This lecture discusses key ideas from the work of the 20th century novelist and short story writer, Franz Kafka, "The Metamorphosis"
This lecture discusses different modes of alienation or estrangement within the story, largely but not solely concerning the character Gregor Samsa. He is already somewhat alienated in economic and social terms at the start of ... Show More
Jul 3
Plutarch, On Tranquility - Life As Mixed Good And Bad - Sadler's Lectures
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient Middle Platonist philosopher and biographer Plutarch's essay On Tranquility This episode focuses specifically on the importance of recognizing that life will be a mix of good and bad things, rather than primarily good things, as s ... Show More
15m 38s
Jul 1
Plutarch, On Tranquility - Tranquility, Lifestyle, and Occupations - Sadler's Lectures
This lecture discusses key ideas from the ancient Middle Platonist philosopher and biographer Plutarch's essay On Tranquility This episode focuses specifically on a mistake that a number of people make in thinking about what will produce happiness, tranquility, or contentment for ... Show More
16m 16s
May 2022
404 Kafka and Literary Oblivion (with Robin Hemley)
Author Robin Hemley joins Jacke for a discussion of Kafka, writerly ambition, and his new novel Oblivion: An After Autobiography, which tells the story of a midlist author who finds himself in the posthumous world where authors fade from obscurity into the world of Oblivion...unl ... Show More
58m 56s
Jan 2023
478 The Diaries of Franz Kafka (with Ross Benjamin)
Kafka! The avatar of anxiety! He's long been one of our favorites here at the History of Literature Podcast. In this episode, Jacke talks to translator Ross Benjamin about the new edition of The Diaries of Franz Kafka, published by Schocken Books, which includes some material ava ... Show More
51m 48s