Architectural drawings (Allegory)
Gladman explores the art of writing of which she compares with architectural aesthetics. She focuses on the idea of lines and their relation to how prose and poetry are conveyed. The use of architectural imagery in the book is to allude to the various aspects of her life juxtaposed with writing. In this metafictional treatment, she introduces that architectural books might as well be writing guides.
Academia (Motif)
The main focus of the novel is Gladman’s career at the university level and her passion for writing. Therefore she delves into the interpersonal relationships within the faculties in the academic field. She also highlights her work in teaching about writing and the struggles that accompany the job. Moreover, a big chunk of the book focuses on the aspects of writing as she probes into her psyche during writer’s block.
Fitting in (Motif)
In addressing the challenges that arise with her career Gladman illustrates the intersectionality that comes into play. She expounds on the interpersonal relationships in a field that is largely comprised of white people. As a black woman, Gladman showcases the racial dynamics that dictate her attitude towards interactions and commentary. Therefore her path to belonging is different and harder than for most of her colleagues. Furthermore, she narrates about her lover and adjusting to her social dynamics because of their generational gap.
Maps (Allegory)
Gladman incorporates many of the physical aspects to describe the nature of human interactions. On romantic relationships, she highlights the idea of interacting with former romantic partners in a social setting. During a social interaction between Gladman, her partner, and ex-lovers she considers how romantic pasts resemble maps. While maps entail multiple roads and layouts they are all connected through networks into a single entity.
Calamities (Motif)
The title of the book references the idea that Gladman introduces several times in her analogies. She alludes to the accelerating frequency of natural calamities such as floods due to human interference in the ecological systems. Thus, she presents her plea to push the boundaries of genre, prose, and language drastically. As an experimental writer, Gladman compares the change that ought to take place in literary language to calamities.
