The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and The Scarlet Letter
Step into the haunting world of American Gothic literature with Everyone Should Read. In this episode, we dive into Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, two masterpieces that shaped America’s dark literary tradition. From Ichabod Crane’s eerie encounter with the Headless Horseman to Hester Prynne’s struggle with sin, shame, and redemption in Puritan New England, these stories reveal how fear, morality, and cultural anxieties defined early American life.We explore the gothic themes of superstition, isolation, guilt, and social judgment while connecting them to today’s cultural imagination. Perfect for fans of classic literature, gothic fiction, and American history, this episode unpacks why Irving and Hawthorne remain essential to understanding the roots of America’s literary identity.Whether you’re a lifelong reader or discovering these classics for the first time, join us for an insightful and engaging look at how American Gothic literature continues to shape our sense of story, morality, and the uncanny.
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Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights
While Gothic is considered a sub-genre of romanticism the two meet and diverge at various points. Join us for our Bronte episode where we break down two classic novels from the genre.In this episode of Everyone Should Read, Drew Sylva and Kate Watters dive deep into the dark and stormy world of gothic literature through two iconic novels: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte and Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. We explore how these literary classics go beyond the haunted manors and doomed romances to reflect pressing sociological themes - including class struggle, gender roles, racism, and moral power - and how their brooding landscapes and unforgettable characters still shape pop culture today.Whether you’re a lifelong Bronte fan, a student of English literature, or simply fascinated by the lasting legacy of Gothic fiction, this episode will give you fresh insight into why Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights remain cultural touchstones.
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Frankenstein and Dracula
In the first full episode of Everyone Should Read, hosts Drew Sylva and Kate Watters dive into the two most iconic gothic novels of all time: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Dracula by Bram Stoker. They explore the chilling stories, unpack sociological themes, and discuss how these classic novels shaped gothic literature, horror, and popular culture. Discover the lasting legacy of Frankenstein and Dracula and why these gothic classics remain essential reading today.
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Everyone Should Read Teaser Trailer Episode
Before they release season one Drew Sylva and Kate Watters bring you a brief glimpse into what their podcast will look like with a teaser episode about Pygmalion, Galatea, My Fair Lady and everything that comes along with the Greek classic and Bernard Shaw adaptations.Everyone Should Read is a podcast all about the books, plays, short stories, poems, and essays that you've certainly heard about but might not have ever gotten around to actually reading. Drew and Kate read them for you and discuss the sociological and pop culture implications of these classic works of literature.
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