In this biographical essay, literary critic Adam Kirsch argues that Robert Frost led a kind of double life that was necessary to create his acclaimed poetry.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Shakespeare’s Source Material
Shakespeare wasn’t just a gifted writer; he was also possibly the greatest literary borrower of all time. Find out about some of his favorite sources for plots.
8 Novels Inspired by the Odyssey
Get an overview of modern works that draw on Homer’s classic for inspiration.
Perspective in Paintings
One of the most challenging skills for beginning artists to learn is how to make their work accurately reflect how we view the world.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this biography, read how the events of Emerson’s life led him to be a central member of the American Transcendalist movement.
This Environmental Scientist Makes Art Out Of Climate Data
By incorporating environmental data into her artwork, scientist and artist Jill Pelto hopes to inform an audience who might not otherwise seek out the information. Scroll through the images at the top of the article to view her work.
Finding Frankenstein: On the trail of a monster across Europe
This article describes a Frankenstein-themed tour across Europe. How would you like to visit the sites that may have inspired Mary Shelley to write her famous tale?
War dead commemorated by Birmingham ice installation
Like Andy Goldsworthy, the Brazilian artist Néle Azevedo creates works designed to be temporary. Watch a time-lapse video and read a news article on her installations made of ice.
At 81, Mary Oliver shares her spiritual journey in ‘Upstream: Selected Essays’
Read about the influences on the poet who wrote “The Journey” and her quest for a fuller understanding of what it means to be alive.
Philip Freneau
Philip Freneau is known as the poet of the American Revolution, having written poems and other works about that time in American history. Learn more about this prolific writer in this biography.
How the West Was Won . . . By Waitresses
In 1878, Fred Harvey began building restaurants along the Santa Fe railway. After a fight broke out among male staff, he fired them and hired young women to take their place. These waitress jobs were a small step toward women’s independence.
Devices That Know How We Really Feel
Can you imagine a video game that can tell if you are happy or frustrated? Computers, smartphones, even cars may someday be able to identify our emotions and adjust accordingly.
Philippe Petit
Meet Philippe Petit, a man who said, “To me, it’s so simple that life should be lived on the edge of life.” Read his biography to learn about the risks this man is renowned for taking.
Without Edgar Allan Poe, We Wouldn’t Have Sherlock Holmes
This article points out that Edgar Allan Poe should be credited with creating the character upon which Sherlock Holmes was based.
Best children’s books with wishes
Some of the stories you loved best when you were younger probably concerned wishes. Why are wish tales so popular?
How improv comedy helped a teen with autism
Teens on the autism spectrum may have trouble interacting with others. The challenge of performing improv comedy can help.
Wonder Woman and the Importance of the Female Hero Moment
What makes a summer blockbuster movie something more than mere entertainment? Read one writer’s opinion.
Emily Dickinson’s Letters
Dickinson’s mentor Thomas Wentworth Higginson shares his impressions of her along with several of her letters to him.
Fair is foul and foul is fair: Macbeth in Tunisia
How did a 400-year-old English drama apply to the Arab Spring?
Meet the female entrepreneurs using tech for good
Combining video games with a charitable cause is something that Jude Ower is very proud of. Developing Playmob was an opportunity for Jude to utilize her technology expertise to help those in need across the world, from children to pandas!