This episode complete our study of Frank Norris' Vandover and the Brute. We watch Vandover's inevitable decline with a little bit of glee. I also sum-up some of the major themes of the novel.

We begin a new series on Frank Norris, starting with his Vandover and the Brute, first published after his death. In the first half of the novel, we see the early life of Vandover, his education, and the consequences of his playboy lifestyle. This episode also includes an introduction into Frank Norris and a discussion of his legacy. This episode includes brief references to sexual violenc and suicide.

Our final episode on Herman Melville for a while and the end of a series on Mardi. In the final part of the novel we enter Melville's metaphorical Europe and witness his critique of American democracy. This episode also includes an analysis of the major themes of the entire work.

In part 3 of our study of Herman Melville's Mardi, we take on the deep questions of free will and religion. Yet the elusive Yillah is not to be found.

In our second episode on Herman Melville's Mardi, we follow the adventures of Taji and his new companions: a philosopher, a king, a poet, and a historian. They begin to search all of the world of Mardi for Taji's lost love, Yillah.

The first of four episodes exploring Herman Melville's Mardi. He goes off the rails a bit in this one and and it is lots of fun.

In this final episode on Herman Melville's Omoo, we follow our narrator in various adventures through the islands of the Society Islands all of which climax in a failed job interview.

I continue my study of Herman Melville's Omoo. In this part of the novel, our characters are put in a jail for sailors in punishment for resisting work. Their life in jail is partially a lesson in working class hyjinks and partially a lesson in class discipline.

Herman Melville's second novel Omoo explores the vagabonds and wanderers of the colonial Pacific. But before our heroes can join that cast of fascinating figures, they will need to find a way off of their ship and away from their captain. Enjoy as work resistance becomes rebellion.

In this episode, I complete my analysis of Herman Melville's Typee and explore some of the major themes of the novel. We say goodbye to the Marqueses, for now.