Since the Modern age, democracy stands as the characteristic Western form of government. We cannot consider such a political regime as just one among other possible ways of understanding the organization of power. Rather, it is the accomplishment of a certain culture and a certain anthropological vision. As a matter of fact, in its multifaceted variants, democracy is the most evident outcome of modern political thought, rooted in the theoretical bedrock of the natural law doctrine.

Not being seen for who one is has always been a problem in society; conversely, having difficulty seeing what is hidden beneath surface appearance is a constant challenge. This traditional session will explore how characters’ identities are both concealed and revealed in literature, television, and film. A variety of approaches are possible, including (but not limited to) the questions that follow: When/why do characters find it difficult to let themselves be seen for who they are? When do plots rely on a character’s mysterious identity, and how do both characters in the story and the audience discover (some) of the hidden truths?

CFP: Rethinking South Asia: Postcoloniality & Decolonial Frames and Praxis 

    24th Annual South Asian Literary Association (SALA) Online Conference 

                                    January 18th and 19th, 2025