Shows
AnaLITicalWanna Know Our Favorites? Back to School (but in February)!We all know the classic books we read in school. Harry Potter (by a certain TERF) and Percy Jackson (by Rick Riordan!) were mainstays in our household. In this episode, we're going to talk about other series that we loved in elementary school.Hannah and Jon recommend some of their favorites. Tune in as Hannah talks about "A Series of Unfortunate Events" by Lemony Snicket, the "Uglies" trilogy by Scott Westerfield, and the "Inkheart" trilogy by Cornelia Funke. Jon talks about (the weirdest series ever to Hannah), the "Warriors" series and standalones, "Ranger's Apprentice," and "Fablehaven." Come...
2022-02-1020 minAnaLITicalSorry it Took So Long, May We Present: "Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck"Of Mice and Men" by John Steinbeck was published in 1937. The story follows two vagabonds as they travel for work in California, dreaming of a better, more settled life. The newest farm work comes with its own challenges as the story comments on poor rural society of the time. In this episode, Hannah and Jon will discuss the oppression displayed in the book, symbols, and themes (per our usual).Spoilers abound as Hannah and Jon walk us through the entire book, so a warning has been posted, but this was published in 1937, so is a warning even...
2022-01-2744 minAnaLITicalThese Darn Comrades are STILL Taking Our "Animal Farm" by George OrwellAnimal Farm by George Orwell, published in 1945, depicts an allegorical fairy tale of the Russian Revolution and Stalin's era of rule. As Hannah and Jon continue reading and finish the book, they explore the allegory further, while also comparing this story with other historical events.Grab your tissues, because this episode gets sad. Hannah and Jon finish out this novella by dissecting and covering the last four chapters (6-10). Hannah brings up the great 'Gaslight, Gatekeep, Girl boss' of the character Squealer. They round out the story by discussing The Seven Commandments of Animal Farm, how these...
2021-07-0139 minAnaLITicalThese Darn Comrades are Taking Our "Animal Farm" by George OrwellAnimal Farm was written by George Orwell and published in August of 1945. This allegorical tale depicts the rebellion of farm animals against their human farmer, Mr. Jones. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the history of George Orwell, the allegory of the story, as well as the overall plot of the first five chapters.Will Hannah ever stop singing? Probably not, but she may have finally learned a thing or two about history. At least history pertaining to the hit song "Rasputin" or amazing movie Anastasia. Jon replaces the word "like" with "very" and let's just...
2021-06-2440 minAnaLITicalWhat is AnaLITical? We Answered Your Question!Hello! Hello hello! Welcome to your favorite literary podcast AnaLITical. Join the sibling duo, Hannah and Jon, as they discuss works of literature of all genres in a fun and funny way, where you might just learn a little something too! AnaLITical is created, hosted, and produced by Hannah and Jon Newland. Edited by Jon Newland. Artwork by Hannah Newland. Theme music is Robot Gypsy Jazz by John Bartmannm - https://johnbartmann.com Website design by Hannah Newland - https://analiticalpod.wixsite.com/analitical Support the podcast: https://www...
2021-06-2300 minAnaLITicalWe Make Good "Speech Sounds" by Octavia Butler (with Paige and Jennifer from Big Book Energy)"Speech Sounds" by Octavia Butler was published in 1983 in Isaac Asimov's "Science Fiction Magazine." A pandemic (oof) has swept the world, killing many and leaving the rest in shambles. The story follows Rye, a woman traveling to find her remaining family members. Instead, she finds Obsidian and begins a brief relationship with him. In this episode with Paige and Jennifer from Big Book Energy, Hannah and Jon discuss communication in the story, dystopias, and the prelude from Isaac Asimov.Warning: This episode has mentions of sexual assault.Hannah and Jon have a blast with the...
2021-05-2031 minAnaLITicalHappy Thoughts and "Tragic Life Stories" by Steve Duffy (with Paige and Jennifer from Big Book Energy)"Tragic Life Stories" by Steve Duffy was featured in Year's Best Dark Fantasy and Horror of 2011. The story follows Dan, an author who has lost everything - his wife and his book deal. Dan meets Molly shortly after this news and begins writing a new novel, Say Uncle, featuring a character called X. As the story continues, X becomes real to Dan, or so it seems. In this episode, with Paige and Jennifer from Big Book Energy, Hannah and Jon discuss the misery-lit genre, the use of comparison, and the strange ending of the story.Hannah and...
