Monthly Archives: April 2014

Is Tiger, Like Sherlock, Presumed Dead?

By Robin Bates | Published: April 12, 2014

Sherlock Holmes had an unexpected second act. Can Tiger Woods have one as well?

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Mowgli, a Tea Party Libertarian?

By Robin Bates | Published: April 11, 2014

Although Kipling’s “Jungle Books” sometimes read like a rightwing fantasy, there’s a progressive element as well.

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The Minefield of Talking about Race

By Robin Bates | Published: April 10, 2014

More thoughts on how to address difficult questions of race, again with the help of Aphra Behn.

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Race Disagreements amongst Friends

By Robin Bates | Published: April 9, 2014

The intricacies of the debate between Chait and Coates on the culture of poverty can be sorted out by applying Aphra Behn’s “Oroonoko.”

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Spring’s Triumph over War

By Robin Bates | Published: April 8, 2014

In Henry Reed’s “Naming of Parts,” sexual spring wins out over a bureaucratic drill sergeant.

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Melville’s Parable of American Denial

By Robin Bates | Published: April 7, 2014

Melville’s “Benito Cereno” captures the contradictions of today’s conservative extremists.

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Hope Out of a Dry Bones Wasteland

By Robin Bates | Published: April 6, 2014

In “The Waste Land,” Eliot alludes to Ezekiel’s valley of dry bones multiple times.

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The Zen of Basketball

By Robin Bates | Published: April 5, 2014

Imagine a groups of Zen Buddhists playing basketball.

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Will Oliver Finally Get Health Care?

By Robin Bates | Published: April 4, 2014

Oliver Twist experiences the same ups and downs as Obamacare has. But there’s a happy ending.

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