In “Marriage of Figaro,” Beaumarchais took the “clever servant” trope and turned into into a vehicle for revolutionary ideals. The play can be seen as having paved the way for the French Revolution.
Monthly Archives: November 2016
Figaro: The Play That Spurred a Revolution
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged American Revolution, Caron de Beaumarchais, French Revolution, Louis XVIk, Marriage of Figaro, monarchy Comments closed
Dorothy as Feminist Threat
In 1986, Christian fundamentalists objected to “The Wizard of Oz” being taught in school and won their lawsuit. As ridiculous as the case may sound, there are actually some good reasons for them to feel threatened.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Christian fundamentalism, Feminism, L. Frank Baum, witchcraft, witches, Wizard of Oz, women's rights movement Comments closed
Trumpist Masculinity Isn’t Kind to Men
In a story which is only too timely, the Washington Post recently reported that “sexist men have psychological problems.” Adrienne Rich was talking about this over 60 years ago in poems like “The Knight.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Knight" Donald Trump, Adrienne Rich, Feminism, masculinity Comments closed
If Swift Had Known Donald Trump…
Jonathan Swift would have had a field day with Donald Trump. I suspect I’ll say this often in the upcoming years.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Donald Trump, Gulliver's Travels, Hillary Clinton, Jonathan Swift, Modest Proposal, politics Comments closed
The Twisted Fingers Letting Go
Catherine Alder has a beautiful poem in which she calls upon us to unclench our fists. I reflect also upon two other works that feature clenched fists, Blake’s “Grey Monk” and George MacDonald’s “Lilith.”
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Advent Hands", "Grey Monk", Advent, Catherine Alder, George MacDonald, Hands, Lilith, St. Joseph, William Blake Comments closed
Back from Surgery and Doing Fine
My 91-year-old mother returned home yesterday from successful back surgery. I dedicate this 1914 Amy Lowell poem about convalescence to her.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Convalescence", Amy Lowell, back surgery, illness and recovery Comments closed
Thanksgiving in the Age of Trump
Thanksgiving this year may encounter the strains of the recent election. For a depiction of how bad it can get, check out the Christmas dinner scene in “Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man.” It will show you what to avoid.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Donald Trump, James Joyce, politics, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, relatives, Thanksgiving Comments closed
Civil War Battle, Image of Climate Denial
Ambrose Bierce’s disturbing short story “Chickamauga” can be applied to climate change denialsm.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Ambrose Bierce, Chickamauga, climate change, climate denial, Donald Trump Comments closed
