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John Steinbeck’s America: The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men with Dr. Joseph Luzzi
Learn with Dr. Joseph Luzzi

John Steinbeck’s America: The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and Men with Dr. Joseph Luzzi

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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

In the eyes of many, John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath is a candidate for the “Great American Novel,” as it tells the unforgettable story of the Joad family and their journey from the Dust Bowl of their native Oklahoma to California in a desperate quest to find work and survive the challenges of the Great Depression. Similarly, his brief masterpiece Of Mice and Men remains a haunting tale of friendship and economic struggle that continues to enchant readers worldwide. This presentation by Joseph Luzzi, the Asher B. Edelman Professor of Literature at Bard College, will lead participants on a deep exploration of these two novels and consider what makes John Steinbeck’s vision of “America” come to life by transforming the notion of our national identity into remarkable narratives.

Joseph Luzzi received his Ph.D. from Yale University and is a Professor of Comparative Literature and Faculty Member in Italian Studies at Bard College, where he has taught since 2002 after being a visiting faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania. A frequent contributor to publications including the New York Times, TLS, and Chronicle of Higher Education, he is the author of 5 books, including "My Two Italies," a New York Times Editors' Choice selection and "In a Dark Wood: What Dante Taught Me About Grief, Healing, and the Mysteries of Love," a Vanity Fair “Must-Read” selection. His work has been translated into multiple languages and his many awards include a Yale College Teaching Prize, Dante Society of America Essay Prize, and Wallace Fellowship at Villa I Tatti, Harvard's Center for Italian Renaissance Studies. In 2017 he was named Cittadino Onorario/Honorary Citizen in Acri, Calabria, his Italian parents' birthplace. His next book is "Botticelli's Secret: The Lost Drawings and the Rediscovery of the Renaissance," which will be published by W. W. Norton. Professor Luzzi is the founder of the Virtual Book Club, an online community of readers dedicated to exploring some of the best books ever written. Learn more at JosephLuzzi.com.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
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Barbara Bornsstein (Ponte Vedra, US)
Much Better Than Five Stars

In telling his stories, it is clear that John Steinbeck has infinite respect for his characters and the struggles of their lives. Dr. Joseph Luzzi has all that plus an infinite respect for the humanity of John Steinbeck. Focusing on the social and human issues The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and men, Dr. Luzzi made it possible for us to see the characters as real people going through real struggles. I recently read The Grapes of Wrath as part of a "banned book" club. This lecture was a wonderful complement to that experience. My only regret is that I am not in a position to go back to college and spend a whole semester with Dr. Luzzi.

Customer Reviews

Based on 1 review
100%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
B
Barbara Bornsstein (Ponte Vedra, US)
Much Better Than Five Stars

In telling his stories, it is clear that John Steinbeck has infinite respect for his characters and the struggles of their lives. Dr. Joseph Luzzi has all that plus an infinite respect for the humanity of John Steinbeck. Focusing on the social and human issues The Grapes of Wrath and Of Mice and men, Dr. Luzzi made it possible for us to see the characters as real people going through real struggles. I recently read The Grapes of Wrath as part of a "banned book" club. This lecture was a wonderful complement to that experience. My only regret is that I am not in a position to go back to college and spend a whole semester with Dr. Luzzi.