Stephen Crane’s novel The Red Badge of Courage is so realistic that readers tend to assume it’s based on his own experiences in the war. Spoiler alert: It isn’t.
Tag Archives: Arts & Entertainment
Why Godzilla is the perfect monster for our age of environmental destruction
Even though the first Godzilla movie was made over half a century ago, this hulking monster has staying power because it can represent the most modern of threats.
Matty Benedetto is the master of unnecessary inventions
Normally, an inventor strives to create products that fill a need and solve a problem. Matty Benedetto does the opposite. Watch a video showing his delightfully useless creations.
Nature Poems
Read this short history of poems about nature.
Mary Wollstonecraft Biography
Feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, who wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman in 1792, advocated for the education of women.
Literary thrills and chills: the rising trend of terror for teens
In this article, author Amy Lukavics explains the value she sees in horror fiction and argues that “true terror” should not have to be toned down for young adult readers.
Why do we like being scared?
Rollercoasters, haunted houses, scary movies — we enjoy being scared, but have you ever wondered why? Some scientists think being scared is good for us!
Why Black Panther’s representation matters, according to the cast
If tales of superheroes serve to inspire us and reflect what we value, they should represent all of us. Hear from the director and cast of the blockbuster movie.
This ASL interpreter steals the show at rap concerts
Until recently, the self-expression afforded by rap and hip-hop performances was unavailable to deaf audiences. With energetic and expressive sign language interpreters taking the stage along with the artists, that is changing.
A Poet Who Pushed (and Recycled) the Envelope
In this article, we learn about a new book, The Gorgeous Nothings, that showcases bits of poetry written on envelopes by Emily Dickinson. Be sure to enlarge the images to take a look at Dickinson’s manuscripts.
Woman On Street Attacked By Giant Snail, It Seems
The artist Julian Beever uses perspective to create amazing sidewalk art that looks three-dimensional—as long as you look at it from the right angle.
Can Museums and Other Institutions Keep up With Digital Culture?
In a rapidly-changing digital world, traditional cultural institutions like symphonies and museums are struggling to remain relevant. Find out how some are trying to keep up.
Shakespeare’s Sources for Macbeth
Where did Shakespeare get his ideas? This essay by Amanda Mabillard analyzes the sources and motivations underlying Shakespeare’s writing of The Tragedy of Macbeth.
Edgar Allan Poe – Mini Biography
Edgar Allan Poe’s legacy continues to pervade American culture to this day. His work and ideas not only helped to create an entire genre of literature but also changed the way many Americans thought and spoke about the human psyche. Watch this short biography of one of America’s most influential Dark Romantics.
Magnified photos expose the secret beauty of sand grains
Dr. Gary Greenberg uses high-quality microscopes to magnify and photograph grains of sand from beaches all over the world. Read this brief article to learn more. Make sure to click the link to view his spectacular images.
Phillis Wheatley
Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book of poetry in the United States, and the third woman to do so, regardless of race. Learn more about the life of this native of Senegal who was captured and enslaved at the age of eight.
Emily Dickinson Collection
Experience the Emily Dickinson Collection at Amherst College. Explore photos of the poet’s handwritten poems and letters.
Animation basics: The optical illusion of motion
This video explains how a human characteristic called ‘persistence of vision’ is the key to motion in animation.
Anne Frank: 10 beautiful quotes from The Diary of a Young Girl
This article appeared in January on Holocaust Memorial Day 2015, whose theme was “keep the memory alive.” Every time someone reads Anne Frank’s diary, that is what happens. What is your favorite quote from Anne Frank’s diary?
Zombie Neuroscience: Inside the Brains of the Walking Dead
What goes on inside the mind of a zombie? Two neuroscientists who are also avid zombie fans speculate about why zombies behave and act as they do. Based on their knowledge of the brain they explore some interesting reasons for their slow shuffle and poor coordination!