Differential equations in literature, poetry and film

Abstract

This paper investigates how differential equations models have been used to study works in literature, poetry and film. We present applications to works by William Shakespeare, Francis Petrarch, Ray Bradbury, Herman Melville, Ridley Scott and others, as well as applications to Greek mythology and the Bible. This paper gives a range of useful examples for teaching, and we discuss how these models have been used in the classroom.

Keywords:

• differential equations
• humanities
• literature
• film
• poetry
• religion

AMS Subject Classifications:

• 01-01
• 34-01
• 34A30
• 34A33

Acknowledgements

This paper was significantly improved by the suggestions and counsel of two editors and two referees. The author is extremely grateful for their help.

Permission to quote from The Last of the Ofos, The University of Arizona Press, ©2000 by Geary Hobson has been granted by Geary Hobson.

The Sound of Thunder reprinted by permission of Don Congdon Associates, Inc. ©1952 by Crowell Collier Publishing, renewed 1980 by Ray Bradbury.

I am Legend reprinted by permission of Tor Books, © 1954 by RXR, Inc., renewed 1982 by RXR, Inc.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.