Tag Archives: ISIS

Browning Describes Incel’s Misogyny

By Robin Bates | Published: May 3, 2018

The Toronto van murderer claims to have been an “incel” (involuntary celibate) who acted out his rage against women. He resembles the creepy speaker in Robert Browning’s “Porphyria’s Lover.”

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Islamic Philosophy vs. Muslim Fanatics

By Robin Bates | Published: April 29, 2018

In his fantasy novel “Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights,” Salman Rushdie engaged in a debate within Islam about Reason vs. Faith. Good and bad jinn weigh in on each side.

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The Dark Jinn Invade America

By Robin Bates | Published: April 17, 2018

Salman Rushdie’s “Two Years Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights” helps explain how Trump came to power. Blame it on a longing for dark fantasy.

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The Terrible Beauty of Political Fanatics

By Robin Bates | Published: March 29, 2016

While many are celebrating the centenary of Ireland’s Easter uprising, Yeats’s famous poem on the rebellion offers us cautions about how to respond to such acts of rebellion today.

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Obama Is to Trump as Albany Is to Goneril

By Robin Bates | Published: March 23, 2016

While Trump calls for torture of terrorists and Ted Cruz calls for carpet bombing them, President Obama calls for America to take the high moral road. He sounds like Albany arguing with Goneril in “King Lear.”

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When It Comes to Culture, Bet on France

By Robin Bates | Published: November 18, 2015

In the wake of the ISIS attacks, France has something to fall back on: its proud literary tradition.

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ISIS Mastermind Like Mystery Cat Macavity

By Robin Bates | Published: November 17, 2015

Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the mastermind behind the Paris attacks, is like Eliot’s “Macavity: the Mystery Cat.” He has been connected with a string of terrorist incident but is never captured.

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We Risk Becoming Grendel’s Mother

By Robin Bates | Published: November 16, 2015

In reaction to the horrors of the Paris massacres, we are in danger of becoming consumed by the vengeful grief of Grendel’s Mother. The times call upon us to be Beowulf strong.

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Can Poetry Respond Adequately to Evil?

By Robin Bates | Published: November 15, 2015

Americans turned to Auden’s “September 1, 1939” following 9-11, and it can inspire and guide us following the Paris terror attacks.

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