For a genuine depiction of Appalachia, read Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead,” not Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy.” Vance just engages in “poornography.”
Author Archives: Robin Bates
And Took from Thence a Rib
In “Paradise Lost,” Milton does interesting things with Adam’s rib and the creation of Eve.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Fall, Genesis creation story, John Milton, John Wilmot, Paradise Lost, patriarchy, Plato, Symposium Comments closed
Jack London Predicted January 6
Jack London’s 1908 dystopian novel “The Iron Heel” anticipates a U.S. president refusing to give up power.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Iron Heel, Jack London, January 6 indictment, January 6 insurrection, SCOTUS Comments closed
Judge Invokes Handmaid’s Tale in Ruling
A Georgia judge has invoked “Handmaid’s Tale” is ruling against a six-week abortion ban, testifying to the power of literature.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Abortion, Book banning, Dobbs decision, Handmaid's Tale, J.D. Vance, Margaret Atwood, Robert McBurney Comments closed
Rosh Hashanah: Running into a New Year
Clifton’s “i am running into a new year” works as a Rosh Hashanah poem.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "i am running into a new year", High Holy Days, Lucille Clifton, Rosh Hashanah Comments closed
Advice for Climate Prophets
Wilbur’s poem “Advice for Prophets,” addressed to scientists warning about nuclear war, applies also to climate change. Hurricane Helene is the latest red flag.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Advice to a Prophet", climate change, climate change denial, Hurricane Helene, hurricanes, Project 2025, Richard Wilbur Comments closed
Trump as Washed-Up Salesman?
Is Trump beginning to come across as a washed-up salesman like Loman in “Death of a Salesman” or Levene in “Glengarry Glen Ross”?
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Arthur Miller, David Mamet, Death of a Salesman, Donald Trump, Election 2024, Glengarry Glen Ross Comments closed
David’s Sweet Laudation of the Lord
Hecht’s “Saul and David” captures the power of music to soothe a restless soul.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged "Saul and David", Anthony Hecht, Harold Bloom, Music, Psalms Comments closed
My Through the Looking-Glass Vote
Voting as a liberal in a red state can feel like Alice attempting to advance in a looking-glass world.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged Alice through the Looking-Glass, Election 2024, Herman Melville, Kamala Harris, Lewis Carroll, Moby Dick, voting Comments closed
