haracterizing Victorian non-fiction prose, especially works of social and cultural criticism, as “prose of thought” or “sage writing” has long been regarded as elitist and biased, given the developments in theory (Marxism, feminism, post-colonialism, post-critique, objective realism, etc.). Analyzing modes of thinking as an aesthetic form has historically engaged critics such as George Levine, John Holloway, and George Landow. Yet this approach is frequently seen as dated and limited. While significant efforts have been made to read Victorian non-fiction prose works in terms of identity politics, questions remain about the thinking processes in these works. For example, what do we make of the capacity of these works for speculative thought? What are the advantages and limitations in considering non-fiction prose in terms of either materialism or idealism? Is there a third way? What do we do with forms of thinking that may require the use of the full range of language, when decisions of style may condition or control the process of interpretation? Are forms of ideas representational and/or constitutive? In addition, even when the subject-matter of our discussion is material in nature, what is the value of the forms of conception and speculation of our own analysis, when they are analogous to those in the works we discuss? This NAVSA-ACCUTE sponsored panel invites papers that explore these issues. Preference will be given to papers that seek to rethink the field of Victorian non-fiction prose through an analysis of particular works. Topics to consider may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- To what extent does the formation of consciousness in non-fiction prose works depend on the material conditions of writing?
- If the articulation of ideas is ideological, against what are we defining this claim?
- What are the relations between style and thinking?
- Is a focus on ideas necessarily idealistic?
- The potential of Victorian non-fiction prose for generating a new methodology or theoretical approach
- Given their inadequacies, what designations other than “non-fiction prose” or “critical prose” would be viable in identifying non-fiction prose of social and cultural criticism?
- Should we still care about the powers of the intellect in today’s critical climate?
- How do we distinguish between non-fiction prose and prose fiction, if we want to move beyond the conventional distinctions based on facts, fictitiousness, imaginative truth, or constructiveness?
- Ways in which a narrative of the historical development of Victorian non-fiction prose as a genre may be offered
Please subit a 300-500 word proposal, plus a 100 word abstract and a brief biographical note, using the Online Submission Form by November 22, 2024. Please ensure that you include the title of the panel you are submitting to. Contact: info.accute@gmail.com for questions about the submission process. Panelists are note required to be ACCUTE members so long as they are members of good standing of NAVSA, but only ACCUTE members will be eligible for ACCUTE travel funding.
North American Victorian Studies Association
Association of Canadian College and University Teachers of English
Created 6 November, 2024