By Ella Miller

It’s no secret that college students are busy. Even though students juggle classes, studying and social lives, some choose to add another task to the mix: owning a dog. For many, the idea of returning home after a day of classes to a wagging tail is enough to outweigh the added responsibilities. But what is it really like to own a dog while balancing the chaos of college life?

University of Arkansas senior Ashlyn Massey always knew she wanted to own a dog in college. Now, Massey’s 1-year-old goldendoodle, Oaklee, is a source of comfort, routine and companionship. Massey said that owning a dog has changed her college experience but in the best way. 

“Getting my dog was probably the best decision I ever made,” Massey said. “Even if I didn’t know it at the time, it was something I really needed in my life. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her now.” 

Owning a dog in college isn’t just about companionship; it changes students’ lifestyles. Massey said that Oaklee has helped her create and maintain a steady schedule.

“It helps me get outside more, helps to keep a fairly consistent routine, and it’s nice to have a dog to come home to,” Massey said.

However, Massey said this comes along with being mindful of how long she’s away from home or leaving events early to take care of Oaklee. Massey said this can be a good thing, as it holds her accountable. 

U of A senior Ty Neidlein adopted his Pitbull mixed breed dog, Obi, from the foster-based dog rescue Big Paws of the Ozarks.

“Fitting Obi in is harder than one might think,” Neidlein said. “I need to get up early enough to walk, feed and hang out with him before my classes start. Whenever I have time between my classes, I usually head home to take him outside again or just hang with him.”

Regardless of the added tasks that come with owning a dog, both Massey and Neidlein have had many special standout moments with their pets. Massey said her favorite memory with Oaklee was during a spring day when her and her friends took the dog to Mamaka Bowls. 

“The people at Mamaka gave her a little dog treat, and we all sat at the tables with swings and had our smoothie bowls and enjoyed the nice weather,” Massey said. “But honestly any day that I get to go home and see how excited she gets to see me is a great experience.”

Neidlein said his favorite memory with Obi was when his roommate returned from a semester of studying abroad. 

“Obi acted like he’d known him forever, and he was just another roommate he’d met thousands of times,” Neidlein said.

Besides lifestyle shifts and happy memories that come along with owning a dog, both students highlighted the financial aspects that come with owning a dog. Neidlein said monthly costs are something to plan for, but there will always be surprises. Added expenses such as food, treats, vet bills and haircuts can add up.

“The hardest part is definitely the money,” Neidlein said. “Dogs are so expensive. Especially when they have health issues.”

Dr. Denise Beike, a social and cognitive psychologist and U of A psychology professor said “there is a clear negative effect of owning a pet for young adults that is not psychological: Pets are expensive.”

Other than added expenses, Big Paws’s Director of Operations and Marketing Maisie Carothers said some obligations students may not take into account when looking to adopt a dog are training, cleaning, regular exercise and socialization and how schedules or living situations may change. 

Housing can also be a barrier for students when looking to adopt a dog. Some college apartments have strict pet rules or additional fees for owning pets. 

“People may treat you differently because of (owning a dog), both in good and bad ways, and it’s not as easy to live in the apartments on campus with a dog as I had thought it would be,” Massey said.

Despite the difficulties of owning a dog in an apartment, Massey said having Oaklee has helped her while living alone. 

Massey and Neidlein both said owning a dog in college has had a positive impact on their college experience. Besides the companionship, Oaklee has helped Massey mentally and physically. Massey also had Oaklee certified as an emotional support animal, so she is able to take Oaklee places with her if she needs to.

“Any time I was having a hard day or wasn’t motivated, I had her to either make me feel better or motivated,” Massey said. “It was also very helpful to take her on walks and was something that at the time I didn’t realize I needed, but became very beneficial when I was stressed or just needed to get out of the apartment.”

Carothers said owning a dog can reduce stress levels, loneliness, and encourages you to care for someone.

“About 40% of college students today have moderate to high levels of depression,” Dr. Beike said. “I always find compelling research showing that people who are depressed often report that their pet was what saved them and kept them alive. What better psychological benefit is there than saving your life?”

Dr. Beike said having healthy and secure attachments benefit overall well-being, health, and performance at school and work. College students have a secure attachment to their pets, around a similar level to a secure attachment to a sibling. 

“I’ve found in my own research that students who are more strongly attached to their pets are also more strongly attached to friends and family, suggesting that pets are part of our healthy social network of close relationships,” Dr. Beike said. 

The psychological concept of self-disclosure also comes into play with owning pets. Self-disclosure is a way people are able to open up to others about themselves and their struggles, helping to form relationships and creating psychological benefits. College students may struggle with self-disclosure, as living away from home could contribute to difficulty in trusting new people. 

“Research shows that people self-disclose to their dogs more than they do to their family and friends, and to the same extent that they disclose to their spouse or partner,” Dr. Beike said. “This makes sense, because pets are great listeners, and they never judge or share your secrets with anyone.”

In addition to the psychological benefits of owning a dog, Carothers said owning a pet teaches responsibility and provides lifelong friendship.

“I have adopted dogs to several students that all know each other- siblings, friends, etc. over the last few months and they have shared their experiences and learned from each other,” Carothers said.

“Owning a pet in college was the best decision I’ve made here,” Neidlein said. “(Obi’s) brought so much joy to myself and my roommates every single day.”

Both students agree that while owning a dog in college is something more students should consider, it isn’t something to take lightly.

“It’s not as easy as a lot of people think,” Massey said. “I worked really hard trying to train her, and even though she’s a great dog, I have to do a lot of extra things now that I didn’t have to before I had her.”

Neidlein’s advice? “Save up!”

Massey’s advice? “If you think you’re ready for it, then do it.”

“Whenever a student tells me they’re adopting a dog, I think of it as something to celebrate,” Dr. Beike said. “I think of all the joy and unconditional love they are about to bring into their lives. But I would counsel any student to think carefully about what it means to adopt a pet.”

Owning a pet, especially a dog, in college might not be for everyone. For those who are debating adopting a dog, it could be one of the most rewarding college experiences they have. Dogs can provide the home-away-from-home feeling in college and teach students valuable skills. Both Neidlein and Massey prove that with planning, dedication, and love for their dogs, balancing the hectic college life and owning a dog is completely possible and rewarding.

The post Four-Legged Roommates appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Karyk King

They strum along. “They” being talented musicians with a dream. From University of Arkansas graduates to current students, music is vibrant on the U of A campus. The entrepreneurial spirit of rising musical talent echoes across campus with pockets of unique sound around each corner. Fayetteville has a vibrant local music scene, with these few bands at the heart of it. 

Squash Garden is a musical combination of many flavors composed of talented musicians: Michael Kaufman, Prezley Strait, Luke Riley, Presley Janes, Landen DeWolf and Julian Cohenour. Originating mostly from the South, the U of A brought these students together. First assembled in December 2022, playing for a friend’s birthday in a garage, they got their first taste of what the future had in store for them. 

