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The Thomistic Institute
Human Person, Community, and Communion | Dr. R.J. Snell
Dec 3, 2024
R.J. Snell, Editor-in-Chief of Public Discourse and Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute, discusses the crisis of meaning in modern society. He contrasts loneliness and disenchantment showcased in Elena Ferrante's fiction with the Christian vision of personhood rooted in the Trinity. Snell emphasizes the importance of community and storytelling in recovering communion and joy. He advocates for embracing the Sabbath to foster leisure and spiritual enrichment, enriching our lives through meaningful connections and shared experiences.
45:37
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Quick takeaways
- Dr. R.J. Snell highlights the importance of reclaiming communal practices like Sabbath observance to combat modern loneliness and disenchantment.
- The podcast contrasts the Christian understanding of personhood and communion with the prevailing hyper-individualism that fosters existential despair.
Deep dives
The Depths of Despair in Ferrante's Narrative
Elena Ferrante's novella 'The Days of Abandonment' captures the profound despair experienced by the protagonist, Olga, following her husband's abandonment. The narrative explores her emotional turmoil as she grapples with feelings of worthlessness, disgust towards her children, and a terrifying loss of identity. This abandonment spirals her into madness, reflecting a terrifying descent into disorientation where she faces a chaotic domestic scene filled with illness and decay. The story serves as an allegory for modern existential crises, highlighting how such experiences resonate deeply with contemporary society's struggles with connection and purpose.
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