This book addresses three key areas of intellectual enquiry: literary criticism, cultural critique, and philosophical theology. Once closely related, especially in the Catholic tradition, they often appear to be separate and unconnected domains in the modern university. The work of Nicholas Boyle is one of the most significant recent attempts to reconnect them. Responding to that initiative, The Present Word challenges this fragmentation of knowledge.
Several of the essays reflect a major change of emphasis in literary studies over the last two decades: the reconnection of an idea of literary criticism closely related to the experience of reading, and the wider societal and political concerns addressed by Cultural Studies. Contributors also debate, from both perspectives, whether theological concepts can illuminate the secular culture in which literature is written and read.
John Walker is Senior Lecturer in German at Birkbeck College, London, where he served as Head of the School of Languages, Linguistics and Culture from 2006-2009.
Walker, John, introduction to , in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 1–9
First footnote reference:35 John Walker, introduction to , in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 1–9, p. 21.
Walker, John. 2013. Introduction to , in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 1–9
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Walker 2013: 21).
Swales, Martin, ‘The Human Epiphany: Reflections on Goethe’s Iphigenie auf Tauris and Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 10–21
First footnote reference:35 Martin Swales, ‘The Human Epiphany: Reflections on Goethe’s Iphigenie auf Tauris and Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 10–21, p. 21.
Swales, Martin. 2013. ‘The Human Epiphany: Reflections on Goethe’s Iphigenie auf Tauris and Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 10–21
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Swales 2013: 21).
McCarthy, John, ‘Cognitive Mapping: Adam, Venus, and Faust’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 22–43
First footnote reference:35 John McCarthy, ‘Cognitive Mapping: Adam, Venus, and Faust’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 22–43, p. 21.
McCarthy, John. 2013. ‘Cognitive Mapping: Adam, Venus, and Faust’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 22–43
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (McCarthy 2013: 21).
Reed, T. J., ‘Goethe as Secular Icon’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 44–51
First footnote reference:35 T. J. Reed, ‘Goethe as Secular Icon’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 44–51, p. 21.
Reed, T. J.. 2013. ‘Goethe as Secular Icon’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 44–51
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Reed 2013: 21).
Paulin, Roger, ‘A Poem by August Wilhelm Schlegel: “Zueignung des Trauerspiels Romeo und Julia”’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 52–60
First footnote reference:35 Roger Paulin, ‘A Poem by August Wilhelm Schlegel: “Zueignung des Trauerspiels Romeo und Julia”’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 52–60, p. 21.
Paulin, Roger. 2013. ‘A Poem by August Wilhelm Schlegel: “Zueignung des Trauerspiels Romeo und Julia”’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 52–60
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Paulin 2013: 21).
Lee, Charlotte, ‘Mignon and the Idea of the Secret’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 61–69
First footnote reference:35 Charlotte Lee, ‘Mignon and the Idea of the Secret’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 61–69, p. 21.
Lee, Charlotte. 2013. ‘Mignon and the Idea of the Secret’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 61–69
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Lee 2013: 21).
Sachers, Regina, ‘Goethe and Mörike: “Urworte. Orphisch” and “Besuch in Urach”’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 70–79
First footnote reference:35 Regina Sachers, ‘Goethe and Mörike: “Urworte. Orphisch” and “Besuch in Urach”’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 70–79, p. 21.
Sachers, Regina. 2013. ‘Goethe and Mörike: “Urworte. Orphisch” and “Besuch in Urach”’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 70–79
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Sachers 2013: 21).
Cooper, Ian, ‘“Short of History”: Les Murray and the Communion of Saints’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 80–91
First footnote reference:35 Ian Cooper, ‘“Short of History”: Les Murray and the Communion of Saints’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 80–91, p. 21.
Cooper, Ian. 2013. ‘“Short of History”: Les Murray and the Communion of Saints’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 80–91
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Cooper 2013: 21).
Watanabe-O'Kelly, Helen, ‘Ways of Knowing: Blaise Pascal, Angelus Silesius and Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 92–101
First footnote reference:35 Helen Watanabe-O'Kelly, ‘Ways of Knowing: Blaise Pascal, Angelus Silesius and Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 92–101, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Watanabe-O'Kelly, p. 47.
Watanabe-O'Kelly, Helen. 2013. ‘Ways of Knowing: Blaise Pascal, Angelus Silesius and Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 92–101
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Watanabe-O'Kelly 2013: 21).
Example footnote reference:35 Watanabe-O'Kelly 2013: 21.
Jamme, Christoph, ‘Enlightened Mythology: Thomas Mann and Myth’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 102–08
First footnote reference:35 Christoph Jamme, ‘Enlightened Mythology: Thomas Mann and Myth’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 102–08, p. 21.
Jamme, Christoph. 2013. ‘Enlightened Mythology: Thomas Mann and Myth’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 102–08
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Jamme 2013: 21).
Walker, John, ‘Goethe’s Faust, Thomas Mann’s Doktor Faustus and the Site of Literature’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 109–24
First footnote reference:35 John Walker, ‘Goethe’s Faust, Thomas Mann’s Doktor Faustus and the Site of Literature’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 109–24, p. 21.
Walker, John. 2013. ‘Goethe’s Faust, Thomas Mann’s Doktor Faustus and the Site of Literature’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 109–24
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Walker 2013: 21).
Robertson, Ritchie, ‘Goethe and Machiavelli’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 126–37
First footnote reference:35 Ritchie Robertson, ‘Goethe and Machiavelli’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 126–37, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Robertson, p. 47.
Robertson, Ritchie. 2013. ‘Goethe and Machiavelli’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 126–37
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Robertson 2013: 21).
Nisbet, Barry, ‘“Just one damned thing after another”? Some Reflections on the Philosophy of History’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 138–49
First footnote reference:35 Barry Nisbet, ‘“Just one damned thing after another”? Some Reflections on the Philosophy of History’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 138–49, p. 21.
Nisbet, Barry. 2013. ‘“Just one damned thing after another”? Some Reflections on the Philosophy of History’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 138–49
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Nisbet 2013: 21).
Connerton, Paul, ‘Seven Types of Forgetting’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 150–59
First footnote reference:35 Paul Connerton, ‘Seven Types of Forgetting’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 150–59, p. 21.
Subsequent footnote reference:37 Connerton, p. 47.
Connerton, Paul. 2013. ‘Seven Types of Forgetting’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 150–59
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Connerton 2013: 21).
Duffy, Eamon, ‘Seamus Heaney and Catholicism’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 160–83
First footnote reference:35 Eamon Duffy, ‘Seamus Heaney and Catholicism’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 160–83, p. 21.
Duffy, Eamon. 2013. ‘Seamus Heaney and Catholicism’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 160–83
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Duffy 2013: 21).
Ogden, Mark, ‘Christian Humanism and Higher Education’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 184–94
First footnote reference:35 Mark Ogden, ‘Christian Humanism and Higher Education’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 184–94, p. 21.
Ogden, Mark. 2013. ‘Christian Humanism and Higher Education’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 184–94
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Ogden 2013: 21).
Boyle, Nicholas, ‘Postscript’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 195–201
First footnote reference:35 Nicholas Boyle, ‘Postscript’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda, 2013), pp. 195–201, p. 21.
Boyle, Nicholas. 2013. ‘Postscript’, in The Present Word: Culture, Society and the Site of Literature, ed. by John Walker (Cambridge: Legenda), pp. 195–201
Example citation: ‘A quotation occurring on page 21 of this work’ (Boyle 2013: 21).
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