Welcome to the Norton Library Podcast, where we explore influential works of literature and philosophy with the leading scholars and teachers behind Norton’s newest series of classics. In each episode, with a Norton Library editor or translator as our guide, we'll learn something new and surprising about these classic works—why they endure, and what it means to read them today. Hosted by Mark Cirino and produced by Michael Von Cannon, the co-creators of the Hemingway Society's popular show O ...
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This novella is the final story in Joyce’s collection Dubliners. It describes a Christmas party given by Kate and Julia Morkan, two elderly Dublin ladies, that is attended by their nephew, Gabriel Conroy, and his wife. While the party is festive, full of dancing, drinking, and eating, it is also pervaded by political, religious, and sexual tensions, as well as memories of loss. When Gabriel and his wife go home at the end of the night, she reveals a long-kept secret that leads to an epiphany.
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They All Cried Out, "He Made Us" (Confessions, Part 2)
30:09
30:09
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Augustine's Confessions, translator Peter Constantine discusses his own history with the text and how he came to translate it, the stylistic accomplishment of the Confessions, his translation process, and more. Peter Constantine is the director of the Program in Literary Translation at the University of Connecticut, t…
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Augustine Gives in to Pear Pressure (Confessions, Part 1)
32:37
32:37
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32:37
In Part 1 of our discussion on Augustine's Confessions, we welcome translator Peter Constantine to discuss the historical context in which Augustine of Hippo wrote the Confessions, the genre of the text, the lasting effect it has had on religious and secular intellectual traditions, and some of the touchstone episodes found in the work. Peter Const…
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Dante's Inferno, translator Michael Palma discusses his own history with the poem and how he came to translate it, the terza rima rhyme scheme Dante employs, and in what ways the Divine Comedy is really a comedy. Michael Palma is the award-winning translator of Diego Valeri and Guido Gozzano, among others. He has publ…
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Dante's Inferno: A 13th-Century Scared Straight! (Inferno, Part 1)
35:12
35:12
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In Part 1 of our discussion on Dante's Inferno, we welcome translator Michael Palma to discuss Dante's life and the context in which he wrote the Inferno, the narrative structure of The Divine Comedy, and what makes the Inferno so durably compelling. Michael Palma is the award-winning translator of Diego Valeri and Guido Gozzano, among others, and …
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How to Read, How to Feel (Narrative of Frederick Douglass, Part 2)
34:43
34:43
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, editor Joshua Bennett discusses the cover of the Norton Library edition, approaching the text as history and as literature, how Douglass teaches us to read, the musicality of the book, a Narrative-inspired playlist, and more! Joshua Bennett is a professor of literature at M…
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The Hero's Journey (Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, Part 1)
30:23
30:23
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30:23
In Part 1 of our discussion on the Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, we welcome editor Joshua Bennett to discuss Douglass's Narrative as a type of hero's journey, Douglass's political project in writing the book, and how Douglass closes the Narrative with a statement on true Christianity. Joshua Bennett is a professor of literature at MI…
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But I Wouldn't Give Myself (The Awakening, Part 2)
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30:35
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In Part 2 of our discussion on The Awakening, editor Laura Fisher tells us about her first encounter with the novel, discusses her approach to teaching it, explores her favorite line of the text, provides a killer Awakening playlist, and more! Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author…
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Don't Nap for Self-Care. Wake up! (The Awakening, Part 1)
32:36
32:36
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32:36
In Part 1 of our discussion on The Awakening, we welcome editor Laura Fisher to discuss Kate Chopin's writing career, the novel's reception and themes, as well as some of its major characters. Laura R. Fisher is an associate professor of English at Toronto Metropolitan University. She is the author of Reading for Reform: The Social Work of Literatu…
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It's Okay to be Frustrated with Joyce (Dubliners, Part 2)
34:31
34:31
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Dubliners, editor Ian Whittington discusses the inspiration for the cover of his Norton Library edition, his favorite lines in the collection, his Dubliners hot take, and some suggestions for a Dubliners playlist. Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whose research and teaching focus on twentieth-century anglopho…
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You Can File this All Under "A City in Decline" (Dubliners, Part 1)
32:19
32:19
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32:19
In Part 1 of our discussion on Dubliners, we welcome editor Ian Whittington to discuss how this collection of short stories was received by its publisher, by its literary audience, and by the people who made up its subject matter; the Dublin in which Joyce grew up; and, of course, Ian's favorite story. Ian Whittington is an independent scholar whos…
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Medea has Pierced Our Hearts (Medea, Part 2)
28:47
28:47
