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Culture and the Literary

Matter, Metaphor, Memory

Avishek Parui

Culture and the Literary is a study of how cultural codes are constructed, consumed and conveyed as represented in selected works of fiction and non-fiction.

Examining cultural studies as a discipline by revisiting some of its seminal figures, the book includes a study of selected literary as well as non-fictional texts. It offers a unique combination of three major theoretical frames: memory studies, thing theory, and affect studies.

Drawing on fictional representations, theoretical frames and historical events, this book aims to provide a unique perspective into how culture as a phenomenon is represented, reified and re-membered in the world we inhabit today.
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Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
Pages: 234 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼
978-1-78661-599-2 • Hardback • February 2022 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
978-1-78661-600-5 • Paperback • January 2022 • $42.00 • (£35.00)
978-1-78661-601-2 • eBook • January 2022 • $39.50 • (£30.00)
Subjects: Literary Criticism / Comparative Literature, Social Science / Popular Culture, Social Science / Comparative Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism / Critical Theory / Postcolonialism
Courses: English; Literature; General, English; Comparative Literature

Avishek Parui is Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the founding chairperson of the Indian Network for Memory Studies (INMS).

Introduction

1. Culture, Commodity, and Colonial Identity

2. Culture, Memory, and History

3. Culture, Consumption, and Technology

4. Race, Medicine, Matter, and Metaphor

Conclusion

Index

Avishek Parui puts literary and cultural theory firmly and compellingly on the agenda of interdisciplinary memory studies.


— Astrid Erll, Goethe University Frankfurt / The Frankfurt Memory Studies Platform


In Avishek Parui’s splendid book, literature plays the role of a double agent: On the one hand, literature lionizes the general values of mainstream culture; but on the other hand, it constantly ironizes the very status quo of culture. The book is a gem, erudite, but also far reaching. It tackles hot issues like colonialism, the current COVID crisis, but also the eternal question: who are we as narrative beings.


— Fritz Breithaupt, provost professor, Indiana University Bloomington


Through an examination of the complex interplay of matter, metaphor, and memory in a diverse array of carefully selected case studies, Culture and the Literary provides a wide-ranging and theoretically sophisticated reflection on the ways in which literature navigates dominant cultural codes and narratives, reflecting, consolidating, or subverting them. Drawing on memory studies, material engagement theory, and affect studies, this daring and dazzling book makes a powerful and eloquent case for the value of close reading of literary texts for a deeper understanding of culture.


— Stef Craps, Ghent University, co-author of Trauma


4/6/22, Center for Memory Studies (Indian Institute of Technology Madras): Author Avishek Parui led a book launch and discussion.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6wAQ85BdE



Culture and the Literary

Matter, Metaphor, Memory

Cover Image
Hardback
Paperback
eBook
Summary
Summary
  • Culture and the Literary is a study of how cultural codes are constructed, consumed and conveyed as represented in selected works of fiction and non-fiction.

    Examining cultural studies as a discipline by revisiting some of its seminal figures, the book includes a study of selected literary as well as non-fictional texts. It offers a unique combination of three major theoretical frames: memory studies, thing theory, and affect studies.

    Drawing on fictional representations, theoretical frames and historical events, this book aims to provide a unique perspective into how culture as a phenomenon is represented, reified and re-membered in the world we inhabit today.
Details
Details
  • Rowman & Littlefield Publishers / Rowman & Littlefield International
    Pages: 234 • Trim: 6½ x 9¼
    978-1-78661-599-2 • Hardback • February 2022 • $95.00 • (£73.00)
    978-1-78661-600-5 • Paperback • January 2022 • $42.00 • (£35.00)
    978-1-78661-601-2 • eBook • January 2022 • $39.50 • (£30.00)
    Subjects: Literary Criticism / Comparative Literature, Social Science / Popular Culture, Social Science / Comparative Cultural Studies, Literary Criticism / Critical Theory / Postcolonialism
    Courses: English; Literature; General, English; Comparative Literature
Author
Author
  • Avishek Parui is Assistant Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras and the founding chairperson of the Indian Network for Memory Studies (INMS).

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
  • Introduction

    1. Culture, Commodity, and Colonial Identity

    2. Culture, Memory, and History

    3. Culture, Consumption, and Technology

    4. Race, Medicine, Matter, and Metaphor

    Conclusion

    Index

Reviews
Reviews
  • Avishek Parui puts literary and cultural theory firmly and compellingly on the agenda of interdisciplinary memory studies.


    — Astrid Erll, Goethe University Frankfurt / The Frankfurt Memory Studies Platform


    In Avishek Parui’s splendid book, literature plays the role of a double agent: On the one hand, literature lionizes the general values of mainstream culture; but on the other hand, it constantly ironizes the very status quo of culture. The book is a gem, erudite, but also far reaching. It tackles hot issues like colonialism, the current COVID crisis, but also the eternal question: who are we as narrative beings.


    — Fritz Breithaupt, provost professor, Indiana University Bloomington


    Through an examination of the complex interplay of matter, metaphor, and memory in a diverse array of carefully selected case studies, Culture and the Literary provides a wide-ranging and theoretically sophisticated reflection on the ways in which literature navigates dominant cultural codes and narratives, reflecting, consolidating, or subverting them. Drawing on memory studies, material engagement theory, and affect studies, this daring and dazzling book makes a powerful and eloquent case for the value of close reading of literary texts for a deeper understanding of culture.


    — Stef Craps, Ghent University, co-author of Trauma


Features
Features
  • 4/6/22, Center for Memory Studies (Indian Institute of Technology Madras): Author Avishek Parui led a book launch and discussion.

    Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev6wAQ85BdE



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