The Rediscovery of Photographer Seydou Keïta
Seydou Keïta captured Bamako life at the turn of independence in Mali. Keïta’s story is mythic and rich, as is that of his art and photography.
John Brown: Feared Fanatic or Freedom Fighter?
Murderous terrorist fanatic or freedom fighter? No figure in American history raises that question more than John Brown.
Bob Dylan, Nobel Laureate
Bob Dylan was been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."
The National Book Awards Shortlist
The National Book Awards Shortlist has been announced and wouldn't you know, many of the authors honored have work in JSTOR.
The Absolutely True Story of Sherman Alexie
Happy 50th birthday to novelist, poet, and filmmaker Sherman Alexie. Learn about “one of the major lyric voices of our time" through his work.
How Disney Movies Teach Straightness
Despite the perils of mistaken identities, evil stepmothers, and cruel curses, in a Disney movie the princess always finds her prince.
What the Folk? The Charming Yet Totally Malappropriate Story of Folk Etymology
Etymology is a funny thing. Even if you're not a word nerd, you might have wondered why so many English idioms we use are Just. So. Weird.
A Belief in Ghosts: Poetry and the Shared Imagination
An essay from poet Dorothea Lasky on poetry, ghosts, and the shared imagination.
When Science Fiction Becomes Real: Octavia E. Butler’s Legacy
Ten years after her death, the writing of Octavia E. Butler has a persistent influence—one that spans well outside of the science fiction genre.