The Canon Reviewed

Today we're looking at a poem written in 1867 by the English poet Matthew Arnold. This piece is absolutely fantastic, an incredible study in mood and metaphor, and I can't wait to discuss it with you. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's talk about "Dover Beach." Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!!! Music Credits: Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://i...

Today we'll conclude our discussion of Mary Shelley's gothic horror classic, Frankenstein . Does the novel hold up? Can it still possibly matter to us now, asking and answering questions that we still have as individuals and communities? We'll talk about that, and more, so, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's finish our conversation. Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jes...

Today we continue our discussion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by hearing from the Creature himself! It's his life story under the microscope, and we'll examine his experiences from "birth" to ambiguous end. Is he a science experiment gone wrong? How do we judge him? What do we make of his suffering? What does he deserve? We'll answer all of these questions today, and maybe more, so please, pull...

Today we continue our discussion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by looking at the middle frame of the tale, the doctor's life story as he reveals it to Captain Walton. What's Victor Frankenstein like? What drives him? What leads him down the path of his own destruction? How can we identify with him? In short, who is this man! Well, please pull up a chair here by the fire and let's talk about that....

It's time to begin another new book so let's go back to the shelves here in the Library. Let's find something completely different from Sir Gawain – maybe we can find an anti-hero. Ah, yes, this will be perfect. Just perfect. A classic of science fiction and gothic horror, full of surprises and big ideas. Please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's begin talking about Mary Shelley's Frankenstei...

Today we'll be looking into the mailbag for the first time, and I'm super excited. Three listeners reached out to share their thoughts about The Awakening , and I can't wait to hear what they have to say. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's open these envelopes. Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak!!! www.patreon.com/thecanonreviewed Music Credits: Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod...

Today we'll conclude our discussion of the classic 14th century epic poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Does the poem hold up? Can it still possibly matter to us now, asking and answering questions that we still have as individuals and communities? We'll talk about that, and more, so, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's finish our conversation. Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff...

Today we're tackling the nature of masculinity, gender roles, and our poet's depiction of the differences between lords and ladies. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's continue our conversation on Sir Gawain and the Green Knight . Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak and Keeper of the Tomes, Jesse Cunningham!!! Music Credits: Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.c...

It's time to get back to our chivalric romance, a tale of knights in shining armor, King Arthur's court, and bewitching magic! So, please, pull a chair by the fire, and let's continue our discussion of the 14th century epic poem, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak! Music Credits: Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/ Music promoted by http...

Alright, let's go back in time, way back, to when English didn't sound quite the same as it does today. Ah, here's something, an early 14th-century epic poem romance written by an anonymous poet. Looks promising. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's begin our look at the bizarre and wondrous tale, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight . Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak and Assi...

Today we'll conclude our discussion of the Charles Dickens classic, Great Expectations . Does the novel hold up? Can it still possibly matter to us now, asking and answering questions that we still have as individuals and communities? We'll talk about that, and more, so, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's finish our conversation! Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak! Apologies...

Today, we continue our discussion of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. We're going to be talking about revenge – what it does, what it costs, what it ultimately consumes, so please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's start the conversation! Please support the show at:  www.patreon.com/thecanonreviewed Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak! Music Credits: Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod |...

Today we'll be continuing our discussion of Great Expectations by taking a closer look at the people surrounding Pip at the various stages of his life to see what they individually bring to his journey. Then, we'll conclude our conversation thinking about how they collectively create the moral universe of the novel. So please, pull up a chair by the fire, get comfortable, and let's dive back in! P...

It's time to begin another new book so let's go back to the shelves here in the Library. Ah, yes, here's a good one, and pretty well-known, too! Come on in, pull up a chair by the fire and let's begin our look at Great Expectations , by Charles Dickens. Please support the show at:  www.patreon.com/thecanonreviewed Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak, and to Assistant Librarian, Jake Frou...

This month, we're blessed to have 5 Fridays, so today's is a bonus episode. I'm going to do this from time to time, and today makes sense because we're about to start a new book next week, and it's better not to break it up. These bonus episodes will be more brief than the normal ones, and they'll allow us to discuss shorter works, like stories and poems. So, pour yourself a glass and join me by t...

Today we'll be concluding our work with Kate Chopin's The Awakening . Does the novel hold up? Can it still possibly matter to us now, asking and answering questions that we still have as individuals and communities? We'll talk about that today, and so much more, so, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's finish our discussion of The Awakening . Please support the show at:  www.patreon.com/...

Today's episode is going to be a bit unusual. Yes, we'll still be looking at The Awakening , but examining more its historical context than its story – seeing where and how the novel fits on a social and political timeline. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's continue our discussion of Kate Chopin's The Awakening . Special Links: Audre Lorde's "The Uses of Anger" https://www.blackpa...

It's time to begin a new book, so let's go to the shelves here and pick one out. Ah, yes, The Awakening , by Kate Chopin. Please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's start the discussion! Please support the show at:  www.patreon.com/thecanonreviewed Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak, and to Assistant Librarian, Mustafa Unlu! Music Credits: Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompet...

In this episode, we'll be finishing our work with The Scarlet Letter. Does the novel hold up? Can it still possibly matter to us now, asking and answering questions that we still have as individuals and communities? We'll talk about that today, and so much more, so, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's conclude our discussion of Nathanial Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter . Please support t...

In this episode, we'll be looking at one of the most exceptional protagonists in 19th century literature, Hester Prynne, a model of strength and perseverance who almost seems to exist out of time, as well as her precocious, impish daughter, Pearl. Please support the show at:  www.patreon.com/thecanonreviewed Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak, and to Keeper of the Tomes, Thew Elliott! M...

Our two male leads, Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth, are under the microscope as we focus our lens on the nature of villainy – is there a bad guy in this book, and, if so, who is it?  Please support the show on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thecanonreviewed Special Thanks to our first ever Patron, Will Butler! And to the first Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak! Music Credits: Ambiment by Ke...

Please, pull up a chair by the fire as we begin our discussion of Nathanial Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter . Today, a summary of the novel and a quick overview of what the book still offers to the contemporary reader. Enjoy!

If you loved English class for the discussions but not the homework, then you're in the right place!  Here is Episode 0 -- a brief introduction to the podcast and what it's all about. Thanks so much for stopping by the library and browsing the shelves.