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The Wife of Bath is Just Looking for Mr. Right
The Wife of Bath is a modern character, although she was written more than 500 years ago! Take an in depth look at Jeffrey Chaucer's most eleigble bachelorette.
Hero? My Eye! An Honest Look at Achilles
An examination of the anti-hero Achilles, from Homer's epic The Iliad
Yeats on The Upanishads
W.B. Yeats teamed with Swami Shree Purohit to release an English translation of the ancient Indian epics, The Upanishads. This book, "The Ten Principle Upanishads," focuses on the major Upanishads of the epic, and through Yeats' translation, Westerners can more easily understand the wisdom of the East.
Keep A Goin
"Keep A Goin'" is a classic poem that many readers have missed. For a postive outlook on life, read this article!
Willy Wonka and the Potter Factory
My tale of craziness from the front lines of the "Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix" buying frenzy!!
Beyond Narnia
"The Abolotion of Man," is a though provoking book written by C.S. Lewis in 1944. As authors, how have our own thoughts and creativity been formed by others? This question begs to be answered, along with many others, after reading his book.
Thanks for Being Our Neighbor Fred Rogers!
A tribute to Fred Rogers who was not only famous for his t.v. show which spanned so many decades, but also his children's books.
Who Was Oscar Wilde?
Few people are aware that Oscar Wilde had such a unique life. This biography will clue you in and shed light on some of your favorite Wilde pieces!
Et Tu Brute? Why You Should Read JC!
"Julius Caesar" is a political play with far reaching implications and modern day similarities. So why haven't you seen it?
Fun With Shortcuts
A few fun shortcuts to the classics that give you the point of the story without all the interference of actually reading them.
The Importance of Being Molly
Pulitzer Prize winning author of "Lonesome Dove," Larry McMurtry wrote about an incredible love triangle in his second book, "Leaving Cheyenne." I examine the most important character in the book, the woman that McMurtry places between the two men in this story.
The Last Leaf by O Henry
A look at one of O Henry's short stories, "The Last Leaf," and examination of his lack of depth in his characters.
The Pulitzer -v- Nobel Scorecard
Not all of our favorite classics have won even one of these awards and yet we love them just as much. Check the scorecard to see if your favorite is among the winners!
Bring K-L-E-E-N-E-X to Class Tomorrow!
The impact a sad children's story can have on a young mind, and the lessons in can teach.
How Did I Miss O'Connor?
Flannery O'Connor's short stories were inspired by her deep religious beliefs and Southern background. Learn more about the writer and her works.
Investing In The Classics
Classics aren't just worth reading, they're worth putting in a safe spot because they're value only goes up! See what kind of money Harper Lee's first edition is bringing in. It might make you take a second look at your bookshelves.
Faulkner's Rose
"A Rose for Emily," is one of William Faulkner's great short stories. Take a look at some of the hidden meanings, even the author said didn't exist.
Atwood's Unhappy Endings
An essay examining the writing styles utilized in Margaret Atwood's short story, "Happy Endings." What familiar plots and settings are used? How does our perspective change as readers the older we get?
Boring Reading or Missing the Point?
Many classics have subtle hidden meanings that some readers miss the first time around. If you think you've just read a really boring book, look again, you might have missed the entire point.
Making the Best Out of the Worst Classic Movies
There are numerous bad movies, past and present, that have become classics. Why? What is so great about something so awful? Plenty!!
Hemingway: Short and Not So Sweet
Ernest Hemingway was poet as well as a novelist. One book, 88 Poems edited by Nicholas Gerogiannis, takes us through each one. What can we learn from Hemingway's poems?
Sequel Success
Very few classic authors wrote sequels to their work, while many recent authors have written a Part II for the books we grew up with. What makes a sequel a success -vs- a flop?
The Gifted Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was one of literature's most outspoken personalities. Learn more about the woman who was never afraid to speak her mind!
Art Imitates Life
Raymond Carver, infamous short story writer, and unknown to many. Read about the author that overcame alcholism and became a success.
Bit by Bit
It's hard trying to find the time to read a book and learn the classics. Become a well read literary brainiac with these tips and yes, cheats!
