Audio Courses
Literary Criticism and Theory in Practice — audio course cover
Humanities & Civics

Course · 8 lessons · ~1h 44m

Literary Criticism and Theory in Practice

After this course you can analyze literary texts using key theoretical frameworks such as the uncanny, feminist criticism, and close reading.

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By the end, you'll be able to

  • Uncanny Rabbits and Surreal Women
  • Echoes of the Boom
  • Feminist Voices in Latin American Poetry
  • Das Unheimlich - The Uncanny - L'inquietante étrangeté - Lo Siniestro

Curriculum

8 lessons
  1. 01Uncanny Rabbits and Surreal WomenWe explore the unsettling world of uncanny rabbits, delving into Julio Cortázar’s "Carta a una Señorita en París" and Leonora Carrington’s surreal art and stories. Through literary theory and vivid examples, we examine how the uncanny and the surreal disrupt reality and challenge our sense of normalcy.
  2. 02Echoes of the BoomWe dive into the celebrated Boom Latinoamericano, exploring its origins, complexities, and the many voices—especially women—left in its shadows. John and Grace examine how history, politics, and forgotten authors shaped this landmark literary movement. Join them to uncover the rich, layered stories behind the headlines of Latin American literature.
  3. 03Feminist Voices in Latin American PoetryExplore the evolution of feminist poetry in Latin America, from Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz to Alfonsina Storni and beyond. Discover how these poets challenged norms, reshaped language, and inspired generations. This episode unpacks powerful verses and the stories behind them.
  4. 04Das Unheimlich - The Uncanny - L'inquietante étrangeté - Lo SiniestroDelve into how the uncanny emerges in literature, from Freud’s theory to eerie tales by Hoffmann and Schweblin. Explore how familiar realities twist into disturbing territory, leaving readers unsettled. Featuring examples from "El hombre de la arena" and "Pájaros en la boca."
  5. 05Watching Through GlassExplore Silvina Ocampo’s haunting story Cielo de claraboyas, where architecture shapes narrative and emotion. This episode dissects the interplay of vision, distance, and violence in a house where nothing is quite as it seems.
  6. 06Masks and MetaphorsIn this episode, we explore José Donoso’s complex relationship with identity and culture through his works, his time abroad, and the critical reception of his writing. From postwar America’s optimism to the alienation of the spectacle, we analyze how Donoso constructs—and deconstructs—literary masks. The episode unpacks how translation and exile shaped his legacy and the ongoing debate about authenticity in literature.
  7. 07Roberto Bolaño's Claustrophobic UniverseWe explore Roberto Bolaño's 'Una novelita lumpen'—its deceptive title, claustrophobic atmosphere, and place in Bolaño's multinational body of work. Grace and John unpack the novel’s literary echoes, its complex genre identity, and why it stands as a vital gateway into Bolaño’s world.
  8. 08The Vanishing Art of Deep ReadingIn this episode, we explore why deep reading is becoming rare in our digital age. Drawing on recent studies and educational trends, John and Grace discuss the impact of technology, teaching practices, and what we can do to reclaim our attention.

Your instructor

CríticaZoma [EN]

Podcast series about literary theory and other topics relevant to literary análisis.
Visit CríticaZoma [EN]

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8 lessons · ~1h 44m. Free, no signup.

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