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no redemption arcs in hell

sweater weather • 5346 implied HN points • 16 May 23
đź“š Literature Redemption Morality Fiction Character development Narrative analysis
  1. Redemption in fiction has evolved from demanding likable characters to morally gray characters proving themselves worthy.
  2. A show like _Succession_ illustrates the complexities of morality within its storyworld and challenges traditional redemption arcs.
  3. Moments of grace in fiction, where characters are seen and accepted without judgment, can be more impactful than traditional redemption arcs.

The Myth of Cain and Abel

Banana Peel Pirouette • 178 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
đź“š Literature Mythology History Social Commentary Evolution Narrative analysis
  1. The Cain and Abel story can be interpreted as representing the agricultural revolution and its societal impacts.
  2. The narrative reflects the conflict between nomadic pastoral and sedentary farming societies, highlighting the transformative role of agriculture.
  3. Through the characters of Cain and Abel, the story also delves into the historical consequences of agriculture, including slavery, inequality, and the exploitation of labor.

J. Hector St. John de Crévecoeur: Essential or extra to an American education?

The Recovering Academic • 158 implied HN points • 22 Aug 23
đź“š Literature American Literature Narrative analysis Author studies
  1. _Letters from an American Farmer_ is essential because it forces readers to question what it means to be American and confront national myths in contradictory ways.
  2. Crévecoeur's work challenges the notion of the American melting pot by depicting a complex and nuanced view of American identity, highlighting the tensions and contradictions within it.
  3. The narrative of Farmer James in _Letters from an American Farmer_ reflects the struggle between innocence and reality, the dangers of nostalgia, and the transformation brought about by new experiences.

Starving Then Stoned

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
đź“š Literature Mythology Narrative analysis Classical Studies Interpretation Comparative Analysis
  1. In the story Achilles tells Priam about Niobe, there is a comparison to encourage Priam to join him for a meal, showcasing the theme of shared suffering and the necessity of returning to normalcy after loss.
  2. The ancient responses to Niobe's narrative in the text show how the blending of myth and reality can create a powerful symbolic message, even if it seems illogical at first glance.
  3. Achilles learns important lessons about life and loss through the story of Niobe, emphasizing the importance of enjoying life and sharing moments with others despite grief and hardship.

A New Widow and Her Orphan

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
đź“š 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.
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Erasing the Past

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 59 implied HN points • 22 Nov 23
đź“š Literature Greek mythology Narrative analysis Epic poetry Classical Studies
  1. Poseidon's concern about his fame in the Iliad reflects a zero-sum game of kleos, demonstrating the importance of recognition in ancient mythology.
  2. Zeus authorizes Poseidon to destroy the Achaean wall, emphasizing the balance of memory and forgetting controlled by divine agency.
  3. The detailed destruction of the wall in Book 12 expands upon the narrative of the Trojan War, showing a cosmic perspective and the cyclical nature of destruction in the heroic age.

New(ish) Books

Castalia • 119 implied HN points • 08 Aug 22
đź“š Literature Book Reviews Fiction Poetry Authors Narrative analysis
  1. Brandon Taylor's book 'Filthy Animals' explores complex themes of innocence and agency in relationships, highlighting the mix of playful exploration and underlying trauma present in human interactions.
  2. Justin E. H. Smith's 'The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is' falls short as it lacks a clear thesis and fails to effectively connect historical ideas to the complexities of the modern Internet.
  3. Both books address important topics—personal relationships and the impact of technology—but they do so with varying levels of success and depth, leaving readers searching for more clarity.

Evidence, Implicit Claims, and Warrants

The End(s) of Argument • 19 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Communication Debate Narrative analysis
  1. Enhancing the reasonableness of a position through argumentation is not about proving a claim, but making it more reasonable.
  2. Evidence is used to support claims by making them substantially more reasonable, reminding of their reasonableness, or providing means to enhance the reasonableness of positions.
  3. Warrants play a crucial role in connecting evidence to claims, ensuring their validity and relevance to the argument.

Jane Austen and Cognitive Bias—Or on Persuasion

Vremya • 139 implied HN points • 01 Jun 21
đź“š Literature Fiction Psychology Gender Studies Cognitive Science Narrative analysis
  1. Jane Austen explores the idea of love and how men and women experience it differently. She suggests that women may find it harder to move on from love than men do.
  2. Motivated reasoning is a key concept, where people look for evidence that supports what they already believe. This means we often see our own experiences as proof for our opinions.
  3. Austen also hints at cognitive biases like the availability heuristic, which is when we overestimate how common something is based on how easily we can recall examples from our life. This can lead to skewed perceptions of reality.