CFP: New England Saga Society at Kalamazoo (9/15/05; Kalamazoo, 5/4/06-5/7/06)
The New England Saga Society is currently seeking papers for two sponsored
sessions at the 2006 41st International Congress at Kalamazoo in 2006.
Session I: The Problem of Revenge: Cultural Critiques in the Icelandic Sagas
The theme of Icelandic nationalism is undeniably important in the sagas, but
readers must not neglect the inherent cultural critiques which arise as
well. NESS will take up this discussion in a session that asks what
critiques we might find in the sagas, especially with regards to the
constant and violent feuds that erupt over Iceland's medieval landscape.
Session II: The World of Women in the Icelandic Sagas
Jenny Jochens' two studies (1995, 1996) on women in Scandinavian culture and
literature have given rise to new questions of what it meant to be a woman
in medieval Scandinavia. A decade further on, we propose a session to assess
new ideas on the topic. Women in the sagas appear as peacemakers,
feudmakers, warriors, and counselors; in addition, sagas often imply
tensions surrounding the ungovernable nature of women. This session will
focus on what Jochens, paraphrasing Georges Duby, calls the "tangible
aspects" of Icelandic women's existence by concentrating discussion on their
activities and representations in the family and contemporary sagas.
Please send abstracts (250-300 words) along with a brief cover letter or
introductory statement, to:
New England Saga Society
c/o Andrew Pfrenger or John Sexton
University of Connecticut, Department of Medieval Studies
215 Glenbrook Road, Unit 4025
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269-4025
john.sexton_at_uconn.edu
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Received on Fri Aug 12 2005 - 11:06:46 EDT