HeyJaredCritical Readings
Critical Readings examines key literary texts using close reading and critical analysis, and explains these approaches in discussion. Listeners will learn about the texts themselves and about how to approach a text for critical analysis.
- Indexed episodes, last 90 days
- 12
- Latest publication
- Sep 28, 2026
- Audience
- Checking…
- Earliest in this view
- Jul 6, 2026
Latest episodes
CR Episode 341: Beowulf, Part III (opens the original)
Read excerpt
The panel discusses the conclusion of Beowulf—including Beowulf's final battle and his victorious death—with particular attention given to the didactic purpose of the poem, its framing of leadership and loyalty, and its function in historical context.Continue reading
CR Episode 340: Beowulf, Part II (opens the original)
Read excerpt
The panel discusses the second of Beowulf's battles—this time, against Grendel's vengeful mother—with special attention to the nature of his foe and the particularly fantastic setting of the battle, which takes place deep beneath the water of the fens.Continue reading
CR Episode 339: Beowulf, Part I (opens the original)
Read excerpt
Dr. Madeline Potter joins the panel just in time for the first-ever Readers' Choice series: the Old English poem, Beowulf. The panel reads of Beowulf's battle with Grendel, with special attention to how honour is won and defended by Geats and Danes.Continue reading
CR Episode 338: The Once and Future King, Part XIV (opens the original)
Read excerpt
The panel discusses the conclusion of The Candle in the Wind, with a look at Mordred's unreal motivations, Arthur's ultimate victory or failure, Guenever's personal agency, and the development of Gawaine beyond the initial limits of his character.Continue reading
CR Episode 337: The Once and Future King, Part XIII (opens the original)
Read excerpt
The panel discusses chapters 6–10 of the final book in The Once and Future King, with attention to Arthur's philosophical character, particularly whether his political theories serve as a prison which prevents the kind of action that could save his realm.Continue reading
Publishing over time
Last 90 days. Choose a month to open its work.
Recurring subjects
Named in the text we hold. One piece can cover several.
Not enough subject data for this period yet.
Audience
No verified audience measurement yet.
About this data
Counts cover the work we have indexed. Tone needs enough text and a confident classification. Excerpts and episode notes are not full articles or transcripts.
Identity or attribution wrong? Suggest a correction.