How to Approach Learning in the Age of AI (Without Harming Your Memory)

In 'The Anxiety of Influence', Harold Bloom presents a theory of poetry that explores how poets are influenced by their precursors and how they strive to create original work despite this influence. Bloom argues that poets must engage in a process of 'poetic misprision', or creative misreading, to carve out their own space in the literary canon. The book is divided into six revisionary ratios, drawing on Freudian psychoanalysis and classical rhetoric.

The Classic Slum is a blend of autobiography, social history, and oral history, detailing life in Salford during the early 20th century. Roberts provides a firsthand account of poverty, social hierarchy, and the effects of World War I on working-class communities. His work challenges romanticized views of slum life, highlighting the complexities of social stratification and the conservative nature of the working class.

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.

Steppenwolf, written by Hermann Hesse, is a deeply philosophical and psychological novel that follows the life of Harry Haller, a 48-year-old man who identifies himself as a 'Steppenwolf,' feeling half-human and half-wolf. The novel delves into Harry's inner turmoil as he struggles to reconcile his intellectual and artistic side with his more primal, wolfish nature. Through his interactions with characters like Hermine, Pablo, and Maria, Harry is forced to confront his own dualism and the societal conventions he despises. The novel is known for its complex exploration of the human condition, incorporating elements of Eastern mysticism and Western culture, and culminates in a surreal and symbolic journey through the 'Magic Theater' where Harry's multiple selves are explored.