Category: Features
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The Mystery of Maltese Temples
Written by Finlay Cormack. The Maltese islands are home to mysterious ancient temples as far back 3600BCE. What was the purpose of these megalithic structures? Finlay Cormack explores various possible functions and origins, varying from religious to agricultural.
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Japanese and American Cultural Convergence in Ryu Murakami’s “In the Miso Soup”
Written by Kat Jivkova. The turn of the century cultural exchange between the US and Japan led to over-processed views on some elements of each culture. This can be seen and analysed through Ryu Murakami’s 1997 novel, “In the Miso Soup”.
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Auld Reekie Riots: The Story of Captain Porteous
Written by Amy Hendrie. Captain John Porteous represented to Edinburgh’s underclasses a distinct inequality of treatment by the ruling elite. But how did the public reaction align with the crime?, And why were his actions so controversial?
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The Power of Publishing: In Conversation with Professor Kara Cooney
For our Welcome Week 2021 event, Retrospect was joined by Professor Kara Cooney to discuss publishing, power and her latest book, ‘The Good Kings: Absolute Power in Ancient Egypt and the Modern World’.
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The Simple History: #Cottagecore, Pastoral Arcadia and Marie Antoinette
Written by Melissa Kane. The current cultural fascination with #Cottagecore, encompassed by a rural idyll shared on social media websites, is rooted in a long history of romanticised escapism. But where did this start? And how does Marie Antoinette play a role in Cottagecore?
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Cinema in the Age of Obama
Written by Jess Womack. Trends within film largely mirror trends within society, mirroring political and social feeling. This can especially be seen within the ‘Obama-era’ and beyond, where historical fiction exploring the racial past of the US became popular.
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John Williams and the Revival of Classical Music in Star Wars
Written by Kat Jivkova. For many Star Wars fans, John Williams’ musical scores continue to evoke a deep nostalgia. Where did his ideas come from? How do his compositions fit within the broader history of film music?
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History in the Contemporary: The Historian, Public Memory, and Historical Figures
The first of our ‘In Collaboration’ pieces, Retrospect committee members look at the concept of history in the contemporary, questioning recent debates on historical practice and questions at the forefront of public historical consciousness.
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