Early Moderns: The Novels
Austen, Dickens, Dostoevsky, Lewis and Tolkien
Old Western Culture: The Novels wraps up the series of the great books with a study of some of the great novels of the 19th century, Wesley Callihan guides students through Dickens’s heartwarming A Christmas Carol, and then turns to Dostoevsky’s darker Russian tale, The Brothers Karamozov, as well as Chekhov’s The Bet. A study of Austen’s Pride and Prejudice looks at both the story and the social setting of England during this period. Old Western Culture concludes with a hat-tip to two of the 20th-century revivors of the great books: C. S. Lewis, who coined the term “old Western culture,” and J. R. R. Tolkien, with guest lecturer Jonathan McIntosh, who guides students through the story and themes of The Lord of the Rings.
Twelve lectures, six hours
Each lecture opens with a short review, then summary, commentary and connections across history, art and theology. Watch Lecture 1 free.
- 1Introduction to The NovelsFree21 min
- 2Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice I31 min
- 3Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice II28 min
- 4Charles Dickens: A Christmas Carol30 min
- 5Lesson 5 Fyodor Dostoevsky: Brothers Karamazov24 min
- 6Anton Checkov: The Bet24 min
- 7Lesson 7 Tolkien I: Fairy-Stories and The Lord of the Rings49 min
- 8Lesson 8 Tolkien II: Escape, Consolation, and Eucatastrophe41 min
- 9Lesson 9 Tolkien III: Themes in The Lord of the Rings45 min
- 10The Legacy of C. S. Lewis33 min
- 11C. S. Lewis and Old Western Culture29 min
- 12Overview of the 20th Century28 min
Lecture 1 · Introduction to The Novels · 21 min · freePlays here on the page. Every lecture streams and downloads in the Roman Roads app once you own the course.
What your student reads
- Jane AustenPride and Prejudice
- DickensA Christmas Carol
- DostoevskyThe Brothers Karamazov
- ChekhovThe Bet
- TolkienThe Lord of the Rings
- C. S. Lewisessays
Every assigned text is in the Novels Reader (Vol. 16), as a printed book or the eBook that comes with the course. Students are welcome to use other editions of the great books they already own with this course. The video lectures reference Latin or Greek line numbers, which allows a broader use of editions for those who prefer to bring their own.
The Novels
446 pages · 6 × 9 in. · paperback $32 · hardback $45 · eBook included with the course
About this Reader
Questions
Is The Novels right for a younger student?
Old Western Culture is intended for mature and discerning students; we recommend it for ages 14 and up. The course deals with mature themes such as paganism, sexual immorality, battle scenes (mostly in the reading) and classical paintings, and is meant to equip your child with a Biblical lens for them. We assume a working knowledge of the Bible and basic Christian doctrine.
How much credit is it?
One unit is half a high-school credit in literature or history; a full year of four units is two credits.
How long does a unit take?
Nine weeks: one lecture a week, with the reading and the questions between. The Honors schedule reads everything; the Essentials schedule reads a shorter selection and still watches every lecture.
Do we need the printed Reader?
No. The Reader eBook is in the app with the course, and the editions already on your shelf work too. We do recommend reading in print, whether that is our Reader, a Roman Roads Classic where one exists, or your own copy; the Reader’s advantage is every assigned text in one volume.
Can a co-op or school use it?
Yes. Students watch at home and discuss in class, or a teacher lectures live. Ask us about group licensing.
Is it a subscription?
No. You buy it once and it is yours for life.
Early Moderns: The Novels
The complete digital course, from $74.75. Add the printed Reader and workbook above.