Tag Archives: literature

Seems a good time to read some C. P. Cavafy

Posted on June 10, 2022 by Peter Schmidt

Candles The days of the future stand in front of us Like a line of candles all alight—Golden and warm and lively little candles. The days that are past are left behind, A mournful row of candles that are out; … Continue reading →

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Henry Louis Gates, Jr., on the values of literature

Posted on October 30, 2021 by Peter Schmidt

Amen, brother! Read this talk of his. I’m also struck by the contrast between this essay in the NYTimes Book Review (Oct. 31) and Marjorie Perloff’s depressing and deluded essay in a recent issues of the LA Review of Books … Continue reading →

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16 postcard-length meditations on the Game of Thrones ending

Posted on May 20, 2019 by Peter Schmidt

Does this really need a spoiler alert?  OK, spoiler alert.  Don’t have a meltdown. Dany touching the Throne of Swords in the snow in 8.6 completes one of the dream-visions she had in the House of the Undead in the … Continue reading →

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On Contradictions in Nathaniel Rich’s “Losing Earth: The Decade We Almost Stopped Climate Change.”

Posted on August 4, 2018 by Peter Schmidt

Nathaniel Rich’s issue-long essay in this week’s New York Times Magazine receives a title worthy of a play: “Losing Earth: The decade we almost stopped climate change. A tragedy in two acts.” It’s definitely worth an hour or two of … Continue reading →

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On Canons and “Headcanons” in Cultural Studies

Posted on March 23, 2017 by Peter Schmidt

Yes, “headcanons” (one word) is a term. Has been for awhile. Interesting conundrum: while the idea of an agreed-upon “canon” has been treated with increasing skepticism in literary studies (though not by all parties), the concept thrives in popular culture, … Continue reading →

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Freedom and Fate in Game of Thrones, “The Door”

Posted on May 23, 2016 by Peter Schmidt

For Game of Thrones fans, please don’t read this until you’ve seen Season 6, Episode 5 (“The Door”). Normally stories about time travel dramatize the power of human agency, our potential ability to know and intervene in past events and … Continue reading →

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Freedom of expression or the need to speak against oppression in a single voice? Coetzee and Gordimer debate

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Peter Schmidt

This 1988 debate between Coetzee and Gordimer (RIP) is eloquent and important, and VERY relevant for current debates in 2014. It’s given a fine overview here. The debate is notable for their focus on the _principles_ at stake; their disagreement … Continue reading →

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Two Mistakes Jonathan Franzen’s Haters and Fans Both Make

Posted on February 13, 2013 by Peter Schmidt

Introduction for Jonathan Franzen, Swarthmore College, Feb. 14, 2013. Good evening. Speaking for our community of readers, I’d like to welcome you, Jonathan, back to Swarthmore. As for you, the audience, I will do you credit and not list Jonathan’s … Continue reading →

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Philip Roth Says He’s Done Writing Books – NYTimes.com

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Peter Schmidt

Are we supposed to be crestfallen about this news, or just relieved?  (I’m very much a fan of Roth’s early and middle period work, but think his fiction precipitously drops in quality beginning with American Pastoral, which was over-written and … Continue reading →

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Introduction for Zadie Smith’s talk at Swarthmore, Nov. 7 2012: “Why I Write.”

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Peter Schmidt

It’s an honor to introduce Zadie Smith.  I shouldn’t be nervous, because introductions are easy, right?  Zadie Smith, meet Swarthmore College and Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.  Swarthmore, Zadie Smith.  Yet introductions are really impossible, because more words need to be said but … Continue reading →

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