Lauren Radick's new series provides a captivating exploration of the lives and works of American literary giants such as Mark Twain, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Nathaniel Hawthorne and Louisa May Alcott.
We will examine their friendships, loves, and rivalries, gaining insights into the complex characters and evocative settings they created. This interactive experience uncovers details about their most famous works, contextualizing them within their times and cultures.
By examining the influences on these literary giants and how their writings shaped the world, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of their imaginations. This 4 session course promises to be an enriching journey into the lives of remarkable individuals in literary history.
Schedule:
Mark Twain
Experience the life and works of Mark Twain, born Samuel Langhorne Clemens, whose wit and storytelling redefined American literature. From his early days along the Mississippi River to his rise as a celebrated author and humorist, Twain's experiences shaped iconic novels like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
We will explore Twain's rich tapestry of characters and narratives that offer profound insights into the American spirit. Whether you are revisiting his classics or encountering them for the first time, this journey promises to enlighten and inspire.
Harriet Beecher Stowe
Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author whose words helped ignite a movement, harnessed the power of storytelling to confront the moral crisis of her time. Her groundbreaking novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin, unveiled the brutal realities of slavery, awakening the conscience of a nation and fueling the abolitionist cause. The book's impact was profound and still is today.
Discover her Stowe's life, her literary contributions, and the enduring legacy of her work -- how one woman's voice helped shape the course of American history.
Nathanial Hawthorne
Step into the haunting world of Nathaniel Hawthorne, a master storyteller whose vivid symbolism and rich allegories reveal the tangled depths of the human soul. Born into a legacy shadowed by ancestral sin, Hawthorne drew deeply from his own family history and the strict moral codes of 19th-century New England to craft timeless tales.
Known for The Scarlet Letter—a gripping story of guilt, redemption, and the haunting consequences of hidden sins—his works continue to captivate with their complex characters and profound moral challenges. Join us on a riveting journey through Hawthorne’s life and literature, where the shadows of the past illuminate the enduring struggles of the present.
Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott was a groundbreaking novelist whose timeless stories continue to inspire. Best known for Little Women, she captured the joys and struggles of family, ambition, and independence in a way that still resonates today. Her own life—filled with literary ambition, social activism, and personal sacrifice—shaped her unforgettable characters.
Whether you are revisiting Little Women or exploring Alcott’s work for the first time, this class will offer fresh insights into her writing, her life, and the historical influences that shaped her stories. Join us for an engaging discussion and a celebration of a literary icon whose words continue to inspire generations!