Old School with Shilo Brooks

chevron_right

Why ‘Middlemarch’ Changed This Catholic Priest’s Life

whatshot 9 snips

Jan 8, 2026

Guest

Father Jonah Teller

Father Jonah Teller, a Dominican friar at St. Joseph's Church, discusses how George Eliot's 'Middlemarch' transformed his perspective on life. He explores themes of marriage, political change, and the significance of mundane choices. Father Jonah emphasizes Eliot’s belief in the importance of seemingly insignificant lives and how character-driven storytelling illuminates human nature. They delve into the novel's insights on religion, morality, and the value of great literature in shaping virtues, all while addressing modern dilemmas through the lens of Victorian narratives.

52:53

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

question_answer

ANECDOTE

From Closed Book To Life-Changing Read

Father Jonah first tried Middlemarch as a teen and closed it after a few pages, then reread it years later and immediately wanted to start it again.
The book took him from indifference to deep admiration and changed how he reads long works.

insights

INSIGHT

Small Actions Have Wide Ripples

Small private decisions ripple outward and affect many lives beyond our notice.
George Eliot shows that ordinary lives contribute to the 'growing good of the world.'

insights

INSIGHT

Grandeur vs. Hidden Lives

Eliot frames the novel with Saint Teresa to contrast epic lives with quiet ones.
Dorothea's unremarkable life still channels a powerful, diffusive good into her community.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Why Father Jonah Chose Middlemarch

01:27 • 2min

chevron_right

What Middlemarch Is About

03:41 • 3min

chevron_right

Character-First Storytelling

07:11 • 4min

chevron_right

How Middlemarch Cures Hidden-Life Despair

11:03 • 9min

chevron_right

Religion and Eliot’s Humanism

20:20 • 5min

chevron_right

Nietzsche, Moralism, and Eliot

25:00 • 1min

chevron_right

Politics, Progress, and Lydgate

26:19 • 4min

chevron_right

Marriage Types and Character

30:20 • 8min

chevron_right

Mercy in a Broken Marriage

38:00 • 1min

chevron_right

Why Novels Matter for Moral Formation

39:19 • 9min

chevron_right

Lightning Round Picks

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Merlin

The Rise of the Pendragon

Stephen R. Lawhead

Merlin, born to a druid bard and a princess of lost Atlantis, is destined for greatness in a world ruled by greedy chieftains and barbaric invaders. The novel follows his trials and mystical journey as he prepares for his life's work: paving the way for the coming of Arthur Pendragon, the legendary King of the Summer Kingdom. The story explores Merlin's dual upbringing among druids and Christian priests, his madness, and his role as a warrior, bard, and kingmaker in Arthurian Britain.

#6453

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

• Mentioned in 382 episodes

The Bible

Various Authors

The Bible is a comprehensive collection of texts that form the central religious text of Christianity and Judaism. It is divided into the Old Testament, which includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and others that narrate the creation of the world, the history of the Israelites, and the prophetic messages. The New Testament focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with the early Christian church and its spread. The Bible contains a wide range of genres, including historical narratives, poetry, wisdom literature, prophetic writings, and epistles.

#29358

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

In This House of Brede

Rumer Godden

In This House of Brede follows Philippa Talbot, a World War II widow who leaves her elite life to join a cloistered Benedictine community. The novel delves into the complexities of monastic life, exploring struggles with obedience, faith, and personal growth within the community. It is a poignant portrayal of religious life in England during a period of significant change in the Catholic Church.

#500

• Mentioned in 53 episodes

Romeo and Juliet

William Shakespeare

Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, is a tragic play that tells the story of two young lovers, Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet, who fall in love despite the long-standing feud between their families. The play explores themes of love, hate, fate, and the destructive nature of the families' vendetta. After secretly marrying, the lovers face numerous challenges, including the death of Romeo's friend Mercutio and his subsequent banishment. A failed plan to reunite the lovers leads to their tragic deaths, ultimately bringing peace between their families. The play is renowned for its poetic language, passionate romance, and violent conflict, making it one of the world's most beloved and enduring stories.

