Don’t Refuse to Breathe: A discussion of Frank O’Hara: “Song (Is it dirty)” & “Poem (Lana Turner Has Collapsed)”

Body of Lies follows CIA operative Roger Ferris as he attempts to penetrate the network of a master terrorist known as 'Suleiman'. Inspired by a World War II British intelligence operation, Ferris creates a 'body of lies'—a fictional CIA officer who appears to have recruited an agent within the enemy's ranks. The novel delves into themes of deception, trust, and the complexities of international espionage, set against the backdrop of the Middle East.

The Maltese Falcon, written by Dashiell Hammett, is a 1930 detective novel that follows the story of Sam Spade, a private detective in San Francisco. The plot begins when a mysterious woman, Miss Wonderly (later revealed as Brigid O'Shaughnessy), hires Spade and his partner Miles Archer to tail a man named Floyd Thursby. After Archer's murder, Spade becomes entangled in a web of deceit and violence involving a valuable 16th-century statuette known as the Maltese Falcon. Other key characters include Joel Cairo, an effeminate Levantine, and Casper Gutman, a fat and jovial but sinister figure, all of whom are searching for the falcon. The novel is known for its vivid characters, sustained tension, and influential style in the hard-boiled genre.

In 'The Particulars of Rapture: Reflections on Exodus', Avivah Gottlieb Zornberg masterfully weaves together classical biblical, talmudic, and midrashic interpretations with literary allusions and insights. The book explores the interdependence of opposites in the Exodus narrative, offering a rich tapestry of meaning and interpretation. Zornberg's work is praised for its elegance, intelligence, and literary flair.

The Private Notebooks of Ludwig Wittgenstein, spanning 1914-1916, offer a profound insight into the philosopher's early thoughts and development during World War I. Serving as a precursor to his later influential works, the notebooks explore themes of logic, ethics, and the nature of language. Wittgenstein grapples with fundamental questions about the relationship between language, thought, and reality. The notebooks reveal his evolving understanding of the limits of language and its capacity to represent the world. They provide a glimpse into the formative stages of Wittgenstein's revolutionary ideas that would later shape twentieth-century philosophy.

'Lord Weary's Castle' is a poetry collection by Robert Lowell published in 1946. The poems delve into themes of religious and personal conflict, exploring the decay of traditions and the struggles of the individual within a chaotic world. Lowell employs vivid imagery and complex symbolism to convey a sense of disillusionment and moral ambiguity. The collection is characterized by its confessional style and its unflinching examination of the darker aspects of human experience. With its intense emotional landscape and its innovative use of language, 'Lord Weary's Castle' established Lowell as a major voice in American poetry. The collection remains a significant and influential work.