The Thomistic Institute What Can an Adulteress Teach Us About Happiness? Tolstoy's Anna Karenina and the Project of Literature | Sr. Jane Dominic Laurel, O.P.
Oct 31, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Sr. Jane Dominic Laurel, a Dominican Sister and theology professor, explores the profound insights that literature, especially from classics like 'Anna Karenina,' offers on moral discernment and the human experience. She delves into themes of love, self-sacrifice, and the impact of cultural narratives on personal growth. With references to 'Little House on the Prairie,' she emphasizes how stories can shape virtue and moral imagination, revealing the intricate dance between love, loyalty, and the missteps that can arise in pursuit of happiness.
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Little House Example
- Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books depict a home built on self-sacrificial love.
- Pa gives up new boots for the church bell; he and Ma express love amidst hardship.
Plum Creek Example
- In On the Banks of Plum Creek, Laura disobeys Pa and expects punishment.
- She feels his strength and kindness, highlighting moral formation through parental love.
Moral Imagination
- Literature shapes our moral imagination, influencing our actions.
- We need portraits of virtue in diverse circumstances to inspire noble, just, and honorable behavior.