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The Empson Lectures

This lecture series, established at the University of Cambridge, delves into a wide spectrum of literary and cultural topics. Distinguished scholars of international repute present on timely issues, enriching our understanding of both literature and society. It offers accessible and thought-provoking explorations of key cultural phenomena.

Literature and the Taste of Knowledge

Recommended Reading Order

  • Exploring the intersection of literature and knowledge, this book delves into how literary works, including those by Henry James and Kafka, contribute to our understanding of knowledge itself. Through detailed analysis of various examples, it examines themes of irony, indirection, and the unique qualities of forms like the villanelle. The discussion spans a diverse range of authors, including Auden, Proust, Rilke, Calvino, Jean Rhys, and Yeats, offering a rich exploration of literature's role in questioning and interpreting knowledge.

    Literature and the Taste of Knowledge