Monthly Archives: November 2013

Poetry Is Not a Luxury

By Robin Bates | Published: November 12, 2013

Poetry Audre Lorde makes a practical case for visionary poetry.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 11, 2013

William Carlos Williams has a poem that prompts us to see beyond immigrant stereotypes.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 10, 2013

Kipling’s “Recessional” curiously isn’t the imperialistic war poem that would have expected at Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 9, 2013

The scene in “David Copperfield” where Steerforth bullies a sensitive teacher provides insight into the Miami Dolphins’ Incognito-Martin case.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 8, 2013

Scott Bates and Lucille Clifton find poetic lessons in falling leaves.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 7, 2013

Susan Sontag loved literature because she craved “new blood and new nourishment and new inspiration.”

By Robin Bates | Published: November 6, 2013

Jon Stewart may be one of our leading satirists, but satire comes up short in handling this country’s healthcare crisis.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 5, 2013

The story of how Toni Morrison’s “Song of Solomon” inspired one of my African American students.

By Robin Bates | Published: November 4, 2013

There’s a decline in English majors at elite universities. We use a Lucille Clifton poem to respond.