Tag Archives: Nathaniel Hawthorne

Stephen King & the War for America’s Soul

By Robin Bates | Published: May 22, 2015

In “The Stand,” Stephen King sees the dark and the light fighting for control of America’s soul. His book had the Vietnam War in mind but it is also applicable to future policy in the Middle East.

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Political Consultants Should Read Lit

By Robin Bates | Published: May 4, 2015

Which literary works would you recommend to a political consultant to stay in touch with his or her soul and avoid becoming lost in the dark side? How about Hawthorne, Melville, Shakespeare, Pinter, and Terrence McNally?

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Social Media, Our Modern Day Pillory

By Robin Bates | Published: April 1, 2015

Social media has become the pillory of the 21st century, shaming people the way Hester Prynne is shamed in “The Scarlet Letter.”

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Lit’s 10 Strongest Female Characters

By Robin Bates | Published: September 9, 2013

Who are literature’s ten strongest female characters? Here’s my list.

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Campaign 2012: Assorted Lit Allusions

By Robin Bates | Published: March 1, 2012

Literary allusions are flying fast and free in this primary season.

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Michael Vick and the Scarlet Letter

By Robin Bates | Published: November 27, 2010

Sports Saturday Quarterback Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles continues to be the most interesting story in American sports. After spending two years in jail for participating in dog fighting, against all predictions he has emerged to become one of the most dynamic players in the National Football League. In the last three weeks he […]

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Purity Tests Kill the Patient

By Robin Bates | Published: April 7, 2010

This is following up on an idea I inferred yesterday, that our delight in white cherry tree blossoms indicates a deep longing for innocence.  I suggested that we have more of a problem than do the Japanese (or at least certain Japanese connoisseurs) over the fact that this innocence will fade.  Wanting to grab on to innocence […]

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