2021-05-0629 minAnaLITicalWhat Came First? Pokémon or Poems? Analyzing Form and Meter in Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death""Because I could not stop for Death" by Emily Dickinson was posthumously published in 1890. The poem follows a narrator as they encounter Death and look back on life. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss how the poems came to be published, the themes throughout, the meter and form and how familiar it may sound.Hannah and Jon contemplate the philosophical question of what came first: the song or the poem. We get to hear Hannah's amazing rendition of the poem sung out to a catchy tune. Jon really reminds us that a poem with "Death" in...
2021-04-2227 min
Scary Time - Scary, Creepy and Paranormal storiesNot Quite the Bachelorette, but Still "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner by AnaLITicalhttps://bit.ly/3wuqXQISubscribe on Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3cMP7y6Subscribe Everywhere else - https://bit.ly/3ujRVsA"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulker was first published in 1930, and was his first short story to be published in a national magazine. As a pioneer of Southern Gothic literature, Faulkner perfectly embodied the disturbing, decaying, and grotesque that stem from alienation; all trademarks of Southern Gothic. In this episode, we discuss Faulkner's nonlinear format for the story, his inspiration for the story, and how these relate to the style of Southern Gothic.
2021-04-0526 minAnaLITicalEpisode 13: "Sonnet 130" by William Shakespeare, Because if He Can Number His, so Can We (with Mike Schubert)"Sonnet 130" by William Shakespeare was originally published in 1609. In this English Love Sonnet, Shakespeare mocks the typical way people describe their loves, by realistically describing his. In this episode, with special guest Mike Schubert, Hannah and Jon discuss the format of a sonnet, dissecting the three quatrains and final couplet, as well as theorize over who was the woman in the sonnet. They also answer the question: is this a diss track?Hannah was thrilled to have Schubes on the pod, and they both used the power of Google to define words you may have looked over...
2021-04-0135 minAnaLITicalListen on a Sunny Day because "There Will Come Soft Rains" by Ray Bradbury (with Meghan Murphy)"There Will Come Soft Rains" by acclaimed writer Ray Bradbury was published in 1950. This science fiction story depicts a technological home that stands alone. The title of the story originates from a poem by Sara Teasdale, which is included in the story. In this episode, with special guest Meghan Murphy from The Book Rewind, your favorite literary nerds discuss the theme of the story, the meaning of the poem within it, and the catastrophic events that led to this quiet dystopia.Hannah proves (yet again) that she is NOT GOOD at history. Jon gets deep on us...
2021-03-2533 minAnaLITical"Everyday Use" (by Alice Walker) for Everyday Listening"Everyday Use" by Alice Walker was published in 1973 and depicts the seemingly simple life of a black woman and her daughter, Maggie, preparing for a visit from her older daughter, Dee. As Dee comes to visit, Maggie is visibly nervous and the mother is apprehensive of the changes from Dee. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the history of the Black Power Movement, the symbols of the common household objects, and the changes from Dee.Hannah and Jon talk about Dee's partner and how his religion may have also been influenced by the Black Power Movement...
2021-02-2526 minAnaLITical"One Friday Morning" by Langston Hughes, but Released on Thursday"One Friday Morning" by renowned writer Langston Hughes was published in 1941 and follows Nancy Lee Johnson, a high school artist. Nancy Lee is told she is to receive the Artist Club scholarship to the local art school, until the judges realize that she is black. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the racism that existed - and still exists - in the United States, some background of Hughes, and the poetic nature of the short story.Hannah and Jon once again bring up colors in literature, the symbol of the stars on the flag, and what...
2021-02-1122 minAnaLITicalLet's Go Shopping for "The New Dress" by Virginia Woolf"The New Dress" by Virginia Woolf was written in 1924 while Woolf was writing her novel, Mrs. Dalloway. The story follows Mable Waring and her thoughts at Clarissa Dalloway's party. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss how the story tackles issues of class and its effects on the main character's mental health, as well as background of the author.Please note: this episode contains themes that may be difficult for some listeners. Virginia Woolf was a victim of suicide and struggled with her mental health. Please approach with caution.Hannah and Jon also discuss how...
2021-01-2824 minAnaLITicalNot Your Mum's but John Steinbeck's "The Chrysanthemums""The Chrysanthemums" by John Steinbeck was published in 1937 and is hailed as a Classic American short story. It focuses on the Allen's - a farm family - and Elisa Allen as she tends to her chrysanthemums and encounters a peddler who wants a few of her flowers. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the many symbolic meanings of the chrysanthemums, the seller and his ominous nature.Join in as Jon and Hannah begin the New Year with this saucy tale and bring up a different meaning behind flowers. Jon talks a lot about John Steinbeck's other...
