649 Mind and Media in the Enlightenment (with Collin Jennings) | Mike Recommends A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway | My Last Book with David L. Cooper
Nov 7, 2024
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Collin Jennings, a former assistant professor and author, shares insights on how computational methods illuminate 18th-century literature. He highlights the role of print technology in transforming literary engagement and the innovative narrative structures of that era. Mike Palindrome passionately discusses Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast,' exploring its reflections on Parisian life and literary camaraderie. Finally, David L. Cooper considers the legacy of forgery in literature, sharing his choice for his last book, which intertwines personal and national narratives.
Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast' powerfully captures his Paris experiences, highlighting the influence of setting on personal and artistic growth.
Collin Jennings illustrates how computational analysis of 18th-century literature reveals the significance of literary devices in shaping reader comprehension.
The emergence of the Gothic novel in the Enlightenment offers immersive historical perspectives, emphasizing emotional responses over abstract timelines.
Deep dives
Remembering 1920s Paris through Hemingway's Lens
Ernest Hemingway's 'A Moveable Feast' serves as a powerful reflection on his experiences in Paris during the 1920s. The book captures his interactions with notable figures such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, showcasing both admiration and candid critiques of their personalities and artistic struggles. Hemingway's nuanced portrayal of the city emphasizes the significance of setting in shaping personal exploration and artistic development. This memoir is seen as an essential read that can deeply influence one's perspective on travel and life, especially if encountered during formative years.
Innovative Literary Techniques in the 18th Century
Colin Jennings discusses the application of computational methods to examine 18th-century literature, focusing on how writers employed new genres and linking devices to enhance textual meaning. This period witnessed the emergence of various literary forms, including historical novels and epistemological texts, which explored the dynamics between authors, readers, and print culture. Jennings highlights the significance of cross-references, footnotes, and indexes, illustrating their roles in shaping readers' understanding of complex ideas. The findings suggest that these techniques not only reflect the authors' creative intentions but also respond to the evolving needs of readers in an increasingly literate society.
The Gothic Novel's Sensational Engagement with History
In analyzing the Gothic novel, Jennings reveals how it provides a unique perspective on history by placing characters within haunting physical spaces that connect them to the past. This approach contrasts with more abstract historical writings of the Enlightenment, focusing on immersive experiences over mere data or timelines. The genre's emphasis on environment underscores the physicality of historical engagement and the emotional responses elicited from encountering remnants of bygone eras. Through computational analysis, Jennings uncovers patterns in language that highlight these distinctive attributes of Gothic literature.
The Role of Indexing in Enlightenment Thought
Adam Smith's works, particularly 'The Wealth of Nations,' exemplify the interplay between complex philosophical ideas and accessible writing through the use of indexes and marginalia. These devices help demystify intricate theories about economics and society, allowing readers to navigate dense content more easily. The Scottish Enlightenment writers strived to make their advanced concepts comprehensible, a move that marks a significant shift in literary practice. The systematic organization of thought within their texts indicates a broader aim to connect readers with the intricacies of human understanding and societal progression.
Literature’s Reflection of 18th Century Knowledge Crises
The examination of literature in the 18th century reveals a landscape undergoing a crisis of knowledge, influenced by theorists like John Locke and David Hume. Writers grappled with the relationship between language and understanding, experimenting with new forms to articulate thoughts and experiences amidst this uncertainty. The absence of necessary connections in their ideas corresponds to the use of literary devices that attempt to forge meanings and clarify intentions for readers. Jennings' insights enhance the understanding of how this era's literature not only represents a historical moment but also reflects ongoing dialogues about knowledge, language, and human experience.
It's a Literary Feast Day at the History of Literature Podcast! First, Jacke talks to old friend Mike Palindrome about his love for A Moveable Feast, Hemingway's late-in-life recollection of his salad days (Pernod days?) in Paris. Then Collin Jennings (Enlightenment Links: Theories of Mind and Media in Eighteenth-Century Britain) explains how his application of computational methods to eighteenth-century fiction, history, and poetry shed new light on the Enlightenment - and what it means for readers in a digital age. And finally, David L. Cooper (The Czech Manuscripts: Forgery, Translation, and National Myth) discusses his choice for the last book he will ever read.