Tag Archives: Voltaire

Candide on Trump as God’s Messenger

Trump has been accorded messiah status by some of his followers. Voltaire would disagree.

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Candide and the Deep State

Members of the MAGA cult resemble the Baron of Thunder-ten-Tronckh in “Candide.”

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Haitian Earthquake Redux

No poet can do justice to a disaster such as befell Haiti this past week. Voltaire and Karl Shapiro, however, have works that operate as a response.

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Will Trump Pay? Literature Is Unsure

Will Trump escape all accountability? Literature weighs in.

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GOP Bailout: Nothing If Not Consistent

GOP obsession with lining the pockets of the wealthy, now on display in their COVID bailout package, reminds me of the Baron in Voltaire’s “Candide.”

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Jigsaw Order Out of Chaos

As one who specializes in 18th century British lit, I’m fascinated with how jigsaw puzzles represent order arising from chaos.

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Candide & the GOP’s Tax Obsession

The GOP’s obsession with tax cuts reminds me of the Baron’s obsession with his lineage in Voltaire’s “Candide.” No matter how much reality changes, he always insists on this one thing.

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Why Christie Aides Targeted Sokolich

Why did Chris Christie aides target Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich and close down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge? Voltaire has the answer.

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Seeking a Spiritual Connection with Nature

from Songs of Innocence and Experience  My Introduction to Literature class (focus on Nature) has just moved from Robinson Crusoe to William Blake, and we are seeing in the 18th century a  conflict similar to one we are witnessing today over the environment. Defoe’s protagonist is an advocate of the “drill, baby, drill” approach to nature although, […]

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