Become The Time Traveler \\ The Time Machine Companion Episode

The book follows Professor Otto Lidenbrock, an eccentric German scientist, his nephew Axel, and their Icelandic guide Hans as they venture into the Earth's interior through a volcanic tube in Iceland. Along their journey, they encounter numerous dangers, including cave-ins, underground oceans, prehistoric creatures, and other extraordinary phenomena. The novel blends Victorian science with innovative concepts, making it a landmark in the science fiction genre.

This book by Carol Tavris and Elliot Aronson delves into the psychological mechanisms behind self-justification, using anecdotal, historical, and scientific evidence. It explains how cognitive dissonance leads people to create fictions that absolve them of responsibility, restoring their belief in their own morality and intelligence. The authors discuss various examples, including political decisions, marital conflicts, and medical errors, to illustrate how self-justification can lead to harmful consequences. The updated edition includes new examples and an extended discussion on how to live with dissonance, learn from it, and potentially forgive oneself.

Moby-Dick is a novel that tells the story of Captain Ahab's maniacal quest for revenge against Moby Dick, the giant white sperm whale that bit off his leg. Narrated by Ishmael, the story follows the crew of the whaling ship Pequod as they embark on a journey that explores themes of obsession, man vs. nature, and the existential questions of good and evil. The novel is rich in detailed descriptions of whale hunting and life aboard a culturally diverse crew, and it has become a cornerstone of American and world literature.

Published in 1866, 'Crime and Punishment' is a psychological novel set in St. Petersburg, Russia. It revolves around Rodion Raskolnikov, an impoverished and intellectually gifted former student who formulates a theory that some individuals are morally justified in committing crimes for the greater good of society. Raskolnikov puts this theory to the test by murdering an old pawnbroker and her half-sister, leading to a profound exploration of his psychological and emotional struggles with guilt, paranoia, and the consequences of his actions. The novel delves into socio-economic disparities, moral dilemmas, and the psychology of criminals, making it a classic of Russian literature and existential thought.

H. G. Wells' 'The Time Machine' follows an inventor who travels to the distant future and discovers a society divided into two distinct groups: the Eloi and the Morlocks. The Eloi are beautiful but passive and indolent creatures living on the surface, while the Morlocks are subterranean workers who maintain the machinery that sustains the Eloi. The Time Traveller gradually realizes that the Morlocks are exploiting and preying upon the Eloi. The novel explores themes of social class, evolution, and the potential consequences of technological progress. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked advancement and the importance of maintaining a just and equitable society.

In 'Poetics,' Aristotle discusses the different kinds and forms of poetry, including epic, tragedy, comedy, and dithyrambic poetry. He defines poetry as a form of imitation that seeks to represent life through character, emotion, or action. The work is primarily focused on tragedy, where Aristotle analyzes the elements of plot, character, thought, diction, song, and spectacle. He also introduces key concepts such as 'mimêsis' (imitation) and 'katharsis' (the purging of emotions), and defends the art of poetry as a natural human instinct that provides pleasure and understanding through artistic representation.

The story, narrated largely through the perspective of Mr. Gabriel John Utterson, a London lawyer, revolves around the mysterious and sinister figure of Mr. Edward Hyde and his connection to the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals Jekyll's secret: he has created a potion that allows him to transform into the evil Mr. Hyde, embodying his repressed desires and darker impulses. The novella delves into themes of dual identity, the struggle between good and evil, and the social hypocrisy of Victorian society.

The novel follows Isabel Archer, a young American woman who inherits a fortune and travels to Europe. There, she rejects several marriage proposals, including those from Lord Warburton and Caspar Goodwood, in favor of maintaining her independence. However, she is manipulated by Madame Merle and Gilbert Osmond into a marriage that proves disastrous. Osmond, a collector of art objects, sees Isabel as another piece to add to his collection, and their marriage is marked by his cold and manipulative nature. The novel explores themes of personal freedom, responsibility, and the complexities of human relationships.

The story follows Jim Hawkins, a young boy who lives at the Admiral Benbow Inn with his mother. After the death of a mysterious sea captain, Billy Bones, Jim finds a map that leads to the treasure of Captain Flint. Along with Dr. Livesey and Squire Trelawney, Jim sets sail on the Hispaniola to find the treasure, unaware that many of the crew members are former pirates of Captain Flint's ship, led by the cunning Long John Silver. The novel unfolds as a tale of adventure, mutiny, and the struggle between good and evil, with Jim facing numerous challenges and learning valuable lessons about courage and loyalty.