The Essay Episodes Available now
Ambulances—Larkin and Believing
Vidyan Ravinthiran explores questions of belief in response to Larkin's poem 'Ambulances'.
Water—Larkin and Believing
Jean Sprackland explores her own faith in response to Philip Larkin's poem 'Water'.
Absences—Larkin and Believing
Sinead Morrissey explores questions of faith in response to Larkin's poem 'Absences'
The Mower—Larkin and Believing
Raymond Antrobus explores faith and belief in response to Philip Larkin's 'The Mower'.
Beats—Bohemians in T-Shirts
The influence of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg on postwar US non-conformists.
Musicians—Bohemians in T-Shirts
Michael Goldfarb, in his study of US bohemians, turns to Charlie Parker and Miles Davis.
Artists—Bohemians in T-Shirts
Michael Goldfarb tells the story of Jackson Pollock, another T-shirt-wearing bohemian.
Writers—Bohemians in T-Shirts
Michael Goldfarb explores why black US writer James Baldwin took to wearing T-shirts.
Actors—Bohemians in T-Shirts
Michael Goldfarb on why Marlon Brando and Stanley Kowalski took to wearing T-shirts.
Miracle—Moments of Being
Sitting in a cafe becomes miraculous when all around it coalesces into the one moment.
