• June 1, 2008: "Birdie" by Mark Wisniewski

  Gender benders have a rich history in literature. Most notable might be Shakespeare's Twelfth Night with its comical swapping and confusion that occurred. In today's society gender portrayal has become even more prevalent, as fashion and science allow us to blur the lines more than ever before. In his short story, "Birdie," Mark Wisniewski uses women's basketball to show how his characters define themselves sexually and as skilled athletes.

• April 9, 2008: "Roan" by Diza Sauers

  Animals figure prominently, even disturbingly, in Diza Sauers' story "Roan."  Not content to fixate only on the way humans deal with death at an emotional pitch, "Roan" employs a harsh naturalism that reduces death to its biological, or animal, level.

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31:2 Spring 2008

Featuring work by: Mathew Chacko, Scott Coffel, Michael Cohen, David McGlynn, James A. McLaughlin, Paisely Rekdal, Rebekah Remington, and John J. Stazinski.

With an interview with Stuart Dybek and featuring the art of designer Norman Bel Geddes.

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