Parker's Pensées Ep. 282 - How to Use The Great Ideas in Your Commonplace Books w/Dr. Jacob Allee
Dr. Jacob Allee, a PhD in the Humanities and founder of the Study the Great Books Substack, dives into the world of commonplace books. He explains what makes a book 'great' and explores universal themes like friendship and eucatastrophe, a term coined by Tolkien. Learn how virtues and vices enhance the Great Ideas and the advantages of physical notebooks over digital ones. Jacob also shares tips on tagging for easier retrieval and discusses the importance of annotating books for active reading and intellectual growth.
01:17:07
Why Books Become 'Great'
- Great books survive because each generation finds universal human concerns in them and passes them on.
- They endure by provoking readers to ask enduring questions about purpose, virtue, and belonging.
Great Ideas As Universal Tags
- 'Great ideas' are recurring universal themes across literature that help tag and find meaningful passages.
- Examples include friendship, adoption, redemption, and eucatastrophe as recognizable patterns readers should seek.
Eucatastrophe: Sudden Good Reversal
- Eucatastrophe names sudden, salvific reversals of despair into joy and appears across literature and history.
- Tolkien coined the term, but its pattern shows up from battles to religious resurrection narratives.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
Why the Great Books Matter
01:45 • 11min
What Are the Great Ideas and How They Work
13:07 • 3min
Eucatastrophe and Tolkien's Influence
16:12 • 4min
How Virtues and Vices Feature in Great Books
20:30 • 9min
What Is a Commonplace Book?
29:47 • 3min
Making Commonplace Books More Useful with Tagging
32:46 • 3min
Handwriting, Rummaging, and Memory Benefits
35:31 • 6min
Historical Roots: Aristotle to Renaissance Zibaldone
41:07 • 9min
Using Progymnasmata and Imitation Exercises
49:53 • 6min
Audience: Private Notebook or Public Family Treasury
56:07 • 46sec
Purpose: Treasury vs. Manuscript Commonplaces
56:54 • 8min
Finding and Creating Tags for Your Commonplace
01:05:03 • 3min
Generalist Foundations Before Specialization
01:08:05 • 10min
Study the Great Books Editions and Annotation Series
01:17:36 • 2min
Why You Should Write in Your Books
01:19:40 • 14sec
Outro
01:19:54 • 8sec
#166
• Mentioned in 96 episodes
Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.
#530
• Mentioned in 42 episodes
Macbeth
Imdad Hussain
William Shakespeare
Macbeth is a tragedy that explores themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of sin.
The play follows Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman, and his wife Lady Macbeth as they navigate a complex web of prophecy, murder, and political intrigue.
The witches' prophecy sets off a chain of events that leads to the downfall of Macbeth and the restoration of order in Scotland.
The play is known for its dark and haunting atmosphere, its exploration of the human psyche, and its commentary on the nature of tragedy and the human condition.
#160
• Mentioned in 99 episodes
The Screwtape Letters
C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters is a Christian apologetic novel written in a satirical, epistolary style.
It consists of 31 letters from Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to 'Our Father Below' (the Devil), to his nephew Wormwood, a novice demon tasked with securing the damnation of an ordinary young man.
The letters provide advice on various methods of undermining God's influence and promoting abandonment of God, while offering insights into human nature and the Bible.
The book is a profound and striking narrative on spiritual warfare and the power of the devil, highlighting the subtle forms of sin such as vanity, pride, and distraction that can lead humans away from God.
#1323
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel.
It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death.
The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby.
Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.
#9
• Mentioned in 361 episodes
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R.
Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth.
The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo.
The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return.
Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth.
The novel explores themes of good vs.
evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.
#25057
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Quotable Lewis
Jerry Root
Wayne Martindale
#2657
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
On Fairy Stories
None
George Orwell
In "On Fairy Stories," J.R. R.
Tolkien explores the nature and significance of fairy tales, arguing that they are not mere children's stories but profound expressions of human longing and imagination.
He delves into the concept of 'eucatastrophe,' a sudden and joyful turn of events that transcends the ordinary, and how it relates to the Christian narrative of redemption.
Tolkien's essay is a rich tapestry of literary criticism, mythology, and personal reflection, offering insights into the creative process and the power of storytelling to shape our understanding of the world.
He emphasizes the importance of fantasy literature in providing escape, consolation, and a glimpse into the deeper truths of existence.
The essay remains a cornerstone of fantasy literature studies and continues to inspire writers and readers alike.
#992
• Mentioned in 27 episodes
Starship Troopers
Robert A. Heinlein
In 'Starship Troopers,' Robert A. Heinlein explores a future society where citizenship and the right to vote are earned through military service.
The story follows Juan 'Johnny' Rico as he joins the Terran Mobile Infantry and undergoes rigorous training and battles against an alien species known as the 'Bugs.
' The novel delves into themes of citizenship, duty, and the philosophy of war, while also critiquing societal values and the implications of militarism.