They kept jamming together, and eventually, three members— Kaufman, Strait and Riley —got a band house in August 2023. The band then rose to local prominence in November 2023, when it won the University Programs’ “Battle of the Bands,” against another local band, Ozark Riviera. 

Squash Garden now performs live with an eclectic set, featuring several members switching between roles such as drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and vocals. With many moving pieces, a diverse range is directly reflected by the band’s makeup.

 “Everything we get to hear today, we are influenced by and is a part of us and a part of our music,” Kaufman said. “That’s kind of why it’s all over the place is because that’s how it feels.”

With inspiration from genres such as country, jazz, rock, reggae and blues, each member connects with different elements across the musical spectrum. 

Squash Garden plays original hits along with covers of well-known songs. Regardless of what it is playing, there always seems to be an attendance of screaming fans and heart-struck girls. The band has one song recorded and on popular streaming services, with plans to get back in the studio and record many more. 

“I feel like music is just everything you see and feel…you put that in the feeling, and that comes through in all the songs we play,” Kaufman said, attesting to what makes their sound unique and how every member has their own element they bring to the table.

One band that rocks across campus with a sound dubbed as indescribable is Mongolian Firefight. The group says it like to use the known term, “indie rock” to describe its sound. 

 “Some say we are the frontier of music as a whole,” said Shep Dollahon, the bassist.

Cole Clark, lead guitarist and vocalist, started writing music with Dollahon around six years ago when they were still in highschool. They did not start playing live until their freshman year at the U of A when they started playing at tailgates. 

The two then met their drummer, Peter Kohring, and they said it was love at first sight for them when they clicked together.

 “It was like an instant connection, instantly we started talking, and from that the phoenix that is Mongolian Firefight rose from the ashes,” Dollahon said.

Clark got his start playing guitar in high school and fell for chords and songwriting saying, “I feel like I’ve always loved music, but I kind of found out I loved doing it in high school.”

Dollahon got his start in bass following guidance from his uncle and his passion to “just keep playing,” he said. 

“Playing covers is fun,” Dollahon said. “Jamming is fun. Improvising is fun.” And that’s exactly what music is to them — fun. 

Drawing influence from different genres, the band has combined its sounds into the sweet spot of rock it has now. Dollahon got influence from blues, metal and punk and popular bassists such as Thundercat, Geezer Butler, John Paul Jones and Charles Mingus. Clark gets his taste from the ‘70s rock scene along with more soft rock such as the sounds of Mac DeMarco, The Beatles, and Jimi Hendrix. From many different walks of life, they have combined their sound together into the ultimate phoenix that is Mongolian Firefight. 

Thoughts on Bowling is of the youngest local music groups but definitely holds its own in comparison to other providential bands. Starting just a year ago, Thoughts on Bowling is composed of two U of A freshmen and a high school junior. Bassist Taten Juan, guitarist Berkeley Wasson and drummer/vocalist Arden Warr all met in Bentonville High School before Wasson and Juan moved to Fayetteville this past year to start college. 

Thoughts on Bowling is a Midwest emo/fifth wave emo band that garners around 65,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. The group started playing live shows around six months ago and has played around 10 shows to date. The band currently plays shows throughout the South and Midwest. The Midwest emo genre resonated with the members as they wanted to tap into the unexpressed feelings of their generation, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wanting to express relation to melancholic feelings with an upbeat sound, this genre helps them accomplish that. In addition to the emotions behind their ambition and what they want their music to symbolize, they really just love the sound. 

“Instrumental-wise it really just itches my brain the right way,” Wasson said. 

With great sound comes great energy, described Juan, adding, “My favorite thing is probably just playing the shows. I love matching the energy of the crowd and just having a good time.” 

Thoughts on Bowling’s inspiration across the board vary with consistent hints of an emo/punk flavor.

“I’ve had some really weird (music) phases,” Warr said, accounting for his taste. They attribute popular bands such as Mom Jeans, Title Fight, Basement, TRSH and Pierce the Veil in concocting the band’s sound.

“Just kind of the genre we play, that’s who I’m kinda inspired by,” Wasson said.

These bands, whose members walk among us, all find emotion in the music they get to create and perform. With Squash Garden’s vibrant flow across genres, the energetic blaze Mongolian Firefight fosters and the raw angst of the emo rock subgenre Thoughts on Bowling taps into, these local bands all express passion with their sound as they continue to pursue their dreams within music. 

The post What’s that Sound? Bands on Campus!  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Angie Ramirez

UAConnect is a student information system that University of Arkansas students, faculty and parents use when navigating their college experience. This spring will be the last time students use UAConnect. Students will still be able to register for summer classes through the system, but starting fall 2025, the new student information system will be Workday. In February, students started to receive emails from Workday about the new change and were provided instructions on how they can start the onboarding and financial aid processes. However, instructions to register for classes have yet to be sent to students. 

Laura Tilley-Stagni, the Workday Student Change Management Lead, explained how the university is one of the 15 schools who are part of the University of Arkansas System Office and the system established a group called Project One and that their mission is to have the System act more like a system where the schools work together. 

“One of the ways all 15 schools can work together is by having the same student information system,” Tilley-Stagni said. “Having everyone on one system means that students will have an easier time moving between schools and that all of our schools are using up-to-date technology and information. Another goal of moving registration to Workday is that this will let students see their campus employment and registration all in one place.” 

Students have used UAConnect since they first began in the university. The system has made it easier for students to find all information about their academic records, and about financial aid or payments. It is also a great way for students to be aware of the classes they are required to take and stay on top of that each semester. For many years, students have also used UAConnect to register for classes. They would add the classes they want to take in the “shopping cart” and wait until their given time to enroll. But with the change for the upcoming school year, it may affect the habits students might have developed over the years while using UAConnect. 

“I’m not too conflicted about it,” said Macey Hunter, a U of A freshman. “I have been previously introduced to (Workday) during my high school career, but since I am a freshman this year and was introduced to something else, I know the switch can be different.” 

Workday is a system that employees working a job correlated with the university use. It is a financial management tool that includes payroll, accounting, position management and budgeting. All of the on-campus jobs use Workday to receive their pay. 

“I have experience with Workday because I use it to fill in my hours, so I am a bit used to it that way,” said Shamiah Sheppard, a sophomore at the U of A. “I feel like it’s going to be something new for many students because not everybody (has) a work study that uses Workday for work, so it’s inconvenient for a lot of people.” 

Freshman Cameron Guerra also has a job on campus and said she thinks that registering for classes on Workday will be stressful. 

