Hope is Kindled
A podcast devoted to the way stories shape us, sharpen us, and sometimes… save us.
Hope is Kindled is a literary podcast that explores classic and powerful works of literature through the lens of self-discovery, moral reflection, and enduring hope. Each episode delves into a single book, essay, or story, examining its themes, characters, and psychological depth, and connects it to timeless questions about the human condition.
What makes the podcast unique is its blend of literary criticism and warmth. It uses biographical, psychological, and historical criticism, along with personal reflection and cultural commentary—including references to Doctor Who, The Muppets, and classic film.
Please let us know what you think of our episodes, if you have any ideas for future episodes or to share your experiences looking searching for hope in the literary world.
Hope is Kindled
Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein
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In this emotionally rich and thought-provoking episode of Hope is Kindled, we explore Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein — a foundational tale of creation, responsibility, and isolation. With biographical insight into Shelley’s life and the novel’s roots in grief, genius, and Gothic imagination, we examine the creature not as a monster, but as a mirror of the human condition. We discuss the ethical dilemmas of unchecked ambition, the need for empathy, and the pain of abandonment, with comparisons to film adaptations including Young Frankenstein and even Short Circuit 2. This episode asks: who is the real villain, and what does it mean to be seen, to be made, and to be loved?
