Emily Dickinson's poetry is a true masterpiece that captures the essence of the human soul in just a few lines. With unconventional techniques, such as dashes and off rhymes, Dickinson's writing style strongly influenced modern poetry. Her reflections on life, death, love, and nature are deeply resonant, making her one of America's greatest poetic geniuses. Explore the landscape of the human soul through Dickinson's tightly controlled emotional and intellectual energy, and discover the power of her idiosyncratic style. Recommended for literature enthusiasts, aspiring poets, and anyone interested in exploring the depths of the human experience. This book is particularly relevant to those studying English or creative writing, as it showcases Dickinson's innovative use of rhythm and meter. It may also appeal to those interested in philosophy, psychology, or spirituality, as her poetry delves into themes such as life, death, and the human condition. Additionally, this book may be of interest to those who appreciate nature and its role in inspiring artistic expression.

The Hero's Journey is a cycle that begins and ends in an ordinary world but passes through an unfamiliar, special world. It involves a call to adventure, assistance, departure, trials, approach, crisis, treasure, result, return, new life, resolution, and status quo. Many popular books and movies follow this formula, including Harry Potter, Katniss Everdeen, and Frodo. The Hero's Journey is a myth that exists in all human cultures and keeps getting updated because humans reflect on their world through symbolic stories of their own lives. By understanding this formula, you can learn to leave your comfort zone, have an experience that transforms you, and then recover and do it again. You don't literally slay dragons or fight Voldemort, but you face problems just as scary. Joseph Campbell said, "In the cave you fear to enter lies the treasure you seek."

Dive into the mind of one of the most enlightened thinkers of the 20th century with E.F. Schumacher's classic, A Guide for the Perplexed. This timeless metaphysical work offers a series of meditations that illuminate the process of receiving the jewel of its teaching. Explore the depths of Schumacher's wisdom and gain a new perspective on the perplexing questions of life. Recommended for students of philosophy, theology, and metaphysics, as well as anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience. Professionals in fields such as psychology, counseling, and social work may also find value in the insights offered by Schumacher. This work may be of particular interest to those who seek to understand the complexities of the world and their place within it.

Greek tragedy is a classic story pattern that has captivated audiences for thousands of years. It involves a tragic hero who is elevated in rank and ability, but also relatable. The hero has a tragic flaw, such as ambition or excessive pride, that leads to a critical mistake and their downfall. This pattern is seen in works such as Sophocles's "Oedipus Rex," where the tragic hero's mistake is made in complete ignorance. The point of these tragic events is to evoke fear and pity in the audience, allowing for emotional release and purification. Learning about these principles can help students understand the allure of storytelling and the importance of character flaws. It can also serve as a reminder that no matter how bad things get, at least you didn't kill your father and marry your mother.

In her latest book, "Bittersweet: How Sorrow and Longing Can Make Us Whole," author and researcher Susan Cain explores how embracing the melancholic side of life can lead to creativity, connection, and transcendence. Discover how listening to sad music and experiencing bittersweet states of mind can be intimately connected to the most sublime aspects of being human, including awe, wonder, and spirituality.

As students, you may often wonder about the purpose of human life. The concept of Aristotle's Ergon Argument can help you think more clearly about this topic. Ergon (ἔργον) is the Greek term for "work" or "function," and Aristotle argues that every living thing has a specific ergon, or function, that corresponds to its excellence or virtue. For humans, our unique capabilities of reason and language are what define us and give meaning to our lives. Through cultivating friendships and social relations, controlling our appetites and emotions, developing moral and intellectual virtues, and exploring the nature of the universe, we can exercise our highest and most godlike capabilities. By learning about these concepts and exploring them through reading, reflection, writing, and self-directed projects, you can discover your own unique capabilities and pursue a fulfilling life that is truly your own.

The story of Psyche and Cupid teaches us about the power of love and the importance of facing our fears. Psyche's beauty was both a blessing and a curse, but it was her bravery that ultimately led her to true love with Cupid. Along the way, she had to complete impossible tasks and face the unknown, but she persevered with the help of the unseen voice. Through her journey, Psyche learned that love can conquer all, even when it seems impossible. As students, we can learn from Psyche's determination and courage to face our own challenges and pursue our passions. By taking risks and embracing the unknown, we can discover our own strengths and find fulfillment in our academic and personal lives.