“As a student worker, I think it is inconvenient because I feel like it’s going to be overwhelming to split (work and school responsibilities) up,” Guerra said. “I don’t think registration is going to be as easy as UAConnect, but I feel like making advising appointments will be easier and more direct.” 

As the enrollment time nears, students continue to make appointments with their advisors to discuss the upcoming semester and the best choices for their classes. It is in their best interest to ask about the transition to have a smooth path in enrolling. 

“I feel like if you’re a person that doesn’t pay attention to emails, it may be easy to miss this kind of change,” said  Ashley Rico, a U of A freshman. “I have no issues with this transition, but I could see how some may run into some.” 

Some students run into the issue of not checking their email as often as they should, and missing important emails from school. With this transition, students are advised to be on the lookout for upcoming emails since they can contain valuable information about enrollment. 

“Don’t hesitate to ask for help,” Tilley-Stagni said. “Students can use the training website, submit a Help Ticket, visit a Workday help table during registration, or email wstudent@uark.edu.” 

Students should be aware of the current tasks on Workday. There are downloadable guides for completing the onboarding and accepting financial aid tasks, and can be found on the Student Information System website. Though not much information has been released, students should keep a close eye on their emails and logging into Workday for any new student activities. 

“The only thing that I would personally add is for students to go ahead and start exploring Workday Student before registration,” Shane Barker, assistant dean for academics said. “Click around, learn how it works, and ask for help.” 

The post The New System: Students’ Adjustment to Workday appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Annabel Simmons

Music is an essential element to human life — influencing our emotions, fostering connections and enhancing everyday experiences. Walking around the University of Arkansas campus, you will see an abundance of students wearing various listening devices, immersed in their own musical worlds. But how exactly does music play a role in student life, especially in the face of college complexities? 

University students, in particular, significantly rely on music. The medium has become a necessity for most U of A students — weaving its way into various aspects of daily routines. From getting through the day to winding down at night, music seems to be innately nestled into the mundane, ordinary activities of life. 

Camille Wright, a sophomore at the U of A studying biology, noted she listens to music throughout the entirety of her day. For her, having the continuous background noise makes the day more enjoyable. 

“I listen to it when studying, driving, working out, walking from class to class, cleaning and even showering,” Wright said. Using music to simply accompany everyday experiences is a common trend for most students.

One of the most common times students use music is during studying and completing coursework. For many, music is considered to be an integral piece to their study routine, enhancing one’s ability to complete coursework and increasing academic performance. However, reasons for use when studying vary among students. Music may be used as mere background noise. 

“Background noise kind of drowns out the stray thoughts in my head, so I can focus better,” Wright explained. 

The preferred genre for completing academic work differs depending on who is listening. For some students, listening to lyrical music tends to be distracting in times of needed focus. Because of this, Wright said she typically listens to instrumental guitar or slow classical playlists, which is a popular option for many students. 

When using music as a stimulus for creativity and motivation, others prefer listening to their favorite artists and more upbeat playlists during coursework. Several students claimed that streaming a playlist full of their most cherished songs has the capacity to raise their mood, better motivating them to complete strenuous assignments. The right song can help shift perception, making difficult tasks feel more manageable.

However, music can bring a dichotomous effect to productivity. Belle Chapal, a sophomore at the U of A, emphasizes how music often serves as a source of inspiration, increasing her creativity and productivity. She also notes that good music can sometimes be distracting. 

“I think it’s such an influential medium,” Chapal said. “I’ll sit down to study, and the right song can inspire me to get through a paper in half an hour, but the wrong album can distract me.” The inconsistent influence that music can have is hindering at times; however, credit is still due for its creative impact.

“Listening to music might redirect my energy, but I think a lot of my energy comes from listening to music as well,” Chapal said. Balancing music as a tool for efficiency versus enjoyment is key to optimizing its benefits.

Beyond academics, music is very involved in most students’ social lives. It serves as a means of connection, fostering friendships and creating lasting memories. “I think music definitely brings people together and creates a sense of community around campus,” Chapal said. “I met one of my best friends at a local concert freshman year, and we’ve had so many memories together since. When me and my friends want a weekend away, we always plan it around concerts and festivals.”

Chapal works as the station manager at KXUA, the student-run radio station at the U of A. Through KXUA, Chapal is constantly introduced to new artists and genres by her peers, she said. “Talking to other students about music can introduce you to new songs, but I think more importantly it can bring you closer together,” Chapal said. Recently, she has been enjoying artists such as FKA Twigs, Jane Remover and Caroline Polachek. “The first few months of spring semester always seem pretty bleak, so I’m looking for something rich, energetic and fun,” she said. “It’s an art pop spring.”

Isabella Galloway, a sophomore studying chemical engineering, also recognizes how music fosters community. She played the clarinet throughout middle and high school but had to give it up in college due to the demands of her coursework. Despite this, music remains a staple in her life. “I don’t go a day without listening to at least a few hours of music,” she said. Attending local concerts has allowed her to form meaningful connections, similar to Chapal’s experiences. “I’ve made so many great friends going to local shows and concerts,” she said. One of her favorite places to watch shows with local artists is Vinos in Little Rock. “I just love the community there,”Galloway said. 

Music also plays a huge role in nightlife culture, providing a break from academic stress. Many students use music to set the tone for nights out. Kaitlynn Miller, a sophomore studying psychology, emphasizes how music helps create a positive atmosphere before going out with friends. “It really helps us all feel more connected and confident,” she said. Sharing admiration for many of the same artists, it’s easy for them to enjoy music with one another, she said. 

Stress is inevitable for students. Academic expectations can be overwhelming and hard to navigate. However, music is a notable outlet for these pressures, providing a boost of serotonin and catharsis when needed. It is a significant tool for aiding overall well-being and mental health. “Music is like a form of therapy for me,” Miller said. “I turn to it in so many different situations because it helps me better myself.” She notes it as something she uses to relieve anxiety and stress because of its ability to take negative thoughts off of her mind. 

Whether one is listening to study, socialize or relieve stress, music remains a vital part of student life, enhancing the college experience in countless ways. As students navigate the highs and lows of university life, music will undoubtedly remain a powerful force in guiding them through their journey. 

The post The Soundtrack of Success: The Role of Music in Student Life appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Ella Karoline Hendricks

Up-close, raw and personal, told by the only one who knew the real Eve Babitz, the book “Didion and Babitz” offers a look into the relationship between the larger-than-life authors of Los Angeles in the ’60s: Joan Didion and Eve Babitz. Following the course of their lives as they navigate the tumultuous ’60s and how the women gained their respective reputations as the voice of the 1960s. The book, written by Lili Anolik, also serves as an extension of sorts to Anolik’s previous biography of Eve Babitz, entitled “Hollywood’s Eve.”

