We discuss Beowulf: A New Translation, by Maria Dahvana Headley, with Dr. Brad Robinson from Texas State University, aka Rachel’s former AP English Lit teacher. Come for more intellectual conversation than usual, stay for Brad grading your hosts’ and producer’s kennings. Who will get the coveted A+, and who will be stuck with the dreaded A-? Who will tell the most embarrassing story from the past? Topics include: the man, feminism’s flavor, interpersonal tensions, native advertising, a surplus o...
Jan 21, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 10
This episode covers the rest of J.R.R. Tolkien’s translation of Beowulf. We learn what our good friend has been up to for the past fifty years, and whether one can ever be too old for this shit. Theo tells a great Yu-Gi-Oh! joke, and Jackie reveals one of her deepest fears, then humiliates herself. Rachel reveals what would happen if someone told her she was going to have a fate worse than death. Topics include: Ken Jennings, Big Papa JRRT, Pokémon, the Wulfbeo, a horrifying turducken, tauntauns...
Jan 14, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 9
This episode covers the first half-ish of J.R.R. Tolkien’s translation of Beowulf. Jackie shares her murderous daydreams, and Theo tells an okay Yu-Gi-Oh! joke. Beowulf and Grendel share a disarming encounter, about which Grendel’s mother has something to say. Topics include: Beowulf/Breca shipping, good parenting, amateur Frankensteining, and what constitutes a valuable ally. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Jan 07, 2021•51 min•Season 1Ep. 8
The last 4 books of The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson. Odysseus finally justifies his heroic status, and our podcast finally justifies its existence! It all comes down to this: the final stand-off between our main man and all the hot young guys who want to get with his wife. But also some other things happen after that, which we still have to talk about. It’s a weird, fun time, we swear. Topics include: the incredible stupidity of the suitors, ONE plot hole, ghost gossip, an update on A...
Dec 31, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 7
This episode covers the final three staves of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens. We look upon the most glorious bro of them all, the Ghost of Christmas Present. Theo loves him. Jackie reveals her favorite post-prandial snack. Scrooge temporarily becomes unbelievably stupid, we play a Victorian party game, and one of us tears up at the end of the book! Topics include: one’s own peculiar flavor, Victorian children’s disease, delicious Christmas treats, Muppets and other puppets, and doing thin...
Dec 25, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 6
This episode covers the first two staves of A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens: bad husband, great writer. The gang blows the perfect segue, everyone reveals a holiday secret from their past, and you get an update on our funeral quilt. Scrooge keeps the same energy, and we admire him for that. Topics include: 15-20 mile walks, comforters, pointed asides to Jeff Bezos, a timely John Kerry joke, shipping wars, the Human Centipede, and a huge slam on Dick Wilkins out of nowhere. ★ Support this p...
Dec 24, 2020•49 min•Season 1Ep. 5
We're releasing episodes on Charles Dicken's A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! While you wait, here's something to get you in the holiday spirit, a new song by the Fire the Canon House Band! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Dec 24, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1000
Books 14-20 of The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson. Once again, your hosts channel Odysseus. We told you this would be the end, but our boy takes so long going around Ithaca, creating individually crafted lies for his friends and family, that we have one more episode left! We lied to you. Now you know how Odysseus’ friends and family felt. Topics include: divine shriveling, the rule of spoilers, an extremely unfair fight, a book of useless lies, HateBoy, and more oil than you might suspec...
Dec 17, 2020•50 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Books 10-13 of The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson. Yet again, Odysseus is “forced” to cheat on his wife. We learn where the gang both does and doesn’t tend to keep coins, and Theo reveals an Odyssey-related secret from his past. Multiple people tell Odysseus to leave some cows alone. Odysseus’ crew finds out if it’s better to ask forgiveness than permission. Topics include: Kevin James’ oeuvre, our other best boy Elpenor, HUBRIS, name-dropping, the mythical origin of earwax, and less oil...
Dec 14, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Books 5-9 of The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson. Well, well, well. Finally we learn what Telemachus’ deadbeat dad has been up to for the past 20 years! Jackie and Rachel tell tales of their own past on the high seas, and Theo finally becomes interested in the book. Topics include: a terrible seal plan, our best boy Polyphemus, Ancient Greek feminism, Odysseus taking things way too far, and, as always, lots and lots of oil. Content warning: The Odyssey contains discussion of violence, sex...
Dec 12, 2020•47 min•Season 1Ep. 2
This episode covers the first 4 books of Homer’s The Odyssey, as translated by Emily Wilson. Ever wanted to know about Odysseus’ idiot man-baby son Telemachus? Well, you’re about to learn! Other topics of discussion include: bird attacks, frat bro feasts, ancient insults, disguises, and copious amounts of oil. Content warning: The Odyssey contains discussion of violence, sexual assault, animal sacrifice, and slavery ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★...
Dec 10, 2020•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Fire the Canon is a podcast that loves literature, but doesn’t take it too seriously. Jackie, Rachel, and Theo will be joking, paraphrasing, and misinterpreting their way through the Western canon. Come hang out with us every Thursday! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
Dec 09, 2020•9 min•Season 1Ep. 1
