The hottest Classic literature Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Literature Topics

Love

Cosmographia • 1098 implied HN points • 15 Apr 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Love Classic literature Quotes
  1. Love can be described in various forms through art, literature, and quotes. These expressions often capture the essence of deep emotions and connections.
  2. Famous writers and artists have beautifully conveyed the power and complexity of love through their work, offering insights into human relationships and sentiments.
  3. Love is portrayed as a force that transcends time and circumstance, exhibiting qualities of passion, devotion, and steadfastness.

A New Widow and Her Orphan

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
📚 Literature Poetry Greek mythology Classic literature Narrative analysis Tragedy
  1. Andromache's lament in the Iliad for Hektor showcases the profound grief of a widow and her orphaned child, expressing the devastating impact of loss on families and communities.
  2. Andromache's speeches highlight themes of trauma and projected pain, emphasizing the tragic fate awaiting her son Astyanax as a symbol of lost potential and unfulfilled promise.
  3. The epic portrays the horrors of war through the lens of violence against children like Astyanax, revealing the irrevocable destruction violence brings to cities and the emptiness of glory in the face of irreparable loss.

The Gamemaster's Anger and Fear

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
📚 Literature Classic literature Mythology Narrative structure Character analysis Narrative Techniques
  1. The encounter between Achilles and Aeneas in the Iliad showcases a complex interplay of heroic motifs and meta-moments, inviting audience engagement in different narrative levels.
  2. The use of 'pivotal contrafactuals' in the text creates tension and deviation from traditional narratives, allowing for exploration of alternative outcomes that challenge the epic tradition.
  3. The divine intervention in the narrative, such as Poseidon's interference to save Aeneas, highlights themes of fate, emotion, and the role of gods as game masters shaping the story.
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Make self-publishing great again

The Leftovers • 219 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
📚 Literature Self-Publishing Criticism Classic literature
  1. The preconception that traditionally-published books are inherently better than self-published ones is flawed; both avenues have their own strengths and weaknesses.
  2. Gatekeeping in the literary world may not always be based on merit, leading to snobbish attitudes towards self-published works.
  3. The way a book is released does not determine its greatness; classic works like those of Proust and Dickens were self-published and have stood the test of time.

Reading and Teaching Homer

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 119 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Teaching Analysis Recommendations
  1. Prepare to read Homer by starting with something else first, like an overview or graphic novel, to familiarize yourself with the characters and stories.
  2. When reading Homer for the first time, focus on the main story being told and don't get bogged down by every detail or reference that may not be crucial to understanding the overall tale.
  3. Understand the unique aesthetics and structure of Homeric poetry by exploring the language, repetitions, and devices like metonymy, which adds to the richness and depth of the epic.

"Silas Marner" (George Eliot)

Outsider Art • 19 implied HN points • 16 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Character analysis Themes Redemption
  1. Silas Marner, the main character, faces hardships and misjudgment due to his outsider status in the village of Raveloe.
  2. Acts of kindness, like Silas helping a sick woman and later adopting a young girl, showcase the theme of unexpected treasures in life.
  3. The novel reflects a world where virtue is ultimately rewarded, but also explores the complexities of redemption and the passage of time.

What book legitimately changed your life?

kalanis • 19 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Biographies Investing Science Self-Improvement
  1. The post provides a list of books that have changed lives, spanning various genres like classic literature, biographies, investing, self-improvement, science, and religion.
  2. The recommendations are compiled from Patrick OShaughnessy's tweet asking for life-changing book suggestions.
  3. The post includes Amazon affiliate links for the recommended books, making it easy for readers to access and purchase them.

Telling stories to tell stories

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 02 Feb 22
📚 Literature Analysis Author Classic literature
  1. Manuel Puig's book _El beso de la mujer ara\u00f1a_ is worth reading as it showcases his talent as an Argentine writer.
  2. Puig's work is critically acclaimed and also appeals to a wide audience, blending influences from cinema with his literature.
  3. Puig's background in film plays a significant role in his writing, particularly evident in _El beso de la mujer ara\u00f1a_.

Book Review: “How to Live on 24 Hours a Day” by Arnold Bennett 4/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 0 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
📚 Literature Self-help Classic literature Time management
  1. Despite different time periods and technologies, the challenge of managing time remains consistent - we all have just 24 hours in a day.
  2. The book 'How to Live on 24 Hours a Day' by Arnold Bennett, first published in 1910, still offers relevant and practical advice for modern readers.
  3. The book is available for free on Project Gutenberg, making it a valuable and enduring read that is worth investing some time in.

Dahl's chickens

Numb at the Lodge • 0 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
📚 Literature Analysis Criticism Classic literature
  1. Roald Dahl's children's books are being updated to fit contemporary sensibilities, which involves removing some of the darker, more cruel elements.
  2. The author discusses the role of contrarians and the responsibility that comes with challenging prevailing beliefs and ideologies.
  3. There is widespread disapproval of the efforts to sanitize Dahl's work, with many arguing that the darkness and nastiness in his stories are essential and should not be removed.