MLA 2026 Convention Panel Session - American Narratives of Death, Grief, and Health Matters
The 2026 Modern Language Association (MLA) Convention will be held from January 8 to January 11 in Toronto. The past few years have highlighted death and the value of health, but there still remains a lack of knowledge and studies concerning the reality of these experiences for some people, especially marginalized groups. This panel session is open to all perspectives and seeks to explore death, health, and/or their intersections in the humanities and beyond. It also draws attention to health humanities. Some questions the panel addresses include: what are some ways literary and cultural texts broaden our understanding of health, mortality, grief, and wellness or living life well?