Read about the events of the Buddha’s early life that lead him to preaching about a different way of living.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Stephen Crane
This biography of author Stephen Crane includes an analysis of some of his work. Click the “Poems, Articles, & More” tab to read some of his poetry.
Review: Kate Tempest, a Young Poet Conjuring Ancient Gods
Kate Tempest followed up her powerful piece “My Shakespeare” with award-winning poetry and breathtaking rap performances.
Langston Hughes: Biography
American poet, playwright, and novelist Langston Hughes was an influential contributor to the Harlem Renaissance. Discover how his voice expressed in writing the feelings and beauty of African American lives in the 1920s.
Floods, Fires, Storms are Fodder for Centuries of Poems
Poet and editor Jeffrey Yang reminds us how disasters can stimulate creativity. In this video he discusses a collection of poems about how we heal after disasters and how the beauty and power of nature can help.
Acrophobia
Why are people often naturally afraid of heights? Why are some more fearful than others? This article explains what acrophobia is and how sensible fear of heights is.
Top 8 Special Animals in Greek Mythology
These mythological creatures are not your usual pets. Find out about a three-headed dog, a chimera, and other strange animals that appeared in ancient Greek tales.
Walt Whitman’s war
Self-published in 1865 and then consolidated into other volumes of poetry, Walt Whitman’s Drum-Taps, a collection of 69 poems, is now seeing new life 150 years later.
Conversing With the World: The Poet in Society
Read about the role of protest and political poetry throughout American history.
Phillis Wheatley
American Colonial poet Phillis Wheatley was brought from Africa to the United States as a child. Though a slave, she was taught to read and write and became a renowned poet for a time.
‘Map: Collected and Last Poems,’ by Wislawa Szymborska
Read this review of a recent collection of poetry by Wislawa Szymborska.
The Psychology Behind Superhero Origin Stories
Why is it that in every superhero story, the hero never springs fully-formed into action? What’s so important about knowing why each superhero has the special powers he or she does?
Modern ‘Macbeth’ spills blood in the kitchen
Among the many resettings of Shakepeare’s powerful exploration of ambition at all costs is a BBC version set in the kitchen of a modern high-end restaurant. How well does a tale of medieval regicide translate to 21st-century TV chef wars? Find out in this review.
Eight female authors your class should know for the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s “Emma”
Like Mark Twain, Jane Austen wrote tales that made her one of the most popular writers in her day. Find out what other female authors became popular in their day and some little-known facts about each one.
Hollywood Horror: The Evolution of the Horror Movie Poster
How were movies advertised before the internet existed? This article looks at the important role that movie posters played in spreading the word about the latest, scariest horror movie.
Escher’s gravity-defying waterfall
M. C. Escher was a Dutch graphic artist specializing in woodcuts, mezzotints, and lithographs inspired by mathematical principles. “Waterfall” is a lithograph first printed in October 1961 creating an optical illusion which Escher was famous for. Select the link in the article to see the original lithograph and more of Escher’s amazing work.
Modernism
Read about the history of modernism in literature.
Just A Few Important Words About The Declaration Of Independence
Stephen Lucas, a professor of humanities, analyzes the language of the Declaration of Independence.
Does Fiction Have the Power to Sway Politics?
Two writers argue that works of fiction can trigger political change, sometimes directly, but more often, indirectly. Upton Sinclair, author of The Jungle, is one example.
In The Shadow Of Kafka: David Baddiel explores “The Metamorphosis” for new BBC radio series
Franz Kafka’s novella “The Metamorphosis” baffled readers when it first appeared in print a century ago. A new radio series explores its continuing influence.