Alberta Hargreaves

Alberta Hargreaves

WRITER & POET

The Cup on the Counter and Other Poems

From dramatic monologues to surrealist protest poems, this collection explores the struggles of young women in the 21st century. Drawing inspiration from real world events to her own personal life experiences, Alberta Hargreaves explores gender, youth, sexuality and environmentalism.

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About Me

Hi! I am creative writer currently residing in Manchester, studying English Literature and Film at Manchester Metropolitan University. 

I write for lots of different mediums, although essays and creative writing are my focus primarily, I have also written for student blogs, with a more informative style. 

I have just released my first poetry collection with Bookleaf Publishing - 'The Cup on the Counter and other Poems' - which explores being a woman in the 21st century.

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My Latest Work

Creative Work

Essays

The Last of Us Episode 3: A Moment of Peace

The Last of Us, based on the game of the same name, first aired 15th January 2023. It follows Joel, a disgruntled smuggler, who’s tasked with taking Ellie, a young girl with a huge secret, through a post-apocalyptic world. However, episode 3 strays from this story. The third episode of the HBO show follows Bill - a redneck doomsday prepper - and Frank - a survivor who finds his way to Bill’s compound. They fall in love and for a moment we feel at peace.

Blue Velvet - The Light and Dark of the American Dream

Blue Velvet is a dark tale looking into sexual violence, voyeurism and the ideal self. The themes explored in this film all have a centre point though, looking at Western ideals and the American Dream. The American Dream is the ideological belief that the USA has a set of ideals, which allows any and all to prosper and become successful. In essence, if you come to the USA then you can gain, no matter who you are, the pastoral-Esque suburban home with a traditional family. This idea has been contested, however, Blue Velvet tackles these points using both light and dark motifs.

To what extent is Carol Ann Duffy a feminist poet? Case Study on ‘The World’s Wife’ (1999)

A successful feminist poet should advocate equality between the sexes rather than widening the gap which is still present. Duffy is known for her feminist poetry and often writes about themes such as oppression and social inequality. ‘The World’s Wife’ examines the stories of
generations of previously marginalised women to show the ever-present patriarchal society. However, Duffy’s justification of women’s violent actions and her use of gender stereotypes in her poems seem outdated for a modern political climate.

Starship Troopers: A Patriotic Pastiche

As Starship Troopers celebrates its 25th Anniversary, more critical attention has been placed upon it. Upon its release in 1997, it was not received well and faced a lot of criticism, with the general consensus being that it was a fun movie with wooden acting and too much gore. However, over the past few years, a cult audience has found a new appreciation for it. Calum Marsh, writing for Atlantic, regarded it as, “satire, a ruthlessly funny and keenly self-aware sendup of right-wing militarism,” A thought which continues to grow amongst fans of the film. But how far is this true? Is Starship troopers a pastiche
of right-wing militarism or is it just another patriotic colonial quest?

Fantastic Mr Fox - The Tranistion from the Other

Fantastic Mr Fox has an ecocritical subtext as the relationship between animals and humans is explored thoroughly. However, relationships between different species are also explored, significantly between Mr Fox and the wolf, in a scene after the climax. The other and the privileged group act as a binary opposition to uncover the ecocritical message of the film: how humans have impacted the natural world and the transition from the other to the privileged group

Blog Articles

Unifresher •

The best running clubs in Manchester

Exercising with other people has many benefits, from added motivation to gaining new friends! There are so many different exercises you can do, however, running is one of the best ones. It’s a good source of cardio, and it’s free to start! Although it can feel a bit off-putting if you’re not used to running, joining a running club means you’re not doing it alone! So here’s our list of the best running clubs in Manchester that’ll keep you fit whilst meeting new people.
Unifresher •

How to write a psychology personal statement

Writing a personal statement is one of the key tasks when applying for psychology at uni. Psychology and different psychological disciplines are quite competitive, so having a great personal statement can make all the difference. But sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s we’ve put together a guide on how to write a psychology personal statement, from how to structure it and what to write.

How to get inspiration for your personal statement?

1. Get inspiration from course
Unifresher •

25 Happy International Women's Day quotes to send to your besties

With International Women’s Day approaching, it’s a good time to reflect on the last few years for women. Although there have been lots of highs and lows, positive steps towards gender equality are being made all the time. After all the future is female (and if you doubt it, have a read of what National Geographic have to say! International Women’s Day is also a good time to celebrate the females in your life, whether that’s your family, friends, fellow students, colleagues that make you happy, e
Unifresher •

How to pack a backpack for your gap year?

Backpacking is perfect for any gap year. Often cost-effective and flexible, you can go for days or weeks depending on what suits you. It’s also a life-changing experience where you can see the world and what it has to offer. But when it comes to actually backpacking, sometimes it’s a little difficult. However, don’t worry, as we have all the best tips and advice for how to pack your backpack, so that you can go and have a wonderful adventure.

The dictionary definition of backpacking is a form o
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Where to go for cheap drinks in Manchester

Drinking is a part of student life for so many students, but unfortunately living in the city is expensive. That’s why knowing which bars are actually cheap but also a good place to go is important. These are questions which are hard to answer when just looking at google. So we’ve done the work for you, with our list of the best places to find cheap drinks in Manchester.

Located in Printworks, Walkabout is an Aussie-themed bar in Manchester, which is best for cheap drinks and good nights. With
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How to meet someone at uni without using a dating app?

Online dating is scary. Some people don’t connect to people across messages, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if you even like the person. Let alone wondering if they actually look like their profile picture! Well if meeting someone on a dating app isn’t for you, there are lots of ways to meet people outside of the internet without using an app. Want to know how to meet someone organically at uni without using a dating app? Keep reading…
Unifresher •

A Guide to Manchester Public Transport

Manchester is home to a wide extent of public transport, all easy to use and can get you from one side of the city to the other. But when you’re first moving to the city, it can be a little daunting at first. While Uber may seem like a good way to get around at first, it costs a lot and can slowly drain away your money. The public transport in Manchester is cheaper and often more time effective, so here is our guide to Manchester’s public transport.

The trams are one of the quickest and easiest
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The best clubs in Manchester students have to try

Nights out are part of student life but sometimes it’s hard to know where to go and where is good. From the casual to the eventful, there are so many clubs to hit in Manchester. There is always an event or theme, or student night, so there is always something new to try. We’ve listed the best clubs in Manchester you need to go to while a student here, so start planning your night out now.

Located in Printworks, Cargo is the place to go for live music and cocktails. Cargo has big ambitions wanti
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Must-see museums in Manchester

Manchester is home to many museums celebrating the city’s rich history and creativity. Home to big industrial movements as well as political movements like the Chartists and Suffragettes, Manchester has an interesting history worth exploring. Manchester’s museums are filled to the brim with artefacts and information, and many of them are free! With so many different options, there’s a museum to see, no matter what you are interested in.
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Best Barbers in Manchester

Manchester is home to some of the best barbers around. From hipster, cool places to more traditional gent’s hairdressing, there’s no shortage of places to get your hair cut. When moving to university, it might not be something you think about. But surely enough, the time will come where finding the best barber in Manchester becomes a priority, so we’re here to help. From Deansgate to the Northern Quarter to Salford, there are loads of good options, with the right atmosphere. Prices range from £5