On Belonging and Not Belonging: Translation, Migration, Displacement

The book explores how themes of translation, migration, and displacement shape artistic works, from Jhumpa Lahiri and David Malouf to Eugenio Montale, W. G. Sebald, Colm Tóibín, and many others. It examines the experiences of Ovid in exile, Frankenstein's outcast Being, Elizabeth Bishop in Nova Scotia and Brazil, Walter Benjamin's Berlin childhood, and Sophocles' Antigone in the wilderness, focusing on transformation and translocation, the traumas of partings, journeys, and returns, and confrontations with memory and the past.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2022
Publisher: Princeton University Press

A profound examination of how themes of translation, migration, and displacement permeate a diverse array of artistic creations, from the timeless works of Ovid to the contemporary masterpieces of Tacita Dean, is presented in On Belonging and Not Belonging. This insightful book delves into the intricate ways in which these themes shape the narratives, identities, and exiles of novelists, poets, photographers, and filmmakers. Renowned literary critic Mary Jacobus takes readers on a captivating journey, exploring the complexities and nuances of translation, migration, and displacement through her meticulous analysis of texts and images. Through her thoughtful readings, Jacobus seeks to answer the fundamental question: What does it mean to identify as an outsider, or to associate with those who are marginalized or excluded?

Walls and border-crossings, nomadic wanderings, and the longing for both travel and home—these are the threads that Jacobus weaves together across different eras and geographies. She delves into the experiences of figures such as Ovid in exile, Frankenstein's outcast being, Elizabeth Bishop's transnational journey, Walter Benjamin's childhood in Berlin, and Sophocles' Antigone in the wilderness. Throughout her exploration, Jacobus focuses her attention on themes of transformation and translocation, the traumas of parting and journeys, and the confrontations with memory and the past.

On Belonging and Not Belonging offers a unique perspective on inclusion and exclusion in our world, tackling human experiences both contemporary and timeless. By examining the complexities of translation, migration, and displacement, this book provides a profound exploration of the human condition and challenges our perceptions of belonging and identity. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the arts, literature, and the complexities of human existence.

Weight: 516g
Dimension: 165 x 242 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780691212388