Studying literature involves finding deeper meaning in a text, which can seem daunting at first. However, there are two crucial thinking steps that can help you get there: practicing insight and acknowledging complexity. Insight is the ability to arrive at an intuitive understanding of a big idea using only small clues to get there. Acknowledging complexity means exploring each facet of your subject carefully and making sure to consider multiple influences on events. By practicing these skills, you can access big ideas that reveal the deeper meaning of a story. These skills help you understand the complicated nature of the human experience, which allows you to access ideas like the parameters of maternal instinct, the consequences of injustice, and the question of whether or not ethics can even exist in a corrupted moral system. By taking the time to practice insight and acknowledging complexity, you will be able to write an amazing essay about literature.

Comedy is a complex and fascinating subject that has been studied by philosophers throughout history. It defies definition because it challenges the very concept of definition itself. Comedy is not just about truth or lies, it's about the contradictions and incongruities that exist in the world and in ourselves. By exploring comedy, we can gain a deeper understanding of the world and ourselves. Comedy has a social function, helping us to adapt and correct our rigid thinking. It's a kinetic, vital force that can disrupt the order we project onto the world and reveal the flaws and conflicts in our supposedly ordered system of truths. Studying comedy can help us to think critically and creatively, and to appreciate the pleasurable, edifying revelation of flaws and incongruities.

Edgar Allan Poe, an American author, is renowned for his macabre and innovative stories of gothic horror. But what makes him one of the greatest American authors? Poe's careful attention to form and style is what sets him apart. He identified two cardinal rules for the short story form: it must be short enough to read in one sitting, and every word must contribute to its purpose. By mastering these rules, Poe commands the reader's attention and rewards them with an intense and singular experience - what Poe called the unity of effect. Although he's best known for his short horror stories, Poe was actually one of the most versatile and experimental writers of the nineteenth century. An appreciation of Poe's career wouldn't be complete without his poetry: haunting and hypnotic. By exploring the paradoxes and mysteries of love, grief, and guilt, Poe's stories use violence and horror to delve into the true darkness of the human mind and its propensity for self-destruction. Reading Poe's work can help students develop their critical thinking skills and explore complex themes in literature.

Existentialism is a philosophy that encourages us to create our own lives, values, and selves. It argues that we are born without a destiny and must take responsibility for ourselves, which can lead to despair and anguish. However, this philosophy also highlights the importance of making the right choices in life, both for ourselves and for others. It encourages us to ask the big questions: Why are we here? How can we make a difference? How should we really live? Despite its origins in post-war Paris, existentialism remains relevant today as we struggle to find genuine meaning in our lives. By exploring this philosophy, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.

Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett is a play that changed the face of modern drama. The play explores the existential conundrum of two characters, Estragon and Vladimir, who wait in vain for an unknown figure to give them a sense of purpose. The absurdists deconstructed plot, character, and language to question their meaning and share their profound uncertainty on stage. While this may sound grim, the absurd blends its hopelessness with humor. Beckett's unique approach to genre in Waiting for Godot, which he branded "a tragicomedy in two acts," reflects the characters' interactions filled with bizarre wordplay, repetition, and double entendres, as well as physical clowning, singing, and dancing, and frantically swapping their hats. Beckett reminds us that just like our daily lives, the world onstage doesn't always make sense. It can explore both reality and illusion, the familiar and the strange. The lack of any clear meaning makes Godot endlessly open to interpretation, keeping audiences guessing and increasing their fascination with his surreal worlds and enigmatic characters.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a perfect memory? In the short story "Funes, the Memorious," Jorge Luis Borges explores just that. His character, Ireneo Funes, remembers everything he has ever seen in perfect detail, rendering him unable to think beyond the overwhelming details. Borges was a master of exploring infinity, and his literary style of "lo real maravilloso," known in English as Magical Realism, is evident in his body of essays, poems, and stories. He was an avid reader, and his image of paradise was an infinite library, an idea he brought to life in "The Library of Babel." Borges' work also explores the idea of condensing all of time into a single moment, as seen in "The God's Script." Reading Borges can give you a glimpse of infinity and inspire you to explore the depths of your own imagination.

Discover the fascinating story of Damaris Cudworth Masham, a brilliant feminist philosopher who defied societal norms and formed a close bond with Enlightenment thinker John Locke. Her work challenges traditional views on women's roles in intellectual pursuits and sheds light on the challenges faced by women in philosophy.

Discover the secrets to happiness with Tal Ben-Shahar's groundbreaking book, "Happier". As the teacher of Harvard's most popular course on the subject, Ben-Shahar combines scientific studies, scholarly research, self-help advice, and spiritual enlightenment to create a set of principles that can be applied to daily life. You'll learn how to open your heart and mind to feel more fulfilled, connected, and ultimately, happier. With endorsements from experts in mindfulness and positive psychology, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to improve their well-being. Recommended for students, professionals, and anyone interested in personal development, "Happier" offers insights into the science behind happiness and practical advice for achieving it. The book draws on a range of fields, including positive psychology, self-help, and spirituality, making it relevant to those studying psychology, philosophy, and religion. It is also useful for professionals in fields such as counseling, coaching, and human resources. However, the book's accessible style and relatable anecdotes make it appealing to anyone seeking to improve their happiness and overall well-being.

