As Albert Camus once remarked: 'Of capital punishment, people write only [...] in a low voice.’ Journalists and state officials alike use a carefully policed language when making any reference to the death penalty: when human beings are to be executed by the state, some key actors talk about what will be done in terms of legalities and procedures. Does fiction provide a counterbalance for that discretion, or simply echo it? What other perspectives can it bring into the foreground, and can literary language express a response to a supposedly necessary horror, or a terrible injustice, which other voices or media cannot?
Considering a range of major works from across Western Europe and the United States, from the 18th century until the present day, Death Sentences investigates the contribution of poetics to our understanding, past and present, of capital punishment. The sophisticated literary representations found in Hugo, Dostoevsky, Wilde, Kafka, Mailer, King and others offer a privileged vantage point from which to illuminate and critique a unique institution which itself relies heavily on spectacle and representation to be operative and legitimized.
Birte Christ is Assistant Professor of American Literature and Culture at Justus-Liebig-University Giessen. Ève Morisi is Associate Professor of French and Fellow of St Hugh’s College at the University of Oxford.
Contents:
i-vi
Death Sentences: Death Sentences Birte Christ, Ève Morisi
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève, ‘Death Sentences: Death Sentences’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. i–vi
First footnote reference:35 Birte Christ, Ève Morisi, ‘Death Sentences: Death Sentences’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. i–vi, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Christ and Morisi, p. 47.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Death Sentences: Death Sentences’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. i–vi
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Christ and Morisi 2019: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Christ and Morisi 2019: 21.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève, ‘Table of Contents’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. vii–viii
First footnote reference:35 Birte Christ, Ève Morisi, ‘Table of Contents’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. vii–viii, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Christ and Morisi, p. 47.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Table of Contents’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. vii–viii
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Christ and Morisi 2019: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Christ and Morisi 2019: 21.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève, ‘Acknowledgements’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. ix–x
First footnote reference:35 Birte Christ, Ève Morisi, ‘Acknowledgements’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. ix–x, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Christ and Morisi, p. 47.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Acknowledgements’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. ix–x
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Christ and Morisi 2019: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Christ and Morisi 2019: 21.
Morisi, Ève, ‘Introduction: Capital Literature’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 1–10
First footnote reference:35 Ève Morisi, ‘Introduction: Capital Literature’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 1–10, p. 21.
Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Introduction: Capital Literature’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 1–10
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Morisi 2019: 21).
III, William Mills Todd, ‘Chapter 1 Fedor Dostoevsky’s Death Sentences: Strategies of Indirection’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 13–34
First footnote reference:35 William Mills Todd III, ‘Chapter 1 Fedor Dostoevsky’s Death Sentences: Strategies of Indirection’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 13–34, p. 21.
III, William Mills Todd. 2019. ‘Chapter 1 Fedor Dostoevsky’s Death Sentences: Strategies of Indirection’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 13–34
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (III 2019: 21).
Jarvis, Brian, ‘Chapter 2 Matters of Grave Importance: Style in Norman Mailer’s the Executioner’s Song’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 35–54
First footnote reference:35 Brian Jarvis, ‘Chapter 2 Matters of Grave Importance: Style in Norman Mailer’s the Executioner’s Song’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 35–54, p. 21.
Jarvis, Brian. 2019. ‘Chapter 2 Matters of Grave Importance: Style in Norman Mailer’s the Executioner’s Song’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 35–54
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Jarvis 2019: 21).
Goodman, Jessica, ‘Chapter 3 “Le Peuple Veut Du Sang”: the Guillotine and the General Will in Revolutionary Pamphlet Theatre’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 57–77
First footnote reference:35 Jessica Goodman, ‘Chapter 3 “Le Peuple Veut Du Sang”: the Guillotine and the General Will in Revolutionary Pamphlet Theatre’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 57–77, p. 21.
Goodman, Jessica. 2019. ‘Chapter 3 “Le Peuple Veut Du Sang”: the Guillotine and the General Will in Revolutionary Pamphlet Theatre’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 57–77
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Goodman 2019: 21).
Burt, E. S., ‘Chapter 4 Listening For A Man Swinging: A Prisoner Witnesses in Oscar Wilde’s “the Ballad of Reading Gaol”’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 78–99
First footnote reference:35 E. S. Burt, ‘Chapter 4 Listening For A Man Swinging: A Prisoner Witnesses in Oscar Wilde’s “the Ballad of Reading Gaol”’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 78–99, p. 21.
Burt, E. S.. 2019. ‘Chapter 4 Listening For A Man Swinging: A Prisoner Witnesses in Oscar Wilde’s “the Ballad of Reading Gaol”’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 78–99
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Burt 2019: 21).
