Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films

Wes Alwan and Erin O'Luanaigh
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Subtext: Conversations about Classic Books and Films
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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.

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

    4 DAYS AGO

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

    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, as soon finds that he’s run out of money and must bid goodbye to the high life—unless, that is, he can find a single, wealthy, isolated woman to marry and, for the sake of preserving his refined, hermetically-sealed existence, murder. Enter Henrietta Lowell. Similarly stunted by her own inheritance, she’s friendless, awkward, and utterly helpless: the perfect mark… But Henry soon discovers that protecting his own interests also means protecting hers, that competence can grow out of the exigency incompetence creates, and that practicing love for someone turns out to be just as good as actually loving them. Wes & Erin discuss the 1971 film "A New Leaf," written and directed by Elaine May.

    45 min
  2. Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 6)

    OCT 14

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

    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.

    59 min
  3. Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 5)

    OCT 7

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

    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.

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

    SEP 30

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

    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.

    51 min
  5. Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 3)

    SEP 23

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

    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.

    51 min
  6. Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 2)

    SEP 16

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

    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.

    42 min
  7. Love Dishonored in Euripides’ “Medea” (Part 1)

    SEP 9

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

    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 unappreciated, by a man who robotically puts practicality above all else. But can we sympathize with a woman who would kill her own children, just for spite? Wes & Erin discuss 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.

    50 min
  8. Love and Loneliness in “Arthur” (1981) – Part 2

    SEP 2

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

    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.

    51 min
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4.9
out of 5
206 Ratings

About

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.

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