Reading Literature in the Age of Trump

In a moment defined by sharp political divisions and shifting cultural norms, the act of reading feels more urgent and contested than ever. Reading Literature in the Age of Trump is a series of conversations that explores this tension, examining how classic and contemporary texts resonate-or clash-with our current political climate. Hosted by the scholars and students of English 602, each episode delves into a specific work, from dystopian fiction to social realist novels, asking what these stories reveal about power, language, identity, and resistance. The discussions are grounded in literary analysis but are never purely academic; they connect the dots between a character’s dilemma and today’s headlines, between an author’s historical moment and our own. You’ll hear a collaborative, thoughtful exploration of why literature matters now, how it helps us decipher the rhetoric that surrounds us, and the ways it can challenge our assumptions. This podcast doesn’t offer easy answers but provides a space for nuanced reflection, using the close reading of texts as a tool to better understand a complex world. Tune in for a deep, engaging listen that treats the book as both an escape and a essential lens.