New Books in Literary Studies

Ever since her triumphant debut in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, the Wife of Bath, arguably the first ordinary and recognisably real woman in English literature, has obsessed readers--from Shakespeare to James Joyce, Voltaire to Pasolini, Dryden to Zadie Smith. Few literary characters have led such colourful lives or matched her influence or capacity for reinvention in poetry, drama, fiction, and film. In The Wife of Bath: A Biography (Princeton UP, 2023), Marion Turner tells the fascinating story of where Chaucer's favourite character came from, how she related to real medieval women, and where her many travels have taken her since the fourteenth century, from Falstaff and Molly Bloom to #MeToo and Black Lives Matter.A sexually active and funny working woman, the Wife of Bath, also known as Alison, talks explicitly about sexual pleasure. She is also a victim of domestic abuse who tells a story of rape and redemption. Formed from misogynist sources, she plays with stereotypes. Turner sets Alison's fictional story alongside the lives of real medieval women--from a maid who travelled around Europe, abandoned her employer, and forged a new career in Rome to a duchess who married her fourth husband, a teenager, when she was sixty-five. Turner also tells the incredible story of Alison's post-medieval life, from seventeenth-century ballads and Polish communist pop art to her reclamation by postcolonial Black British women writers.Entertaining and enlightening, funny and provocative, The Wife of Bath is a one-of-a-kind history of a literary and feminist icon who continues to capture the imagination of readers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSupport our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literary-studies

Ilan Kelman, a Professor focusing on disasters and health, dives into his edited work, which redefines Antarctica through diverse lenses of science, art, and personal narratives. He explores the concept of 'Antarcticness,' highlighting the intersection of colonial histories and environmental portrayals. The discussion touches on themes of gender representation and accessibility in academic work. Kelman emphasizes the urgent context of climate change while urging society to engage with Antarctica beyond mere research, making a compelling case for its cultural and environmental relevance.

Mary Edwards, a philosophy lecturer at Cardiff University, dives into the lesser-known aspects of Jean-Paul Sartre's work, particularly his intersection with psychoanalysis. She discusses how Sartre challenges the concept of the stable self and introduces the idea that others may understand us better than we do ourselves. Edwards further elaborates on Sartre's unique methodological approach, blending psychoanalytic and socio-historical analysis, and highlights the therapeutic implications of his existential insights for understanding psychosis and family dynamics.

Carlo Rotella, Professor of English at Boston College and author, takes listeners into the world of skeptical first-year students learning literature. He shares how their initial doubts about 'return on investment' shift to profound insights as they engage with challenging texts. Rotella discusses innovative teaching methods, the impact of the pandemic on classroom dynamics, and how literary analysis fosters critical life skills. He emphasizes the enduring value of face-to-face discussions in building community and analytical thinking.

Jemma Deer, a researcher at the Rachel Carson Center and author of Radical Animism, discusses her innovative perspectives on literature and the environment. She challenges human-centric views, linking animism to the Anthropocene and redefining literature's role in addressing climate change. Deer explores how texts like Virginia Woolf’s works decenter human perspectives, urges readers to engage with non-human elements, and invites contemplation on our relationship with the inanimate world. Her current projects delve into extinction and the interconnections within fungi.

Jenny Mann, a Professor of English at NYU, discusses her book on the Orpheus myth and its connections to poetry and science. She unpacks her nonlinear writing process, revealing how it shapes her arguments. The conversation touches on how the Orpheus narrative informs poetic creation, with themes of possession and vulnerability. Mann also explores the relevance of Orphic ideas in contemporary art and shares insights from her teaching, alongside a sneak peek into her future project on Renaissance concepts of infinity.

Andrea Kitta, an Associate Professor of Folklore at East Carolina University, dives into the rich intersection of folklore and public health. She discusses how narratives shape perceptions of disease, critiquing the failure of medical professionals to consider vernacular beliefs. The conversation explores stigmatized origins of 'patient zero,' the cultural implications of vampire and zombie metaphors, and the personal power of storytelling in healthcare. Kitta's insights reveal how folklore can illuminate complex social issues surrounding health and contagion.

James Scorer, a Professor of Latin American Studies at the University of Manchester and author of Latin American Comics in the Twenty-First Century, dives into the vibrant world of Latin American comics. He explores the evolution of this unique art form across various countries, highlighting its role in social and political discourse. Scorer discusses the tension between local and transnational influences, the significance of zine culture, and how comics can serve as powerful tools for memory and activism. His insights into comics and race add another layer to this fascinating conversation.

Jessica Campbell, a literature scholar specializing in Victorian and fairy-tale studies, delves into the rich interplay between the Brontës and fairy tales. She discusses how the Brontës redefined fairy-tale elements to explore themes of gender and identity. Campbell highlights the influences on their works, including Arabian Nights and circulating libraries, and reveals the significance of supernatural imagery in their poetry. She also connects Anne Brontë's novels to classic fairy-tale structures, enhancing their moral critiques. Expect a fresh take on familiar stories!

Aria Fani, an associate professor and director of Persian and Iranian Studies at the University of Washington, dives into how Afghans and Iranians developed their national identities through literature. He discusses the evolution of 'literature' in Persian and the crucial role of literary associations and periodicals in this transformation. Fani also tackles the complexities of linguistic nationalism, the impact of exclusionary canon-building, and the ethical dimensions of literature in contemporary contexts, particularly regarding Afghan displacement.