Tag Archives: comparative literature

Odysseus into the 21st century

Posted on March 7, 2011 by catbird2

This post, gentle readers, will wrap up my theoretical anti-theory discussion about how books continue each other. In this previous post, I looked at how in the 1st century BC Roman poet Virgil continued the stories that Homer told in … Continue reading →

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Dante takes Homer’s torch to the Inferno

Posted on February 9, 2011 by catbird2

Don’t think me unaware, dear readers. I know that literary history is not quite as interesting as a tale of being a foreigner or of dropping the f-bomb on my mother. But I just can’t seem to help myself. I’ve … Continue reading →

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Homer’s torch

Posted on February 4, 2011 by catbird2

A litero-historical tale of books continuing each other As you may remember, gentle readers, I’ve been working my way through some thoughts on how books continue each other. I use the word “books” in the loosest possible sense, because my … Continue reading →

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Books continue each other, part 2

Posted on January 2, 2011 by catbird2

Continuation distinguished from thematic contents and adaptation To begin, I must confess that I likely overstated my case in the previous post, when I claimed the idea that books continue each other is somehow an “anti-theory.” Though I think the … Continue reading →

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Books continue each other

Posted on December 19, 2010 by catbird2

A charming explanation of literary theory before I propose my anti-theory One thing I love about not being in graduate school is that now I can enjoy the things I read. Being in graduate school is like being an ambitious … Continue reading →

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Lost as Epic Poem, Part 2

Posted on June 11, 2010 by catbird2

Previously on my indulgences in Lost: I suggested that Lost shouldn’t be dismissed as junk television, but instead should be seen as a kind of literature that lets us live in imaginary worlds. Before that, I built half an argument … Continue reading →

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Lost: Imaginary worlds

Posted on June 5, 2010 by catbird2

Once again we’re taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming (whatever that actually is) to talk about Lost for a while. First, a disclaimer: I’m not trying to argue that Lost is the best show ever. Sure, I squeal … Continue reading →

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Lost as Epic Poem, Part 1

Posted on May 30, 2010 by catbird2

The comparative literature reflex kicks in as I bid farewell to my favorite television show Spoiler alert: I’ve seen the whole series and I’m not holding back My comparative literature reflex, apparently, is always on, just waiting to be activated. … Continue reading →

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