| abstract/call for papers: |
CALL FOR PAPERS
« IRISH WOMEN WRITERS »
Conference organized by the GREI-ERIBIA research group (Université de Caen Basse-Normandie, France), Nov. 5-6, 2010, in Caen.
In recent Irish or Anglo-Irish criticism, the question of national identity has often been replaced by that of sexual identity. A few years ago, the publication of the fifth and sixth volumes of the Field Day Anthology of Irish Writing devoted to women’s writings was the starting-point of a growing interest in a field of research which can first be perceived as conventional but which has actually received little scholarly attention, at least outside the English-speaking world. It seems important that a group of French scholars take part in this cultural debate. Indeed, France is hardly involved in Gender Studies or Feminist Studies which are so widespread in American, British and Irish universities. This conference, which will deliberately avoid prejudiced views and pre-established categories, intends to be an empirical research experience. Special attention will be given to close textual analyses and theoretically informed readings of works written by Irish women. The objective is to question the position of women writers in relation to their female identities, to wonder if this identity plays a part in their creative process and is perceptible in their œuvre. Conversely, this identity can also be shown to be ignored or kept at a distance. Contributors are invited to explore the interrelated questions of sexuality, gender, nation and literary creation.
Proposals (along with a short CV), in English or in French, can be addressed to Sylvie Mikowski (sylvie.mikowski@noos.fr and sylvie.mikowski@univ-reims.fr) and Bertrand Cardin (bertrand.cardin@unicaen.fr) before 15 June 2010. |