Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films

Nov 17 2024 111 ep. 58 mins 622
Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films Podcast artwork

Subtext is a book club podcast for readers interested in what the greatest works of the human imagination say about life’s big questions. Each episode, philosopher Wes Alwan and poet Erin O’Luanaigh conduct a close reading of a text or film and co-write an audio essay about it in real time. It’s literary analysis, but in the best sense: we try not overly stuffy and pedantic, but rather focus on unearthing what’s most compelling about great books and movies, and how it is they can touch our lives in such a significant way.

  Arts  TV & Film
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A Strange Fashion of Forsaking in the Poetry of Thomas Wyatt (Part 1)

Nov 17 2024 52 mins  
As an advisor to Henry VIII and ambassador to France and Italy, poet Thomas Wyatt was something of a professional court-surfer, practiced in riding the peaks and troughs of royal favor. Such were his verbal and diplomatic gifts that, though twice accused of and imprisoned for treason, he was twice released. His poetry reflects all the intrigue, paranoia, airlessness, and downright

Formal Meets Feral in “A New Leaf” (Elaine May, 1971) – Part 2

Oct 28 2024 44 mins  
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of the 1971 film "A New Leaf," written and directed by Elaine May.

Formal Meets Feral in “A New Leaf” (Elaine May, 1971) – Part 1

Oct 20 2024 45 mins  
Henry Graham belongs to the most exclusive clubs, dines regularly at the most lavish restaurants, drives a Ferrari, employs a butler, and owns something called a Montrazini—in short, he capitalizes fully on his inheritance, despite having little understanding of what “capital” actually is. The very ignorance of practicality that his wealth affords turns out to be his undoing,

Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 6)

Oct 14 2024 53 mins  
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Ancient Greece’s most notorious battle of the sexes, and Euripides' rumination on the question of whether the Athenian ideals of rationality and moderation sufficiently honor the instinctual side of human nature. Thanks to our sponsor, the incredible online language school Lingoda. Go to https://try.lingoda.com/Subtext and use code SUBTEXT

Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 5)

Oct 06 2024 38 mins  
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Ancient Greece’s most notorious battle of the sexes, and Euripides' rumination on the question of whether the Athenian ideals of rationality and moderation sufficiently honor the instinctual side of human nature.

Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 4)

Sep 30 2024 51 mins  
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Ancient Greece’s most notorious battle of the sexes, and Euripides' rumination on the question of whether the Athenian ideals of rationality and moderation sufficiently honor the instinctual side of human nature.

Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 3)

Sep 23 2024 51 mins  
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Ancient Greece’s most notorious battle of the sexes, and Euripides' rumination on the question of whether the Athenian ideals of rationality and moderation sufficiently honor the instinctual side of human nature.

Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 2)

Sep 16 2024 41 mins  
Wes & Erin continue their discussion of Ancient Greece’s most notorious battle of the sexes, and Euripides' rumination on the question of whether the Athenian ideals of rationality and moderation sufficiently honor the instinctual side of human nature.

Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 1)

Sep 09 2024 50 mins  
Known for casting mythical heroes in human proportions, Eurpides has his hands full with Medea—homocidal sorcerous, granddaughter of the sun, and a woman who does not take betrayal lightly. Nevertheless, the poet is able to capture the agony of someone who has given up everything for love—family, home, and homeland—only to find her passion disregarded, and her sacrifices unap

Love and Loneliness in “Arthur” (1981) – Part 2

Sep 02 2024 50 mins  
What is it about working class Linda Marolla, whom Arthur first encounters in the process of shoplifting a tie for her father’s birthday, that helps Arthur grow up? Wes & Erin discuss Steve Gordon’s 1981 romantic comedy “Arthur,” and why, if you want to learn to become independent, sometimes the best that you can do is to fall in love.