2021-01-1418 minAnaLITical"Rip Van Winkle" (by Washington Irving) Don't Worry, He Isn't Dead, it's Just His Name"Rip Van Winkle" by Washington Irving was published in 1819, and is a historical fiction/fantasy short story written as "A posthumous writing of Diedrich Knickerbocker." The story is written as a 'true account' of the titular character as he has an encounter in the fairy Kaatskill Mountains, drinks with them, and falls into a twenty-year slumber. In this episode, Hannah and Jon compare the story to other tales of long slumber, discuss the mystical nature of the story, and analyze how the author uses time to deepen the setting.Join in as Jon and Hannah let you...
2020-12-3120 minAnaLITicalNot the Wisemen but Still "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry"The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry was published in 1905 and follows a young poor couple struggling to buy gifts for one another. They of course do, but by sacrificing what the other had bought the gift for - the girl her hair, and the man his watch. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the theme, the title, and the true meaning of Christmas.Join in as Jon and Hannah debate what makes a movie a "Christmas movie" and whether or not Die Hard and Home Alone should count, without a solid answer either way...
2020-12-2418 minAnaLITicalOld Badgirl Red or "Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne"Young Goodman Brown" by Nathaniel Hawthorne was published in 1835. It takes place in 17th century Puritan New England and follows the titular character as he sets out into the forest to meet the Devil, and finds he is not the only one. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the main theme of corruption and each man's sin, and the excellent way Hawthorne set us in the story.Hannah and Jon take a deep dive into the theme of this historical fiction piece, as well as how exactly Hawthorne uses the setting to further the theme. They...
2020-12-1719 minAnaLITicalLosing More Than Just "The Lottery" (by Shirley Jackson)"The Lottery" by Shirley Jackson was published on June 26, 1948 in The New Yorker. This short horror fiction story takes place in small town America and follows a town's annual tradition. In this episode, Hannah and Jon discuss the dystopian nature of the story, the foreshadowing throughout, and the horrific end.Hannah has an epiphany and talks about World War II, the draft, and Elvis. Jon brings up The Hunger Games, "The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas" and compares them to "The Lottery," even when Hannah tries to get back on topic. They both prove why neither...
2020-11-1221 minAnaLITicalNot Quite the Bachelorette, but Still "A Rose for Emily" by William Faulkner"A Rose for Emily" by William Faulker was first published in 1930, and was his first short story to be published in a national magazine. As a pioneer of Southern Gothic literature, Faulkner perfectly embodied the disturbing, decaying, and grotesque that stem from alienation; all trademarks of Southern Gothic. In this episode, we discuss Faulkner's nonlinear format for the story, his inspiration for the story, and how these relate to the style of Southern Gothic.We lose our train of thought, Hannah is right (once again), and racism of the deep South in post-Civil War times rears its...
2020-10-2926 minAnaLITical"The Story of an Hour" (by Kate Chopin) in a Quarter of an Hour"The Story of an Hour" by Kate Chopin was first published in 1894 and is widely recognized as one of Chopin's most popular works. The story follows Mrs. Mallard as the news of her husband's death is broken to her, with a surprise twist ending - so a spoiler alert is in effect! In this episode, we discuss Chopin as a pioneer of feminist literature and symbols within the story.Hannah (again) discusses the medical background of Mrs. Mallard's heart condition and Jon stands up for women's rights!History of Kate Chopin's life was obtained from...
2020-10-1512 minAnaLITicalTalkin' Tell-Tale: Themes & Thoughts of "The Tell-Tale Heart" by Edgar Allen Poe“The Tell-Tale Heart” by Edgar Allen Poe was first published in 1843 (viriginia.edu) and depicts the ramblings of a person as they recount their murder of an elderly man with a vulture eye. In this inaugural episode, we will discuss our initial encounter with “The Tell-Tale Heart” and thoughts coming back to it now, as well as the strange narration style and theme of the story.We also cover the cause of the vulture eye, a possible insanity plea from the killer, and Jon proposes a theory that maybe the killer and victim are one and the same.
2020-10-0116 minAnaLITicalAnaLITical Intro TrailerGet to know your new favorite literary nerds, hosts and the dynamic sibling duo, Hannah and Jon Newland! In this introductory episode, they tell you a bit about themselves and the podcast.
2020-09-2201 min