Totalitarian Novels: 1984 and Pain

Totalitarian Novels: 1984 and Pain

Author: Hillsdale College March 5, 2025 Duration: 32:45

On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan introduce the course "Totalitarian Novels."

Totalitarian novels depict regimes that exert complete and pervasive control over the lives of their subjects. George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, Arthur Koestler, and C.S. Lewis imagine the terrible possibilities of unchecked modern tyranny. Join Larry P. Arnn, president of Hillsdale College, and Hillsdale College students in this exploration of 1984, Brave New World, Darkness at Noon, and That Hideous Strength.

The course includes four lectures and four conversations, each about 30 minutes long. It is structured with one lecture about each book followed by a conversation between Dr. Arnn and the students about themes from that book. 

In George Orwell’s 1984, the regime is dedicated to power. The Party ensures that its members obey through pain and torture, as shown when O’Brien tortures Winston.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast delivers the core of a classical liberal arts education directly to your preferred listening app. Hosted by Online Learning Directors Kyle Murnen and Juan Davalos, this series transforms the college's foundational mission into an accessible audio format. Each episode serves as a lecture or discussion drawn from Hillsdale's complete, free online courses, covering enduring topics in history, government, culture, and the principles of a free society. You'll hear in-depth explorations of the ideas, events, and figures that have shaped Western civilization and American institutions, all presented with the clarity and depth of a classroom setting. The podcast is designed for lifelong learners seeking substantive content beyond the headlines, offering structured education through the convenience of an audio feed. Listen for thoughtful commentary that introduces each course's themes, followed by the full lecture material, allowing you to engage with rigorous academic content on your own schedule. This is more than a series of talks; it's a curated curriculum aimed at fostering a deeper understanding of the philosophical and historical foundations necessary for informed citizenship and personal enrichment.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast
Podcast Episodes
American Paintings: Battle Scenes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:23
Visit hillsdale.edu/course to view the paintings referenced in this lecture. On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah Regan and professor emeritus of art Sam Knecht discuss what we can le…
American Paintings: Everyday Americans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:49
Visit hillsdale.edu/course to view the paintings referenced in this lecture. On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah Regan and professor emeritus of art Sam Knecht discuss what paintings…
American Paintings: Landscapes and Cityscapes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:38
Visit hillsdale.edu/course to view the paintings referenced in this lecture. On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah Regan and professor emeritus of art Sam Knecht discuss the unique cha…
American Paintings: American Heroes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:11
Visit hillsdale.edu/course to view the paintings referenced in this lecture. On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah Regan and professor emeritus of art Sam Knecht introduce the course "…
American Foreign Policy: The Liberal International Order [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:45
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the long-term ramifications of the fall of the Soviet Union before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a…
American Foreign Policy: Retrench or Expand? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:10
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the long-term ramifications of the fall of the Soviet Union before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a…
American Foreign Policy: The Nuclear Threat [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:37
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the ever-present threat of nuclear annihilation before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a mystery that…
American Foreign Policy: The Containment of Communism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:51
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the unique threat of international communism before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a mystery that ca…
American Foreign Policy: Victory of Liberal Internationalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:28
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss the legacy of World War Two before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a mystery that can only be underst…
American Foreign Policy: The Interventionist Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:08
On this episode of The Hillsdale College Online Courses Podcast, Jeremiah and Juan discuss American foreign policy in the wake of World War One before introducing Michael Anton. We often treat foreign policy as a mystery…