Mitt Romney may appear to lack a core, but so did Chance in Jerzy Kosinski’s novel “Being There.” And even Barack Obama is different things to different people.
Monthly Archives: January 2012
How Beowulf Can Save America
In our angry politics, we have versions of the monsters in “Beowulf.” The Geat warrior instructs tell us what we can do to effectively deal with the anger.
Epiphany Sunday and the Arabian Nights
The Christian Feast of the Epiphany and the Arabian Nights come together in a fanciful Scott Bates poem about the three wise men passing through Baghdad on their way to see Jesus.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Arabian Nights, Christianity, Epiphany, fantasy, Religion, Scott Bates "Tales of an Arabian Night" Comments closed
Jane Austen Can Change Your Love Life
“Jane Austen Book Club” makes the point that great literature can in fact change your life.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Book Clubs, fantasy, Film, Jane Austen, Jane Austen Book Club, Lost in Austen Comments closed
Is Mitt Romney a Doctor Faustus?
If Mitt Romney sells his soul for the nomination, can he get it back? Christopher Marlowe would say that it doesn’t look good.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Christopher Marlowe, Doctor Faustus, Jane Austen, Mitt Romney, politics, Presidential Primaries, Sense and Sensibility Comments closed
America’s New Apocalyptic Politics
Thomas Mann has a character in “The Magic Mountain” that casts light on the apocalyptic strain that has taken over the rightwing of the Republican Party.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Magic Mountain, politics, Presidential Primaries, Thomas Mann Comments closed
Translation Skeptics, Go Stuff Yourselves
Whenever I teach a work in translation (including Beowulf) I always feel vaguely guilty, as though I’m an amateur when the occasion calls for a professional. Therefore I am deeply grateful to my Ljubljana colleague Jason Blake for the following defense of translation. He puts his finger on my anxieties and assures me that reading […]
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "There Was a Tiger Here", Gregor StrniĊĦa, Jason Blake, translation Comments closed
Gazing into the Palantir in 2012
Tolkien warns us about gazing too deeply into the world’s darkness.
A Time of Rare Beasts, Unique Adventures
Spirit may seem less accessible after Christmas is over, Auden tells us, but that means we should focus all the more on seeking it out.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Christmas Oratorio", "Hollow Men", Spirituality, T. S. Eliot, W. H. Auden Comments closed