Running in overlapping circles, Didion and Babitz shared a relationship that has not been discussed in detail before — with Didion acting as a friend, editor and mentor during Babitz’s writing career. Didion’s letter of approval and urge for publication resulted in Babitz’s first work “The Sheik” to be published in Rolling Stone magazine, which set her on a path toward becoming the accredited Eve Babitz we know today. 

Yet, this working relationship was short lived, with Babitz swearing off Didion as an editor — although the pretenses of friendship, and antagonism, remained for the rest of their lives. Anolik characterizes Didion and Babitz as foils — one in the same yet opposites, often clashing. 

“Didion and Babitz” is captivating; Anolik does an incredible job of drawing you straight into LA in the ’60s, right in the middle of the sex, drugs and conflict of the era. 

Beginning with Babitz, as Anolik states “Eve… is the key that unlocks the very good and very important Joan,” the author dives into her story beginning in high school — the moment, as she puts, when “a person becomes aware — socially aware, sexually aware, self-aware.”

Chronicling the lives of Babitz and Didion, while focusing more closely on Babitz, Anolik takes us through both the lives of the authors, coming to full form when the pair met in 1967 at a Didion-Dunne dinner party. Babitz was free, unattached and critical towards Mrs. “Dunn” (Babitz’s nickname for Didion in the early years of their friendship). Didion was married to John Greggory Dunne, a fellow writer. In each other, Didion and Dunne found a built-in editor, and famously, they did not edit outsiders’ work.

Except, Didion made an exception for Eve Babitz. 

Grounded in letters (sent and unsent) from Babitz found posthumously, the book extensively covers both women, the ins and outs of their lives, with Anolik leading the way through the messy and complicated. Rich with sex, pop culture and wit, it is wonderfully detailed and fully fleshed out, telling a compelling story from start to finish. 

Anolik’s voice is inexplicably linked in every aspect of the book, from her views on Didion to Babitz to everyone they interacted with. Anolik’s work shows a bias toward Babitz and a need for self-insertion not often found in this genre. Anolik states multiple times that she is on Babitz’s side, which cannot be faulted as she knew Babitz personally, as opposed to Didion, whom she only saw through the lens of Babitz and Didion’s public perception. 

Anolik’s voice lives on every page as she takes the role of Babitz, almost fictionalizing lives. It’s as if Anolik got wrapped up in the Hollywood glamour of the scene and can’t help but further push a Babitz-like narrative — blending truth and narrative. Anolik frames Babitz as a quintessential Californian — muse, artist, author, draped in excess, while Didion is an outsider in utter control: cunning, cold and calculated. 

This book is begging you to pick — Didion or Babitz, one to root for, one to critique. In doing so, it unconsciously negates the talents and impact of two writers who were so often pitted against each other (even if it was themselves doing the pitting). 

Despite this, the book takes a deviation at the end from this ruthless struggle between the two in order to tell the reader that, in fact, Didion and Babitz are one and the same, two sides of the same coin, soulmates even. 

In Chapter 26, A Friend from Hollywood, Anolik wrote, “Eve is Joan’s ideal self,” in reference to Babitz’s life — chaotic and vital, romantic and real. Then Anolik switches the statement: “If Eve is Joan’s ideal self, then Joan is Eve’s practical self.” Didion represents the things Babitz could not maintain — regiment, control and order. 

They mirror one another in all aspects — their differences showing the ways the other has failed or succeeded. But despite it all, they are connected in one link — being alone. 

In her closing statements, Anolik wrote, “I mean alone always, alone fundamentally. At their cores, these women were solitary, private, implacable … Brides of Art. No man truly touched either. And each was the closest the other had to a secret twin or sharer.” 

While I agree with the statement, and Anolik gives convincing evidence to the fact, it is not necessarily a reasonable conclusion to draw from the case she builds in the bulk of the book. Instead, the majority of the book seems an attempt to revisualize Didion from her maternal, otherworldly public view to cold and calculating, while framing Babitz as vivid and complicated as life itself. 

Anolik’s voice is integral to the story itself, with inserts of her own life and reflections on her interviews. Yet, this creates a unique outlook on the lives of these icons, with a personal and modern voice blending it all together seamlessly.

Anolik successfully creates a portrait of two high-profile writers and artists whose work we revere, yet whose lives we have never truly known. If you are interested in learning more about the life and career of Eve Babitz and how Joan Didion was irrevocably a part of that life, I would highly recommend “Didion and Babitz.”

The post Unveiling “Didion and Babitz:” A Personal Look into America’s Favorite ‘60s Authors  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Annabel Simmons

Dr. Karen Sebold has taught in the University of Arkansas’ political science department since 2011, but her journey to success distinguishes her from many others. “I have a background that most professors are not going to have,” Sebold said. 

A person’s socioeconomic origins often play a significant role in shaping their educational and career paths. Most professors tend to grow up in middle class or upper middle class lifestyles. However, Sebold is an exception to this norm, as many of her family members never graduated from high school.“I definitely feel different from most professors as a result of my background,” she said.

She was born in Fayetteville and raised in Springdale by a single mother. Moving around a lot, she attended various elementary schools in the area. “That’s kind of the byproduct of being poor,” Sebold said. “You’re forced to move from one place to another because you don’t have the money to pay the rent.” She spent much of her childhood in public housing at Applegate, one of the oldest housing developments in the region.

Sebold’s mother eventually remarried, and her stepdad worked in the chicken processing industry. Although not much, this provided her family with a little more stability and the resources needed to survive. While her father was present in her life, he struggled financially. “He kind of lived off the land,” she explained.

In the early 1990s, Sebold dropped out of high school during what would have been her sophomore or junior year. Being pregnant at the time, attending school became increasingly difficult to navigate.

Sexual and reproductive health education has long been a controversial and stigmatized topic in the South. Many schools have historically focused on abstinence-based programs, often omitting information about contraception and other birth control options. “It was the late 80s, early 90s, and there wasn’t a lot of information on birth control or sexual education in this area,” Sebold said. “It was a Bible Belt state where they didn’t believe in teaching about that.” 

After dropping out of school, Sebold moved to Fayetteville for two years, where she discovered her passion for politics. Even from a young age, she had been drawn to political journalism, closely following the news throughout elementary to high school. When Arkansas’ own governor, Bill Clinton, ran for president in 1992, this served as a pivotal moment in Sebold’s life.

“Clinton did a lot of campaigning here in Northwest Arkansas, and that really drew me and my friends in,” Sebold said. “The things that he talked about made me feel like I mattered, even though I always thought, well, I’m kind of just a worthless person. I’m just a mistake. He and Hillary Clinton were big inspirations to me growing up in this state because they always tried to improve the lives of the poor.”

Sebold began volunteering for Clinton’s presidential campaign, and bringing her son along in his stroller, she would knock on doors. She even handmade buttons and sold them. “Doing something bigger than me or my problems was really cool, and that’s what really hooked me on government and politics,” Sebold said. “I got to see Clinton speak, about two weeks before he was elected, on the front lawn of Old Main, and that was the most exciting experience I’d ever had in my life up until that point.”

