Episode Summary: Episode 283 – Catching Up with Jason Baxter

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Literary Life Podcast
• Host/Authors: Angelina Stanford, Thomas Banks
• Description: An in-depth conversation about the skill and art of reading well, exploring classic literature through slow reads, discussions with book lovers, and the philosophy that "Stories Will Save the World."

1. Welcome and Introduction (00:18 – 02:06)

Angelina Stanford opens the episode by reiterating the podcast's mission to delve deep into the art of reading and understanding great literature. She introduces the recurring guest, Jason Baxter, humorously referring to him as the "semi-transparent Jason Baxter" (00:18).

Notable Quote:

Angelina Stanford (00:18): "To be enchanted by story is to be granted a deeper insight into reality."

2. Title Experiment and Light Banter (02:06 – 04:39)

The hosts engage in playful banter about potential podcast episode titles, experimenting with humorous and provocative names like "Jason Baxter Reads the Phone Book." This segment sets a lighthearted tone before delving into more substantive discussions.

Notable Quote:

Thomas Banks (02:30): "Like, how is our audience crazy about."

3. Sharing Commonplace Quotes (04:39 – 06:33)

Before diving into the main conversation, Angelina and Thomas share their current readings and associated quotes. Thomas discusses a passage from D.C. Somervell's Parallel Lives of Disraeli and Gladstone, highlighting the dual perception of Gladstone as both a god-like figure and a pedantic headmaster (05:02).

Notable Quote:

Thomas Banks (05:02): "To some, he was a God, to others, something more like a headmaster."

Jason humorously notes the pedantic nature of Gladstone (05:58).

4. Delving into Dante and Poetry Translation (06:33 – 11:36)

Jason Baxter introduces his work on translating Dante's Purgatory, discussing the encounter between Dante and the minor poet Bono Giunta. He emphasizes the philosophical underpinnings of poetry, symbolizing love and the essence of poetic philosophy through his translation.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (06:33): "In Purgatory 24, Dante meets a minor poet called Bono Giunta... I try to symbolize."

The conversation shifts to the influence of languages, particularly Occitan, on poetry and literary expression.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (08:37): "It's what was spoken in Provence before the unification of France... There are all these dialects."

5. The Loss of Languages and Cultural Perspectives (08:37 – 14:43)

Angelina expresses her passion for lost languages and their impact on perception and reality. Jason elaborates on the significance of ancient languages in shaping literary works and the necessity of understanding them to fully appreciate historical literature.

Notable Quote:

Angelina Stanford (09:24): "I feel a longing there. You talk about in the medieval mind of C.S. Lewis... I have nostalgia for languages."

Thomas introduces a quote from D.W. Robertson Jr.'s Chaucer Studies and Medieval Perspectives, emphasizing the importance of historical context in understanding literature.

Notable Quote:

Thomas Banks (05:02): "The literature of the past may be interesting not because it is modern, but because it is different."

6. Teaching as Translation and Balancing Old and Modern (14:43 – 22:27)

The discussion transitions to the philosophy of teaching literature. Angelina and Jason explore the concept of the teacher as a translator, balancing fidelity to the original text with making it accessible and relevant to modern students. They critique approaches that either overly preserve the past or excessively modernize, advocating for a harmonious blend that respects both.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (19:49): "I think a good teacher like you, like Thomas, remains restless and discontent until he or she can see that everyone in the room says, oh yes."

Angelina adds that successful teaching involves connecting past literature to present understanding without becoming mere museum curators.

Notable Quote:

Angelina Stanford (20:12): "We're not museum curators... the point is to see that it's a living soil."

7. The Challenges of Modern Education and AI (22:27 – 30:42)

Jason expresses concerns about the cultural shift towards seeking quick answers, especially with the rise of artificial intelligence, which might undermine deep literary analysis and the reconstruction of nuanced arguments. He advocates for patience and diligence in teaching literature to foster genuine understanding and appreciation.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (23:01): "In our age of ease, artificial intelligence feels the desire to just get the interesting conclusions delivered to us."

Angelina echoes these sentiments, emphasizing the need for educators to adapt to changing cultural dynamics while maintaining depth in literary teaching.

8. Success of the Podcast and Student Engagement (30:42 – 51:08)

The hosts reflect on the podcast's success as an indicator of the audience's hunger for in-depth literary discussions. They commend their students' enthusiasm and ability to engage deeply with complex texts, showcasing the effectiveness of their teaching methods.

