Discussing the political lessons of Gulliver's Travels, comparing Trump to Coriolanus, and teasing upcoming episodes on American elections and female authors in the History of Ideas series.
Swift's Gulliver's Travels critiques 17th and 18th-century politics, urging self-reflection on vanity and political intrigue.
Future episodes will feature female authors like George Eliot and Ayn Rand, promoting diverse perspectives in political discussions.
Deep dives
Major focus on Gulliver's Travels in the history of ideas series reveals insightful political connections
Analysis delves into Gulliver's evolution as a Tory from his travels, exploring parallels with Rory Stewart's views and the satire of Royal Society. Swift's work reflects revulsion towards human pretension and critical examination of political schemes. Influences from Samuel Butler's Erewhon noted, as series discusses broader themes of human condition and societal norms.
Exploring the political aim of Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels
Swift's seminal work serves as a satirical reflection on late 17th and early 18th-century English politics, challenging partisan divisions and moral philosophy. The podcast emphasizes Swift's critique of societal vanity and political scheming, illuminating his intent to provoke introspection and self-awareness in readers. Swift's focus on absurdity and societal pretensions prompts a critical reassessment of prevailing political ideologies.
Acknowledging the predominance of male writers discussed in the series
The discussion around male authors in the podcast series reflects a chronological review of political fictions, with a recognition of the limited representation of female writers in earlier centuries. While addressing concerns of narrow focus, the series highlights forthcoming discussions on influential female writers like George Eliot and Ayn Rand, showcasing varied perspectives in future episodes. The acknowledgment of literary evolution underscores a commitment to diverse inclusion as the series progresses.
Teasing upcoming themes on political films, TV shows, and pop songs
Anticipating future content on impactful political films, TV series, and potentially pop songs, the podcast hints at forthcoming explorations into iconic movies like 'In the Loop' and 'The Death of Stalin'. The narrative unveils plans for engaging discussions on broader media influences, including potential series on the political undertones of musical theatre. Embracing audience suggestions and open dialogue, the podcast signals a diverse and evolving exploration of political concepts across multimedia platforms.
In an extra episode this week David answers your questions about the most recent series of the History of Ideas - in particular about the political lessons of Gulliver’s Travels, for its own time and for our own. Plus, how is Trump like - and not like - Coriolanus, and where are the female authors for this series? (A: they’re coming!)
Starting in our regular slot next week, PPF moves to two episodes a week as we launch our new series on the Ideas Behind American Elections with Gary Gerstle - beginning with the election of 1800: Adams v Jefferson v Hamilton v Burr.
We will also be letting you know how to sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter - coming soon!