"Luminous Details": Modernism in 1851, 1901, 1951.
A proposed panel for the Modernist Studies Association conference, "The New Modernisms III" at Rice University in October 2001.
Ezra Pound coined the phrase "Luminous Detail" to describe "the transcendentals in an array of facts: not merely 'significant' nor 'symptomatic' in the manner of most facts, but capable of giving one 'a sudden insight into circumjacent conditions, into their causes, their effects, into sequence, and law" (Hugh Kenner, The Pound Era 152). This panel will trace the development of modernism by way of three papers which focus on texts (in a broad sense) which function as "Luminous Details" in its history.
Papers addressing texts published in (or, in a pinch, around) the years 1851, 1901, and 1951, which also illuminate the "circumjacent conditions" of modernism and modernity at those junctures are solicited for possible inclusion in this panel. Ideally, each paper will address one of the three years pivotal years we have designated, but papers which treat of more than one will also be considered. We welcome submissions representing any approach, author, or text.
Send one copy of a 500 word proposal BY EMAIL ONLY to each of :
Nathan Schneiderman (br00752@binghamton.edu)
and Stephen Ross (6sar@qlink.queensu.ca) by April 15.
Papers may come as attachments or in the body of email messages.