

Why Study the Classics?
The answer is, there's no reason. Why study Achilles and Patroclus, why study David, and Abraham, and Jesus? Why study Walt Whitman?...
Feb 6, 2025


Tribute to Hedwig
In an earlier post, I stated Man of La Mancha as my favorite musical. That will not change. I also claimed West Side Story as the best...
Jan 31, 2025


Emma: Poem and Commentary (1998)
Billy Schraufnagel Mr. Blackburn Humanities A, 3 November 2, 1998 Conjecture A smile A blush What do you see? A silly charade A trip...
Jan 23, 2025


Wordsworth: “Through Meagre Lines and Colours”
Billy Schraufnagel April 13, 2000 English 125-8, Fayen Wordsworth Paper “Through Meagre Lines and Colours” Not many people on New...
Jan 13, 2025


From the Archive (1997): "Denmark's a Prison"
Billy Schraufnagel December 10, 1997 English Lit., pd. 10 “Denmark’s a Prison” “His greatness weighed, his will is not his own For he...
Jan 5, 2025


Pope and Nature
Billy Schraufnagel English 125-8, Fayen March 4, 2000 Pope Paper The Proper Use of Nature In much of his poetry, Alexander Pope seems to...
Dec 29, 2024


From the Archive: Emerson and Self-Reliance (2000)
Billy Schraufnagel September 21, 2000 English 277a, Schirmeister Response # 1 This passage in “Self-Reliance” addresses I think one of...
Dec 11, 2024


Milton Part 2: The Sum of Wisdom
Billy Schraufnagel English 125-8, Fayen February 15, 2000 Long Milton Paper The Sum of Wisdom Milton uses a unique convention of a double...
Oct 9, 2024


Milton Part 1: Resemblances
Billy Schraufnagel English 125-8, Fayen January 25, 2000 Short Milton Paper “Resemblances” in Paradise Lost Eve’s dream in Book V of...
Sep 10, 2024


From the Archive: Donne (1999)
Billy Schraufnagel English 125-8, Fayen December 7, 1999 Donne Paper “If Our Two Loves Be One” At the beginning of Donne’s poem, “The...
Jul 18, 2024