The Free World: Chapters 1-5

In our first meeting, we’ll explore the first five chapters of The Free World, introducing key themes, names, and ideas through guided discussion.

We'll Explore Topics Such As:

• Statelessness & displacement
• Mass Culture, conformity, & the threats to autonomy
• "Idols of production vs idols of consumption" - the commodification of leisure and politics
• "The Case for responsible literature" - Are artists responsible for the thoughts of all those they influence?
• American Abstractionism

How discussion works:

• Section-based discussion with context & summaries, so you're welcome to join even if you haven't completed the reading
• Space to bring your own questions, passages, or ideas

Agenda (approx. 1–1.5 hours):

1. Welcome & introductions
2. Guided discussion with prompts and open conversation
3. Reflection & wrap-up: favorite ideas, lingering questions, and next steps

What to Bring:

• The Free World (optional)
• Notes, questions, or favorite passages you’d like to share

A Few Key Names:

• George Kennan
• Hanna Arendt
• George Orwell
• Jean-Paul Sartre
• Simone de Beauvoir
• Jackson Pollock