Month: December 2021

Twardowski is a character in Polish folklore who sells his soul to the Devil in exchange for special powers, similar to the figure of Faust in German literature. Twardowski, a nobleman in 16th-century Krakow, tries to outwit the Devil by including in his contract with the Prince of Darkness the stipulation that his soul may only be claimed when he is in Rome—a place Twardowski intends never to go. Though Twardowski never does travel to Rome, the Devil collects when the man makes what misstep? Discuss

In 1848, Europe was in tumult. After two years of severe crop failures, French revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy, touching off a series of revolutions across the continent. However, the revolts ended in failure and repression, prompting waves of disappointed supporters—some of whom were now deemed enemies of the state—to immigrate to the US, Canada, and England. As these “Forty-Eighters” maintained their liberal ideals upon relocating, many went on to participate in what major US conflict? Discuss

The New Guinea singing dog is a rare type of primitive canine that is found in the wild only on the island of New Guinea. Early travelers most likely brought the ancestors of this breed to the island where, isolated from the world, their descendants developed traits not found in other canids. Most distinctive is the dog’s melodious howl, which earned it its name. The dog’s uncertain origins and unique traits have complicated efforts to classify it. What has DNA analysis revealed about “singers”? Discuss