After her first son was born in 1991, Sebold became pregnant with her second child at 20. “At that point, I’d relocated to Kansas with my husband at the time, and shortly after my second son was born, I started community college,” Sebold said. She recalls her consistent admiration for learning, which prompted her going back to school. “Even through the difficulties, I’d always been kind of a nerd,” she said.

She attended Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, where she earned an associate degree in 1997. Raising two sons, Sebold was motivated to build a better future for her family. She realized that the jobs she was working–waiting tables and taking on any available work to earn an income–were not what she envisioned for her future.“I wanted to provide stability for my kids,” she said.

When Sebold started school at Coffeyville, she was unsure of exactly what she wanted to do career wise. She initially considered pre-law and journalism but ultimately decided against both. “Having kids limited me,” Sebold explained. She needed to pursue a career that would allow her to maintain a balanced work-life relationship, ensuring she could be present for her children. “I wanted to really raise them,” she said.  

After obtaining her associate degree, Sebold was accepted into a journalism program at Kansas University. However, at the time, she was a newly single mother going through a divorce, and attending was not an option. “I didn’t have the resources,” she said. “It’s really difficult to navigate college when you don’t have kids, and when you do, it’s next level.”

She took a break from school and worked in radio, broadcasting and sales, where she met her current husband, with whom she has been with for nearly 25 years. The couple moved to Nebraska so that her husband could continue his radio broadcasting career, and she could work toward getting a bachelor’s degree. She spent a year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha before becoming pregnant with her third son and leaving school due to sickness. Almost two years later, Sebold and her family moved back to Kansas. She resumed her studies at Rogers State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, commuting nearly an hour to campus. In 2005, she received her bachelor’s degree in political science.

During college, Sebold found relief in new support systems. “My husband would work at night, and I would go to school during the day, and we managed to raise the kids while getting me through school.” She also received significant assistance from government programs, including aid for childcare, food stamps, grants and medical insurance. “That kind of helped me create some bootstraps to pull up,” she said. “I could not have gone to college and made it happen without that support.” 

Sebold began working toward her graduate degree soon after completing her undergraduate studies and has remained in academia ever since. She moved to Fayetteville in 2006 and applied to the University of Arkansas’ political science department to pursue her master’s degree. It was during this time that she realized she wanted to become a professor. She began her doctoral studies in 2008 and completed her dissertation in 2013, earning a doctorate degree in public policy. Shortly after, she was offered a position as an assistant professor at the University of Arkansas. Initially on a non-tenure track, she transitioned to the tenure track in 2020.

Adjusting to a larger university was daunting, particularly because of her unique background, she said. However, Sebold said she believes facing these challenges made her stronger and more confident. She expressed feeling torn between two worlds–academia and the one she grew up in. During times of transition, she emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself. 

Throughout her educational journey, Sebold was primarily her own support system and credits her success to having an unfaltering mindset. She states that it wasn’t easy. “It takes time,” she said. “It’s trial and error. It’s finding the resources to support your goals. But ultimately it all comes down to having a goal and being ambitious — the idea that I’m not going to settle for something just because these are my life circumstances.” 

Sebold went against the grain and pushed herself forward.

“Unfortunately, my parents were only able to help so much,” Sebold said. “I was always my own support system but also my own cheerleader.” 

She also doesn’t view her challenges as things to regret. “I never looked at having kids early as a mistake,” Sebold remarked. “It got me on the right track. Yeah, I made some mistakes; I messed up along the way, but I don’t regret that. Because, usually, it’s those mistakes that teach you more about life and help you figure out who you are.” 

There were many moments when Sebold didn’t know if she would prevail, but she notes that the hardship has made her success even more rewarding. “I was able to go from a bad situation to really embracing and loving my career,” she said. “I’m in love with my career.”

Currently, at the University of Arkansas, Sebold specializes in American politics. She has a book under contract with Kansas University Press titled: “Loose Laws, Partisan Politics, and a Gridlocked Federal Election Commission” and has many other published works in her areas of research. Her research focuses on campaign finance, the presidential nomination process and election administration. She has taught courses such as the Chief Executive, the American National Congress, Money and Politics, Political Parties, Federalism, and American National Government. This is also her first year teaching Politics and Policy on Film. 

Many of Sebold’s students attest to her influence in the classroom. Camryn Hinkle, who is currently enrolled in Politics and Policy on Film, said that upon one of her first classes with  Sebold, she could tell that her professor has a deep passion for teaching. “I immediately felt like her class would be refreshing and different from any of the other political science courses I’ve been involved with,” she said. 

Hinkle also noted the positive impact Sebold continues to have on students. 

“Almost every class has a good memory in it, but I love when she speaks to us about how she got to where she is today,” Hinkle shared. “She is great at reminding us life doesn’t have a timeline when it comes to reaching our goals and that the world will have great things to offer regardless of our own timeline for ourselves.”

Caroline Koch, who took American Political Parties and is currently taking Politics and Policy on Film with  Sebold, recognizes how she stands out from other professors. “The classroom always has an upbeat vibe, with freedom for open discussion and opinions, which is what we need more of,” she said. “Dr. Sebold is constantly reassuring students that she can be like a Mama Bear to them if needed. She is very understanding of our generation, which I give credit to her having her own children around our age. I think that helps her a lot connecting with students.”

Outside of her university work, Sebold enjoys watching professional cycling with her husband. Having grown up in Northwest Arkansas, she loves to hike and has made countless trips to Devil’s Den. Sebold deeply values time with family, relishing moments spent with her grandkids and soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Recently, she’s taken up watching animal webcams, with eagles and owls being among her favorites. “That’s my new hobby recently, to get away from the news,” she remarked.

Sebold’s adversities allow her to offer meaningful advice to college students facing similar obstacles. “You have to be diligent about knowing who you are, your strengths and weaknesses and what you can do to navigate challenges,” she said. “I would tell young people don’t be afraid of hardship. Don’t avoid the hard stuff. Don’t put your head in the sand.” She notes that it is often the adversity we face that helps us determine who we are and what we’re made of. 

“I know what I’m made of,” she said.“I’ll tell you real quick what I’m made of. I’m made of some tough stuff,” she said. “It’s important to know that these things will not kill you. They may challenge you, but they are likely to make you stronger.”

The post Against the Odds: Dr. Karen Sebold’s Story of Success appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Ella Miller

Most think of the Fayetteville Public Library as a great study spot or the go-to place to check out books. What most don’t know is how many free and hidden opportunities are waiting to be discovered at the library.

