A Works in Progress lecture by Allan Kohl, Librarian and Art Historian
Lecture:
Wednesday, September 11
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Auditorium 140
12:00 p.m.
"Books as Magical Objects of Power" is an exploration of people's beliefs in books as more than simply carriers of information: regarding them as conduits of divine or malign control over natural forces, and even as sentient objects, with their own power to bless, protect, harm, or even to kill. We'll touch briefly on examples ranging from ancient curse tablets to Harry Potter's encounter with Tom Riddle's diary -- and even contemporary events such as the ritualized public burnings of "bad books."