In this blog post, we will provide a chronological overview of Hermann Hesse’s life and literary world, and examine in particular the significance of “Gertrud,” which is considered his most novelistic work. The Life of Hermann Hesse Early Life Hermann Hesse was born on July 2, 1877, in Calw, a small town nestled in the mountain valleys of southern Germany. Calw is a sleepy, quiet rural...
Analysis of Herbert George Wells’ ‘The Island of Doctor Moreau’: Commentary and Key Themes
In this blog post, we will examine Herbert George Wells’ life and works, with a particular focus on the background and key themes of ‘The Island of Doctor Moreau’. “But from the depths of the cosmos, beings who had degenerated into beasts—and others who, resembling human minds, possessed superior intelligence yet were cold and ruthless—were watching our Earth with envious eyes...
An Analysis of Plato’s “Phaedo”: The Argument for the Immortality of the Soul and Socrates’ Final Moments
In this blog post, I will analyze Plato’s “Phaedo,” summarizing its background, the concept of the soul, key arguments, and Socrates’ final moments. Key Background The ‘Phaedo’ records the conversations Socrates had with his friends immediately before his execution, following his conviction on charges of “not believing in the gods of the state and corrupting the youth.”...
Ford’s ‘The Good Soldier’: An Epistemological Examination of Sensual Aesthetics and Tragic Friendship
In this blog post, focusing on Ford’s ‘The Good Soldier’, I will analyze the nine-year friendship and betrayal among four people that began with a chance encounter in Nauheim; the epistemological crisis stemming from the conflicts between Edward, Florence, Leonora, and Nancy; and how the sensual aesthetics and surface beauty that permeate the work amplify its tragic nature. ...
Peter Handke and the Reconstruction of Postwar German Literature: Focusing on ‘The Left-Handed Woman’
In this blog post, I will examine the changes in postwar German literature following World War II and explore the role Peter Handke has played in expanding his literary universe within that context. Changes in Postwar Literature and Peter Handke The changes in the literary world over the thirty-odd years following World War II surpassed those that had taken place over the preceding...
What Do the Two Faces of the Sun Tell Us?
In this blog post, we’ll examine the emotions and symbolism associated with the sun—a recurring motif in Albert Camus’s works—with a particular focus on Meursault, the protagonist of ‘The Stranger’. The sun plays a dazzlingly central role in Albert Camus’s literature. Since the Mediterranean sun epitomized the landscape of Algiers, where Camus grew up, he called Algiers the...
The Spirit of Classicism Found in Corneille’s ‘Le Cid’ and ‘Horace’
In this blog post, we’ll explore the spirit and significance of French classicism, focusing on Corneille’s masterpieces, ‘Le Cid’ and ‘Horace’. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Read the classics.” What comes to mind when you hear that? Chances are, you’ll picture old, antiquated books. You probably interpret it to mean that you should read books that people have...
How did Zora Neale Hurston fall into obscurity and then get rediscovered by Alice Walker?
In this blog post, we’ll explore Zora Neale Hurston’s life and work, and how Alice Walker, along with Black feminism and academia, brought her back from being a hidden master in literary history to a central figure. Rediscovered Artists: Bach, de La Tour, Hurston There are people who fade from public memory after their passing, only to make a spectacular comeback when suddenly thrust back...
How did Lawrence, the miner’s son, depict the decline of Western civilization through the women he fell in love with?
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the life of Lawrence—who was born the son of a miner and channeled his pain and inner conflict into his writing—and, in particular, examine the sharp insights into Western civilization, war, and love conveyed by the women he loved. A Miner’s Son Becomes a Writer Lawrence was born in 1885 in Eastwood, a coal-mining village in Nottinghamshire...
How did Jonathan Swift use ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ to denounce war and Britain’s colonial rule over Ireland?
In this blog post, we’ll examine how Swift’s aversion to war and his criticism of the colonization of Ireland were embodied in the cynical satire of ‘Gulliver’s Travels’ through an exploration of his life and literary background. Life and Early Background Jonathan Swift was born on November 30, 1667, in Dublin, Ireland. Swift attributed his birth there to chance, identifying...