The library’s Manager of Adult Services Heather Robideaux, said the library expansion has opened up a lot of new spaces and opportunities. The library’s art movement room offers free art, dance, mediation, and yoga classes. The Center For Innovation has tech resources such as a professional video studio, photography studio, 3-D printing space and robotics lab. The library also holds lectures, workshops and concerts. 

Even the book clubs have different opportunities, such as meeting outside of the library, so students can enjoy dinner while talking about a book.

“It’s a good way to shift the brain and remember that (reading) is fun to do too, and meet some new people,” Robideaux said. “We’ve got options for any interest.”

Mary Beth Kemp, a first-year graduate student in the Master’s in English program at the University of Arkansas, started coming to the library when she was an undergraduate and has continued coming since. 

“I’m honestly at the public library probably five to six times a week,” Kemp said. “I joke that I basically live there.”

Kemp said she does most of her graduate writing and research at the library but does attend their events occasionally such as yoga and craft classes. Kemp also went to the library’s Roots Festival in 2022, which was a folk music festival that partnered with local chefs and musicians for a three-day event. 

“It was a really special event,” Kemp said. Lots of people from the community showed out — college students, families, kids — and everyone was just dancing and enjoying the space.”

Aside from the events, Kemp said “As an English major and avid reader, I have been to a lot of libraries, and the Fayetteville Public Library is by far my favorite. The space is so beautiful. I really appreciate all the natural light and the rooftop plants.”

Mairi Morassut, a first-year Master of Design student at the U of A regularly attends the library’s weekly yoga class. 

“The room is always filled jam-packed with people from all walks of life,” Morassut said. “I love that environment that we can all collectively share and do something good for our minds and bodies. Everyone is so friendly, and you feel the warm collective energy.” 

The library’s Monday yoga classes are free, and you don’t need to register beforehand. They offer yoga mats, blocks and other props. Alexzandrea Hollinshed, a 200-hour registered yoga instructor, teaches yoga at the library every first Monday of the month. 

“It does really warm my heart to know that so many people know about community yoga and they want to be here — and that we’re able to provide this for them,” Hollinshed said.

Hollinshed said she specializes in beginner yoga due to feeling intimidated when she first started doing yoga herself. 

“I just want to be able to offer a low-stress way to introduce people into the practice,” Hollinshed said. “I tell jokes, I play fun music (during class). It’s just a way to take the edge off so that everybody and every body can do yoga.” 

Morassut said she’s practiced yoga for a few years, but as a student, the cost of attending weekly classes at a studio can add up. “It’s very beginner friendly which is still nice for me as a more advanced student to go back to simple movements,” Morassut said. 

Hollinshed’s approach helps make yoga more welcoming for beginners, creating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. The free classes make it easier for people to experience yoga without the financial barriers, a benefit that many participants value.

“It’s amazing that they offer free classes for anyone,” Kemp said. “It’s hard to find free workout classes that are so easily accessible.”

U of A junior Avanley Danenhauer started going to the Fayetteville Public Library as a kid with her mom and still comes to the library as a student now. Danenhauer studies at the library, attends the yoga sessions and said her favorite part is “arguably the drinks at Arsagas.”

Danenhauer said one of her best memories at the library was “going there as a kid to play games on the computers while wearing those massive headphones. They no longer have the same (headphones), it’s sad.”

In June, the library held an In Conversation with Taylor Jenkins Reid event. U of A senior Tru Joi Curtis was able to attend the event with her mom.

“I have been a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid for a while, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend an event to learn more about her and her writing process,” Curtis said. “The talk itself was a great experience, and I was even able to ask Taylor Jenkins Reid a question.”

Curtis expressed her excitement about getting two of her favorite books signed by the author, describing the experience as surreal and said she was grateful to have a local library that hosts fantastic and unique events.

Beyond its collection of books, the Fayetteville Public Library has become a center for learning, creativity, and connection. Whether through music festivals, yoga classes, book author talks or their diverse spaces, the library continues to offer an enriching environment for all. The Fayetteville Public Library remains a cherished resource that brings the community together in meaningful ways.

The post Beyond the Books: The Fayetteville Public Library and Its Community appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Ella Karoline Hendricks

The Community Creative Center has been a staple of Fayetteville culture since its opening over 15 years ago. In the heart of downtown Fayetteville is a hub of creation, art and friendship, where like-minded artists and art enthusiasts come together. 

Housing over 40 classes and workshops, the Community Creative Center focuses on nurturing artists in the community and providing a space dedicated to creation. Located off of Spring Street, with a dedicated open studio with pottery and printmaking, the center has a space for everyone.  

Bryce Brisco, the executive director, has been with the center for six years, working his way up from the Ceramics Studio to programs manager, to being the executive director for the past three years. Brisco, an Arkansas alumnus, has got his bachelor’s degree in painting and a master’s in ceramics from Ohio University. 

“That’s what I’ve done for the better part of my career, is making pottery,” Brisco said. “I make functional pottery. I really like the material, I like the process, and I really engage with the history of ceramics and the history of clay. It’s a way to access history.” 

Opened in 2008, the center has provided a functional and affordable space for artists in all stages of their careers. According to its website, “In 2019, we served more than 4,600 students, families and community members (a four-fold increase over 2013) with direct, hands-on classes, workshops and arts experiences and an additional 10,000 with community outreach events, art exhibitions and art sales.”

The center has an open studio application in which adults can apply for a membership for $125 a month or $1,375 a year to have access to the kilns, a designated storage space, discounts on classes, access to wheels, tools, reserved premier glazes and more. 

It hosts adult classes seven days a week, has free classes for seniors, several after-school programs courteous of the center’s outreach, and several free events scattered throughout the year, such as The Arkansas Pottery Festival in May, the Day of the Dead Event, and a Holiday Market in December. They offer six-weeks classes for adults, family, kids in clay, printmaking, drawing and painting and theater.

“We also have the Wheel Mobile,” Brisco said,  “which is a 33-foot-long Winnebago that is a traveling pottery studio. It has nine pottery wheels on it, so we can take that to rural locations. So, we take that to lots of different schools and public events to give people a pottery experience.”

The center is also an art gallery, called the McCoy Gallery, displaying ten solo exhibitions a year. There is a sales gallery that is a collection of handmade art and functional craft, which is available year round, creating a special opportunity for local artists to sell their work. 

“We’re the only community-based printmaking studio in the state,” Brisco said. “We have two etching presses, and we’re also set up for screen printing.”

Arts education is important to the staff at the center, with programs such as ART 2 GO, which brings supplies directly to schools, Afterschool ART, serving kindergarten through fifth grade, the Wheel Mobile, and Arts Integration, which offers workshops for online students, co-ops, alternative learning groups and youth-based organizations. 

Natalie Crane, a freshman at the University of Arkansas, is a part-time teaching artist at the center. Crane started hosting workshops in November 2024. 

