Michael Rickard's Blog, page 11

"Beowulf": Examining Its Origins in Myths and Legend

Here's a sneak peek at my video presentation for my "Beowulf" class. The epic poem “Beowulf” has entertained audiences for centuries with its captivating tale of a mighty warrior battling monsters in epic battles. It’s also bewildered scholars who’ve struggled to determine not only when the poem was written and by whom, but what sources inspired it. While it may be impossible to get a definitive answer, that hasn’t stopped scholars from examining a variety of sources including Norse mythology...

"The True Story of WCW's Arachnaman"

Editor's Note: Here's a story I covered two years ago. As the legend of Arachnaman continues to grow, I thought I'd refresh the fans' recollection of this epic moment in WCW history.In 1992, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) fans saw the debut of a masked wrestler in a familiar-looking costume. That wrestler was Arachnaman. He wore a costume eerily similar to the Amazing Spider-Man except where Spidey’s costume was blue and red, Arachnaman’s was blue and yellow. Arachnaman even shot out webs...

Happy Birthday to the Batman

Today marks the 80th anniversary of the Batman's first appearance (Detective Comics #27 to be exact) and he's been pretty busy ever since his first adventure, appearing in film, radio, television, and just about every medium out there. Over the next year I plan on celebrating his 80th year with some special articles, but in the meantime, check out some previous articles I wrote about Batman and Batmania.Forever Batman: Remembering Adam West.Book Review: Batman: War of Jokes and Riddles Reads...

What Drives the Poor? What Drives Mahew? Examining "London Labour and the London Poor" through a New Historicist Lens

Henry Mayhew’s London Labour and the London Poor (London Labour) provides a look at Victorian London’s working poor, but also provides a look at mainstream attitudes concerning class hierarchy and colonialist attitudes. While the book’s subject matter makes for exploration through a number of critical theories, new historicism provides an ideal examination at not only at contemporary history, but contemporary attitudes in Victorian-era London. London Labour’s tapestry of the Victorian Era’s w...

Memphis Madness: Pro Wrestling in the Home of "The King."

Copyright 2019 by Michael W. Rickard IISay "The King of Rock and Roll" and Elvis Presley comes to mind. However Memphis, Tennessee boasts another king, Jerry "The King" Lawler, just one of many larger-than-life figures who wrestled in Memphis. Join me now as I look back at Memphis Madness. Originally presented at Canadian Bulldog's World

The Yorke Manifesto: A Marxist Interpretation of Mr. Yorke in Charlotte Bronte's "Shirley"

Editor's Note: Here's an essay I wrote on Charlotte Bronte's industrial novel Shirley.Shirley character Mr. Yorke provides a rich amount of material to analyze through Marxist criticism as Yorke raises many of the questions posed by Marxists during the Industrial Revolution including criticism of the upper class, the military, and clergy. While Marxism was in its infancy during the time Shirley was published, I shall show how Yorke shares Marxist views, despite his status as a landowner. None...

Epic Fail: The Braden Walker Experiment

Editor's Note: Around 2009 I started a recurring column at World Wrestling Insanity titled, "Epic Fail" detailing some of wrestling's biggest flops. When TNA wrestling's Chris Harris came to the WWE, fans were eager to see how he would perform. Working as "Braden Walker" led to one of wrestling's most disastrous debuts. The column is presented in its original format save for some formatting fixes. Copyright 2009 Mike Rickard Originally published at World Wrestling Insanity on July 16, 2009 R...

The Patriarchal Breakdown in "Mary Barton"

Copyright 2019 by Michael W. Rickard IIElizabeth Gaskell's industrial novel Mary Barton provides a look at the debilitating effects not only of economic inequality but of Victorian England’s patriarchal society. Manchester’s factory laborers find themselves striving for adequate pay in order to feed and maintain their families. While there is suffering amongst various characters, female characters seem to suffer more, largely through the failings of England’s patriarchal society. This provide...

Epic Fail: Cock-A-Doodle-Doo!

Editor's Note: Around 2009 I started a recurring column at World Wrestling Insanity titled, "Epic Fail" detailing some of wrestling's biggest flops. While the story of Terry Taylor being the original candidate for the Mr. Perfect gimmick has been disputed, it's an interesting tale nonetheless. The column is presented in its original format save for some formatting fixes. Copyright 2009 Mike Rickard Originally published at World Wrestling Insanity on August 24, 2009 Recently, I had the pleasur...

Eco-Criticism in "Illustrations of Political Economy"

Harriet Martineau’s Illustrations of Political Economy (Illustrations) has been credited with helping to illustrate the principles of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations. However, like many of Martineau’s works, the book can be evaluated and appreciated on many levels, including eco-criticism. An eco-critical examination reveals Martineau’s progressive attitudes towards population control and conservation of resources as seen in the tales, Weal and Woe in Garveloch, A Manchester Strike, and Co...