Zeus, The Headless Horseman, Paul Bunyan, and Bigfoot all share some commonalities. Clearly, there are supernatural and fantastical elements in each of their stories, but how do myths, legends, and tall tales differ? And, how can we distinguish between them? It becomes much easier to understand these differences if you consider the context and typical usage of each term. In this post we will understand how each of these terms share similarities and differences.
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Scandal, Truth, and Literature: The World of Émile Zola
Writer Emile Zola was a controversial figure in his lifetime. His trial for libel and his flight to England to avoid imprisonment further cements his difficult relationship with those in power. However, it can be said of such radicals that drawing the ire of authority means you may be shedding light on a vulnerable subject. Zola, ever the supporter of the oppressed, fought throughout his life to defy injustice.
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Censorship in Satire: The Impact of the Theatrical Licensing Act
In modern times, censorship for satirical lampooning is still in existence, from politicians to moguls and oligarchs. This was still the case in the 1700s, when playwrights were looking to put verbal and visual daggers into powerful leaders they did not agree with or leaders they found hypocritical. Those leaders did not respond with the same kind of tongue-in-cheek humor. Thus, the Theatrical Licensing Act of 1737 came into play to silence these irritating voices.
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Voices of Change: The Harlem Renaissance
It is hard to imagine the pain and sorrow a marginalized group of Americans must have felt emerging from the slavery of the South. Their palatable hope of Northern emancipation dissolved into similar racism and ostracism, too. But, from the ashes the phoenix does rise. In this post, we are going to talk about an important artistic movement known as The Harlem Renaissance. This movement pushed Black voices into the spotlight, and highlighted their artistic endeavors, from music to writing.
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Ralph Ellison: From Invisible Man to Iconic Writer
Ralph Ellison won the National Book Award in 1952 for the only novel he ever published. That novel was “The Invisible Man.” His book told a story about a black man in America. The main character feels invisible to American society because of the color of his skin. It’s a timely tale that rang true when it was published and rings true in the era of Black Lives Matter.
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To His Coy Mistress: Satire and Love in Marvell’s Poetry
Andrew Marvell, the poet and satirist behind the poem “To His Coy Mistress.” Led a remarkably interesting life, and his contributions are numerous. So much so that there is one defining poem that has kept ageless and universal in its appeal into the modern era.
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