6:30 p.m.

This symposium will examine the cultural phenomenon of the middlebrow. During the height of middlebrow culture—the postwar era of the Book-of-the-Month Club—critical mandarins made great fun of the cultural aspirations of middleclass Americans. But if, as many argue, we have since undergone a great cultural leveling, is that entirely for the good? Do we miss the middlebrow? Or does it still exist in the form of high end television and “accessible” literary fiction?

Discussion with literary critics Ruth Franklin, Christine Smallwood, and critic and editor Jennifer Szalai. Moderated by Christopher Beha, associate editor, Harper’s Magazine.

Sponsored by the School of Writing.

Wollman Hall, Eugene Lang Building, 65 West 11th Street, 5th floor (enter at 66 West 12th Street)

Admission:
Free; no tickets or reservations required; seating is first-come first-served