Notable Quote:

Thomas Banks (50:47): "I'm just amazed that 15, 16 year old kids... can do that so very well without prompting."

Jason shares his college experience of taking meticulous notes, underscoring the value of breadth in reading to enhance depth of understanding.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (51:26): "I would go read this... realize that Dante transforms them."

9. Publishing Updates and Upcoming Projects (51:08 – 66:22)

Jason discusses his recent and upcoming publications, including the re-release of his book Falling Inward, which will feature a new introduction and epilogue. He also announces his new translation of Dante's Purgatorio, dedicating the work to his wife, Jody, and describing the arduous yet fulfilling process of translation.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (66:05): "So I have to keep changing... We are stuck in translation."

Angelina highlights the availability of Jason's works on various platforms, encouraging listeners to support his publications through reviews and purchases.

10. Translation Philosophy and Embodying Dante (66:22 – 89:35)

A significant portion of the episode delves into Jason's approach to translating Dante. He aims to recreate the physiological and emotional experience of the original Italian, striving to make Dante's Purgatorio resonate with modern English readers. Jason discusses the complexities of preserving linguistic beauty and the challenges inherent in translating poetic works.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (75:15): "The perfect translator would have to be the ultimate scholar... but also a masterful poet."

Angelina praises Jason's dedication to bringing Dante to life, emphasizing the importance of embodying the author's intent and emotion in translation.

Notable Quote:

Angelina Stanford (78:44): "It sounds like you were very deliberate in trying to embody Dante... the sound of it."

Jason receives positive feedback from readers who have found his translation transformative, igniting a newfound appreciation for Dante's work.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (83:16): "He feels this flesh and blood embodied thing... liberates Dante from the museum."

11. Upcoming Classes: "How to Read a Poem Like C.S. Lewis" and "Plato's Ghost" (89:35 – End)

Jason introduces his upcoming classes hosted by House of Humane Letters. The summer class, "How to Read a Poem Like C.S. Lewis and Fall in Love With Poetry," aims to deepen students' understanding of poetic techniques through C.S. Lewis's perspectives. He outlines topics such as the sonnet's historical context, the relationship between magic and poetry, and the transformation of literary forms over time.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (84:20): "How do I read a painting? How do I read an architectural monument?"

He also previews his fall class, "Plato's Ghost: Plato's Legacy in the History of Classical and Christian Art," which explores the influence of Plato on visual art and architectural monuments from ancient to Baroque periods.

Notable Quote:

Jason Baxter (84:46): "This class is going to be nine weeks in the fall, on Tuesday nights."

Angelina enthusiastically promotes the classes, highlighting their relevance and the unique opportunities they offer for literary and artistic exploration.

Notable Quote:

Angelina Stanford (86:26): "This is going to be a great class... We're supposed to have so many requests for a class like this."

12. Closing Remarks and Final Poem (89:35 – End)

As the episode concludes, Angelina and Thomas encourage listeners to support Jason's work by purchasing and reviewing his books. They invite the audience to join their community through Patreon and other platforms. The episode wraps up with Thomas Banks reading Gerard Manley Hopkins' poem "Binsey Poplars," providing a poetic close to the insightful conversation.

Notable Quote:

Angelina Stanford (90:51): "Stories will save the world. Thank you for listening to the Literary Life podcast."

Key Takeaways

• Translation as Embodiment: Jason Baxter emphasizes the importance of embodying the original text's emotional and physiological nuances in translation, striving to make classic works like Dante's Purgatorio resonate deeply with modern readers.

• Teaching Philosophy: The discussion highlights the delicate balance educators must maintain between preserving the integrity of classic literature and making it accessible and relevant to today's students. The role of a teacher as a translator is pivotal in fostering genuine literary appreciation.

• Cultural Shifts in Education: Concerns were raised about the modern cultural inclination towards quick answers and the potential impact of artificial intelligence on deep literary analysis and teaching.

• Upcoming Educational Opportunities: Jason Baxter's upcoming classes offer students unique opportunities to engage with poetry and classical art through the lenses of influential thinkers like C.S. Lewis and Plato, bridging historical contexts with contemporary understanding.

• Support for Independent Publishing: The hosts encourage listeners to support independent authors and publishers by purchasing and reviewing books to help navigate the challenges posed by large platforms like Amazon.

This episode of The Literary Life Podcast provides a rich exploration of the intersection between classic literature, modern teaching methods, and the art of translation. Through engaging discussions with Jason Baxter, listeners gain insight into the dedication required to bring timeless works to life and the evolving landscape of literary education.