“There is Orwell the human being. There is Orwell the novelist. There is Orwell the intellectual, the critic, the journalist, the essayist, the radical. But lately, George Orwell—who was born Eric Arthur Blair and who never fully abandoned his original name—has increasingly come to be regarded as a modern oracle, a gifted soothsayer who predicted with terrifying accuracy how fragile and fallible our political systems were, how close the shadow of authoritarianism. His body of work has become a compass to help us navigate our way in times of democratic recession and backsliding, as is the case worldwide. Among all his books, the one that has left the deepest impact on generations of readers across borders is, no doubt, Nineteen Eighty-Four.” — Elif Shafak
Join us as we delve into the beauty of Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, alongside Julia, the modern reinterpretation by Sandra Newman. While yes, this Seminar will consider the political themes and critiques made by Orwell that are still relevant today, we will further examine the writing style, narrative perspective, and atmosphere of 1984 to appreciate the aesthetics of the (gritty, brutal, masculine) novel. During our second session together, we will discuss Julia and how our interpretation of the story changes when we have another (feminine) perspective.
Together, we will conduct a close reading of the text, consider the historical context in which Orwell was writing, and reflect on how the classic novel illuminates our own future. Without committing blasphemy, we’ll also consider both novels as a love story, and explore the ways in which memory, trust, and pleasure become forbidden freedoms.
Whether you’ve read the novel or are encountering it for the first time, 1984 is a profound work of fiction with the power to shock and unnerve. Let’s experience this deeply moving story together, and discuss it as the work of art, political commentary, and meditation on love that it truly is.
Saturday, March 2nd at 12pm ET
Saturday, March 16th at 12pm ET
———
It’s encouraged (but not required!) to read 1984 before the first lecture and Julia before the second lecture, as we’ll be discussing themes, plot points, and spoilers.
———
All sales are final; we are unable to offer refunds. Lectures take place over Zoom—a meeting link and passcode will be emailed to you the day of the event. Only those who have registered for the lecture will be admitted into the event. Please send all inquiries to info@sotextual.com.
“There is Orwell the human being. There is Orwell the novelist. There is Orwell the intellectual, the critic, the journalist, the essayist, the radical. But lately, George Orwell—who was born Eric Arthur Blair and who never fully abandoned his original name—has increasingly come to be regarded as a modern oracle, a gifted soothsayer who predicted with terrifying accuracy how fragile and fallible our political systems were, how close the shadow of authoritarianism. His body of work has become a compass to help us navigate our way in times of democratic recession and backsliding, as is the case worldwide. Among all his books, the one that has left the deepest impact on generations of readers across borders is, no doubt, Nineteen Eighty-Four.” — Elif Shafak
Join us as we delve into the beauty of Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, alongside Julia, the modern reinterpretation by Sandra Newman. While yes, this Seminar will consider the political themes and critiques made by Orwell that are still relevant today, we will further examine the writing style, narrative perspective, and atmosphere of 1984 to appreciate the aesthetics of the (gritty, brutal, masculine) novel. During our second session together, we will discuss Julia and how our interpretation of the story changes when we have another (feminine) perspective.
Together, we will conduct a close reading of the text, consider the historical context in which Orwell was writing, and reflect on how the classic novel illuminates our own future. Without committing blasphemy, we’ll also consider both novels as a love story, and explore the ways in which memory, trust, and pleasure become forbidden freedoms.
Whether you’ve read the novel or are encountering it for the first time, 1984 is a profound work of fiction with the power to shock and unnerve. Let’s experience this deeply moving story together, and discuss it as the work of art, political commentary, and meditation on love that it truly is.
Saturday, March 2nd at 12pm ET
Saturday, March 16th at 12pm ET
———
It’s encouraged (but not required!) to read 1984 before the first lecture and Julia before the second lecture, as we’ll be discussing themes, plot points, and spoilers.
———
All sales are final; we are unable to offer refunds. Lectures take place over Zoom—a meeting link and passcode will be emailed to you the day of the event. Only those who have registered for the lecture will be admitted into the event. Please send all inquiries to info@sotextual.com.
“There is Orwell the human being. There is Orwell the novelist. There is Orwell the intellectual, the critic, the journalist, the essayist, the radical. But lately, George Orwell—who was born Eric Arthur Blair and who never fully abandoned his original name—has increasingly come to be regarded as a modern oracle, a gifted soothsayer who predicted with terrifying accuracy how fragile and fallible our political systems were, how close the shadow of authoritarianism. His body of work has become a compass to help us navigate our way in times of democratic recession and backsliding, as is the case worldwide. Among all his books, the one that has left the deepest impact on generations of readers across borders is, no doubt, Nineteen Eighty-Four.” — Elif Shafak
Join us as we delve into the beauty of Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984, alongside Julia, the modern reinterpretation by Sandra Newman. While yes, this Seminar will consider the political themes and critiques made by Orwell that are still relevant today, we will further examine the writing style, narrative perspective, and atmosphere of 1984 to appreciate the aesthetics of the (gritty, brutal, masculine) novel. During our second session together, we will discuss Julia and how our interpretation of the story changes when we have another (feminine) perspective.
Together, we will conduct a close reading of the text, consider the historical context in which Orwell was writing, and reflect on how the classic novel illuminates our own future. Without committing blasphemy, we’ll also consider both novels as a love story, and explore the ways in which memory, trust, and pleasure become forbidden freedoms.
Whether you’ve read the novel or are encountering it for the first time, 1984 is a profound work of fiction with the power to shock and unnerve. Let’s experience this deeply moving story together, and discuss it as the work of art, political commentary, and meditation on love that it truly is.
Saturday, March 2nd at 12pm ET
Saturday, March 16th at 12pm ET
———
It’s encouraged (but not required!) to read 1984 before the first lecture and Julia before the second lecture, as we’ll be discussing themes, plot points, and spoilers.
———
All sales are final; we are unable to offer refunds. Lectures take place over Zoom—a meeting link and passcode will be emailed to you the day of the event. Only those who have registered for the lecture will be admitted into the event. Please send all inquiries to info@sotextual.com.