*** apologies for cross-posting ***
Interested authors are invited to submit abstracts to contribute chapters
for inclusion in the edited collection
*Reimagining the Victim in Post-1970s Horror Media.*
Editors: Madelon Hoedt, Marko Lukic
While the analysis of the horror genre, particularly its contemporary
articulations, uncovers a myriad of different topics (new (and old)
theoretical paradigms, alternative interpretations of familiar narratives
and tentative readings of new ones, as well as the progressive expansion
and relocation of the genre within a larger trans and interdisciplinary
context), some of its basic premises remain inadequately explored. One such
issue, or concept, is the notion of the victim, and its position, as well
as function/purpose, within the larger framework of the genre. While being
an unavoidable part of the genre narrative from its earliest endeavors, the
ambition of the victim is to embody, articulate, and finally project all
the fears and anxieties (introduced by the narrator/author) towards its
target audience. The audience in turn catalyzes and identifies with the
projected trauma, while simultaneously enjoying the suspension of
disbelief. This dynamic, although simplistic in its nature, functions as an
extremely prolific interpretative context confirmed through decades of
highly focused research. However, the developed binary system bonding the
readers/viewers with the imaginary, but nevertheless doomed victim remains,
although logical, a rather “unfair” one, with the analytical focus being
placed on the thoughts, experiences, and reactions of the viewers. The
(fictitious) victims consequently retain a symbolically blank role, prone
to inscriptions of meaning in accordance with a more generalized or
overarching narrative.
What this call proposes is a possible unsettling of this binarity by
challenging the perspective of the target audience through a re-evaluation
and therefore re-reading of the concept of the victim(s) as well as their
perspectives. Using different theoretical and disciplinary approaches as
analytical prisms, the collection aims at reframing the position, role, and
meaning of the notion of victim and victimhood within the horror genre
ranging from the post-1970s period all the way to current articulations,
regardless of the narrative medium (literature, film, theatre, videogames,
comics, etc.). The idea here is to move away from existing trends of
examining the victim as a reflection of the audience and their responses,
and instead to engage the concept of the victim as a category in itself.
This opens up questions about who may be regarded as a victim, as well as
how they might be defined or how existing types might be (re)categorized.
Essays may explore, but are not limited to, the following topics:
- interpretations of victim and victimhood in different media (literature,
film, theatre, videogames, etc.)
- interpretations of victim and victimhood in different horror (sub)genres
(Gothic, slasher, torture porn, found footage, etc.)
- definitions of victims: archetypal victims (such as the final girl);
victims as characters
- victims and modes of being (dead or alive; victim as protagonist or
antagonist)
- structure and viewpoint used in victim narratives in horror
- (overcoming) trauma in horror’s explorations of victims
- the victim and narratives of empowerment and/or helplessness
- framing of victim narratives in relation to audiences in different media
- comparative studies of victims in different periods of horror (for
example, the victim in Gothic texts)
*Submission and guidelines:*
The collection is intended for publication with the Horror and Gothic Media
Studies imprint of Amsterdam University Press (
https://www.aup.nl/en/series/horror-and-gothic-media-cultures). We invite
all interested scholars to send their proposal (400-500 words) and short
bio (max. 200 words, including author’s academic affiliation) to
[log in to unmask] by July 1, 2021. Full essays should be 6000-8000 words
(incl. references, notes, and citations) and use the MLA style guide.
*Timeframe:*
Deadline for abstracts: July 1, 2021.
Notification of acceptance: July 31, 2021.
Deadline for essay submission: November 15, 2021.
*Link to CFP:*
https://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2021/04/22/cfp-reimagining-the-
victim-in-post-1970s-horror-media
<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
Virus-free.
www.avast.com
<https://www.avast.com/sig-email?utm_medium=email&utm_source=link&utm_campaign=sig-email&utm_content=webmail>
<#m_3212811955872655859_DAB4FAD8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2>
########################################################################
To unsubscribe from the MECCSA-PGN list, click the following link:
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/WA-JISC.exe?SUBED1=MECCSA-PGN&A=1
This message was issued to members of www.jiscmail.ac.uk/MECCSA-PGN, a mailing list hosted by www.jiscmail.ac.uk, terms & conditions are available at https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/policyandsecurity/
|