Literature, Language, Theory:  Challenges to Authority

Literature, Language, Theory: Challenges to Authority

The sometimes problematic political and literary figure, Maurice Blanchot argued for the writer’s impossible commitment to a political cause. For him, literature reigned supreme. Yet, writers have often sacrificed their artistic talent in defense of political ideologies and, not rarely, in defense of authoritarian practices. Our conference proposes an exploration of the possibly contentious rapport between French and Francophone literatures and power in its various manifestations from the Middle Ages to the present day. We will examine to what extent literary works support or challenge Authority. Does literature have an impact on the changing of power relations? Do linguistic deviations invite a shift in Authority? Does literary theory reinforce the standards associated with the status quo?
Possible subtopics include responses to established notions of: literary authorship, linguistic standardization, the use of vernacular, gender roles, societal norms, racial stereotypes, colonial assimilation, political centralization, accepted sexual behavior, literary patronage, etc.

We are pleased to announce that Professor Elena Russo, from the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures at The Johns Hopkins University will hold the keynote address.

The organizing committee will select the best conference papers for publication in the online journal: www.mondesfrancophones.com .

Please submit your abstracts to lsuconf@yahoo.com by January 1^st 2008.

Conference dates: March 7^th and 8^th 2008.