life lessons from the great books

In this 36-lecture series, Professor J. Rufus Fears of the University of Oklahoma explores how some of Western civilization's greatest literary masterpieces can provide timeless wisdom and guidance for life's challenges. He argues that enduring works of literature, spanning from ancient Greece and Rome to the modern age, remain relevant by focusing on universal themes such as love, courage, and patriotism.

Professor Fears groups the lectures into six broad themes that run through history's most compelling stories:

1. **The Unconquerable Human Spirit**: Examining how the human spirit can endure hardship, as seen in Fyodor Dostoevsky's *The Brothers Karamazov* and Elie Wiesel's *Night*.

2. **Youth and Old Age**: Exploring how to cope with the trials of youth and the wisdom of old age, as portrayed in Goethe's *The Sufferings of Young Werther* and Cicero's "On Old Age".

3. **Love**: Analyzing the complexities of love in works such as Shakespeare's *Romeo and Juliet*.

4. **Adventure**: Discussing the thrill of exploration and discovery, as exemplified by the journals of Lewis and Clark.

5. **Laughter and Irony**: Examining the role of humor and irony in literature, as seen in Mark Twain's *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn*.

6. **Patriotism**: Exploring patriotic themes in works like George Washington's Farewell Address and Theodore Roosevelt's autobiography.

Professor Fears argues that Great Books are touchstones to history and the human experience, offering advice on how to navigate life's challenges and appreciate the simple moments. By examining these works in their historical context and highlighting their interconnectedness, he provides a rich and engaging exploration of the enduring lessons found in literature