Pan, David, ‘Chapter 5 Merging Sovereignty and Meaning in Capital Punishment: Franz Kafka’s Der Proceß and Bertolt Brecht’s Die Maßnahme’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 100–20
First footnote reference:35 David Pan, ‘Chapter 5 Merging Sovereignty and Meaning in Capital Punishment: Franz Kafka’s Der Proceß and Bertolt Brecht’s Die Maßnahme’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 100–20, p. 21.
Pan, David. 2019. ‘Chapter 5 Merging Sovereignty and Meaning in Capital Punishment: Franz Kafka’s Der Proceß and Bertolt Brecht’s Die Maßnahme’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 100–20
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Pan 2019: 21).
Canuel, Mark, ‘Chapter 6 Dreadful Forms: the Romantic Ballad and the Death Penalty’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 123–41
First footnote reference:35 Mark Canuel, ‘Chapter 6 Dreadful Forms: the Romantic Ballad and the Death Penalty’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 123–41, p. 21.
Canuel, Mark. 2019. ‘Chapter 6 Dreadful Forms: the Romantic Ballad and the Death Penalty’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 123–41
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Canuel 2019: 21).
Iarocci, Michael, ‘Chapter 7 A Song Before Execution: José De Espronceda’s “El Reo De Muerte”’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 142–62
First footnote reference:35 Michael Iarocci, ‘Chapter 7 A Song Before Execution: José De Espronceda’s “El Reo De Muerte”’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 142–62, p. 21.
Iarocci, Michael. 2019. ‘Chapter 7 A Song Before Execution: José De Espronceda’s “El Reo De Muerte”’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 142–62
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Iarocci 2019: 21).
Morisi, Ève, ‘Chapter 8 Putting Pain To Paper: Victor Hugo’s New Abolitionist Poetics’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 165–87
First footnote reference:35 Ève Morisi, ‘Chapter 8 Putting Pain To Paper: Victor Hugo’s New Abolitionist Poetics’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 165–87, p. 21.
Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Chapter 8 Putting Pain To Paper: Victor Hugo’s New Abolitionist Poetics’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 165–87
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Morisi 2019: 21).
Chapter 9 Novel Arguments Against Capital Punishment: Plotting Death Sentences in E. D. E. N. Southworth’s the Gipsy’s Prophecy and the Lost Heiress John Cyril Barton
Barton, John Cyril, ‘Chapter 9 Novel Arguments Against Capital Punishment: Plotting Death Sentences in E. D. E. N. Southworth’s the Gipsy’s Prophecy and the Lost Heiress’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 188–207
First footnote reference:35 John Cyril Barton, ‘Chapter 9 Novel Arguments Against Capital Punishment: Plotting Death Sentences in E. D. E. N. Southworth’s the Gipsy’s Prophecy and the Lost Heiress’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 188–207, p. 21.
Barton, John Cyril. 2019. ‘Chapter 9 Novel Arguments Against Capital Punishment: Plotting Death Sentences in E. D. E. N. Southworth’s the Gipsy’s Prophecy and the Lost Heiress’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 188–207
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Barton 2019: 21).
Christ, Birte, ‘Chapter 10 Stephen King’s Poetic Justice: Seriality, Narrative Framing, and Intertextuality in the Green Mile’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 208–26
First footnote reference:35 Birte Christ, ‘Chapter 10 Stephen King’s Poetic Justice: Seriality, Narrative Framing, and Intertextuality in the Green Mile’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 208–26, p. 21.
Christ, Birte. 2019. ‘Chapter 10 Stephen King’s Poetic Justice: Seriality, Narrative Framing, and Intertextuality in the Green Mile’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 208–26
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Christ 2019: 21).
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève, ‘Bibliography’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 227–41
First footnote reference:35 Birte Christ, Ève Morisi, ‘Bibliography’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 227–41, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Christ and Morisi, p. 47.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Bibliography’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 227–41
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Christ and Morisi 2019: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Christ and Morisi 2019: 21.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève, ‘Index’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 242–48
First footnote reference:35 Birte Christ, Ève Morisi, ‘Index’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), pp. 242–48, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Christ and Morisi, p. 47.
Christ, Birte, and Morisi, Ève. 2019. ‘Index’, in Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 242–48
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Christ and Morisi 2019: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Christ and Morisi 2019: 21.
Christ, Birte, and Ève Morisi (eds), Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019)
First footnote reference:35Death Sentences: Literature and State Killing, ed. by Birte Christ and Ève Morisi, Studies In Comparative Literature, 49 (Cambridge: Legenda, 2019), p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Christ and Morisi, p. 47.
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