Monthly Archives: May 2012

Stephen King: Tax Me, Save America

By Robin Bates | Published: May 22, 2012

A version of Stephen King’s vision to raise taxes on millionaires (including himself) can be found in those of his novels where individuals collectively battle social fragmentation.

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A Lit Theory that Affirms Readers

By Robin Bates | Published: May 21, 2012

The students in my “Theories of the Reader ” course found the theorists we read affirming.

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Sin = Separation from Creation

By Robin Bates | Published: May 20, 2012

Seeing sin more as human separateness from creation than as disobeying God may be a more powerful way to teach the concept to today’s students.

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On Kobe and Aging

By Robin Bates | Published: May 19, 2012

Sherman Alexie wonders what will go through Kobe Bryant’s mind when he finds himself dominated by a younger player. This past week, we saw it happen.

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In Praise of an Anti-Gun Western

By Robin Bates | Published: May 18, 2012

The 1939 film “Destry Rides Again” takes a surprisingly strong stand against guns.

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Obama’s Love Affair with “Waste Land”

By Robin Bates | Published: May 17, 2012

Obama’s youthful love letters see him moving seamlessly between great ideas and sexual desire.

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A Villanelle for Graduating Seniors

By Robin Bates | Published: May 16, 2012

During our commencement ceremonies this past Saturday, my creative writing colleague Karen Anderson was asked to read an appropriate poem. (Previous posts on Karen’s poetry have appeared here and here.) Karen chose a villanelle by Theodore Roethke and then, in a very nice touch, explained how the poem’s intricate form as well as its content […]

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A Bulimic Sees Herself in Milton’s Satan

By Robin Bates | Published: May 15, 2012

One of my students who suffers from bulimia finds her condition mirrored in Satan’s rebellion against God.

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The Rape of John Lauber’s Locks

By Robin Bates | Published: May 14, 2012

The high school incident where Romney forcibly cut a classmate’s hair is less “Lord of the Flies” and more “Rape of the Lock.”

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