Trump is as miserable as Milton’s Satan (and also a character in a Trollope novel). Unfortunately, like Satan, he does all he can to pull others into his well of misery.
Tag Archives: Doctor Faustus
Trump and Satan, Both Miserable
MAGA Militias and Nazi Collaborators
Kate Atkinson’s “Transcription” involves a mole infiltrating the ranks of Nazi sympathizers. Pro-Publica recently published an account of such a mole in U.S. rightwing militias.
Trumpian Darkness or True Light? Choose
Trump and many of his fans twist themselves in the perpetual torment of their resentment and anger. Henry Vaughan describes their state in “The World.”
A GOP Senator as Doctor Faustus
Mitt Romney has accused Sen. J.D. Vance for selling himself “so cheap.” Think of the “Hillbilly Elegy” author as Faustus.
Selling Dead Souls in an American Prison
While lit mostly helped Daniel Genis handle a 10-year prison term, novels by Gogol and Thomas Mann got him into special trouble.
Hawthorne Explains the Eternal Sin
Hawthorne explores what Jesus means by the “eternal sin” in a number of stories, including “Scarlet Letter.”
Who Gets to Be Called “Dr.”?
Alexandra Petri satirizes a dismissal of Jill Biden’s doctorate by imagining herself as Dr. Victor Frankenstein.
Does Lit Lead to Illicit Sex?
Dante’s beautifully tragic account of Paolo and Francesca captures–as many great works do–the dangers of total absorption in a relationship.
Better Living through Virgil
When lost in deep depression, Dante turns to his favorite author, Virgil, to help him out.