Through Rico's journey, Heinlein examines the psychological and moral aspects of war, the importance of discipline and sacrifice, and the complex relationships between comrades in a military context.
#1682
• Mentioned in 18 episodes
Odyssey
Homer
#43686
Pascal's Ponce
Blaise Pascal
#10883
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Syntopicon
Volumes 1 and 2
Mortimer Adler
string
#1160
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
Emma
Jane Austen
juan perez
The novel follows Emma Woodhouse, a beautiful, clever, and rich young woman who has lived nearly twenty-one years with very little distress.
Emma decides to take up matchmaking, despite the advice of her friend Mr. Knightley.
Her attempts to match her new friend Harriet Smith with various men lead to complications and ultimately test her own detachment from the world of romance.
The novel explores themes of education, courtship, and social class in Georgian-Regency England, highlighting Emma's journey of self-discovery and learning from her mistakes.
#331
• Mentioned in 59 episodes
Summa theologica
Thomas Aquinas
The Summa Theologica is a comprehensive work divided into three parts.
The first part deals with God, the creation of the world, angels, and the nature of man.
The second part is subdivided into two sections: the first part of the second part discusses general principles of morality and law, while the second part of the second part addresses morality in particular, including individual virtues and vices.
The third part, left unfinished by Aquinas, focuses on the person and work of Christ and the sacraments.
The work also includes a posthumous supplement that concludes the third part and discusses Christian eschatology.
Aquinas drew on Aristotelian and Augustinian influences and aimed to integrate faith and reason in his theological arguments.
#100
• Mentioned in 130 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
#225
• Mentioned in 75 episodes
Dracula
Bram Stoker
The novel tells the story of Count Dracula, a vampire who moves from Transylvania to England to spread terror and create more vampires.
The story begins with Jonathan Harker, an English solicitor, who travels to Transylvania to finalize the sale of a property to Count Dracula.
Upon discovering Dracula's true nature, Harker barely escapes with his life.
Dracula then travels to England, where he targets Harker's fiancée, Mina, and her friend Lucy.
A group of characters, including Professor Van Helsing, Dr. John Seward, and Quincey Morris, band together to hunt down and destroy Dracula.
The novel explores themes of good vs. evil, modernity vs.
tradition, and the fears and anxieties of the Victorian era, including immigration, sexual desire, and the role of women in society.
#10718
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Armor
John Steakley
#1414
• Mentioned in 21 episodes
Iliad
Homer
Ep. 282 of the Parker's Pensées Podcast is all about commonplace books! Check out my Substack, Parker's Ponderings, here: https://parknotes.substack.com/Check out my Science Fiction and Fantasy short stories here: https://parkersfiction.substack.com/Check out Dr. Jacob Allee's Substack for more info on the Study the Great Books Commonplace Book: https://stgb.substack.com/Consider supporting this podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/parkersettecase→ Grab a ParkNotes exclusive "Study and Think Deeply" leather cover and Leuchtturm1917 a6 from Murdy Creative Co. here: Check out https://murdycreative.co/PARKERNOTES and use promo code PARKERNOTES at check out for 10% off your entire order!! → Paper Republic is offering a 30% off discount on their voyager bundles for my audience (this isn't an affiliate link, so I don't make commission on your purchase but I figured it'd be nice to get you a discount anyways!). Check them out and use PARKERPR30 for the 30% off: https://www.paper-republic.com/en-us/collections/bundles→ More Sponsors/Discounts Grab a Field Notes notebook or memo book wallet like the one from the video from my affiliate link here to support my work and use promo code FNPARKER10 for 10% off your entire order: https://fieldnotesbrand.com/products/daily-carry-leather-notebook-cover?aff=44Grab a Lochby field journal and use promo code PARKNOTES at checkout for 10% offhttps://www.lochby.com/parknotesGrab a Saddleback Leather medium Moleskine/Leuchtturm1917 cover from my affiliate link here to support my channel: https://saddlebackleather.com/leather-moleskine-cover-medium/?ktk=d0pac01BLWJmZWY1MmZiYTFiMail me something cool here:Parker Settecase 1940 N Municipal Way Unit # 369Round Lake, IL 60073You can find the notebooks and pens I like here on my Amazon Storefront page or in the sponsored links below:→My Amazon Storefront https://www.amazon.com/shop/parkerspensees/list/UPGTZW0UNTTN?ref_=cm_sw_r_apann_aipsflist_aipsfparkerspensees_P1F6N9TD2HE0FYHF5C70&language=en_US→ Parker's Pensées Podcast:if you're into philosophy, theology, or both, you're going to love my podcast, Parker's Pensées, where I talk with some of the world's best philosophers and theologians about their work. Check it out here: https://youtube.com/@ParkersPensees → GearCamera: https://amzn.to/3OcSIXRLens: https://amzn.to/3OcSIXRMic: https://amzn.to/3DEYz360:00 - What are the Great Books? 11:42 - What are the Great Ideas? 28:05 - What is a Commonplace Book? 33:34 - How to Keep a Commonplace book