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Medea, editor Sheila Murnaghan discusses her teaching of the drama, what Medea shows us about the nature of revenge, and her approach to the challenges of translating this tragedy. Sheila Murnaghan is the Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Professor of Greek at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the author of Disguise…
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Euripides's Exploration of the Unthinkable and Unnatural (Medea, Part 1)
36:44
36:44
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36:44
In Part 1 of our discussion on Medea, we welcome translator Sheila Murnaghan to discuss the historical and dramatic context in which Euripides wrote the play, its basis in the Medea myth, and the plays most prominent characters. Sheila Murnaghan is the Alfred Reginald Allen Memorial Professor of Greek at the University of Pennsylvania. She is the a…
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An African American Novel about White People (The Marrow of Tradition, Part 2)
27:01
27:01
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In Part 2 of our discussion on The Marrow of Tradition, editor Autumn Womack discusses her background with the novel, teaching the novel, her favorite line, and her hot take on The Marrow of Tradition. Autumn Womack is an Assistant Professor in the departments of African American Studies and English at Princeton University, where she specializes in…
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Carterets, Millers, and Massacres (The Marrow of Tradition, Part 1)
29:36
29:36
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In Part 1 of our discussion on The Marrow of Tradition, we welcome editor Autumn Womack to discuss Charles W. Chestnut's biography, his ambitions in writing the novel, the historical realities depicted in it, and some of its major characters. Autumn Womack is an Assistant Professor in the departments of African American Studies and English at Princ…
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Up-to-date with a Vengeance (Dracula, Part 2)
30:59
30:59
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Dracula, editor Rachel Feder discusses the inspiration for the cover of her Norton Library edition, her favorite line in the novel, how the novel relates to the popular cultural understanding of vampires, and notions of the sublime in Gothic literature. Rachel Feder is an associate professor of English and literary ar…
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Vampires and Gothic Horror (Dracula, Part 1)
30:30
30:30
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30:30
In Part 1 of our discussion on Dracula, we welcome editor Rachel Feder to discuss whether Bram Stoker's biography is relevant to our interpretations of the novel, Dracula's place in the history of Gothic literature, different types of Gothic literature, and some of the most prominent characters in the novel. Rachel Feder is an associate professor o…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Joyce
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Joyce
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Joyce
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Joyce
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A Long and Winding Road to Nowhere (The Canterbury Tales, Part 2)
32:16
32:16
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In Part 2 of our discussion on The Canterbury Tales, translator and editor Sheila Fisher uncovers her favorite line(s) in the text, tells us how she approaches teaching the Tales, gives us a cross-centuries Chaucer playlist, and reflects on the text's relevance to readers today. Sheila Fisher is Professor of English at Trinity College (Hartford). S…
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Tales and Tellers (The Canterbury Tales, Part 1)
33:29
33:29
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In Part 1 of our discussion on The Canterbury Tales, we welcome translator and editor Sheila Fisher to discuss Geoffrey Chaucer's life and times, his great accomplishment in crafting these Tales, and the intricacies of Sheila's favorite tale, that of the Wife of Bath. Sheila Fisher is Professor of English at Trinity College (Hartford). She is the a…
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Ugh, as if I could forgive her! (Emma, Part 2)
32:46
32:46
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In Part 2 of our discussion on Emma , editor Stephanie Insley Hershinow tells us how she first encountered Jane Austen's work, highlights some of her preferred techniques for teaching Emma, gives her hot take on Austen, and reflects on some of the most affecting adaptations of Emma in popular media. Stephanie Insley Hershinow is an associate profes…
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Handsome, Clever, and Rich (Emma, Part 1)
32:20
32:20
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32:20
In the first of our two episodes on Emma , we welcome editor Stephanie Insley Hershinow to discuss what popular conceptions of Jane Austen get right and get wrong about her, how Austen is both similar to and different from the titular protagonist of the novel, Austen's place in the history of marriage stories, and some of the novel's most memorable…
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A Nose for Absurdity (Selected Tales of Gogol, Part 2)
29:40
29:40
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29:40
In part 2 of our discussion on the short fiction of Nikolai Gogol (as selected in the recently published Norton Library edition), translator Michael Katz and introducer Kate Holland tell us their favorite lines from Gogol's work and highlight the qualities of his unique style and voice that have captured readers across the centuries. Michael R. Kat…
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The Strange, Wonderful Worlds of Nikolai Gogol (Selected Tales, Part 1)
31:56
31:56
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31:56
In this episode of the Norton Library Podcast, we welcome translator Michael R. Katz and scholar of Russian literature Kate Holland to chat about one of the most celebrated figures in all of Russian literature: Nikolai Gogol. We discuss the influence of Gogol's Ukrainian background on his acclaimed short fiction as well as the challenges—and deligh…
