Tag Archives: William Blake

Blake on Bible-Citing Politicians

By Robin Bates | Published: June 17, 2018

William Blake would strenuously oppose Jeff Sessions Immigration policies.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Holy Thursday", Immigration, Jeff Sessions | Comments closed

When Science Clips an Angel’s Wings

By Robin Bates | Published: April 15, 2018

Scientist and atheist Richard Dawkins disagrees with Keats and Poe in their attacks on science. I think he loses the argument.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Mock on, "Mont Blanc", "To Science" John Keats, Edgar Allen Poem, Lamia, Percy Shelley, Richard Dawkins | Comments closed

Nature Lit Has Healed for Centuries

By Robin Bates | Published: December 5, 2017

For years my Intro to Lit class has had a nature theme.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Bacchae, Barbara Kingsolver, climate change, environmental issues, Euripides, Flight Behavior, John Keats, Leslie Marmon Silko, Lord Byron, Lucille Clifton, Margaret Atwood, Mary Oliver, Midsummer Night's Dream, nature poetry, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Wendell Berry, William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Year of the Flood | Comments closed

The Evangelical Rose Is Sick

By Robin Bates | Published: November 19, 2017

Many rightwing evangelicals are selling their souls for Trumpism. William Blake would have something to say about that.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Holy Thursday", "Sick Rose", Donald Trump, London, rightwing Christianity, Roy Moore | Comments closed

Rightwing Evangelicals Bind with Briars

By Robin Bates | Published: October 29, 2017

Studies show that college does not turn young people away from religion. In fact, literature and humanities courses can strengthen faith.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Garden of Love", "poem in praise of menstruation", Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jane Austen, Lucille Clifton, Pride and Prejudice, Purple Hibiscus, rightwing Christianity, rightwing evangelicals | Comments closed

Wordsworth and a Depressed Philosopher

By Robin Bates | Published: October 5, 2017

When utilitarian John Stuart Mill’s philosophy led him into despair, Wordsworth’s poetry saved him.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Mock on, Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Depression, Englightenment, Giver, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill, Lois Lowry, Tintern Abbey, Ursula K. LeGuin, utilitarianism, William Wordsworth | Comments closed

Milton Understood Ambitious Con Men

By Robin Bates | Published: March 28, 2017

A recent “Atlantic” article argues that Milton’s Satan is quintessentially American, with the archangel as both rugged individualist and honey-tongued con man. Sounds a lot like our current president.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged Donald Trump, John Milton, Paradise Lost | Comments closed

Immigrants Face a Sophie’s Choice

By Robin Bates | Published: March 8, 2017

Republicans have recently been outdoing themselves in cruelty, both regarding immigration and health care. William Styron and William Blake weigh in.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Chimney-Sweeper", GOP, immigrants, Obamacare, Sophie's Choice, William Styron | Comments closed

The Twisted Fingers Letting Go

By Robin Bates | Published: November 26, 2016

Catherine Alder has a beautiful poem in which she calls upon us to unclench our fists. I reflect also upon two other works that feature clenched fists, Blake’s “Grey Monk” and George MacDonald’s “Lilith.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged "Advent Hands", "Grey Monk", Advent, Catherine Alder, George MacDonald, Hands, Lilith, St. Joseph | Comments closed