Anthony Trollope’s thoughtful critiques of progressives can lead to constructive dialogues between conservatives and progressives.
Monthly Archives: January 2015
The Creator Spirit’s Deep Embrace
Denise Levertov’s “Avowal” equates opening oneself to God to opening oneself to “the Creator Spirit.”
Peter Wimsey vs. Oklahoma Executions
With Oklahoma resuming its executions yesterday, we need the reminders that Dorothy Sayers and Oscar Wilde give us about holding on to our humanity.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Ballad of Reading Gaol", "Eclogue for the Marriage of the Earl of Somerset", Busman's Honeymoon, Charles Warner, death penalty, Dorothy Sayers, John Donne, lethal injection, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Johnson Comments closed
Fox Would Appall Conservative Trollope
Conservative though he is, Anthony Trollope would be appalled at the arrogance of our rightwing media, given the way he goes after “The Jupiter” in “The Warden.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Anthony Trollope, anti-Muslims, Charlie Hebdo, Paris massacre, Rupert Murdoch, Warden Comments closed
After Paris: Dryden on Dangers of Hysteria
In “Absolom and Architophel,” Dryden warns against unscrupulous figures exploiting the hysteria following plots like the Paris massacre.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Absolom and Architophel, anti-Muslims, Charlie Hebdo, John Dryden, Paris massacre, Terrorism Comments closed
Grendel in Paris
As with other mass killings, “Beowulf” has lessons for the Paris massacre. Defoe and Rabelais, meanwhile, give us insight in the targeted satirical journal “Charlie Hebdo.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Beowulf, Charlie Hebdo, Daniel Defoe, Gargantua, Lucille Clifton, Rabelais, satire, Shortest Way with Dissenters, Terrorism Comments closed
Count to Five-and-Twenty, Tattycoram
Working with my grandson’s during a meltdown brought to mind the strategy used to calm Tattycoram in “Little Dorrit.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Charles Dickens, early childhood education, executive function, Little Dorrit, temper tantrums Comments closed
And God Said, “That’s Good”
James Weldon Johnson’s version of the Genesis creation story accords with some contemporary theological theories of God.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "The Creation", Bible, creation story, Genesis, James Weldon Johnson, Johnson (James Weldon) Comments closed