“I was looking for a pottery class,” Crane said. “I did not end up taking the class, but I saw they had a job opening. I just gave them a call.”

Crane, the owner of @nc_creationss on Instagram, hosts classes once or twice a month. She has hosted classes on watercolor, calligraphy and painting. 

“It’s a great place to connect and be in a calm and fun environment,” Crane said. “It’s always a positive experience when I go.” 

Crane said she looks forward to seeing new and recurring faces of all ages every class. Crane is teaching on Collage and Calligraphy on March 15 and then Watercolor Florals on March 16. She also sells custom canvases, birthday banners and is open for commissions. 

Some other upcoming classes include Beginning Watercolor, a kids summer camp: Clay All Day, Date Night: Pottery Wheel, Intro to Machine Sewing, Papermaking, and Glass Fusing. 

Sasha Mirozoyan, a live painter, will be hosting a portrait drawing class March 22 at 3 p.m. In addition to being a live painter for events such as weddings, Mirzoyan has written several articles on the creative process.

“I’m drawn to people so I draw them,” Mirozoyan stated in his essay on “Booze and Creative Boost: How to invoke your Muse without substance use” where Mirozoyan explores the relationship between alcohol and the creative process. 

“I’m very passionate about making the arts accessible to the public,” Brisco said, “and we try to have the lowest possible barrier to entry. So, we offer our classes at very affordable rates, and we have tons of free classes. We offer scholarships. All our events are free and open to the public. We want to be able to serve the community and provide arts to the Northwest Arkansas region and make it as accessible as possible.”

Stop by the Community Creative Center for a class, workshop or even just to shop for some new room decor! Support local artists and businesses today!

The post Let’s Get Creative: Fayetteville Community Creative Center appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Emma Bracken

On the evening of Feb. 22 at Arsaga’s Mill District, Fayetteville Feeds Families collaborated with local artists to raise funds for Palestinian families in need of food, water and shelter during the event titled ‘For Gaza, With Love.’ 

Dozens of people from the community attended the event, supporting the artists and offering donations directly to the organization’s GoFundMe page. In total, the event raised around $3,000, which will be funneled directly into sending food to the families in the village that Fayetteville Feeds Families sponsors.

Founder of Fayetteville Feeds Families, Mariah Berquist, reached out to local musicians Luna J. Fenell, Cheanie Noai and Daughters of Madonna to perform throughout the night. Though they varied in mediums, ranging from viola to acoustic guitar to singing bowl, all of the musicians expressed themes of grief, justice, love and peace. Fennell began the event with viola solos, highlighting music written by anti-Zionist activists. As both a dedicated musician and social activist, Fennell intertwines the two often.

“I’m very much a learner in this world, and I’m always learning about music and social justice,” Fennell said. 

Through sharing her music at the event, Fennell hoped that people could work through the heavy emotions they are currently carrying, whether that is around the Palestinian genocide or anything else. 

“Music has such a healing quality,” Fennell said. “It’s really incredible to see how it can change people’s disposition and perspectives.”

Though the event was centered on helping families whose lives have been affected by the war in Gaza, the musicians were able to culminate a space for hope and solidarity. The event also had food and local art pieces for attendees to enjoy with a donation of any amount to Fayetteville Feeds Families. Berquist explained when she first started creating events through this organization and working with Friends of Palestine NWA , it could be emotionally heavy and hard for everyone to participate in. 

“When I bring people together I think it is really important to bring lightness and hope and joy and remind ourselves that we do have a sense of belonging and home,” Berquist said.

Berquist hopes that through crafting events such as For Gaza, With Love, people can become inspired to participate in the cause if Palestinian liberation while also maintaining hope for a brighter future. Singer-songwriter Cheanie Noai sang about grief being a garden, and explained that through processing the darkness around either personal or global tragedies, we can work toward an abundant, peaceful future.

“Even though our grief is somewhat of an individual experience, it is something where we need to find togetherness,” Noai said. 

Fennell also said they hoped through their music and participation in social events such as this one they can foster a sense of community support. It is through community strength in the form of time, money, and passion that real change can be enacted. 

“We are all in this together,” Fennell said. “No one is fighting the good fight alone; we struggle for collective liberation. I hope people come away with a sense of solidarity, reassurance, and hopefulness in their individual struggles as well as in their community and global struggles.”

Fayetteville Feeds Families began with Berquist’s personal connection to one Palestinian woman looking for ways to raise money to help her family flee from Gaza. Now, Berquist has been able to provide food to more than 100 Palestinian families. The key to being able to make and grow an impact is to find strength in numbers. Whether that is through donating, organizing events, attending protests, or even being conscious about the companies that you consume from, Berquist explained that every individual has power in the fight for Palestinian liberation.

“Supporting local business and local farmers and just really building each other up has a ripple effect through the world,” Berquist said. 

As far away from Palestine or any other global event that we may be, small individual acts of justice make waves that can help rewrite history as we live it. It is in these intimate, supportive spaces such as For Gaza, With Love that we can take these strides. Fennell explained that different forms of oppression are able to thrive because people feel helpless and as though they have no power to change their own situation or others. It is a goal of theirs and of Fayetteville Feeds Families to make people aware of their individual capacity for change as well as see the abundance of change that can come from working together.

“Being able to gather with other people who care about the same causes as you do is really powerful in building community and giving people confidence to do the right thing,” Fennell said, “because it is not always easy to do the right thing, but it is always right to do the right thing. It is easier when you have a community that you can get together with and kind of share that burden.”

Despite the emotional weight of addressing topics such as oppression, genocide, and colonialism, For Gaza, With Love was able to uplift and embolden the Fayetteville community and remind all of us that we are more capable of change and important to the world’s future than we often realize. 

The post ‘For Gaza, With Love’: Community Collaboration in the Face of Injustice  appeared first on Hill Magazine.

By Annabel Simmons

“Death and the Maiden,” a timeless motif that intertwines morality and desire, capturing the fleeting essence of life and the seductive pull of death. Robert Eggers’ 2024 remake of “Nosferatu” revisits this classic theme, delving into its haunting symbolism and exploring the dark, seductive forces at play. 

Originally directed by F.W. Murnau, “Nosferatu” was released in 1922 as a silent film in Germany. It emerged as an unofficial adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel, “Dracula,” but underwent numerous changes to avoid a copyright lawsuit. Unsuccessful in this pursuit, Stoker’s estate still filed a lawsuit, and all copies of “Nosferatu” were ordered to be destroyed. Just as the film was almost completely lost, a singular print copy made its way to the United States where it gained popularity. By the 1960s, “Nosferatu” had cemented itself as a horror classic. When “Dracula” entered the public domain worldwide, the film was finally able to be shown without restriction.

