Alicia and Sarah face their fears of open water with their discussion of the classic film Jaws. They look at the elements of monster stories and how the film fits the pattern. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Elements of monster stories

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Alicia and Sarah geek out over all things action film in the 1990’s classic The Mummy. They discuss how women are portrayed in some of their favorite films and compare them to the portrayal of Evelyn in The Mummy. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Elements of action films

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Alicia and Sarah return to another classic from their teen years and young adulthood, Ever After. They discuss the traits of Cinderella myths and how the 90s classic fits each trait. They discuss how the movie still holds up as a love story focused on character development and female empowerment. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Elements of a Cinderella story

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Alicia and Sarah return to a classic from their teen years and young adulthood, A Knight’s Tale. They discuss the connections to The Canterbury Tales and Chaucer as well as the modern connections to fighting our fate and finding hope when all hope seems lost. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Parody, Fate

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Alicia and Sarah take a different approach as they discuss some of their favorite pieces of pop culture. Whether movies or books, these are the pop culture hills they are willing to fight for. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: “Hill I’ll die on”

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Alicia and Sarah gush about one of their all-time favorite musicals and their favorite film of 2024. Without offering spoilers for the second half of Wicked, they explore the idea of allegory and the different ways the first half of the musical highlights important allegorical themes. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Allegory

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Alicia and Sarah are back with a special episode looking back at their favorite films, television shows, and books of 2024.

Literary terms of the week: Pop Culture

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman

Show Notes:

Intro notes:

* Trying something new this week (inspired by NPR’s Best of 2024 list)

Literary terms of the week:

* Alicia’s top 5:

* Interview with the Vampire (AMC+)

* The Husbands (book)

* Eric (Netflix)

* Agatha All Along (Disney+)

* Somebody, Somewhere (Max)

* Sarah’s top 5:

* Civil War (Max)

* Rings of Power (Amazon Prime)

* The Small and the Mighty (book)

* Shrinking (AppleTV)

* A Complete Unknown (in theaters now)

Related Episodes

In this summer special edition, Alicia and Sarah bring in special guest Julia Breakey to discuss literature as pop culture, with a particular focus on romantacy and the book series A Court of Thorns and Roses. Get a jump on your summer reading with an adult conversation about the re-emergence of reading and the role that books also play on pop culture. At the end of this week’s discussion, they talk about the things they've been reading, watching, and analyzing outside of the classroom.

Literary terms of the week: Pop Culture, Literature, Literacy

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Music by Craig Harmann

Cover art by Matt Holman