Heidi White: "The First Wound: Duty and Desire in Literature and Life"

People used to believe in an intrinsic connection between happiness and goodness, an idea that is largely lost in our modern age. Instead, most of us feel that duty and desire are opposing forces—that we have to choose between being happy and being good. But does it have to be this way? Ancient thinkers considered every person to be a little world, a microcosm of the universe embodied in the individual. Among other things, this means that the stories of our lives share a common narrative: we are all created good, we all fall into sin and suffering, and we are all rescued and restored by intervening grace. By extension, the great stories of the literary tradition reflect this universal story. Over the centuries, literature tells this tale in myriad ways, creating overlapping layers of fiction, psychology, and faith. In this talk, literary podcaster and author Heidi White will explore the intersection between human psychology, literary education, and Christian spirituality, revealing how the conflict between duty and desire is present in every enduring story—including our own—and what we can do about it.

Heidi White, MA, is a teacher, therapist, literary podcaster, and author with a lifetime of experience as a divided soul. She lives in Colorado Springs with her husband and children. You can follow her on Instagram @heidiwhitereads and on Substack @closereads.substack.com.

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