Poetry
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The History of Literature #464 — Percy Bysshe Shelley – The Mature Years
Following up on Episode 446 Percy Bysshe Shelley – The Early Years, Jacke takes a look at the final five years of Percy Bysshe Shelley’s life, from 1817-1822, as the poet turned away from hands-on political action in favor of attempting to transform the world through his art. Works discussed include the Preface to Frankenstein; “Stanzas Written Continue reading
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The History of Literature #460 — Rabindranath Tagore
In this episode, Jacke takes a look at the life and works of the legendary Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941). Central to what became known as the Bengali Renaissance, Tagore’s poetry, short stories, songs, essays, paintings, and plays earned Tagore widespread praise from Indians and non-Indians alike. Among many other awards and accolades, in 1913 Continue reading
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The History of Literature #458 — Alexander Pushkin (with Robert Chandler)
For many Russian writers and readers, Alexander Pushkin (1799-1837) holds a special place: his position in Russian literature is often compared to Shakespeare’s in English, Dante’s in Italian, and Goethe’s in German. In this episode, Jacke talks to Pushkin translator Robert Chandler (Peter the Great’s African: Experiments in Prose) about the life and works of Continue reading
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The History of Literature #457 — The Secret Life of Emily Dickinson’s Editor (The Thomas Wentworth Higginson Story) | PLUS Making (Book) Dreams Come True (with Eve Yohalem and Julie Sternberg)
Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823-1911) has become famous as the man who in 1862 encouraged young contributors to submit to his magazine – and who received in reply four poems from an unknown woman in Amherst, who asked whether he thought her verses were alive. Her name, of course, was Emily Dickinson, and Higginson recognized her Continue reading
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The History of Literature #456 — Maya Angelou
Best known for her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (1969), Maya Angelou (1928-2014) was a woman of many talents and accomplishments. In this episode, Jacke takes a look at the life and works of this incredible singer, dancer, songwriter, activist, poet, actor, director, documentary producer, and of course, memoirist. Additional listening: Help support the Continue reading
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The History of Literature #455 — Gustave Flaubert
Perhaps contemporary critic James Wood put it best: “Novelists,” he wrote, “should thank Flaubert the way poets thank spring.” In this episode, Jacke takes a look at the life and major works of Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880), the Frenchman from Rouen who redefined what realism – and prose fiction – could do. Additional listening: Help support Continue reading
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The History of Literature #451 — Mary Shelley
For more than two centuries, the author Mary Shelley (1797-1851) has been eclipsed by others: her famous parents William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft, her even more famous husband Percy Bysshe Shelley, and even her own creations, the “modern Prometheus” Victor Frankenstein and the creature that often (and erroneously) bears his name. But Mary Shelley deserves Continue reading
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The History of Literature #446 — Percy Bysshe Shelley – The Early Years
Jacke takes a look at the early years of Percy Bysshe Shelley, from his idyllic childhood, to his rebellious student years, to his experiments in free love, radical politics, and Wordsworthian poetry. Works discussed include “Queen Mab,” “Hymn to Intellectual Beauty,” “Alastor, or the Spirit of Solitude,” “Mont Blanc,” “Mutability [“We are as clouds that Continue reading
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The History of Literature #439 – Poets’ Guide to Economics (with John Ramsden)
Sure, we know poets are experts in subjects like love, death, nightingales, and moonlight. But what about money? Isn’t that a little…beneath them? (Or at least out of their area of expertise?) In this episode, Jacke talks to author John Ramsden (The Poets’ Guide to Economics) about the contributions made by eleven poets to the Continue reading
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The History of Literature #437 – A Million Miracles Now – “A Bird, came down the Walk” by Emily Dickinson
Responding to a listener email, a heartbroken Jacke takes a close look at Emily Dickinson’s astonishing poem “A Bird, came down the Walk.” Additional listening suggestions: Help support the show at patreon.com/literature or historyofliterature.com/shop. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at www.thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature. Continue reading
Jacke Wilson 