The Frankfurt School’s Theodor Adorno, “culture industry” theorist, foresaw the rise of Trump. He looked to modernism, including modernist literature, as an antidote.
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Tag Archives: Donald Trump
Culture Theorist Foresaw Trump’s Rise
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged culture industry, Don DeLillo, mass culture, Theodor Adorno Comments closed
Despite Trump, “The Land Holds Us Still”
On this one-month anniversary of the 2016 election, I look back at two authors who meditated on what to do next immediately after hearing the news. Terry Tempest Williams looks to nature while Zadie Smith looks to the music to be found in multiethnic harmony.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged "Erosion", 2016 presidential election, hope, resistance, Terry Temest Williams, White Teeth, Zadie Smith Comments closed
If Swift Had Known Donald Trump…
Jonathan Swift would have had a field day with Donald Trump. I suspect I’ll say this often in the upcoming years.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Gulliver's Travels, Hillary Clinton, Jonathan Swift, Modest Proposal, politics Comments closed
Thanksgiving in the Age of Trump
Thanksgiving this year may encounter the strains of the recent election. For a depiction of how bad it can get, check out the Christmas dinner scene in “Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man.” It will show you what to avoid.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged James Joyce, politics, Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man, relatives, Thanksgiving Comments closed
Civil War Battle, Image of Climate Denial
Ambrose Bierce’s disturbing short story “Chickamauga” can be applied to climate change denialsm.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Ambrose Bierce, Chickamauga, climate change, climate denial Comments closed
Can Trump Cast Off His Falstaffs?
Can Donald Trump, like Prince Hal in Shakespeare’s “Henry IV” plays, shift from irresponsible merrymaker to great leader? Can he say, “I know thee not old man” to his former companions? Dream on.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged Henry IV Part I, Henry IV Part II, William Shakespeare Comments closed
Toni Morrison: White Panic Led to Trump
As Toni Morrison sees it, William Faulkner’s observations about white panic go a long way toward explaining Trump’s victory.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged 2016 presidential election, Absolom Absolom, Go Tell a Watchman, Harper Lee, racism, To Kill a Mockingbird, Toni Morrison, white privilege, William Faulkner Comments closed
HRC & McKinley’s Strong Woman Fantasy
Robin McKinley’s “Chalice” is a novel about a woman with strong powers who scares men away. It’s a story that may explain the 2016 election.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged 2016 presidential election, Chalice, Hillary Clinton, Robin McKinley Comments closed
What Would Beowulf Do?
Beowulf offers us guidance for fighting back against Trumpism. Here’s a step-by-step account of the three monsters that will be facing liberals and what they must do.
Posted in Uncategorized Also tagged 2016 presidential election, Beowulf, Beowulf poet Comments closed