The Canon Reviewed

Today we continue our discussion of the epic of Gilgamesh by seeing if we can read the text while setting aside our own contemporary moral understanding of things, see if we can free ourselves from the constraints of absolutism, or our beliefs in right and wrong. What can a book whose moral landscape is so different from ours continue to offer us? Well, please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's talk about that!

Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak & Jesse Cunningham

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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Today, we'll be continuing our discussion of Gilgamesh, this time paying particular attention to the supernatural and mythical elements of the epic. The gods and goddesses play an absolutely central role in the story, but, perhaps more importantly, they establish the archetypes that will populate pantheons for centuries to come. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's dive into the world of myth.

Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak & Jesse Cunningham

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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Today we'll be looking into the mailbag for the second time, and I'm super excited. Three listeners reached out to share their thoughts about Frankenstein and Walt Whitman, and I can't wait to hear what they have to say. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's open these envelopes.

Special Thanks to Nick Loewen, Scott Laverick, and Thew Elliott!!!!

And to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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It's time to begin another new book so let's go back to the shelves here in the Library. Ok, this will be perfect. I keep this one up front because I return to it pretty often. It's humanity's first story, a tale of heroes and their downfall, a quest for immortality and the ultimate recognition that our fate is inescapable. So, please, pull up a chair here by the fire, and let's begin our discussion of The Epic of Gilgamesh.

Special thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham, and to Assistant Librarian, Jason Scheid!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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We got another poem under the microscope today, this time from one of the earliest and greatest poets from the United States. Yep, we'll be looking at the legend that is Walt Whitman and our poem this week is his metaphorical masterpiece, "Whoever You Are Holding Me Now in Hand." So, please, pull up a chair by the fire, get yourself comfortable, and let's talk Whitman.

Super special thanks this week to Thew Elliott and Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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Today we're looking at a poem written in 1867 by the English poet Matthew Arnold. This piece is absolutely fantastic, an incredible study in mood and metaphor, and I can't wait to discuss it with you. So, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's talk about "Dover Beach."

Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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Today we'll conclude our discussion of Mary Shelley's gothic horror classic, Frankenstein. Does the novel hold up? Can it still possibly matter to us now, asking and answering questions that we still have as individuals and communities? We'll talk about that, and more, so, please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's finish our conversation.

Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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Today we continue our discussion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by hearing from the Creature himself! It's his life story under the microscope, and we'll examine his experiences from "birth" to ambiguous end. Is he a science experiment gone wrong? How do we judge him? What do we make of his suffering? What does he deserve? We'll answer all of these questions today, and maybe more, so please, pull up a chair by the fire and let's get started.

Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!!! And to Keeper of the Tomes, Gene Koo!!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

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Today we continue our discussion of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein by looking at the middle frame of the tale, the doctor's life story as he reveals it to Captain Walton. What's Victor Frankenstein like? What drives him? What leads him down the path of his own destruction? How can we identify with him? In short, who is this man! Well, please pull up a chair here by the fire and let's talk about that.

Special Thanks to Head Librarians Jeff Seplak and Jesse Cunningham!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

It's time to begin another new book so let's go back to the shelves here in the Library. Let's find something completely different from Sir Gawain – maybe we can find an anti-hero. Ah, yes, this will be perfect. Just perfect. A classic of science fiction and gothic horror, full of surprises and big ideas. Please, pull up a chair by the fire, and let's begin talking about Mary Shelley's Frankenstein.

Special Thanks to Head Librarian, Jeff Seplak, and to Keeper of the Tomes, Larry Murtha!!!

Music Credits:

Ambiment by Kevin MacLeod | https://incompetech.com/

Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/

Creative Commons CC BY 3.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/