The History of Literature 711 How Does Literature Handle Atrocities? (with Bruce Robbins) | My Last Book with Hemingway Expert Alex Vernon | Who Will Come to Jacke and Emma's Party?
Jun 26, 2025
Bruce Robbins, a humanities professor at Columbia University and author of 'Atrocity, a Literary History,' explores how literature tackles the darkest aspects of human history. He discusses the moral responsibilities of authors in addressing mass violence and how fictional narratives often provide insight that mere facts cannot. The conversation also dives into the effectiveness of iconic works like 'Slaughterhouse-Five' and '100 Years of Solitude.' Additionally, Hemingway expert Alex Vernon shares his choice for the last book he would read, while playful banter liven up discussions on marriage and literary parties.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal Link to Atrocities
- Bruce Robbins shares a personal story connecting his father's WWII bombing mission with a German philosopher's bombing survival.
- This encounter deeply influenced his interest in literary history of atrocities and the complexity of responsibility.
Literature's Unique Power
- Literature uniquely wrestles with atrocity by employing creative tools beyond mere facts.
- Authors manipulate genre and expectations to deepen emotional and moral engagement with atrocities.
Nuanced Literary Representations
- Literature can reveal atrocity with complexity, showing multiple truths and ambiguities simultaneously.
- Rushdie’s nuanced depiction of the Amritsar massacre reminds readers of internal divisions beyond colonial violence.
