Humanities West Presents In Search of Marcel Proust

Join Humanities West as we conclude our 2023–24 season with a captivating exploration into the life and works of Marcel Proust, featuring the renowned writer Adam Gopnik. With over three decades of contributions to The New Yorker, Gopnik offers unique insights into Proust's world, drawing parallels between the author's life and his timeless literary works.

In this special Vance E. Carney Memorial Lecture, Gopnik will unravel the mystique of Proust, reflecting on the author's enduring relevance and impact on modern literature. Delve into Gopnik's rich commentary on Proust, ranging from humorous anecdotes to profound reflections, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of Proust's writing and his influence on contemporary culture.

Additionally, join Joshua Landy, a seasoned Proust scholar, as he delves into profound questions raised by Proust's work, such as the nature of reality, human connection, and the quest for meaning in a secular world. Explore Landy's insightful analysis of Proust's themes and characters, shedding light on the timeless relevance of Proust's exploration of the human condition.

Lastly, Dora Zhang will explore Proust's fascination with perception and photography, focusing on Proust's belief that true exploration comes not from traveling to new lands but from seeing the world through the eyes of others. Zhang's exploration will highlight the role of photography in Proust's novel, offering a fresh perspective on Proust's innovative use of imagery and symbolism.

Don't miss this enlightening event that promises to deepen your understanding of Marcel Proust and his enduring legacy in literature and beyond.
A Humanities Member-led Forum program. Forums at the Club are organized and run by volunteer programmers who are members of The Commonwealth Club, and they cover a diverse range of topics. Learn more about our Forums: https://www.commonwealthclub.org/even...

In association with Humanities West, the Stanford Humanities Center, and the Townsend Center for the Humanities at UC Berkeley.

Gopnik and Zhang photos courtesy the speakers; Landy photo by Eisuke Muroga.

March 21, 2024

SPEAKERS

Adam Gopnik
Writer, The New Yorker; Author, The Real Work: On the Mystery of Mastery and All That Happiness Is: Some Words on What Matters

Joshua Landy
Andrew B. Hammond Professor of French, Professor of Comparative Literature, Co-Director of the Literature and Philosophy Initiative, Stanford University; Author, The World According to Proust and
Philosophy As Fiction: Self, Deception, and Knowledge in Proust

Dora Zhang
Associate Professor of English and Comparative Literature, University of California Berkeley; Author, Strange Likeness: Description and the Modernist Novel

George Hammond
Author, Conversations With Socrates—Moderator

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