#MeToo and Literary Studies: Reading, Writing, and Teaching about Sexual Violence and Rape Culture

#MeToo and Literary Studies is an intersectional guide that uses literature to confront and challenge rape culture and sexual violence. It gathers essays from academics across the US and around the world, examining the promise and limitations of the movement and the productive use of social media.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 02 December 2021
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

Literature has a long and complex history of patriarchy, sexual violence, and resistance. For half a century, academics have used literature to expose and critique these forms of violence and domination. However, the continued impact of the #MeToo movement after its explosive emergence in 2017 brings new urgency and broader awareness to these issues. It also reveals new ways in which rape culture shapes our everyday lives. This intersectional guide aims to help readers, students, teachers, and scholars confront and challenge our culture of sexual violence by exploring it through the study of literature. #MeToo and Literary Studies brings together essays on literature from ancient times to the present, written by academics from across the United States and around the world. These essays offer clear strategies for using reading, teaching, and critical practices to address rape culture and sexual violence. The book also examines the promise and limitations of the #MeToo movement, discussing the productive use of social media as well as the voices that the movement has so far muted. By uniting diverse voices, this book seeks to empower the #MeToo movement to reshape literary studies and make real change in the world.

Introduction:
Literature has always played a crucial role in documenting the history of patriarchy, sexual violence, and resistance. Throughout centuries, writers have used their works to shed light on these issues and challenge the dominant narratives. However, the continued potency of the #MeToo movement after its explosive emergence in 2017 adds new urgency and broader awareness to these issues. It also reveals new ways in which rape culture shapes our everyday lives.

Academic Use of Literature:
Academics have been using literature to expose and critique these forms of violence and domination for half a century. Scholars have explored various literary works, including plays, novels, poetry, and essays, to understand the complexities of gender, power, and sexuality. They have analyzed the representations of women, men, and non-binary individuals in literature and identified the ways in which they are marginalized, oppressed, and silenced.

#MeToo Movement:
The #MeToo movement has brought about a significant shift in the way we think about and address sexual violence. It has empowered survivors to share their stories and has led to a broader recognition of the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment in society. The movement has also challenged the cultural norms and stereotypes that perpetuate sexual violence.

Intersectionality:
The #MeToo movement is intersectional, recognizing that sexual violence is not only a women's issue but also affects men, non-binary individuals, and people of color. It emphasizes the need to address the systemic inequalities that contribute to these forms of violence and to create a more inclusive and equitable society.

Literary Studies and the #MeToo Movement:
#MeToo and Literary Studies gathers essays on literature from ancient times to the present, written by academics working across the United States and around the world. These essays offer clear ways of using our reading, teaching, and critical practices to address rape culture and sexual violence. They explore the ways in which literature can be used to challenge dominant narratives, promote empathy and understanding, and create a more just and equitable world.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, literature has a long and complex history of patriarchy, sexual violence, and resistance. The #MeToo movement has brought new urgency and broader awareness to these issues, and academics have been using literature to expose and critique these forms of violence and domination for half a century. By exploring these issues through the study of literature, we can challenge our culture of sexual violence and create a more just and equitable world.

Weight: 570g
Dimension: 140 x 219 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781501372735