Atwood’s disturbing dystopian short story “Torch the Dusties” points to the uneven way that our society is apportioning its resources, along with the resulting anger.
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Tag Archives: Donald Trump
The Soldier Knew Someone Had Blundered
Donald Trump is refusing to take responsibility for the failed Yemen raid where a Navy Seal was killed, along with 30 civilians. The raid brings to mind the “Charge of the Light Brigade,” although more appropriate might be the Rudyard Kipling sequel, where the poet blasted England for failing to take care of the survivors.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Charge of the Light Brigade", "Last of the Light Brigade", Alfred Lord Tennyson, Navy Seals, Rudyard Kipling, Yemen raid Comments closed
“Enemy of the People,” Badge of Honor
Donald Trump has been attack the media as “the enemy of the people,” bringing to mind Heinrik Ibsen’s 1882 play. The play is about a truth-telling scientist but the parallels are still very apt: stand up for truth, regardless of the consequences.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged climate change, Enemy of the People, Heinrik Ibsen, Media, press, scientists Comments closed
Bannon: Deconstructionist or Con Man?
When Steve Bannon said that he plans to “deconstruct” the administrative state, it sounds vaguely impressive but maybe just be a pretentious way of saying that he’s planning on gumming up the works. A discussion of deconstruction is in order.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged deconstruction, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Jane Austen, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Pride and Prejudice, Satan, Steve Bannon Comments closed
Not a Reader (and Proud of It)
What do a president’s reading habits say about his/her vision of America? Obama’s celebration of a diverse America is the vision of a voracious reader. Trump’s shallow narrative is the vision of one who doesn’t read.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Humanities, Liberal arts education, Martha Nussbaum Comments closed
Shakespeare Would Support Transgenders
As Donald Trump rolls back transgender protections, it’s worth going back to Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” which honors the sense that many have (not just transgender individuals) that they have the other gender hidden away beneath their exteriors.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged LGBTQ rights, transgender rights, Twelfth Night, William Shakespeare Comments closed
The Ugliness of Racial Resentment
“The Merchant of Venice” is a story of resentment and thus is only too relevant in today’s political landscape of inflamed passion. Those who have been victimized–or who feel that they have been victimized–are only too ready to stick it to others when they are in power.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged anti-Semitism, Merchant of Venice, resentment, William Shakespeare Comments closed
Fundamentalists Send Readers to Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s “Handmaid’s Tale” is topping bestseller lists at the moment. The reason is probably because of the GOP’s prospect of success in curbing reproductive freedom.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged 1984, Abortion, George Orwell, Margaret Handmaid's Tale Comments closed
Chaucer’s Wife, an Early Gaslighter
Donald Trump’s non-ending falsehoods have sometimes been described as “gaslighting,” after the old Charles Boyer-Ingrid Bergman film. An early literary example of a gaslighter is Chaucer’s Wife of Bath, although her use of the tactic is far more justifiable.