In the enchanting town of Banksvile, there lived a peculiar man named Mr. Maguc. With a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous smile permanently etched on his face, Mr. Maguc was known to be the town's resident magician. His extraordinary ability to perform astonishing tricks and illusions made him a beloved figure amongst the townsfolk. Every day, Mr.
Every day, Mr. Maguc could be found at the heart of Banksvile, in the town square, captivating passersby with his mesmerizing performances. He would gracefully wave his wand, causing a flurry of colorful sparks to dance through the air.
Jo Alyson Parker, PhD
I conduct seminar-style courses. In all courses, students can expect collaborative-learning exercises, reading responses drafting for formal papers, peer-editing workshops, and a concluding an end-of-semester self-evaluation.
My areas of interest include the eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century novel, literary theory, narrative theory, literature and science, narrative and time, and gender issues.
- Education
- B.A., University of California, Irvine, 1981
- M.A., University of California, Irvine, 1984
- Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 1989
From 2014-18, I was the Managing Editor for KronoScope: Journal for the Study of Time. I have served on the International Society for the Study of Time Council since 2001, and I am currently the Vice-President.
- Time in Variance, The Study of Time XVII. Ed. Arkadiusz Misztal, Paul A. Harris, and Jo Alyson Parker. Leiden: Brill, 2022.
- “Out of Repetition Comes Variation”: Varying Time-Lines, Invariant Time, and Dolores’s Glitch in Westworld.” With Thomas Weissert. Time in Variance, The Study of Time XVII, co-edited with Paul A. Harris and Arkadiusz Misztal. Leiden: Brill, 2022.
- “Ted Chiang’s Braided Stories of Memory, Narrative, and Technology: ‘The Truth of Fact, the Truth of Fiction.’” Performing Memories. Media, Creation, Anthropology, and Remembrance, edited by Gabriele Biotti. Cambridge Scholars Press, 2021, 184-98.
- “Eternal Recursion, the Emergence of Metaconsciousness, and the Imperative for Closure.” With Thomas Weissert. Time’s Urgency: The Study of Time XVI, edited by Robert Daniel and Carlos Montemayor, Brill, 2019, pp. 1
- “Mind the Gap(s): Holly Sykes’s Life, the ‘Invisible’ War, and the History of the Future in The Bone Clocks.” C21 Literature: Journal of 21st-century Writings, vol. 6, no. 3, 2018, pp. 1-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.16995/C21.47
- “The Chaotic Trace: Stoppard's Arcadia and the Emplotment of the Past.” Time and Trace: The Study of Time XV. Ed. Sabine Gross and Steven Ostovich. Leiden: Brill, 2016.
- “From Time’s Boomerang to Pointillist Mosaic: Translating Cloud Atlas into Film.” SubStance: A Review of Theory and Literary Criticism 44:1 (2015): 123-35.
- “A Brief History of the International Society for the Study of Time.” KronoScope: Journal for the Study of Time 13:2 (2013): 269-94.
- “Crusoe’s Foe, Foe’s Cruso, and the Origins and Future of the Novel.” KronoScope: Journal for the Study of Time 11:1 (2011): 17-40.
- Time: Limits and Constraints: The Study of Time XIII. Ed. Jo Alyson Parker, Paul Harris, and Christian Steineck. Leiden: Brill, 2010. Includes Jo Alyson Parker, “David Mitchell’s Cloud Atlas of Narrative Constraints and Environmental Limits,” 201-17.
- Narrative Form and Chaos Theory in Sterne, Proust, Woolf, and Faulkner. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007.
- Time and Memory: The Study of Time XII. Ed. Jo Alyson Parker, Michael Crawford, and Paul Harris. Leiden: Brill, 2006. Includes “Preface to Section 1: Inscribing and Forgetting.”
- “Teaching Emma’s Narratives and the Narrative of Emma.” In Approaches to Teaching Jane Austen’s Emma. Ed. Marcia Folsom. New York: Modern Language Association, 2004. 141-50.
- “The Indeterminate Temporality of Hypertext.” In Time and Uncertainty: The Study of Time XI. Ed. Paul A. Harris and Michael Crawford. Leiden: Brill, 2004. 39-57.
- “Remembering the Future: Memento, the Reverse Arrow of Time, and the Defects of Memory.” KronoScope: Journal for the Study of Time 4:2 (2004): 239-57.
- “‘The Clockmaker’s Outcry’: Tristram Shandy and the Complexification of Time.” In Disrupted Patterns: On Chaos and Order in the Enlightenment. Ed. Theodore E.D. Braun and John McCarthy. Amsterdam-Atlanta, GA: Rodopi, 2000. 147-60.
- The Author’s Inheritance: Henry Fielding, Jane Austen, and the Establishment of the Novel. DeKalb: Northern Illinois University Press, 1998.
