The Reader and the Writer

Welcome back to The Reader & the Writer. On this episode, Rhea and Shari continue their close reading of Demon Copperhead. We call these Demon's "foster care - golden years", though not to be confused as being the same. Quite the opposite. We'll be discussing dignity, motives, and flying kites as offerings of thanksgiving. Thank you for reading The Reader & the Writer. This post is public so feel...

Welcome to the Reader & the Writer ! This is a new literary focus to the old Beauty & Arts podcast. On R&W, Rhea Forney and Shari Dragovich discuss excellent works of literature--both old and new--through close reading; and then examine how these works give witness to the Great Story, the one that finds as its opening, "In the beginning...." If you listened to their discussions of the the Narnia s...

In this episode, Shari continues looking at Paul's letter to the Ephesians through the lens of a literary art form, looking specifically at Paul's emphasis of the restorative work of Christ in the life of his Gentile readers. She especially focuses on the repetition of language Paul uses, his continual weaving through of the Trinitarian reality, and ways he gives small tastes of big ideas...

In this third episode of Ephesians as a letter writing art form, Shari looks at Paul's use of long sentences and exulting language to move his readers inward and upward into Trinitarian love and life. Intro and Exit music: "The Story of One Life," by Silence in the Streets Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Shari offers reasons for why a literary reading of any book in the Bible ought be given a first priority, and addresses common fallacies associated with reading the Bible as literature. Then she gets into an overview of the letter to the Ephesians. She gives historic context to the letter, offers a picture of who the believers of Ephesus were, what Paul may have been motivated by...

With this episode, Shari kicks off a new series: The Art of Letter Writing--a study of Ephesians through its literary style. Shari will give an intro to the the series, and answers the question, "Is letter writing an art form?" She also offers some tips for how to read Ephesians through a literary lens. Intro and exit music: The Story of One Life , by Silence in the Streets Get full acce...

In this final episode of The Silver Chair series, Shari and Rhea discuss what it means to reorient one's idea of success (more than life or death), the trap of enchantment, and living like a Christian even if it weren't true. For the Q&A episode, send your comment or questions to: shari@stjohnlutheran.org Other books referenced in this series (episodes 15-17): The Truth and the Beauty...

In this episode, Shari and Rhea continue their close reading of The Silver Chair . They discuss the problem with distractions, how similar the Underworld is to purgatory, and the struggle of trying to discern the truth in a world full of deceptions. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

This episode begins a three-part series on The Silver Chair . Shari teams up again with guest co-host, Rhea Forney for diving deep into Lewis's story of saving a prince, battling the powers of darkness, and critical importance of remembering the signs. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Shari and guest co-host, Rhea Forney, continue their close reading of Horse and His Boy. In this episode, they discuss the importance of being in community, Aslan's strange behavior, and the image of Christ in the Hermit of the Southern March. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

Shari and Rhea finish their close reading of Horse and His Boy . They discuss the prominence of water, the silence surrounding Shasta's conversion, and Lewis's secret mercurial thread woven throughout the story. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

On Episode 12, Shari invites Rhea Forney to engage in a close reading of the next book in our Narnia series: The Horse and His Boy . In this episode, Shari and Rhea will discuss the benefits of close reading, the idea of uncovering the "aboutness" of any story, and how identity keeps coming to the forefront in the first chapters of The Horse and His Boy . Get full access to The Reader &...

In this episode, Shari discusses Reepicheep, the most valiant character of Narnia thus far. She talks about courage, the definition of true hope, and why Reepicheep is an honorable and worthy guide for us in these self-identity crisis times in which we live. Work Cited: Doris T. Myers, "The Compleat: Anglican, Spiritual Styles in the Chronicles of Narnia," Appendix Five of Paul Ford'...

In this episode, Shari discusses all the dancing in Prince Caspian . She goes through the five episodes of dancing in the story, reading some of those scenes from the book. Then she discusses why dancing plays such a prominent role in a story that is essentially about war, and how Lewis's medieval mind is at work again - this time from a medieval cosmology perspective. Resources: Planet Narnia...

We're heading back to Narnia on the podcast. In this episode, Shari introduces Prince Caspian and discusses the difference between Old Narnia and New Narnia. She then takes a look at what C. S. Lewis may be up to in contrasting the two - in particular with regards to his love of the medieval mind. Article referenced: Louis Markos (2001), " Apologist for the Past: The Medieval Vision of C....

On this final episode in the Lenten series, Shari discusses how the story of Jonah is deeply connected to the narratives of Genesis 1-3; and suggests some big ideas we, as readers, might pick up on by reading the two stories side-by-side. Questions or Comments? Email: shari@stjohnlutheran.org Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Shari dives deeper into the genre of satire, its history and its elements. She discusses the four elements of satire, and how these are expressed in Jonah's story. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode, Shari takes the long and winding road to discovering Jonah's genre, why it's hard to determine, and why it really does matter. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

With this episode, Shari begins a new podcast series: The Art & Beauty of Storytelling in Jonah. Join her in exploring the old biblical story of Jonah from a literary  point-of-view; uncovering greater treasures tucked within this story so masterfully written. Notes:  Intro and Exit Music: The Story of One Life by Aleksey Chistilin Questions or comments? Email: shari@stjohnlutheran.org Get ful...

In this episode, Shari finishes the first of  the Beauty & the Arts, Narnia Series, with a discussion of the climax moment in Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe . She also talks about how C.S. Lewis uses contrasts to make his big ideas come better alive to readers. You can find a Discussion Guide for LWW at stjohnlutheran.org ; Under the Resources Tab. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at t...

In this third episode in the Beauty & the Arts' Narnia series, Shari discusses food and eating in Narnia, and what other meanings they might contain beyond - but not excluding - the act of eating, itself.  Resources used in this podcast: Companion to Narnia by Paul Ford How to Read Like a Professor by Thomas Foster Questions to ask when examining a food scene in a story (novel, short story, pl...

On this episode, Shari dives into the wardrobe... from Edmund's point-of-view To have Shari send you a Discussion Guide for LWW, email her at: shari@stjohnlutheran.org Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, Shari will discuss the difference between allegory and fantasy, and why C.S. Lewis was so adamant that the Narnia Chronicles were one and not the other. She will also talk about Lewis' love for fairy story and why this was his chosen form in writing the Chronicles of Narnia. Resources used in this episode: Companion to Narnia, by Paul Ford C.S. Lewis Companion and Guide, by Walter...

In this brief episode, Shari will give an overview of what listeners can expect when tuning into Beauty & the Arts. Get full access to The Reader & the Writer at thereaderandthewriter.substack.com/subscribe