Unresolved Thought

We embark on a journey through the Gulf Stream, off Cuba's coast, to delve into Ernest Hemingway's final and iconic novella, The Old Man and the Sea. Is this merely a story of man versus nature, a contemporary retelling of the Jesus narrative, or an autobiographical allegory reflecting Hemingway's own writing challenges? Or "Is all the symbolism people say shit?" Join us as we explore what lies beyond the surface of this timeless, and truer-than-true, fisherman's tale.

Dive into the philosophical labyrinth of Borges' 'The Lottery in Babylon,' where storytelling meets existential inquiry. The discussion tackles themes of societal control and the moral complexities of identity. Symbolism from Hebrew letters adds depth, connecting ancient ideas to modern dilemmas. Explore the interplay between risk and memory as the narrative reflects on authority and consequence. The conversation also links Borges’ dystopian visions to broader historical narratives, prompting reflections on the nature of evil and the human condition.

In the first installment of our Ted Chiang series, we ascend Ted's Tower of Babylon. We delve into the vivid and symbolic world of the Tower leaving no brick unturned as we seek to appreciate and understand this gorgeous retelling of the ancient Tower of Babel story from Genesis.

We discuss Julio Cortazar's eerie short story 'House Taken Over'. Is Cortazar writing an apology to a displaced upper-middle class? Is this an allegory of outstaying one's welcome in one's own life? A tale of madness? A descent into hell? Or is this just a story about a brother and sister who decide to go for a midnight walk after hearing voices?