Rigas School of Academic English

12/09/2026

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Ernest Hemingway (1899–1961) was one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. Born in Illinois, Hemingway served as an ambulance driver during World War I and later worked as a war correspondent. These experiences had a lasting influence on his writing.

Celebrated for his direct yet powerful style, Hemingway produced enduring classics such as The Old Man and the Sea, A Farewell to Arms, and For Whom the Bell Tolls. His writing frequently explored themes of courage, love, conflict, perseverance, and human dignity.

More than sixty years after his death, Hemingway remains a defining voice in literature. His work continues to inspire readers through its portrayal of true strength as the ability to endure hardship with honesty, resilience, and grace.

12/09/2026

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🏴🔥 EMMA GOLDMAN

🏛️ One view: Patriotism can create solidarity, civic responsibility, and a sense of shared obligation. During genuine national emergencies, collective identity can motivate people to protect one another and defend their communities.

📖 Goldman's perspective: Goldman was an outspoken critic of nationalism, militarism, and compulsory military service. She argued that patriotic rhetoric could persuade working people to sacrifice themselves for political and economic interests that did not necessarily serve their own lives or communities.

💭 My View: Patriotism becomes dangerous when love of country is turned into a test of obedience. Questioning a war should not make someone less loyal to their fellow citizens. In fact, demanding accountability from leaders who send people into war may be one of the strongest forms of civic responsibility.

❓ What do you think? When a government invokes patriotism to justify war, should citizens see support for the nation and loyalty to its leaders as two completely different things?

12/07/2026

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25/04/2026

This week's read for students📖