Monthly Archives: April 2011

America Encourages the Vagabond Self

By Robin Bates | Published: April 21, 2011

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.”

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King Lear and Medicare Politics

By Robin Bates | Published: April 20, 2011

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.

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Rebelling against Big Nurse’s Nanny State

By Robin Bates | Published: April 19, 2011

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.

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Reaching Out to the Needy in Tough Times

By Robin Bates | Published: April 18, 2011

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.

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A Night Different from All Other Nights

By Robin Bates | Published: April 17, 2011

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.

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Poetry Often Prefers Losers

By Robin Bates | Published: April 16, 2011

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

By Robin Bates | Published: April 15, 2011

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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Telling a Dog to Stay

By Robin Bates | Published: April 14, 2011

Since I know that some of you are dog lovers and have had the experience, as I did three years ago, of “putting your pet down,” I offer you this poem by Daniel Groves” called “A Dog’s Life.” It is sad and playful both and may bring a smile amidst the tears.

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A Day in the Life of a College Professor

By Robin Bates | Published: April 13, 2011

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.

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