Theatre's Tragic Beginnings
The Greek Tragedies not only helped form theatre as we know it today, they created it! Find out who was instrumental and why.
Our Town...Our Lives.
"Our Town," was one of Thornton Wilder's biggest plays, although the story itself is stunningly simple. It is more than just a story about smalltown life, but a story about LIFE itself.
The Power of Oz
"The Wizard of Oz," is a century old story that children and adults still connect with today. It's lessons and powerful messages are still relevant, and it remains a favorite after all of these years. It is easy to see why...
Or , How Toys Become Real
"The Velveteen Rabbit," is a children's book full of lessons, morals, and love. Find out why this classic is still going strong, 90 years after its debut!
The Price They Paid: The Poisonwood Bible
"The Poisonwood Bible," is an up and coming classic whose African story of Baptism, politics and family in the Congo is expertly wound around the human experience.
The Creator: Not Another Frankenstein
In 1985 a little known movie called "The Creator," with shallow similarities to "Frankenstein" was released. Read about the movie, and see why it has so much more going for it than the Mary Shelly references.
Langston Hughes: Timeless
Langston Hughes is recongized as one of America's most famous Black writers. Find out where he came from, and why he had an impact.
The Many Talents of Shel Silverstein
Shel Silverstein was much more than a children's author, although that is what we all remember him for. Read about some of his other accomplishments!
Banning of the Books
Why does a book get banned? How long has this been going on? Take a look at some of your greatest classics that were once prohibited!
Sex, Crime, and Cops as told by James Ellroy
James Ellroy is one of America's most successful crime novelists today, with best sellers like "L.A. Confidential," and more. Look at his influences, attitudes and works.
"Walden"
"Walden," by Henry David Thoreau was written in 1854, and was heavily influenced by his personal choices, and lifestyle. Many of his deeprooted beliefs sprung from Transcendentalism, which was an important literary period in America
"Godfather" Christmas
"The Godfather" has changed American literature, and film making. What makes this type of genre so popular and dare I say addictive?
The Dime Novel
The Dime Novel was a major movement in American literature that lasted for over 50 years. Why was it so popular and what ever happened to it?
Smart "Dummies"
dummies, how-to, idiot's, guide, manual, instructions, computers
"Little Women," Big Ideas!
How "Little Women," influenced women readers of the time, and this autobiography of Louisa May Alcott became one of America's most popular classics.
"Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd..."
The musical that was based on a real person. Why do we add things to a true story? How does this improve the original story?
How Do I Love Thee?
How Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most well known work came about, and why it can inspire us all.,How Elizabeth Barrett Browning's most well known work came about, and why it can inspire us all.
Whyku?
What is Haiku, and how on Earth do you write a good one?
Lolita
A look at "Lolita," the taboo novel written by Nabokov in the 50's that became a classic.
Not a Fireside Read
A different kind of classic, this one refers to HOW we can sell our writing, once we have written it!
A New Take on "The Odyssey"
"O Brother Where Art Thou," is a witty and refreshing take on Homer's Greek Epic.
Steinbeck's "...dream"
A look at "Cannery Row," through the eyes of John Steinbeck.
Classic In Its Own Time
What we are learning from the "new" classic, Harry Potter!
Normal?
As we return to our "normal" lives...I wonder what that means anymore?
As We Heal
Personal experience from Tuesday's tragedy, as well as a copy of "The Star Spangled Banner."
To Kill A Mockingbird
The symbolism of To Kill A Mockingbird, and its historical significance.
The Lost Generation Poster Boy
"The Sun Also Rises," was pegged as the voice of "The Lost Generation," something Hemingway never intended when he wrote this story based on some of his own romantic mishaps.
The Style of "Alice..."
"Alice's Adventures In Wonderland," was Lewis Carroll's first children's book, and went on to become a classic. I look at how it added to children's literature today.
"In Cold Blood," Capote's New Non-Fiction "Novel."
Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood" was the first book of it's kind to be written as a dramatic novel, when the subject was entirely non-fiction. This changed how "non-fiction novels" were written from then on.
Competitions and Motivations
A look at why writers enter competitions.