Dr. Wan-Chuan Kao
Medievalist scholar whose research focuses on late Middle English literature, gender and sexuality, and pre-modern critical race studies. Author of "White Before Whiteness in the Late Middle Ages."
Best podcasts with Dr. Wan-Chuan Kao
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Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 11min
Wan-Chuan Kao, "White before Whiteness in the Late Middle Ages" (Manchester UP, 2024)
Dr. Wan-Chuan Kao, a medievalist focused on late Middle Ages literature, delves into the nuanced concept of premodern whiteness in their upcoming book. They explore how whiteness reflects fragility and precarity, challenging the notion that it solely pertains to skin tone. The conversation unpacks the socio-economic symbolism of pearls and their commentary on class distinctions, alongside a critical view of identity and mourning in medieval texts. Kao also examines how historical contexts shape modern perceptions of race and the significance of embodiment beyond mere humanity.
Feb 28, 2025 • 1h 11min
Wan-Chuan Kao, "White before Whiteness in the Late Middle Ages" (Manchester UP, 2024)
Wan-Chuan Kao, a medievalist specializing in late Middle English literature, delves into the complexities of premodern whiteness in his groundbreaking book. He discusses how concepts like fragility and racialicity shaped identity, drawing parallels with modern issues of race. The conversation includes explorations of texts such as Chaucer's works, the significance of material culture like pearls, and the interplay between whiteness and Christian-Jewish identities. Kao also tackles 'boforeness,' linking historical and contemporary discussions on race and identity politics.
