CFP: Literary Collections and England's National Landscape (4/25/05; MMLA, 11/10/05-11/13/05)

One theme that has dominated recent historiography is that of the
cultural construction of national identities as a defining feature of
English society. However, little recognition has been given to the part
played by literary collections in the construction of these identities
and of the broader nation. With her study _Making the Modern Reader_,
Barbara Benedict sparked interest in literary anthologies, which she
argues unite readers in part by "recontextualizing literature to
neutralize political messages." This special session will contribute to
the investigation into the role of literary collections in the
development of national identities throughout English literary history,
especially as they reinforce or challenge the idea of political
neutrality. Topics might include book collections, genre specific
collections, public and private collections, or the changing definition
of the "anthology."

Please e-mail one-page abstract and c.v. by April 25 to John Pruitt at
jpruitt_at_uwc.edu.

John Pruitt
Assistant Professor of English
University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County
2000 W. Fifth St.
Marshfield, WI 54449
715/389-6547
jpruitt_at_uwc.edu

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Received on Mon Apr 11 2005 - 20:27:29 EDT