The History of Literature

Robin Lithgow, educator and lifelong theatre advocate raised in a Shakespeare festival family, reflects on how performance shaped literacy and imagination. She recounts theatrical childhoods, teaching Shakespeare in inner-city schools, and discovering Erasmus’s role in performance-based education. Short, lively stories show why daily arts practice matters for learning and empathy.

Indira Ghose, Emeritus professor of English and Shakespeare scholar who studies early modern theatre, discusses civility as performance and its role in managing conflict. She contrasts competing models of manners, explores theatre as a lab for social tensions, and reads how plays stage pretense, sincerity, and exclusion. The conversation links early modern debates to modern questions about empathy and social cohesion.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Jonathan Gross, an expert on Byron, unpacks the Romantic poet's unique blend of mobility and identity. He highlights Byron's restless spirit and chameleon-like qualities, shaped by a tumultuous upbringing and a desire to engage with diverse cultures. Gross also explores Byron's impact on contemporaries, including the Shelleys, and how his work educated readers about European landscapes and histories. Their conversation reveals Byron's enduring relevance and invites listeners to delve into his captivating poetry.

Nicholas Boggs, a biographer and editor who unearthed Baldwin's lost children's book, dives into James Baldwin's formative years. He shares insights about Baldwin's relationship with his mother, the impact of his teacher Bill Miller, and how his early crushes shaped his literary themes. Boggs explores Baldwin's evolving identity, his connection with New York City, and the friendships that influenced his work. Bruce Robbins also joins to discuss his last book choice, emphasizing the significance of love in Baldwin's life and literature.

Mathelinda Nabugodi, a Lecturer at University College London and author of The Trembling Hand, explores fascinating artifacts from the Romantic era, revealing how slavery influenced renowned poets. She discusses the significance of personal objects in archives and their ties to global capitalism. Richard Copley, a biographer of Edgar Allan Poe, shares his choice for the last book he would read—William Wordsworth's poetry—highlighting themes of childhood and nature that resonate deeply with him. Dive into a rich conversation about literature's connections to history and personal experience!

Francesca Wade, a biographer and literary critic known for her insightful works on modernist writers, discusses the enigmatic Gertrude Stein. They explore Stein's desire to break free from 19th-century conventions, her scientific approach to language, and the impact of her memoir, The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas. Wade reveals fresh archival materials that depict Stein's complexity beyond her public persona. Additionally, Holly Baggett shares why she would choose Ulysses as her last read, celebrating its endless layers and depth.

Mike Palindrome, president of the Literature Supporters Club, joins to dive into Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Young Goodman Brown". They explore the chilling allegory of faith and temptation set in Puritan New England. The discussion highlights the story's suspense, the enigmatic character of Faith, and the critique of Puritan hypocrisy. They ponder whether Goodman Brown’s journey is real or a dream and how it reflects the psychology of lost faith. Palindrome’s insight into Hawthorne's legacy adds depth to their engaging analysis of this iconic short story.

Edward J. Watts, a historian and professor at UC San Diego, shares insights from his book on Rome's 2,000-year history. He discusses how Rome's enduring legacy stemmed from its integration of diverse cultures and institutions, while tracing its improbable rise from a small settlement. Watts delves into the role of storytelling and literature in shaping Roman identity, along with the critical factors leading to Rome's eventual decline. Nathan Hensley also joins to reveal his choice for the last book he'd read, Shakespeare's collected works, sparking a conversation on impactful literature.

Explore the intriguing world of Emily Brontë, who, under the pseudonym Ellis Bell, sparked curiosity with her novel Wuthering Heights just before her untimely passing. Discover how she reacted to differing reviews, from the dark and violent critiques to those praising its original power. Delve into Emily's struggle with public perception and her desire for literary recognition while navigating life on the moors. The episode reflects on the profound impact of early criticism and her unique legacy in literature.

Explore the fascinating origins of the sonnet, tracing its roots to 13th-century Sicily and the influence of poets like Petrarch and Shakespeare. Discover the sonnet's evolution through the centuries, from playful parodies to modern experimental forms. Delve into why this 14-line structure, with its blend of challenge and flexibility, continues to captivate poets today. Hear about famous sonneteers and the diverse subjects they tackle, proving that sonnets encompass much more than just love.