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Critical Readings

CriticalReadings.com

Critical Readings examines key literary texts using close reading and critical analysis, and explains these approaches in discussion. Listeners will learn about the texts themselves and about how to approach a text for critical analysis.

arts literature

All Episodes

60:08

CR Episode 317: Paradise Regained, Book III

Critical Readings ·

2026/04/06

The panel discusses the continuation of the second temptation in the desert, with Satan's various presentations of worldly power, and the explication that acceptance of any of his 'gifts' is tantamount to acknowledging his sovereignty over the recipient.Continue reading

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56:34

CR Episode 316: Paradise Regained, Book II

Critical Readings ·

2026/03/30

The panel discusses the second book, with special attention to the newest appearance of Satan, his confusion, and the difference between his first temptation (bread) and this second temptation (a feast), before shifting to his offer of worldly powers.Continue reading

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68:32

CR Episode 315: Paradise Regained, Book I

Critical Readings ·

2026/03/23

The panel discusses the first book of Paradise Regained, the sequel (or continuation) of Paradise Lost, with special attention paid to the particular qualities of the first temptation in the desert, and to the poet's references to the earlier poem.Continue reading

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69:42

CR Episode 314: W.H. Auden and Mediaevalism

Critical Readings ·

2026/03/16

The panel is joined by a special guest, the poet and author Aaron Poochigian, to discuss three medievally-inflected poems by Auden: "Lady Weeping at the Crossroads", "Ode to the Medieval Poets", and the 'Bombing Run' excerpt from "The Age of Anxiety."Continue reading

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73:01

CR Episode 313: Sense and Sensibility, Part IV

Critical Readings ·

2026/03/09

The panel discusses the closing chapters of the novel, with special attention to the quasi-reformation of Willoughby's character, the depths of villainy attained by Lucy Steele, the triumph of Col. Brandon, and Elinor's emotional displays: grief and joy.Continue reading

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81:14

CR Episode 312: Sense and Sensibility, Part III

Critical Readings ·

2026/03/02

The panel discusses chapters 30–39, with the unveiling of secrets including Edward and Lucy's engagement, and Colonel Brandon's connexion to Willoughby, and featuring a discussion of Colonel Brandon's good character and Willoughby's extravagant villainy.Continue reading

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74:50

CR Episode 311: Sense and Sensibility, Part II

Critical Readings ·

2026/02/23

The panel discusses chapters 18–29, with a omparison of the relationship of Elinore and Edward versus that of Marianne and Willoughby, a discussion of the role of leisure or industry in happiness, and a consideration of the failures of civility on show.Continue reading

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70:36

CR Episode 310: Sense and Sensibility, Part I

Critical Readings ·

2026/02/16

The panel discusses the first seventeen chapters of Sense and Sensibility, with special attention given to contemporary inheritance law, the character faults of the Dashwoods, and the opposition between Elinore's 'sense' and her family's 'sensibility'.Continue reading

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76:41

CR Episode 309: The Vanity of Human Wishes

Critical Readings ·

2026/02/09

The panel discusses Dr. Johnson's imitation of the tenth satire of Juvenal, with its message of caution about advanced age and the temptations of academic life, with special attention given to the difference lying between imitation and translation.Continue reading

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91:18

CR Episode 308: The Hobbit, Part V

Critical Readings ·

2026/02/02

The panel discusses the closing chapters—the battles against Smaug and between the five armies, and the journey home—with special attention to the influence of great wealth, the difference between leaders amongst the Lake-men, and Bilbo's significance.Continue reading

en-GB

94:35

CR Episode 307: The Hobbit, Part IV

Critical Readings ·

2026/01/26

The panel discusses the party's arrival in and departure from Lake-Town, and their arrival at and infiltration of the Lonely Mountain, with special attention to the contrast between rationalism and romanticism, particularly in the Master of Lake-Town.Continue reading

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77:18

CR Episode 306: The Hobbit, Part III

Critical Readings ·

2026/01/19

The panel reads chapters 8 and 9, with special attention to the episodic structure of the narrative, the maturation of Bilbo and his rising stature amongst the dwarves, the role of hunger and darkness in creating tension, and the timeframe of events.Continue reading

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82:18

CR Episode 305: The Hobbit, Part II

Critical Readings ·

2026/01/12

The panel discusses chapters 5–7, with examination of Tolkien's sources and the chronology of its composition, discussion about the different phases of the story's development, and a conversation about the chapter structure and roles of different races.Continue reading

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85:53

CR Episode 304: The Hobbit, Part I

Critical Readings ·

2026/01/05

The panel discusses the first four chapters of The Hobbit with special attention to the development of the story as a text, its features connecting it to the genres of fairy tales and bedtime stories, and its careful use of narrative foreshadowing.Continue reading

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80:19

CR Episode 303: Romeo and Juliet, Part V

Critical Readings ·

2025/12/29

The panel closes out Romeo and Juliet, and the year 2025, with a discussion of Friar Laurence's cowardly culpability, Romeo's impassioned importunity, Juliet's happy dagger, Paris' finest hour, and Shakespeare's interest in people of all walks of life.Continue reading

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61:10

CR Episode 302: Romeo and Juliet, Part IV

Critical Readings ·

2025/12/22

The panel discusses the fourth act, with attention to the self-serving plan of Friar Laurence, who imperils the two lovers by avoiding more rational courses of action in favour of one which helps him avoid scrutiny for his role in their relationship.Continue reading

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64:49

CR Episode 301: Romeo and Juliet, Part III

Critical Readings ·

2025/12/15

The panel discusses the third act—the 'beginning of woe'—when the drama shifts decidedly from comedy to tragedy with the departure of Mercutio and Juliet's nurse from the action, and with both Romeo and Juliet considering death rather than separation.Continue reading

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79:41

CR Episode 300: Romeo and Juliet, Part II

Critical Readings ·

2025/12/08

The panel discusses the second act, including the secret marriage plans facilitated by Friar Laurence, with attention given to the impetuous behaviour of Romeo and Juliet, and the dangerously enabling conduct of those around them, Mercutio excepted.Continue reading

en-GB

104:41

CR Episode 299: Romeo and Juliet, Part I

Critical Readings ·

2025/12/01

The panel discusses the genre classification of Romeo and Juliet before moving on to an examination of the poem's first act, with special attention given to the love-violence parallels, characterisation of the feuding families, and bawdy use of puns.Continue reading

en-GB

93:00

CR Episode 298: The Dunciad, Part IV

Critical Readings ·

2025/11/24

The panel concludes The Dunciad with a full reading of the standalone text that became the fourth book of the 1743 edition, before examining Pope's position within the canon of early modern literature and examining his critical appraisal of his culture.Continue reading

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317 results

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