Germany is home both to the Grimm brothers, authors of our best-known fairy tales, and stunning castles that would make the perfect setting for those tales.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Why do we read scary books?
In this article, author Lou Morgan provides insight into the reasons people choose to read horror stories.
Pokémon GO: U.S. Holocaust museum asks players to stay away
Locating, capturing, battling, and training Pokémon can take a person into a whole new virtual world, but should there be limits on where a user can roam in the quest for these creatures?
Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and the War That Changed Poetry, Forever
In this blog entry, David Ward looks at the influence of the Civil War on poetry, specifically the works of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson.
The Curious, and Continuing, Appeal of Mark Twain in China
In most Chinese classrooms, students learned about Mark Twain, a famously American author. Twain’s satirical short story, “Running for Governor,” was used to reinforce anti-Western, anti-capitalist views. As you read this article, be sure to take a look at the short story referenced.
Poe Museum
Are you curious about Edgar Allan Poe? Would you like to read his stories? Explore this site to learn about his life, read his work, and even solve the mystery of his death!
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Watch the trailer for this Academy Award nominated documentary to see how survivors of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami are inspired by the cherry blossom to rebuild their lives.
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History
Since the beginning of human history, art has reflected the responses of people to their lives and the changing world around them. Explore this comprehensive timeline, which places examples of art through the ages in historical and geographic context.
Stylized Fairy Tales Inspired Sandra Cisneros’ Cross-Cultural Voice
Find out what inspired author Sandra Cisneros’ special voice by reading or listening to this National Public Radio interview.
Auden’s Musée des Beaux Arts
Auden’s poem is only partly about the painting “Landscape with the Fall of Icarus.” In this article, Scott Horton discusses the other source for Auden’s images and provides historical context for both the poem and the art: Breughel’s “The Census at Bethlehem.”
Odysseus’ Journey
Using this interactive map, you can follow Odysseus on his travels and learn about each destination on his 20-year-long journey.
All the World’s a Stage for Shakespeare, But We No Longer Understand Him
The director of England’s National Theatre admits that even he doesn’t always understand Shakespeare’s language. Read the article to find out why.
The Perilous Lure of the Underground Railroad
Journalist Kathryn Shulz examines fictional accounts of fugitive slaves navigating the underground railroad, the accuracy of those accounts, and why we are drawn to them.
Nature in Chinese Culture
Throughout history, nature has inspired Chinese artwork. Read the article to learn about the country’s connection to nature and click some of the images in the slideshow to view specific art pieces.
10 Things You May Not Know About Nathaniel Hawthorne
Did you know Nathaniel Hawthorne served as an American diplomat and had a daughter who has been proposed for sainthood? Learn these and more little-known facts about the famous author.
From Bruce Springsteen to Tyson Fury, men are opening up about depression
A number of male celebrities have recently opened up about their mental health struggles, sparking conversations about male depression.
The Castle of Otranto: The creepy tale that launched gothic fiction
Horace Walpole’s novel The Castle of Otranto is considered by many to be the first example of gothic horror fiction. This article discusses the lasting influence the book has had on the horror genre.
What can Shakespeare teach us about freedom?
One scholar explains how Shakespeare’s characters can inspire us to be our truest selves.
Overlooked but Undeterred, a 101-Year-Old Artist Finally Gets Her Due
Carmen Herrera has been creating innovative paintings and sculptures for decades. Gain insight into her striking vision and why her work went largely unnoticed until she was well past the age at which most people retire.
An animated lesson full of adorable animals made of autumn leaves
You are what you eat! What about the stuff you don’t know you are eating, like dried plant matter that becomes part of the food chain? Here’s an interesting angle on the subject through a creative animation.