Library presents ‘Exploring Identity’

LITCHFIELD — “Exploring Identity in Two 19th Century Novels” with Mark Scarbrough will take place Jan. 21 and Feb. 18, at 1 to 2 p.m. at the Oliver Wolcott Library, 160 South St., Litchfield.

Space is limited. Registration is required and can be done by calling 860-567-8030 or visiting owlibrary.org and clicking on Events/Adult Events

Because of imperialism, slavery, the rise of modern psychology, the growth of the great cities, and a host of cultural factors, the question of who we are may be the quintessential 19th-century riddle, carried into the twentieth century and beyond by theorists, therapists, and writers galore. Return to two novels that explore this question near its beginnings and from either side of the Atlantic: Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein” (1818) and Mark Twain’s “Pudd’nhead Wilson” (1894). Is it enough to account for birth, rank, culture, race, and religion? Or is there more lurking below the surface of this most vexing question? Come join us for a lively lecture/discussion on these two classic novels.

Jan. 21: “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley. Victor Frankenstein is a young scientist who through a strangely unorthodox experiment creates a grotesque yet sentient being.

Feb. 18: “The Tragedy of Pudd’nhead Wilson” by Mark Twain. Switched at birth by a young slave woman attempting to protect her son from the horrors of slavery, a light-skinned infant changes places with the master’s white son.