Tag Archives: Trumpism

Boredom + Sadism Drove Trumpists

By Robin Bates | Published: January 20, 2021

Boredom + sadism characterized Trumpism. The dynamic shows up in Samuel Richardson’s “Clarissa.” The country will hopefully flee back to maturity.

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Flag of Freedom, Union of Light and Law

By Robin Bates | Published: January 13, 2021

Along with their violence, Capitol Hill insurrectionists desecrated the American flag in multiple ways. Whittier reminds us what the flag really means.

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The GOP’s Monster Continues to Strike

By Robin Bates | Published: November 29, 2020

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.

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The Moment Has Come to Decide

By Robin Bates | Published: August 13, 2020

Educator Diane Ravitch’s favorite poem include two 19th century oldies that get at a teacher’s sense of mission.

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Atwood Gets the Authoritarian Mindset

By Robin Bates | Published: May 25, 2020

In her sequel to “Handmaid’s Tale,” Atwood demonstrates a deep understanding of authoritarianism.

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Will Trump Turn Us into Goodman Brown?

By Robin Bates | Published: November 4, 2019

The disillusion of Hawthorne’s Young Goodman Brown may prove to be America’s in a post-Trump world.

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“Rhinoceros” and Trump’s GOP Takeover

By Robin Bates | Published: September 8, 2019

Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” brilliantly captures how creeping authoritarianism works. It’s only too relevant.

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Is Loving Our Neighbor Asking Too Much?

By Robin Bates | Published: June 22, 2019

Spiritual Sunday This past week, I attended a special Bible study session on the Good Samaritan parable where Sewanee’s Rev. Amy Lamborn emphasized just how radical God’s second great commandment is. Jesus tells the story in such a way, she pointed out, that call out his audiences prejudices. At a time when we are turning […]

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Dryden Had Trump’s Number

By Robin Bates | Published: August 14, 2018

Dryden’s “Absolom and Architophel” describes unscrupulous politicians that we would find familiar today.

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