If we know anything about the relation between literature and politics, it is that what takes place or is spoken within a literary work cannot guarantee its political effects. What we call “content” may have little or nothing to do with the work’s political significance. “The more the opinions of the author remain hidden,” said revolutionary socialist thinker Friedrich Engels, “the better for the work of art.”
“Political Concepts: The Literature Edition” featured scholars from a variety of fields exploring concepts drawn from the realm of literature that may be revised, deconstructed, or created anew to shed light on our contemporary political climate.
The event, hosted by the Cogut Institute for the Humanities, was organized by Tim Bewes, Sharon Krause, and Adi Ophir.