Metaphors are a powerful tool to understand complex ideas and feelings. They allow us to describe one thing by comparing it to something else, and help us to see the world through different eyes. Metaphors are not only precise and vivid, but they also allow us to feel things directly, beyond their literal meaning. They are often used in poems, where they can extend an idea in many ways, building a new world that only that one handle can open. By understanding metaphors, we can learn to think with our imagination and senses, which can help us to develop our creativity and critical thinking skills. Metaphors are a fun and engaging way to explore language and our world in a new light.

The story of Icarus and Daedalus from ancient Greek mythology teaches us about the dangers of hubris and the importance of moderation. Daedalus, a genius inventor and craftsman, pushed the boundaries of human limitations and defied the laws of nature to create incredible inventions, but his egotism and jealousy caused him to commit heinous acts. His son Icarus, overcome with the feeling of divine power, ignored his father's warnings and flew too close to the sun, ultimately leading to his tragic demise. This cautionary tale reminds us of the consequences of overstepping our limits and the importance of humility and moderation in our pursuits. By exploring these themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us, and learn to approach our goals with a healthy balance of ambition and humility.

Do you ever wonder about the stories and poems from thousands of years ago that still captivate us today? Ancient literature is a treasure trove of rich, timeless tales and powerful, thought-provoking works. Academic terms such as epic, tragedy, and mythology are integral parts of the study of ancient literature. An epic is a long narrative poem that typically recounts the deeds and adventures of a legendary hero or heroes. The Iliad by Homer is considered one of the greatest epic poems in Western literature and explores the themes of heroism, pride, and the consequences of war. On the other hand, a tragedy is a play or literary work that depicts a serious and often catastrophic event, usually resulting in the downfall of the protagonist. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles is a prime example of a tragedy and explores the themes of fate, destiny, and the consequences of actions. Mythology refers to a collection of traditional stories, usually of supernatural beings and events, that serve to explain the beliefs, customs, or natural phenomena of a particular culture. Ancient Greece and Rome were rich in mythology, with stories such as the tale of King Midas and his golden touch, or the story of Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, still captivating audiences today. Leading academics in the field of ancient literature have made significant contributions to our understanding of this rich and diverse genre. Classical scholar Mary Lefkowitz has studied the impact of ancient Greek literature on modern Western culture, particularly the way in which ancient myths and stories continue to influence contemporary society. Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, on the other hand, has written about the eternal themes found in ancient literature and their relevance to contemporary life, such as the timeless struggle between good and evil, the search for meaning and purpose, and the consequences of human actions. These leading academics have helped to deepen our understanding of ancient literature, its themes, and its impact on modern society. By studying the works of these experts, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the timeless and universal nature of ancient literature and its continued relevance today.

"Kafka on the Shore" by Haruki Murakami is a novel that takes readers on a journey through magical underworlds, time travel, and hidden histories. The story follows the teenage protagonist Kafka, who is desperate to escape his tyrannical father and the family curse he feels doomed to repeat. As readers explore Kafka's world, they are introduced to a variety of challenges that offer no easy answers, leaving us marveling at the resourcefulness of the human spirit to deal with the unexpected. Through this novel, readers are encouraged to explore the idea of magical realism, where magic becomes just one more thing that complicates life, and the deeper you go, the more you find. By diving into this novel, students can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities of the human spirit and the power of the imagination to create new worlds.

Step into the world of ancient Greek tragedy with Sophocles' Oedipus Rex. Dr. Lisa Marie Portugal's 2018 edition offers a fresh take on this timeless play, exploring themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of unchecked power. With school discounts available, this edition is perfect for students looking to delve into the classics or for teachers seeking to incorporate new and personalized compilations into their curriculum. Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore this captivating work and its enduring relevance to modern society. Recommended for students of literature, history, and philosophy, as well as anyone interested in exploring the timeless themes of fate, free will, and the consequences of unchecked power. Sophocles' Oedipus Rex is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of Western thought and the enduring relevance of Greek tragedy. Dr. Lisa Marie Portugal's 2018 edition offers a unique and personalized compilation of this classic work, making it an excellent resource for teachers looking to incorporate new material into their curriculum. With school discounts available, this edition is the perfect addition to any classroom or personal library.