Embodied VulnerAbilities in Literature and Film

Embodied Vulnerabilities in Contemporary Literature and Film explores how the newly gained ontological depth of vulnerability enables empathic responses towards others and fosters resilience and agency of the very vulnerable bodies. It includes canonical and non-canonical works in narrative, drama, poetry, and film across the world produced in English, Spanish, Japanese, and French languages. A key innovation lies in taking hold of multifarious theories to study the representation of different intersecting forms of vulnerability in cultural, literary, and filmic creations, emerging from disparate linguistic and geographical corners of the globe.

Format: Hardback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 14 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Embodied Vulnerabilities in Contemporary Literature and Film delves into the profound impact of the newly acquired ontological depth of vulnerability on our ability to empathize with others and empower vulnerable bodies. Within this critical lens, the literary and cinematic portrayal of vulnerability emerges as a powerful tool for raising social consciousness about both our own vulnerabilities and those of others, fostering a global solidarity rooted in proximity, affinity, and emotional connection. This comprehensive volume spans a wide range of canonical and non-canonical works across narrative, drama, poetry, and film, produced in English, Spanish, Japanese, and French languages. However, its scope extends beyond language barriers, as it explores the representation of vulnerability across multimodal, multilingual products created in diverse cultures. By considering the intersection of vulnerability with conceptualizations of the material aspects of the body in its representational potentialities of embodiment and affect, this work engages with well-established approaches such as ecocriticism, trauma studies, and affect theory, among others. A groundbreaking aspect of this work lies in its ability to harness diverse theories that may appear disconnected at first glance, to examine the representation of various intersecting forms of vulnerability in diverse cultural, literary, and filmic creations. These insights emerge from disparate linguistic and geographical corners of the globe, highlighting the universality of human experiences and the interconnectedness of our world. The volume is preceded by an insightful preface by David T. Mitchell, a renowned expert in disability studies, and is accompanied by an introduction that theorizes the notion of an ecology of vulnerability as a new critical construct for challenging the current global economy and its devaluation of human beings and ecosystems. By recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of valuing both human and ecological well-being, this volume offers a transformative perspective on our understanding of vulnerability and its potential for fostering empathy, resilience, and agency.

Weight: 590g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032268446