Litburo: Recent Episodes
Litburo
Litburo is an episodic series providing in-depth analysis on literature, philosophy, and all types of media.
Author of the gothic horror Frankenstein, Mary Shelley had massive influence in the sci-fi, gothic, and Romantic-era genres. From largely creating the sympathetic trope of the thinking, feeling monster in Frankenstein to effectively conveying the complexities of the feminine social role in late Georgian-period England with Faulkner, Lodore, and Mathilda, Shelley lived to be one of the last Romantic writers producing rich, imaginative stories well past the peak of Romanticism.
Widely considered to be one of the greatest Russian writers, Fyodor Dostoevsky, explores the extremities of human psychologies. In addition, he lays the foundation for future thinkers to build upon his ideas towards what we know nowadays as existentialist and nihilist philosophy. In his pursuit to explain the suffering of humanity, Dostoyevsky believes the harsh tribulations and struggles of life leads us closer to divinity.
We take a closer look at his works “The Brothers Karamazov”, the parable of “The Grand Inquisitor”, “The Double”, and “Crime and Punishment”. We discuss how Dostoyevsky pits the weight of unlimited freedom in being a preference utilitarian with the traditional belief in an objective morality. He writes about all this in intensely sharp prose, employing the dialectic approach to highlight the compatible contradiction of having human suffering under a benevolent God.
Contemporary utilitarian philosopher, Peter Singer, builds his ideas from the foundational premise that all individuals with the capacity to suffer are equal in moral terms by the very fact that they can experience pain.
We take a closer look at his works “Animal Liberation”, where he advocates for animal rights, and his 1972 essay "Famine, Affluence, and Morality”, where he claims it is a moral duty for those well off to give to the less fortunate. Then, we discuss the value of existence and how to properly be a practical utilitarian during a pandemic.
Exploring personal and cultural identity through historical fiction, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is, in equal parts, a groundbreaking author and staunch advocate for diversity in the stories we tell each other. Charging forwards from the vanguard of Nigerian literature, Adichie's stories are told with surgical precision and academic insight.
We take a closer look at her works: Purple Hibiscus, Half of a Yellow Sun, Americanah, and We Should All Be Feminists
Special thanks to Tomi Owó for her music in the video and all other content creators that made the video possible. You can check out Tomi Owó's channel here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpKes10oy4YRRmplwcIGZcw
With elegant prose, Haruki Murakami conjures magical worlds overlaying ours. Murakami's style of magical realism uses simple language to express feelings of loneliness and nostalgia.
We take a closer look at samples from his works: Norwegian Wood, Kafka on the Shore, After Dark, A Wild Sheep Chase, 1Q84, and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle.
Special thanks to the incredible Kudasaibeats for his music in the video and all other content creators that made the video possible. You can check out Kudasaibeats here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEOQ2-tHCI5JzTT1esyJKBw