Allegorical Moments: Call to the Everyday

Allegorical Moments is a collection of essays that argue for the importance of allegory as a creative and critical response to sociopolitical, environmental, and existential turmoil. It presents modern and contemporary materials ranging from the novel to poetry to painting and cinema to activist poetry of the Occupy movement, and seeks to liberate allegory from its dogmatic usages.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 07 November 2023
Publisher: Wesleyan University Press

Allegory, a rich and evocative literary device, holds the power to ignite transformative thinking and offer a fresh perspective on the complex challenges facing our contemporary world. In his insightful collection of essays titled "Allegorical Moments," Hejinian takes on the task of reimagining allegory and advocating for its vital role as a creative and critical response to the sociopolitical, environmental, and existential turmoil that permeates our lives.

Traditionally, allegory was employed to convey an orthodoxy and reinforce an ideology. However, Hejinian seeks to liberate allegory from its dogmatic confines, allowing it to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing landscape of our times. Through a diverse range of modern and contemporary materials, including novels, poetry, painting, cinema, and activist poetry from the Occupy movement, Hejinian weaves a tapestry of thought-provoking essays that challenge our preconceptions and inspire new ways of understanding the world.

In his scholarship, Hejinian draws inspiration from the experimental modernism of the past and glimpses a future where allegory thrives as a vital and rebellious form of poetry. He advocates for a poetry that resists the crushing global effects of neoliberalism, offering a counterbalance to the dominant narratives that shape our lives. By exploring the multifaceted dimensions of allegory, Hejinian encourages readers to engage in a deeper exploration of the human experience and to find hope and resilience in the face of adversity.

"Allegorical Moments" is a testament to Hejinian's commitment to pushing the boundaries of literary discourse and his belief in the power of art to inspire change. It is a must-read for anyone seeking to expand their horizons, challenge their assumptions, and embrace the transformative potential of allegory in our contemporary world.

Weight: 580g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780819580856