Ologies with Alie Ward Literary Olfactology (THE POLITICS OF SMELL) with Ally Louks
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Jul 30, 2025 In this engaging discussion, Dr. Ally Louks, a Literary Olfactologist and Cambridge scholar, reveals how smell shapes literature and culture. She explores the powerful impact of scents in novels, dissecting their connection to class and identity. Their conversation travels through the fascinating politics of smell, from censorship scandals in classic literature to the societal perceptions associated with various aromas. Louks articulates how olfactory experiences inform our emotional landscapes and memories, making a compelling case for the significance of smell in storytelling.
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Smell as Literary Characterization
- Literature often uses smell to evoke complex emotions and characterization.
- Nabokov's Lolita includes detailed smell descriptions that subtly promote the disturbing view of the protagonist's obsession.
Smell's Direct Brain Impact
- Smell uniquely triggers immediate emotional and memory responses due to its direct connection to the hippocampus.
- Humans associate sulfurous smells with danger despite no physical harm, showing the power of olfactory memory and survival instincts.
Viral Thesis Tweet Fallout
- Dr. Ally Louks's tweet about her PhD thesis went viral, unexpectedly attracting both support and harsh criticism.
- She faced misogyny, death threats, and anti-intellectual backlash online, highlighting challenges faced by female academics.
