Trump’s abuse of the pardon system invites comparisons with the behavior of Chaucer’s Pardoner and Summoner.
Tag Archives: Donald Trump
Trump & Chaucer’s Pardoner, Both Corrupt
Promises on the Year’s Darkest Evening
When we have a president who is governed by self-gratification, Frost’s famous poem about honoring obligations is what we need.
Brecht on Trumpian Democracy Attacks
Brecht has the perfect poem for Trump’s attempts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Yeats, Not Heaney, for Dark Times
For social and political barometers, try Heaney for optimism, Yeats for pessimism.
Lit for Understanding the Biden Voter
To understand “the Joe Biden” voter, start with August Wilson’s “Fences.”
A Wretch Concentered All in Self
Look to Sir Walter Scott, not to Shakespeare, to sum up Donald Trump’s exit.
Citizen Kane and Trump’s Psychology
Scott Bates’s poem about Citizen Kane provides deep insight into autocrats like Donald Trump.
The GOP’s Monster Continues to Strike
Many have talked about how the GOP created a Frankenstein’s monster in Trump. They can also be seen as a Circe (from Madeline Miller’s novel) creating Scylla.
Inferno’s Ditch Reserved for Mitch
Republicans enabling Trump in his attempts to subvert the 2020 election have a special place reserved from them in Dante’s Inferno: Circle 8, Bolgia 8.