- “Complicating a Simple Story: Inchbald’s Two Versions of Female Power,” Eighteenth-Century Studies 30 (1997): 255-70.
- “Spiraling Down ‘the Gutter of Time’: Tristram Shandy and the Strange Attractor of Death.” Weber Studies 14 (1997): 102-14.
- “Strange Attractors in Absalom, Absalom!" in Reading Matters: Narrative in the New Media Ecology. Ed. Joseph Tabbi and Michael Wutz. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1997. 99-118.
- “Gendering the Robot: Stanislaw Lem’s ‘The Mask,’” Science-Fiction Studies 19 (1992): 178-91
- “Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen’s Double Inheritance Plot,” REAL: The Yearbook of Research in English and American Literature 7 (1990): 159-190.
- Michael J. Morris Grant for Scholarly Research (2018-19)
- Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching (2004)
- Sabbatical Research Grants (2019, 2012-13, 2000)
- Summer Research Grants (2016, 2010, 2003, 1996, 1993).
- Curriculum Development Grant (2011)
- Faculty Merit Teaching Awards (2005, 2004, 1995)
- Faculty Merit Research Award (1998)
I conduct seminar-style courses. In all courses, students can expect collaborative-learning exercises, reading responses drafting for formal papers, peer-editing workshops, and a concluding an end-of-semester self-evaluation.
Coins would mysteriously appear and disappear, much to the delight and bewilderment of his audience. But Mr. Maguc's true magic lay not only in his tricks, but also in the way he made people feel. Through his performances, he transported the townsfolk to a world of wonder and awe, momentarily suspending reality and allowing them to believe in the impossible. His pure joy and passion for his craft were contagious, leaving all those who witnessed his acts with a renewed sense of wonder and childlike curiosity. Beyond the town square, Mr. Maguc's magic extended to his interactions with the community. He would often visit the local schools, sharing his tricks and inspiring the young minds to believe in the power of imagination. He would perform at charity events and fundraisers, using his talents to bring smiles to the faces of those in need. Mr. Maguc's magic wasn't just about tricks; it was about the transformative power of kindness and joy. Despite his incredible talent and popularity, Mr. Maguc remained humble and approachable. He would take the time to chat with anyone who stopped by, sharing stories and laughter. Children adored him, often hugging his legs and gazing up at him with wide-eyed wonder. Adults marveled at the sense of wonder he brought back into their lives, even if just for a moment. With his warm heart and enchanting performances, Mr. Maguc became an integral part of Banksvile's identity. The town was proud to have such a remarkable magician within its midst, someone who could inspire hope, wonder, and magic in the ordinary. In the end, it wasn't just the tricks or illusions that made Mr. Maguc special, but rather his ability to touch the hearts of those around him. His magic was a reminder that in a world often plagued by cynicism and routine, there is always room for a little bit of magic and wonder. And as long as Mr. Maguc resided in Banksvile, the town would forever be a place where dreams could come true and where the extraordinary was ordinary..
Reviews for "Captivating Audiences: Mr. Banksville's Charismatic Stage Presence"
1. Sarah - 1/5
I found "Mr. Magic Banksville" to be extremely disappointing. The plot was completely nonsensical and confusing, making it difficult to follow along with the story. The characters were poorly developed and lacked any depth or relatability. Additionally, the writing style was dull and uninspiring, failing to engage me as a reader. Overall, I regretted reading this book and would not recommend it to others.
2. Michael - 2/5
While "Mr. Magic Banksville" had an interesting concept, it failed to deliver on many levels. The pacing was incredibly slow, and I found myself losing interest in the story multiple times. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult to connect with the characters. Furthermore, the ending was ambiguous and left many loose ends, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Overall, this book had potential but fell short in execution.
3. Emily - 2/5
I had high hopes for "Mr. Magic Banksville" but was ultimately disappointed. The characters lacked depth, making it difficult to care about their struggles or root for their success. The plot felt disjointed and lacked a clear direction, leaving me feeling confused and unengaged. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked any unique voice or flair. Overall, I found this book to be forgettable and would not recommend it to others.
4. Jason - 1/5
I could not get into "Mr. Magic Banksville" at all. The story was convoluted and filled with unnecessary subplots that contributed little to the overall narrative. The pacing was slow, and the book dragged on for far too long. The characters were uninteresting and lacked any redeeming qualities. I found myself skimming through the chapters, hoping for something to grab my attention, but I was left disappointed. Overall, this book was a waste of time and definitely not for me.
5. Megan - 1/5
I found "Mr. Magic Banksville" to be a complete mess. The writing was incoherent and filled with grammatical errors that were distracting. The plot was difficult to follow, and the author seemed to introduce new concepts and ideas without properly explaining them. The characters felt flat and one-dimensional, making it impossible to connect or empathize with them. Overall, this book was a disappointment, and I could not recommend it to anyone.