Antagonize Prof. Clarissa to the Point Where She Becomes Rabid.”
I still have 6 more pages of that essay to read and I don’t even want to imagine what I will find there.
***The student is a native speaker of Spanish, by the way (Chile).
Clarissa's Blog 
You can lead a horse to the water but you can’t make it drink! Students have free will, The good part, is that you brought her to think. I know you mean good but why does she have to fit your requirements?
It seems you’re taking your job too emotionally. A lead cannot allow that. As you said you need to discharge that energy somewhere else. Become a sprots fan as you said, love someone blindly, take up a religion.
LikeLike
Why do you think I’m blogging so much, especially when I have to grade? This is how I channel my anger.
LikeLike
Not caring is apparently a sign of being well-balanced. I don’t know why, but it is. If you care too much about anything, that is (for some reason) viewed as a sign of vulnerability and makes you open to attack. On the other hand, if you are female and appear cold or unwelcoming, that can also open you to attack. It’s a strange world. I try to say as little as possible, and just watch how things go.
LikeLike
>. If you care too much about anything, that is (for some reason) viewed as a sign of >vulnerability and makes you open to attack
If you care much about anything you’re overrating whatever it is you’re caring about. You’re somehow blind. If it can stress you it can bring you to the point of breakdown.
Caring about someone or something a lot is relieving, sublime but if that person or that thing can bring you to the point of breakdown, how can you help them? If it’s a profession or activity how can you be reliable?
If someone accepts your inconditional care and they don’t lead you to break down they’re helping you and not the other way around. If a profession/activity releases your stress, it’s doing more for you than you for it.
>On the other hand, if you are female and appear cold or unwelcoming, that can also open you >to attack.
Women are expected to be caring as much as men are expected to “well-balanced.” You just have to stand for what you believe. Once you’ve shown you’re strong in what you believe to the point that you don’t care about their attacks. They will stop and they’ll accept you as you are.
LikeLike
So this advice is concerning living in which particular American town?
LikeLike
I’ve lived both sides of the Atlantic and the rules of engagement are the same. You’re based in Australia and lived in Zambia previously? I don’t think it’s any different over there just a matter of perspective but would be glad to discuss anytime.
LikeLike
Thanks for telling me the rules of engagement. It is certain that you know a lot about how to engage!
LikeLike