Graduating Class: Double Major'25
Jason Chen
Double: Literature (21L) & Mechanical Engineering (2)
Minor: Computer Science (6)
What are your plans after graduation plans?
Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering at MIT
Was there a favorite book or topic that you studied with Literature that you would recommend?
“Humanism, On Morals or Concerning Education, Peach Blossom Fan” (and many other things..)
“Humanism, On Morals or Concerning Education, Peach Blossom Fan” (and many other things..)
What was your favorite book, film, or thesis, paper title, etc. from out of Literature?
Beloved by Toni Morrison (book), Incendies (2010, film)
Beloved by Toni Morrison (book), Incendies (2010, film)
What advice would you give a future Literature Major? What did you wish you knew before your journey? Read generously and argue precisely. Literature isn’t just about interpreting texts—it’s about entering a conversation that spans centuries and cultures. I wish I had known earlier how powerful it is to bring your whole self—your background, your questions, even your contradictions—into that dialogue. Don’t be afraid to cross boundaries: bring in history, philosophy, or even engineering if that’s part of your world. The most compelling insights often come from unexpected intersections.
What’s your favorite animal? Why and how does it relate to literature or your work?
The crane is my favorite animal. In classical literature, cranes are messengers between worlds, symbols of longevity, solitude, and spiritual grace. I’m drawn to them not just for their beauty but for how they invite us to slow down, to pay attention to silence and gesture.