Looking at the United States from the vantage point of Iran, Nafisi writes that it was America’s vagrant nature that she connected to. She writes that America “somehow encourages this vagabond self.”
Monthly Archives: April 2011
America Encourages the Vagabond Self
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Azar Nafisi, Great Gatsby, Huckleberry Finn, Immigration, Invisible Man, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Wizard of Oz Comments closed
King Lear and Medicare Politics
In the 2010 elections, seniors over 65 voted overwhelmingly Republican, perhaps in response to perceived threats to Medicare. Democrats may respond in kind in the upcoming election. In short, a lot of electoral politics involves firing up seniors. Frightened and angry old people can do a lot of damage. Which brings us to King Lear.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged King Lear, Medicare, politics, Senior Citizens, William Shakespeare Comments closed
Rebelling against Big Nurse’s Nanny State
If Hillary Clinton were currently our president, I have no doubt in the world that rightwing pundits and politicians would be comparing her to a lead character in the work I am writing about today. She would be Nurse Ratched from Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Ken Kesey, One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest, politics, Tea Party Comments closed
Reaching Out to the Needy in Tough Times
Yet having nothing, the Joads still share. In the final scene of The Grapes of Wrath, Steinbeck taps into the legend of “Roman Charity” where a daughter breastfeeds her starving father. In this case, however, Rose of Sharon feeds a starving stranger. A new human family is rising out of the ashes of the old.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, Medicare, politics, poverty Comments closed
A Night Different from All Other Nights
In celebration of the Jewish Passover, which begins Tuesday, I post this beloved poem by Primo Levi, written in 1982, which many people now incorporate into their seder rituals. Knowing that Levi was an Auschwitz survivor gives the poem a special poignancy.
Poetry Often Prefers Losers
Young McIlroy, bidding to become the youngest golfer to win the Master’s since, yes, Tiger, found himself cast in the role of Icarus. Flying close to the bright sun of fame, the wax in his wings melted and he plummeted to earth in a debacle that scorched the eyes to watch.
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American Idealism Under Fire
Americans are desperate for hope and grand vision, but it remains to be seen whether we can come together as a nation rather than indulge in nonstop partisan bickering and brinksmanship. Until we do so–or perhaps until the economy turns around–our combat films will be continue to be cynical and dark.
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A Day in the Life of a College Professor
I had a very interesting day Monday. Taking inspiration from Alexander Solzhenitsyn’s A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, I thought I’d describe it to give you a window into the life of a college teacher.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch, teaching Comments closed