#7058

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

Matterhorn

A Novel of the Vietnam War

Karl Marlantes

Matterhorn is a gripping novel that follows the journey of Second Lieutenant Waino Mellas and his comrades in Bravo Company as they fight in the jungles of Vietnam. The story delves into the intense struggles of war, including racial tensions, incompetent leadership, and the psychological toll on soldiers. Written over thirty years, the book is a testament to Marlantes's firsthand experience and offers a vivid portrayal of the horrors and complexities of war.

#51

• Mentioned in 223 episodes

Moby Dick

Herman Melville

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.

#2314

• Mentioned in 17 episodes

Brideshead revisited

Evelyn Waugh

Published in 1945, 'Brideshead Revisited' is a satirical novel by Evelyn Waugh that chronicles the lives of the aristocratic Flyte family from the 1920s through to the Second World War. The story is narrated by Captain Charles Ryder, who forms a deep friendship with Sebastian Flyte at Oxford University. The novel delves into the complexities of relationships, the pervasive influence of the Catholic Church on the Flyte family, and the gradual decay of the aristocratic way of life. It explores themes of faith, love, and the search for meaning in a world undergoing significant change. Waugh's work is noted for its elegant prose, witty dialogue, and a profound exploration of the human condition.

#886

• Mentioned in 36 episodes

Mansfield Park

Jane Austen

monica arcija

The novel follows Fanny Price, a young girl from a poor family who is sent to live with her wealthy uncle and aunt, Sir Thomas and Lady Bertram, at Mansfield Park. Fanny navigates the complexities of her new environment, dealing with the mistreatment by some family members and the kindness of her cousin Edmund. The story unfolds with the arrival of the charming but morally dubious Crawfords, leading to a series of scandals and moral dilemmas. Ultimately, Fanny's integrity and compassion guide her through the challenges, and she finds love and a sense of belonging with Edmund.

#366

• Mentioned in 68 episodes

Middlemarch

George Eliot

Middlemarch, written by George Eliot, is a novel that delves into the complexities of provincial life in 19th-century England. The story revolves around the intersecting lives of its characters, particularly Dorothea Brooke and Dr. Tertius Lydgate, as they navigate marriage, vocation, and social class. Eliot critiques the conventional romance narratives of her time by portraying marriage as a complex and often problematic institution. The novel also explores themes of idealism, self-interest, hypocrisy, and the constraints on women's lives. Set in the fictional town of Middlemarch between 1829 and 1832, the novel incorporates historical events such as the Great Reform Act of 1832 and early developments in medicine. Eliot's realistic portrayal of ordinary human life, with its quiet tragedies and small triumphs, has made 'Middlemarch' a masterpiece of English literature.

#4102

• Mentioned in 10 episodes

The Taming of the Shrew

William Shakespeare

The play is presented as a play within a play, with an initial 'induction' where a lord tricks a drunken tinker, Christopher Sly, into believing he is a nobleman. The main story revolves around the courtship of Katharina, the shrewish older sister, and Petruchio, who uses various tactics to tame her. Meanwhile, several eligible bachelors vie for the hand of Bianca, Katharina's younger sister. The play culminates in a wager where Petruchio proves Katharina to be the most obedient wife, and she delivers a sermon on wifely obedience.

Middlemarch is George Eliot’s (real name Mary Ann Evans) masterpiece. The 900-page Victorian novel is about the people living in a fictional English town in a time of enormous changes.

In this episode, Shilo Brooks sits down with Dominican friar Father Jonah Teller to discuss what makes the book worth reading. Their conversation tackles the novel’s major themes: marriage in all its mismatched forms, political upheaval around reform and the rise of liberalism, the promises and limits of scientific progress, and the facets of human nature revealed in ordinary domestic life. They highlight Eliot’s conviction that there are no truly insignificant lives—that quiet, “unhistoric” acts and small, private decisions are of great importance.

Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org.

Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books