Pints with Jack: The C.S. Lewis Podcast cover image

Pints with Jack: The C.S. Lewis Podcast

S7E13 – AH – "Lewisian Literary Theory and Northrop Frye", After Hours with Angelina Stanford

Jan 30, 2024
Angelina Stanford, a notable podcaster from 'The Literary Life Podcast', discusses the intersection of C.S. Lewis’ literary theory and Northrop Frye's contributions. She emphasizes the importance of storytelling in literary analysis and critiques modern literary criticism. The conversation highlights the revival of humane letters and the shift from academia to homeschooling, while also exploring diverse reading habits. Stanford reflects on how classic literature, particularly the works of Lewis and Tolkien, shapes understanding and appreciation of the literary world.
47:27

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The podcast emphasizes the historical neglect of story as a standalone concept in literary criticism, urging a deeper exploration of its intrinsic value.
  • C.S. Lewis and Northrop Frye's ideas advocate for understanding literature within historical contexts, challenging modernist perspectives and promoting interconnected literary narratives.

Deep dives

Neglect of Literary Theory

Critics historically have focused less on the intrinsic value of story, with only a few exceptions like Aristotle's focus on Greek tragedy, Boccaccio's allegorical interpretations, and Jung's archetypal theory. This neglect of story as a standalone concept has left literary theory underexplored, particularly in contemporary discussions. The podcast underscores the absence of a comprehensive exploration of story in literary criticism, particularly regarding how it relates to character development and thematic analysis. By referencing influential figures, the discussion emphasizes the need for a return to recognizing story's importance in literary discourse.

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