Shirley Jackson, author of “The Lottery,” was largely overlooked by critics during her lifetime because she was viewed only as a horror writer. According to this article, she is finally being recognized as an important figure in American literature.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Ursula K. Le Guin Was a Creator of Worlds
This article remembers the life and literary accomplishments of science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin, author of “The Wife’s Story,” who learned from her father the importance of being curious about others who are different from ourselves.
Gabriel García Márquez remembers his dearest friend, Julio Cortázar
Great thinkers can change how we see the world. In 1994, Nobel Prize winner Gabriel García Márquez wrote a tribute to Julio Cortázar, author of “The Night Face Up.” The piece begins with the story of a memorable night on a train to Prague. Click this link to read.
8 books that wouldn’t exist without Mary Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein’
Learn about some of the literary offspring of one of the earliest horror stories.
A beautiful voice and cultural bridge
How did a young African American boy from Oakland become a featured performer in Chinese opera? Find out what the cultures share.
Are you monomythic? Joseph Campbell and the hero’s journey
Read about Campbell’s theory of the hero’s journey and its affect on modern cinema.
J.K. Rowling wrote a new fairy tale
The author of the Harry Potter series threw herself a birthday party that featured a “lost manuscript” displayed in an unexpected way.
Peer-pressure fears make teens dance to same tune
Why do you love the songs you love? In some cases, the cause might be concern about whether your friends like the same songs.
How to write a horror story: 6 terrific tips
Have you ever wanted to write your own horror story? Get some practical tips to jump-start your ideas.
Kate Tempest: a winning wielder of words
In this summary of Kate Tempest’s career as a rapper and poet, critic Michael Hogan praises her work.
Laughter in the Dark: A History of Dark Rides
Early amusement parks may not have had high-tech thrill rides, but they managed to frighten people in simpler ways. Find out about the horror potential of a dangling string and other tricks of “dark rides.”
The Importance of Scaring Children
Most of the stories we remember hearing as young children avoid content that is gruesome or unsettling. But some writers feel that it’s healthier to share stories with a more frightening side.
Art + Technology = New Art Forms, Not Just New Art
Maybe you’ve always wanted to express yourself through art but didn’t feel talented enough. No problem! Technology isn’t just a shortcut to creating art; it’s the basis of whole new forms of art that you can explore.
What makes a hero? – Matthew Winkler
What do you have in common with heroes in literature, movies, and television? It may be more than you think. Watch this short video to learn about the the hero’s journey myth.
Q and A with Malcolm
Malcolm Gladwell talks about how his desire to learn why some people are incredibly successful led him to write Outliers.
This Is Your Brain on Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s writing style can be challenging to read. Not only did he write four centuries ago, but he also played with language, coining new words, rearranging syntax, and using words as different parts of speech. Now, researchers have discovered that this last feature—using a noun like child as a verb instead, for example—excites the human brain because it is so unexpected.
Holocaust Survivor: Without Music, “I Wouldn’t Be Alive”
In this video clip from the nightly news, a 90-year-old Holocaust survivor takes the stage to share the music he played for fellow concentration camp prisoners.
Welcome to the Matrix: Are Humans Just a Computer Simulation?
Stories, novels, and movies allow us to consider possibilities beyond our everyday experiences. Some philosophers and nuclear physicists have begun to question whether the science-fiction movie The Matrix might have touched on a scientific reality.
With Utah’s concerns about youth suicide, should students study ‘Romeo and Juliet’?
Mental health advocates argue that Shakepeare’s play could help start important conversations with teenagers.
Pharrell Williams on How Taking Risks Can Lead to the Biggest Successes of Your Career
Hip hop artist and producer Pharrell talks about creating his biggest hit song, “Happy.”