A world-renowned expert in American literature and culture, Sarah Churchwell (The Wrath to Come: Gone with the Wind and the Lies America Tells) delivers this year’s John Button Oration. Examining one of the most popular stories of all time, she shows how histories of mythmaking have informed America’s racial and gender politics, the resurgence of white nationalism, the Black Lives Matter movement, the enduring power of the American dream, and the violence of Trumpism.
Proudly supported by the John Button Fund, Melbourne School of Government and the Faculty of Arts, The University of Melbourne
20% early-bird discount until 11.59pm, Thursday 6 April
Flexible refund policy
Community tickets for First Nations peoples
Convenient public transport and parking options
Coffee, bars and dining options nearby
Readings bookshops available plus book signings
Over 80% of our 2022 guests felt MWF helped them gain new insights about the world, held their interest and were inclusive, well-produced and topical! (With more than 70% keen to attend again!)
20% early-bird discount until 11.59pm, Thursday 6 April
Flexible refund policy
Community tickets for First Nations peoples
Convenient public transport and parking options
Coffee, bars and dining options nearby
Readings bookshops available plus book signings
Over 80% of our 2022 guests felt MWF helped them gain new insights about the world, held their interest and were inclusive, well-produced and topical! (With more than 70% keen to attend again!)
Sarah Churchwell is Professor of American Literature and Public Understanding of the Humanities at the University of East Anglia. She is the author of The Many Lives of Marilyn Monroe and Careless People: Murder, Mayhem ...
Richard Fidler speaks with Benjamin Dreyer, Penguin Random House US copy chief, language guru and bestselling author of Dreyer's English for a special live recording of ABC Radio's Conversations.
Celebrated actor Sam Neill shares the unexpected turns of fortune of his storied life, as told in his memoir, Did I Ever Tell You This?, with comedy legend Jane Kennedy.
Leading pundits Sean Kelly, Rachel Withers and Margaret Simons review the year in Australian politics and what possibilities lie ahead with The Monthly editor Michael Williams.
Sri Lankan author Shehan Karunatilaka discusses his 2022 Booker Prize–winning novel, The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida, a magic-realist satire set during his homeland's long civil war, with Kate Evans.