Eggers, “Nosferatu’s” latest director, is renowned for his work in historical horror, with acclaimed films like “The Witch” (2015) and “The Lighthouse” (2019). These films were distributed by A24 Films LLC, an independent company known for spotlighting emerging filmmakers and unique cinematic works. Throughout his career, Eggers has worked towards bringing his interpretation of one of cinema’s most iconic horror films to life, declaring “Nosferatu” as his dream project. Following the success of “The Witch,” bolstered by A24’s support, Eggers gained the recognition needed to bring his long-awaited “Nosferatu” remake to life. 

“Nosferatu” (2024) roughly follows the same plot as Murnau’s original silent film. The film opens as a vague, ominous, portentous voice calls out to the young protagonist, Ellen Hutter (Lily-Rose Depp). As she prays to the voice for companionship, she violently collapses to the ground and convulses in agony, encapsulating a state of hysteria — immense with both pleasure and pain. It is revealed that Count Orlok (Bill Skarsgård), a lustful vampire, is the voice to her prayers; the destined end to Orlok and Ellen’s fateful, psychic connection transpires throughout the entirety of the film. 

Years later, in 1838, Ellen lives in Wisborg, Germany, with her husband, Thomas Hutter (Nicholas Hoult). Newly-wed and hoping to secure an official position at his firm, Thomas takes on a six-week journey to an isolated, crumbling castle within the Carpathian Alps in Transylvania to sell a home to an ambiguous Count Orlok. Unaware that this arrangement is part of a pact between Orlok and his employer Herr Knock (Simon McBurney), Thomas takes off for his fleet dubiously.  

From the start, the film is a mesmerizing masterpiece of stunning visuals and raw, visceral horror. The camera work brings forth a deep sense of romantic darkness, with striking cinematography that can be described as disturbing, erotic, fluid and haunting. 

Just before Thomas departs, Ellen confides in him about her nightmare where she envisions herself marrying death, which serves as a significant foreshadowing of the fate between her and Orlok. Upon his first night in Orlok’s castle, Thomas is forced to sign indecipherable documents, unknowingly signing away his rights to Ellen. Soon, Thomas falls prey to Orlok’s insatiable thirst for blood and is imprisoned in the castle. 

Amidst Orlok’s feeding on Thomas, there are many scenes where the bodies of Ellen and Orlok flicker between one another, further blurring the lines between their destinies and emphasizing their connection.

Awakening from his confinement, Thomas explores the castle and stumbles upon Orlok sleeping in his coffin. He realizes that this monstrous figure is the very creature from Ellen’s dream. Seizing a pickaxe, Thomas tries to kill Orlok but lacks the power to overcome Orlok’s vicious retaliation. 

Anticipation daunts the film, withholding Orlok’s full reveal until almost 50 minutes in. Upon his reveal, Skarsgård’s ability to completely manifest the character of Orlok is immensely impressive.  Orlok — a grotesque towering, rotting, corpse-like figure with lanky, clawed hands — steers clear from the realm of the romantic vampire trope. The decrepit Orlok is the embodiment of an evil, deathly predator — meant to evoke discomfort in viewers.

I found Orlok’s repulsive and sinister nature juxtaposed with Ellen’s pure, angelic form to conjure significant meaning in the film. Themes of desire and shame become evident and unravel until its very end.  

Left in the care of her husband’s friend, Friedrich Harding (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), in Wisborg, Ellen becomes haunted by sleepwalking episodes and an overwhelming fear that something terrible has happened to Thomas. Dr. Wilhelm Sievers (Ralph Ineson) initially diagnoses Ellen’s condition as an imbalance in her blood, but her state worsens, and Sievers turns to his mentor, Albun Eberhart Von Franz (Willem Dafoe), for help. 

Eggers’ touch of historical realism is evident in his portrayal of the misogynic medical practices that daunted the 19th century. For “treatment,” Ellen is drugged, restrained and told to “keep her corset on.” 

Finally fleeing from Orlok, Thomas escapes through a window and leaps into a river. However, seething after Ellen, Orlok follows closely behind and boards a ship headed to Wisborg. His arrival brings destruction and disease to the town, inducing great death and despair. 

Before this point, the film felt very slow, but it picks up when Ellen and Orlok finally meet face to face in one of her dreams. Their confrontation reveals the conflict at the root of the film — the shadowy, eternal creature as Ellen’s repressed desires. The true quarrel takes place internally within Ellen. 

Ellen denies Orlok’s affirmations when he speaks of her as his “fated affliction,” stating that her passion has been bound to him. He is the result of Ellen’s shame, and “taken as her melancholy,” Orlok has come back to consummate their pact from the opening scene of the film. 

With plague still ravaging Wisborg, Ellen realizes that the only way to save the town is to give herself to Orlok. As a final sacrifice, Ellen lets Orlok feed on her, preventing him from sensing the first rays of dawn, which ultimately annihilate him. In her final moments, Ellen is content; her own willingness to submit to her desires allowed for her seeming redemption. Orlok’s death as a result of the morning light is metaphoric, as light is also often equated with purity. Upon Orlok’s collapse, Ellen succumbs to her wounds, and Thomas is left to grieve his cherished wife, whose obliging sacrifice broke the curse of Nosferatu.

The film ends with a scene of Orlok’s skeleton laid upon Ellen’s limp, lifeless body — lilacs laid atop them both. Once again, there is beautiful dichotomy in the symbolism behind the flowers — youth, innocence and purity — next to the image of death, with blood filling every crevice around them. 

There is much to be said of the deep symbolism in the film, specifically of what Orlok and Ellen represent. Although there is a mutual yearning between the two, Orlok seemingly represents Ellen’s repressed sexual desires; yet, there are conflicting notions of whether this is liberating or demonizing. Ellen’s desire for Orlok surrounds her with shame, guilt, and self-hatred — byproducts of the social norms of the 19th century. Female sexual appetite was considered monstrous during this period, which is encapsulated through Orlok’s character. 

Set during an incredibly conservative time period, this is continuously seen through the characters of Anna (Emma Corrin) and Friedrich Harding. Friedrich, perceiving Ellen as a threat to his idealized, patriarchal family, frequently dismisses Ellen and strips of her autonomy. Anna, confined to the roles of wife and mother, adhering to the rigid gender norms of the 19th century, stands in stark contrast to Ellen’s character. Ultimately, Ellen is vilified and ostracized. 

While Ellen ultimately weaponizes her sexuality against Orlok, she is still forced to submit to him and utilize her own death to redeem society. It is ambiguous whether this is a portrayal of her desires as powerful or destructive. The 2024 film can certainly be considered a critique of puritanical societies and the repression of women. Although first released in 1922, many themes in “Nosferatu” remain strikingly relevant today, raising questions about the contemporary corruption of power and the harsh societal expectations that continue to engulf the world. 

The post A Marriage to Death: Review of “Nosferatu”    appeared first on Hill Magazine.