Posted on: 12 Jun 2024
If you’ve read my series of articles on Arthur Miller’s The Crucible, you know it’s not a particularly happy text – nor should it be. Published in 1953 as a criticism of McCarthyism, The Crucible distills a uniquely American paranoia. Looking around at the current media landscape, I can’t help but think that Miller’s text […]
Posted on: 06 Jun 2024
It’s easy to think that Arthur Miller’s The Crucible (published in 1953 as a criticism of McCarthyism) depicts a societal delusion that couldn’t happen today. However, in a world full of “fake news” and conspiracy theories, The Crucible’s presentation of the paranoia, guilt, and jealousy that beset Salem feels all too relevant. Miller’s text continues […]
Posted on: 31 May 2024
Published in 1953 as a critique of McCarthyism and the Red Scare , Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a nail-biting depiction of how paranoia leads to internecine violence. Even more crucially, the text illustrates the theocratic origins of modern American sexual mores. This article will provide a detailed summary and analysis of Act 1 of […]
Posted on: 20 May 2024
Given its reputation, you’ve likely heard of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World – even if you haven’t read it. (Here’s a helpful summary if you’re interested.) Published in 1932, Huxley’s dystopian (utopian?) novel presents a technologically advanced society organized into a rigid biological caste system. The book’s critique of media, drugs, and authority are more […]
Posted on: 10 May 2024
Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a classic of dystopian literature. As a cultural touchstone, you’ve no doubt seen references to it in popular culture. It’s been adapted to no less than four TV movies, three radio broadcasts, and at least one theater production. (As a humorous aside, recall that Sandra Bullock’s character in Demolition […]
Posted on: 30 Apr 2024
Brave New World Summary – A regular on the AP reading list, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World is a dystopian novel that asks what a society is willing to trade for stability and peace. It’s a book that hasn’t lost its relevance. Ninety-two years after its publication, its presentation of the pacifying effects of drugs, […]
Posted on: 10 Apr 2024
Whether you’ve read the play or not, you’re probably familiar with the plot of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark—moody Prince Hamlet mopes around wondering how to avenge his father’s death. (Maybe you remember Mel Gibson talking to a skull?) If you need a summary, here’s a link. At the same time, a […]
Posted on: 21 Mar 2024
If you’re here, you’ve probably been asked to read Shakespeare’s longest play, Hamlet. Don’t worry if you’re feeling overwhelmed – it’s not an easy play. First, I’d recommend you take a look at this scene-by-scene summary, then, when you know what’s going on, come back and we can identify, discuss, and analyze some specific quotes […]