Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy - Literary Influences and Historical Context - Lecture 1

Explore the literary and historical influences shaping Cormac McCarthy's "Blood Meridian" in this 50-minute Yale University lecture. Delve into the novel's engagement with literary tradition and American history, examining its connections to the Bible, Herman Melville's "Moby-Dick," John Milton's "Paradise Lost," William Wordsworth's poetry, and Sam Chamberlain's historical narrative. Investigate how McCarthy questions origins and originality while crafting a provocative meditation on history that pushes the boundaries of narrative and human potential. Analyze the author's techniques for eradicating interiority, modeling evil, and rejecting innocence through various literary allusions and revisions. Gain insights into the complex interplay between fiction and historical sources that contribute to the novel's unique style and themes.