Max Hjortsberg's "Drone Poem" dives deep into what modern warfare looks like today, all through a poetic lens. It's not just about tech advancement; it’s more about what drones do to our psyche and morals. Hjortsberg isn’t just talking tech. He's questioning how distant and...
Introduction Racism, this big social issue that’s still around today, is making a huge impact on our lives. Even though we’ve come a long way with civil rights and stuff, racism is like this shadow that just won’t go away. It hits people and communities...
Introduction Kurt Vonnegut’s short story “2 B R 0 2 B” delves into a dystopian future where the population is meticulously controlled through the institution of government-sanctioned euthanasia. Published in 1962, the narrative unfolds in a world where death is not only regulated but essential...
Introduction Langston Hughes was a huge part of the Harlem Renaissance and really shook things up in American lit with his own special way of writing poems. His work, which dives deep into African American culture, shows his big push for social justice and how...
Introduction William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 29,” one of his famous collection of 154 sonnets, dives deep into feelings of sadness, jealousy, self-pity, and in the end, finding redemption through love. It’s written in the classic Shakespearean sonnet form with 14 lines and a rhyme scheme of...
Introduction Antigona Furiosa, written by Argentine playwright Griselda Gambaro in 1986, is a powerful reimagining of Sophocles’ classic tragedy, Antigone. Set against the backdrop of Argentina’s Dirty War (1976-1983), Gambaro’s play brings the old Greek story into a modern setting, dealing with themes like resistance,...
Introduction Atul Gawande’s book, “Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End,” dives into the tough and often ignored topics of getting old, end-of-life care, and what medicine should really focus on during these stages. Gawande, who’s a surgeon and also a researcher in...
Gwendolyn Brooks’ poem “A Song in the Front Yard” is a powerful and thought-provoking piece that explores themes of conformity, rebellion, and self-discovery. Through the use of vivid imagery and evocative language, Brooks presents a complex and nuanced portrayal of a young girl’s desire to...
Since the dawn of time, memory’s been super important in shaping who we are and how we see stuff around us. In her collection of essays called “The Site of Memory,” Toni Morrison digs deep into how memory ties into black humanity. This essay dives...
The Tattooed Soldier: Struggling for Justice and Redemption In the gripping novel “The Tattooed Soldier” by Hector Tobar, we dive into themes of justice and redemption. It’s all set against the harsh realities of political violence and social inequality in Guatemala. The story revolves around...
Structure and Form Alright, let’s dive into the structure of “Golden Retrievals” by Mark Doty. Right off the bat, you’ll notice it’s got five quatrains with an ABBA rhyme scheme. This gives it a nice balanced feel, like the perfect bond between people and their...
“Amnesty,” a sci-fi short story by Octavia Butler, dives into power dynamics and how tricky human relationships can be. We’ll look at different parts of “Amnesty” like the plot, characters, and themes to get what Butler’s saying. By checking out the main ideas and what...
Introduction S.E. Hinton’s The Outsiders dives deep into adolescence, exploring themes of social pressure, identity, and the search for belonging. Set in a mid-20th-century American town, it captures the conflict between the Greasers and the Socs through the eyes of its protagonist, Ponyboy Curtis. By...
Introduction Haruki Murakami’s short story “The Seventh Man” is a poignant exploration of trauma, memory, and the long journey toward healing. Through the narrative of the seventh man, Murakami delves into the profound impact of a childhood tragedy on an individual’s life, examining how the...
Introduction So, here’s the thing about Seabiscuit. He wasn’t just your average racehorse. Nope, this little guy was kinda overlooked at first, especially during the tough times of the Great Depression. But guess what? He turned into this big-time hero that millions just couldn’t get...
Anne Bradstreet, often called America’s first poet, gives us a glimpse into early colonial life with her personal and powerful poetry. She talks about family, religion, and nature, blending these themes into a rich mix that invites comparison. This essay dives into Bradstreet’s poems, highlighting...
Exploring Memory and Trauma Short stories have long served as a medium for exploring complex human emotions and societal issues within a concise narrative framework. One such story, “The Third Floor Bedroom,” delves into the intricate dynamics of memory, trauma, and self-discovery. The story revolves...
Introduction In the world of children’s books, not many can match the historical depth and emotional punch of Christopher Paul Curtis’s “Elijah of Buxton”. It came out in 2007 and takes place back in the 19th century at Buxton, a settlement in Ontario, Canada. This...
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that tells the parallel stories of two Sudanese children, Salva and Nya. Set against the backdrop of the Second Sudanese Civil War, the novel explores themes of perseverance, hope, and...