Literary modernity has often been described as an aesthetic revolutionary event. From Joycean epiphany and Poundian poetics, to more theoretical concepts, like Walter Benjamin’s now-time (Jetzseit) and kairos—a Greek term which would become important in the development of existentialism—an entire constellation formed by the aesthetics of temporality in literary modernity is implicit in this conceptualization. While this canonical approach grasps the modernists’ interest in eruptive, aesthetic temporalities, it remains trapped within a narrow Eurocentric framework, and crucially, it tends to elide the political ramifications of these novel modes of representation in the Global South.

This seminar is therefore anchored around a fundamental question: what happens when we conceptualize the representation of eruptive temporalities in the Global South as both an aesthetic and political revolution? Embedded in this line of inquiry is the idea that as these aesthetic forms migrated from the center to the periphery, they became politicized, as artists mined the modernist representation of eruptive temporalities for their own revolutionary aims. By challenging Western-centric narratives of literary modernity, our aim will be to conceptualize the transformative power of 20th century literature in revolutionary contexts. This reconfiguration and transformation of modernism in the periphery gives rise to a series of other considerations: How can literature help us better understand the relation between the yearning for instantaneous political change and revolutionary processes? Conversely, how do historical revolutions and political movements aimed at radical social change transform structures of language and literary form? Tasked with this itinerary, this seminar welcomes papers around topics like:

         Theoretical formulations of revolutionary temporalities and 20th century literature

          Representation of eruptive temporalities and political change across different genres (poetry, prose, etc.)

         Literatures of liberation, commitment, witness, and testimonio

         The movement and political transformation of modernist aesthetics from centers to peripheries

         The role of intellectuals and literary figures in revolutionary and liberational struggles

         Decolonization, revolution, and decolonial approaches to modernist aesthetics

        Transnational movements and political gatherings in the Global South (Tricontinentalism, etc.)

         Literary frameworks in dialogue with other disciplines that have examined revolution, particularly philosophy, theology, as well as history, and political science

         Revolutionary disappointment and stranded temporalities

More broadly, our task will be to return comparative literary studies to the historical site of literary modernity and revolution through a reading of politically engaged literary figures and thinkers.

For more information, contact Javier Padilla ([email protected])