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"Relearning How to Read" with Kathryn Mogk Wagner

An episode of the Beatrice Institute Podcast podcast, hosted by Ryan McDermott, titled ""Relearning How to Read" with Kathryn Mogk Wagner" was published on July 2, 2024 and runs 53 minutes.

July 2, 2024 ·53m · Beatrice Institute Podcast

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Does it take a trained expert to read books in our own language? The heart of English departments around the world is the love of amateurs, yet that heart seems to be gradually shrinking, replaced more and more with cold technical literary analysis. Kathryn Mogk Wagner identifies this as the reason English Departments themselves are shrinking too. 

Literary analysis is shutting out truth and reading for edification, turning instead to niche readings and unique techniques. Can a culture raised on suspicion re-learn how to read the great texts for truth not tetrameter? Is there a balance between reading holiness and historicity in a text? Can ivory tower English professors read a book for edification instead of interpretation? In this episode, Mogk Wagner teaches us to return to the roots of reading – to relearn how to read.

 

Act 1

Apr 13, 2026 ·26m

Act 2

Apr 13, 2026 ·20m

Act 3

Apr 13, 2026 ·28m

Act 4

Apr 13, 2026 ·30m

Act 5

Apr 13, 2026 ·26m

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