A Verse Reaction

Episode Summary: Dr. Ann Beebe argues that poetry is essential for humans. Medical and psychological studies have demonstrated its many benefits. She then explains the 3-part structure of the individual author episodes and promotes the upcoming special guests (Numbers 2-9).   Dr. Beebe on LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-beebe Emily Dickinson: A Companion : https://mcfarlandbooks.com/...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Dr. Matt Stith about the Northern Home Front during the American Civil War. She then applies this context to four poems by Emily Dickinson: “When I was small, a Woman died—” (F518/J596), “It feels a shame to be Alive—” (F524/J444), “He gave away his Life—” (F530/J567), and “How many Flowers fail in Wood –“ (F534/J404).   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Start...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Dr. Greg Bock about Seventeenth-Century American Puritanism. She then applies this context to four poems by Anne Bradstreet: “Some Verse Upon the Burning of Our House,” “As Weary Pilgrim,” “To My Dear and Loving Husband,” and “The Prologue.”    Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts: 00.00 Part 2 (Interview with Dr. Greg Bock) Starts: 21:01 Part 3 (Four Poem...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interview Susan Doty about the Economics of the Seventeenth-Century Literary Marketplace. She then applies this context to four poems by Phillis Wheatley: “On Being Brough from Africa to America,” “To the Right Honourable William, Earl of Dartmouth,” “To S.M. a young African Painter,” and “To His Excellency General Washington.”   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts:...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Dr. Nathan Smith on the connection between poetic meter and math. She then applies this context to four poems by Robert Frost: “Acquainted with the Night,” “Design,” “Once by the Pacific,” and “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening.”   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts: 00.00 Part 2 (Interview with Dr. Nathan Smith) Starts: 16:51 Part 3 (Four Poems) Star...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Dr. Sarah Roberts on American Jazz Music. She then applies the context to four poems by Langston Hughes: “Jazzonia,” “The Weary Blues,” “Minnie Sings Her Blues,” and “Lennox Avenue: Midnight.”   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts: 00.00 Part 2 (Interview with Dr. Sarah Roberts) Starts: 15:15 Part 3 (Four Poems) Starts: 28:45 Dr. Beebe’s LinkedIn URL: htt...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Elizabeth Lisot-Nelson on the history of portrait painting. She then applies this context to some Robert Lowell poems: “Randall Jarrell” 1, 2, & 3, “Charles V by Titian,” and “Rembrandt.”   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts: 00.00 Part 2 (Interview with Dr. Elizabeth Lisot-Nelson) Starts: 10:43 Part 3 (Four Poems) Starts: 20:38 Dr. Beebe’s LinkedIn...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Dr. Kenneth Bryant about the American Civil Rights Movement. She then applies this context to four poems by Lucille Clifton: “good times,” “generations,” “listen children,” and “All of Us Are All of Us.”   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts: 00.00 Part 2 (Interview with Dr. Kenneth Bryant) Starts: 10:45 Part 3 (Four Poems) Starts: 20:16 Dr. Beebe’s Linke...

Episode Summary: Dr. Beebe interviews Jessica Coleman about Birds of North America. She then applies this context to four poems by Mary Oliver: “Swan,” “The Chat,” “Terns,” and “Snow Geese.”   Part 1 (Biography & Overview) Starts: 00.00 Part 2 (Interview with Jess Coleman) Starts: 16:57 Part 3 (Four Poems) Starts: 31:48   Dr. Beebe’s LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-beebe Emily Di...