Monthly Archives: July 2023

Melville Would Have Understood Trump

By Robin Bates | Published: July 31, 2023

Melville foresaw Trump in “Confidence Man.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

Barbie: Love Her, Hate Her

By Robin Bates | Published: July 30, 2023

The new Barbie film confirms Piercy’s complaints about stereotypes in “Barbie Doll” but goes further.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

An Early Poem about Leah’s Lament

By Robin Bates | Published: July 29, 2023

A 6th century reflection on the story of Leah has her finding comfort in God, even though she is “hated” below

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

It’s Hotter’n Milton’s Hell

By Robin Bates | Published: July 27, 2023

As the world experiences unprecedented heat waves, Milton’s hell come to mind.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Obey Your Parents or Face the Lion

By Robin Bates | Published: July 26, 2023

Today being Hilaire Belloc’s birthday, I share one of his darkly comic “Cautionary Tales for Children.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Morrison on the Death of Emmett Till

By Robin Bates | Published: July 25, 2023

In “Song of Solomon,” Morrison has the men in the community grapple with what the death of Emmett Till means.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

Oppenheimer and Metaphysical Poetry

By Robin Bates | Published: July 24, 2023

In which I explore why Robert Oppenheimer was drawn to 17th century metaphysical poetry.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Tony Bennett, WWII, and Race Activism

By Robin Bates | Published: July 23, 2023

Learning about late singer Tony Bennett’s life has opened up new insights into my father, also a World War II vet and civil rights activist.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Comments closed

Mary Magdalene as Jesus’s Lover

By Robin Bates | Published: July 22, 2023

In Rilke’s “Pieta,” Mary Magdalene cradles the crucified Christ as a lover.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Comments closed