The Scholar's Attic

A quick flyover of the good, the bad, and the quirky of the Victorian Era.

Today we take a break from all the revolution, upheaval, philosophy, and brokenness of Modernity, and talk about...pictures! Specifically, how careful framing of even the most mundane subject can grab the attention, sway the opinions, and demand the sympathy of even the most jaundiced audience members. This is foundational to our ongoing study of visual media, and will be a key component in future film analysis studies.

The continuing saga of revolution, warfare, Karl Marx, - and COWS. (Yes, we cover the Two Cow System in the episode...among other things.) Tune in as we finish our tour of the Revolutions of 1848!

The first half of a two-part look at the rise of Napoleon, his fall, and how it set the stage for the first modern wave of global riots and protests.

Today we look at the Industrial Revolution through a largely American lens, looking at a FEW of the major inventions and inventors that transformed American life, and the respective cost of a revolutionary versus reformational mindset when it comes to technological change.

Here's a glimpse of my dad's "50 Year Project" with his political cartoon collection, how we're using them in class, and the insights students are getting by using them in a parallel study with current events of 2020. 

Another look at Pride and Prejudice, this time focusing on themes and character growth. Also a quick look at Emily Dickinson, her legacy, and an unexpected way to break down her poetry.

Apart from a few housekeeping details, this summary of today's class - with additional info I did NOT cover in class - focuses on Pride and Prejudice, Austen's storytelling motifs, and tips for how to really sink your teeth into this book. Please reference the "HalfWay Mark" handout that was given in class for this discussion.