University

of

Maryland
April 2, 2013

English Department (301) 405-3746 College Park, Maryland 20742 olmert@umd.edu

Recommendation for Edward Fu

This letter is in support of Edward Fu, a candidate for admission to grad school. I know Edward very well, because he took four of my advanced literature courses: English 379T, Folklore & Literature; English 311, Baroque & Augustan English Literature; English 454, Modern British Drama; and English 379M, British Plays in Performance. As an undergraduate in my classes, Edward did solid A work, in difficult courses that required lots of writing and several exams. Hes also quite a solid and persuasive writer, who prepared fine critical and response papers on Alan Bennetts play, Kafkas Dick (1986) and on Tom Stoppards Jumpers (1972). For the Baroque and Augustan course he prepared a lengthy prcis and analysis of Michael Woods book and four-hour documentary film The Story of England (2011). Hes also written engagingly on finding interesting connections in the diction of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and Beowulf. Edward also acted as a very responsible undergraduate T.A. in my British Plays in Performance class, helping with casting, props management, stage blocking, and grading student work. He was wellliked by all his colleagues. He also got one of the best laughs of the semester with his acting in Timberlake Wertenbakers 1988 play about the Australian prison colony, Our Countrys Good. In fact, he participated in rehearsed

table-reads of several plays and was always an important part of the company. Edward is a clever thinker with a deep appreciation of not just literary and art history but also many other stripes of history. Hes a powerful reader who knows how to get to the heart of any text. And hes also well liked by all, so far as I can tell. In the end, Edward is smart, yes, but he also knows how to work hard. Its an impossible combination to beat. I believe in this kid. And like him. So will you. Sincerely,

Michael Olmert Professor, English Department