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Event—Adult Education

Melville's Resistance Studies: Bartleby, Benito Cereno, Billy Budd

Oct 30, 2018

In his masterpiece novellas Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street, Benito Cereno, and Billy Budd, Sailor, Herman Melville presents three fascinating narratives revolving around the same question: how can an individual resist overwhelming injustice and oppression?

Cost and Registration Information

Early Registration Price (August 7 at 10 am – August 31 at 4 pm): $185
Regular Registration Price (August 31 at 4 pm – first day of class): $203.5

Members, seniors, and students get a 10% discount.

This seminar is full. Call (312) 255-3700 to be on the waitlist.

Mark your Calendar!

The Newberry Bookstore will re-open on August 14, and you will once again be able to find most of your assigned books for sale there.

Seminar Description

In his masterpiece novellas Bartleby, the Scrivener: A Story of Wall-Street, Benito Cereno, and Billy Budd, Sailor, Herman Melville presents three fascinating narratives revolving around the same question: how can an individual resist overwhelming injustice and oppression? We will read and discuss the novellas, examine their relevance to Melville's time and ours, and view related highlights from the Newberry's Melville Collection.

Four sessions. E - $185, L - $203.50

Will Hansen is Director of Reader Services and Curator of Americana at the Newberry. He has previously taught seminars on Moby-Dick and on Alexander Hamilton. He is currently at work on a Newberry exhibition on Melville to open in 2019.

Materials List

Recommended:

  • Herman Melville, Melville's Short Novels, Norton, 2001. ISBN: 978-0393976410

First Reading:

  • For the first class, please read Bartleby, the Scrivener.

This class is part of the Newberry’s Adult Education Seminars Program. Learn more about our registration procedures.