Tag Archives: John Donne

Oppenheimer and Metaphysical Poetry

In which I explore why Robert Oppenheimer was drawn to 17th century metaphysical poetry.

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Pullman and Dante on the Afterlife

Pullman, drawing on Dante, provides one of the most sustaining accounts of the afterlife that I know.

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Behold, He Lightens the Dark Clouds

In Donne’s “Ascension,” Jesus transforms from strong ram to mild lamb to guide the poet to God.

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Donne: Better to be Woke Than Asleep

In “Good Morrow,” Donne delivers a timely message that it’s good to be woke.

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What a Death to See God Die

Donne’s poem about Good Friday uses astronomical metaphors as he asks God to open his heart.

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How to Overlook 200,000 Deaths

Donne’s “Valediction: Forbidding Mourning” captures why America might be overlooking 200,000 deaths at the moment.

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Lying About on Labor Day

While some (like Joseph Conrad’s Marlow) regard work with reverence, others (like A.E. Housman) are irreverent and flippant.

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Will UK One Day “Rue” Brexit?

With Brexit, Britain ignores Donne’s contention that “no man is an island.” Irish poet Ian Duhig has a smart poem about the coming withdrawal.

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Strike My Heart So the Tears Will Flow

Good Friday In her poem “Good Friday,” Christina Rossetti laments that she responds to Christ’s death like a stone, not a faithful sheep. Why can’t she be like the women who wept at the foot of the cross, or Peter who wept for his betrayal, or the sun and the moon that hid their faces? […]

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