Classics Abridged

On today's literary history interlude, I'll be discussing the era of Romanticism. Lasting from the end of the 18th century into the middle of the 19th century, this artistic and philosophical movement influenced all of Europe and can still be seen in our literature and philosophy today. If you'd like to learn more, hit play.

On today's poetry interlude, I'll be discussing the Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson and his famous work "The Lady of Shalott". Named poet laureate of Britain, Tennyson was a leading figure in Victorian poetry and his work encapsulates the entire era. If you'd like to learn more, hit play. Note: There's a mistake at 7:14, it should be “artists” not “authors”.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing Daphnis and Chloe by Longus. Written in the 2nd or 3rd Century CE, this pastoral Greek romance would go on to influence later Latin narrative fiction and ultimately the modern novel. If you'd like to hear about the most useless sex talk ever, gods helping people find money, and truly awful parenting, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. If you'd like to learn how to incapacitate your enemy, how to hide in plain sight, and how to prove your loyalty to an estranged husband, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Emmuska Orczy. First performed as a play in 1903 and published as a novel in 1905, this novel created the trope of a hero with a secret identity that would bring us characters like Batman and Zorro. If you'd like to learn how to blackmail people, how to not effectively communicate in your marriage, and the most effective disguise for getting out of Paris during the French Revolution, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing “Breakfast at Tiffany's” by Truman Capote. First published in 1958, this novella created the iconic character of Holly Golightly that Audrey Hepburn would later immortalize on the screen. If you'd like to hear about child brides, handsome Brazilian millionaires, and a cat without a name, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. If you'd like to learn who marries who, why living with your ex-fiancee and his wife might be a bad idea, and the name of Andrei's son, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be continuing my discussion of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. If you'd like to hear about the invasion of Moscow, the consequences of romantic affairs, and the beginnings and endings of love stories, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be continuing my discussion of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. If you want to learn why you shouldn't trust men you meet at the opera, how not to treat your daughter, and why having an emergency plan when a foreign army invades is helpful, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be continuing my discussion of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. If you want to learn why gambling can be dangerous, how not to treat your child's love interest, and why you should never underestimate your opponent in a duel, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy. First published in its entirety in 1869, this historical epic is one of the greatest novels of the 19th century. If you'd like to hear about unexpected inheritances, Russian ragers involving bears, and toxic family dynamics, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing two stories by Kate Chopin: “Desiree's Baby” and “The Story of an Hour”. First published in 1893 and 1894, these stories are classics of feminist literature and the “local color” genre. If you'd like to learn which men to stay away from, how not to treat your wife, and the perils of not dying when you're supposed to, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing three Christmas classics: “The Little Match Girl” by Hans Christian Andersen, “The Snow Maiden” a traditional Russian tale, and “The Gift of the Magi” by O'Henry. If you'd like to hear about love, children made out of snow, and poorly planned presents, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of My Antonia. If you want to learn about Jim and Lena's brief courtship, the power of memory, and find out what happens to Antonia as an adult, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of My Antonia by Willa Cather. First published in 1918, this symbolic look at immigrant life on the frontier is a staple of turn-of-the-century American Literature. If you want to hear about symbolism, Russian wolves, and judgey townspeople, hit play.

On today's literary history interlude, I'll be discussing the swashbuckler genre. This genre of the 19th and 20th centuries shaped today's entertainment and is the reason we have superheroes and Marvel movies. If you'd like to learn more, hit play.

On today's poetry interlude, I'll be discussing the tragic love story of poets Vera Brittan and Roland Leighton. A nurse in World War I, Brittan immortalized “The Lost Generation” with her autobiography and poetry; the loss of her fiancee Leighton to war would shape her writing and later anti-war work. If you'd like to learn more, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing the author Zitkala-Sa. An inspiring Native author and activist, her stories capture loss of identity and forced assimilation. If you want to learn about her life, body of work, and legacy, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of Northanger Abbey. If you want to hear about unfaithful fiancees, potential murder, and happy endings, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. First published in 1817, this parody of Gothic literature is a lesser known work from the Queen of Romance. If you want to learn about Regency era marriage settlements, avoiding annoying suitors, and how to be a heroine, hit play.

On today's special Halloween episode, I'll be discussing “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by Washington Irving. First published in 1819, it is a spooky tale that changed the face of American Literature and has become a part of American mythology. If you want to hear about a ghostly horseman, a smashed pumpkin, and an unfortunate school teacher, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of The Importance of Being Ernest. If you want to learn how to eat muffins, the dangers of writing three-volume novels, and who Jack really is, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde. First performed in 1895, it is a humorous critique of Victorian society and has become a staple of English theater. If you want to hear about cucumber sandwiches, severe chills, and Victorian catfishing, hit play.

On today's literary history interlude, I'll be discussing The Harlem Renaissance. This 20th century movement was a golden age of African American art, literature, and music that brought attention to Black artists and would help shape the activism of the Civil Rights Movement. If you'd like to learn more, hit play. 

On today's poetry interlude, I'll be discussing the life and work of Langston Hughes. An important figure in the Harlem Renaissance and the African American literary canon, Hughes was a brilliant poet who helped shape 20th century poetry. If you'd like to learn more, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of The Story of the Beauty and the Beast. If you want to learn why you should never entrust your child to fairies, how to fake an infant's death, and how not to write backstory, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of The Story of the Beauty and the Beast by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villenueve. First published in 1740, it became one of the most beloved fairy tales of all time, launching hundreds of musicals, movies, novels, and tv show adaptations. If you want to hear about roses, dream princes, and incessant marriage proposals, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. If you want to find out what happened to Sister Gudule's missing child, learn why you should never get into rowboats with strangers, and be depressed, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be continuing my discussion of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. If you want to learn why you shouldn't teach your pet tricks, hear an epic line, and never trust men again, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo. First published in 1831, it is an enduring tribute to Gothic architecture and a heartbreaking exploration of the cruelty of humans. If you want to hear about a failed play, a beggar's court, and child kidnapping, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing “The Fall of the House of Usher” by Edgar Allan Poe. First published in 1839, it demonstrates how Poe changed the Gothic genre into what it would become. If you want to hear about incest, mental disorders, and crumbling houses, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be concluding my discussion of Romeo and Juliet. If you want to learn how to get out of an unwanted wedding, why the friar sucks, and why patience is a virtue, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be beginning my discussion of Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare. Written between 1591 and 1595, it is one of the most famous love stories of all time. If you want to learn how to get over a girl quickly, how to fall in love in 24 hours, and hear about marriage in the Italian Renaissance, hit play.

On today's episode, I'll be discussing "The Yellow Wallpaper" by Charlotte Perkins Gilman. First published in 1892, it is a classic of feminist literature. If you want to find out about hysteria, women in walls, and idiot husbands, hit play.

Welcome to the Classics Abridged podcast! On this podcast, you'll learn about classic literature in a fun and accessible way. This episode will introduce you to the basic format, content, and uploading schedule of the podcast, among other things. Hit play!