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Student Narrative
This piece centers the phenomena of the pathetic male in the contemporary scene of incel culture by depicting the hateful dialogue of a breakup, parallel to descriptions of the evolutionary developments a crab. The book closes by asking questions of those who criticize both the crab and incel, asking how much free will they have as creatures and people victimized by their environment.
Book text: “I’m breaking up with you.” / If he was a decapod he would carcinize “Your life standards are too low for me, we both deserve better.” / His claws grew to let him grasp any scavengeable food “Stop changing the topic, we need to talk about this.” / His legs evolved for scuttle away sideways from predators “You never open up, I wish you could break through your shell” / His body calcified to protect him from the crashing waves * “I’m sorry, it was stupid to think I could change who you are”/But regarding the formation of his truest self, “Because maybe you’ve never been capable of loving me.”/Did the environment even give him a choice?"
Publication Date
Winter 12-1-2025
Description
Entry for the 12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest. Opening reception and award ceremony Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 6:30pm, Fleet Library, 1st Floor Main Reading Room. Juror: Gabrielle Reed.
Keywords
artists' books; Baker & Whitehill
Disciplines
Book and Paper
Student Status
Undergraduate student
Year of Graduation
2030
Major
Experimental and Foundation Studies
Faculty / Course
Design, Leah Beeferman
Materials + Techniques
Laser cut art board, inkjet on vellum, thread
Photo Credit
Sabrina Love, FAV 27
Recommended Citation
Louie, Jason; Collections, Special; and Library, Fleet, "Portunus pelagicus" (2025). 12th Baker & Whitehill Student Artists' Book Contest 2026. 33.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/bookcontest12th2026/33