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Call Me Ishmael, But Don't Call Moby-Dick "Boring" (Moby-Dick, Part 2)
30:53
30:53
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In part 2 of our conversation on Moby-Dick, editor Jeffrey Insko breaks down his favorite lines and highlights the pleasures of uncovering the novel's endless layers of humor and meaning—even (especially?) in the dreaded Cetology chapter... Jeffrey Insko is Professor of English at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan, where he teaches courses …
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The Ultimate Semester at Sea (Moby-Dick, Part 1)
32:53
32:53
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In the first of our two-part episodes on Moby-Dick, editor Jeffrey Insko highlights the (sometimes-polarizing) delights of Herman Melville's outlandish nautical epic and describes how this iconic American novel was born from from the author's early adventures on the high seas. Jeffrey Insko is Professor of English at Oakland University in Rochester…
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Jane Eyre Has Emotional Motion Sickness (Jane Eyre, Part 2)
31:21
31:21
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Sharon Marcus, we chat about popular adaptations of Jane Eyre and why the best one—which hasn't been written yet—would feature Phoebe Bridgers, PJ Harvey, and Sarah Vaughan on the soundtrack. Sharon Marcus is the Orlando Harriman Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and editor of …
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The Madwoman in the Mirror (Jane Eyre, Part 1)
31:19
31:19
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This week on the podcast, Sharon Marcus introduces us to one of the most enduringly popular coming-of-age novels in all of English literature—Charlotte Brontë's 1847 Gothic thriller, Jane Eyre. Sharon Marcus is the Orlando Harriman Professor of English and Comparative Literature at Columbia University and editor of the Norton Library edition of Jan…
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Blind Eyes and Open Ears (Oedipus Tyrannos, Part 2)
31:22
31:22
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In Part 2 of our series on Oedipus Tyrannos, Emily Wilson highlights the delights and challenges of translating Greek tragedy into English, the play's long history of adaptation and live staging, and the ways in which Oedipus Tyrannos has continued to resonate with audiences over millennia. What can the titular tyrant's ill-fated mistakes still tea…
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The Twist Is in the Title (Oedipus Tyrannos, Part 1)
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On this week's episode of the Norton Library Podcast, we welcome Emily Wilson, acclaimed translator of Homer's Odyssey and Iliad, to discuss her recent translation of Sophocles's Oedipus Tyrannos. Emily Wilson is Professor of Classical Studies and Graduate Chair of the Program in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Penns…
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Du Bois and the Ongoing Project of Black Identity (The Souls of Black Folk, Part 2)
31:31
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Jesse McCarthy, we discuss the spiritual and intellectual underpinnings of The Souls of Black Folk and break down common misperceptions about the work. Jesse also explains why he always teaches The Souls of Black Folk with music. Jesse McCarthy is the editor of the Norton Library edition of The Souls of Black Folk…
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The Unorthodox Collection of Essays that Became a Masterpiece (The Souls of Black Folk, Part 1)
35:19
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In this episode of the Norton Library Podcast, we welcome Jesse McCarthy to discuss who W. E. B. Du Bois was and how The Souls of Black Folk came to be. We also explore Souls' most enduring ideas and how these still resonate today with a variety of underrepresented groups. McCarthy is the editor of the Norton Library edition of The Souls of Black F…
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What the Movies Get Wrong about Frankenstein (Frankenstein, Part 2)
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32:00
In Part 2 of our conversation with Michael Bérubé, we discuss the enduring legacy of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein—how a cautionary tale about reckless experimentation and radicalization speaks just as forcefully to our present moment as it did to readers in 1818. Michael Bérubé is Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Literature at Penn State University an…
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The Teenager Who Won a Legendary Ghost-Story Competition (Frankenstein, Part 1)
31:39
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In this episode of the Norton Library Podcast, we welcome Michael Bérubé to discuss the origins of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the radical (and enduring) questions the novel poses about science, religion, and humanity. Michael Bérubé is Edwin Erle Sparks Professor of Literature at Penn State University and the editor of the Norton Library editi…
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This Is Not a Love Story (The Great Gatsby, Part 2)
34:02
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In Part 2 of our conversation with Anne Margaret Daniel, we break down common misconceptions about The Great Gatsby and dig in to what it is about the novel that draws readers (and Hollywood) in and keeps us coming back. Anne Margaret Daniel is the editor of the Norton Library edition of The Great Gatsby and teaches literature at The New School Uni…
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How Fitzgerald’s Least Popular Novel Became an American Icon (The Great Gatsby, Part 1)
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In this inaugural episode of the Norton Library Podcast, we welcome Anne Margaret Daniel to discuss how F. Scott Fitzgerald came to write his Jazz Age masterpiece. We also explore some of the themes that have captivated readers for over a century—self-improvement and the "American Dream," the power and limits of wealth in the upper reaches of the e…
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