Spiritual Sunday A couple of weeks ago my library reading group discussed Marilynne Robinson’s Lila, the third novel in what one member described as a triptych. I love Robinson’s depiction of the Congregationalist minister John Ames in Gilead, and Lila gives us the backstory of the woman that Ames marries as an old man. (Home, […]
Monthly Archives: May 2015
A Sense of Wonder at the Zoo
Taking my son to the National Zoo recalled A. A. Milne’s “At the Zoo.” As with Christopher Robin, the elephants were the star attraction.
Milton Cautions vs. Scientific Arrogance
One of my science students found a way to examine her frustrations at her limited knowledge by looking at Satan and Eve in “Paradise Lost.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged John Milton, knowledge, Paradise Lost, Science, temptation Comments closed
Kafka’s K Would Feel at Home with FISA
A “Washington Post” quiz comparing Franz Kafka’s “The Trial” with the United Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court comes up with some disturbing resemblances.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged court system, FBI, FISA Court, foreign intelligence agents, Franz Kafka, NSA, Trial, United Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court Comments closed
Vacations Must Be More than Photographs
Wendell Berry warns that photographs can come between us and a profound vacation experience. I’ll keep that in mind in my upcoming trip to Machu Picchu.
To See God, the Eye Must Catch Fire
Blake’s poem “Pentecost” explains what is necessary to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Stephen King & the War for America’s Soul
In “The Stand,” Stephen King sees the dark and the light fighting for control of America’s soul. His book had the Vietnam War in mind but it is also applicable to future policy in the Middle East.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged 9-11, Iraq War, Nathaniel Hawthorne, neoconservativism, Stand, Stephen King, Vietnam War, war, Young Goodman Brown Comments closed
Liberals Must Reclaim Harrison Bergeron
Vonnegut’s “Harrison Bergeron” has been adopted by the rightwing in their opposition to governmental regulations. It’s actually a fairly liberal story.
