On Oct. 8, the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature was announced, and classicists around the world celebrated: Anne Carson—acclaimed poet and translator of many Ancient Greek works—had won at last. Although I root for Haruki Murakami every year like a middle-aged father cheering on his favorite football team (next year I swear Murakami is going […]
In honor of the year’s end, the “Harvard Independent” has compiled a list of books with new beginnings—meant for the seniors who are moving forward with their lives and the undergraduates who have the opportunity for another collegiate term. Whether the protagonist is young or old, spirited or resigned, each work grapples with the struggles […]
In the early morn, she flutters down the damp walk, Looking for her writhing, sodden breakfast: a worm Dispelled from its home, flooded from the pelting rain— Easy pickings when they have no place to return; She nibbles at the granite, probes through dewy blades, And gobbles each bug for her baby bird back home. […]
For those more inclined to spend St. Patrick’s Day at home rather than in a pub, there are still ways to show your appreciation for Irish culture. Ireland has a rich literary history filled with wit, disillusionment, and an ardent love for its country. So for those who don’t feel like going out and drinking […]
When I entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum through a heavy glass revolving door, I could only think of one word to describe it: pristine. The large, elegant lobby narrows into a hallway that is flanked by a gift shop on the left and a coat check area to the right. At the end of […]
Harvard College is navigating a series of changes for its 2025-2026 application cycle. Following a new policy that bans alumni interviewers from writing about applicants’ race, ethnicity, or cultural affiliations, the College is faced with further tightening of race-conscious admissions—spearheaded by the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. Restrictive Early […]
For years, my dad and I have watched so many horror movies on Halloween that I could hardly sleep without fearing that Freddy Krueger would chase after me in my dreams. However, as the tradition continued, I became desensitized—horror movies no longer scared me. Because of this, I’m always taken aback by the “I can’t […]
At Harvard, midterm season sees students celebrating a 48% because it’s above the class average. Yes, Stat 110, I’m looking at you. Every semester, these midterm scores bring about an onslaught of headlines from news outlets that haven’t written about Gen Z’s “academic decline” in a while. It’s nothing new. But the question remains: is […]
The fall season is traditionally hallmarked by pumpkin spice and sweater weather. But to me, fall is characterized rather by curling up next to a crackling fire, beverage of choice steaming in hand, while leisurely reading a good book. With Halloween just around the corner, horror and all things spooky are on everyone’s minds—making reading […]
