Northeast Modern Language Association 2023 Panel: "Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man in the 21st Century"

Praised by generations of writers and thinkers, Ralph Ellison’s canonical novel Invisible Man remains deeply relevant. As we approach the thirtieth anniversary of Ellison’s passing, this panel will assess how Ellison’s landmark novel continues to be discussed, represented, and taught in the 21st Century.

How has Invisible Man taken on new meanings in the age of post-Obama, Black Lives Matter, #MeToo, COVID-19, and ongoing climate change?

What influence has Ellison’s work had on later generations of writers?

How do we situate Ellison’s opus in his corpus and/or the canon of American letters?

What are underexplored close readings and/or comparisons to other texts?

How can we teach this novel to 21st century students?

How have other cultures interpreted Invisible Man?

How do Ellison’s other writings inform Invisible Man as well as our own times?

Papers that offer newer perspectives/close readings on the novel are greatly encouraged!

Please submit a brief bio of 150 words and an abstract of 250 words to Dr. Clark Barwick at mbarwick@indiana.edu by October 15, 2022.