Call for Papers: Raabe International
We are planning to organise a conference at National University of Ireland,
Maynooth, devoted to exploring the international dimension of Wilhelm
Raabe's work and of the reception of his work. Recent advances in
postcolonial theory and interpretative practice, new translations of
Raabe's novels (The Odin Field in particular) and the prominence of
scholars especially from the English-speaking world in Raabe research over
the years give rise to this attempt to combine a variety of 'international'
aspects in one conference. Topics that could be addressed might include:
- Raabe's image of foreign locations and 'foreign issues' in general
(to mention just two examples: have the image of Brazil in Zum wilden Mann
or Raabe's commentary on the building of the Suez Canal in Abu Telfan ever
been thoroughly examined?);
- Raabe's treatment of 'international' themes like emigration,
colonialisation; Raabe and the cultural history of colonialism; colonialism
and modernization;
- Raabe's engagement with Europe past and present -- new approaches;
- the reception of Raabe's works (mainly in the English-speaking
world), including the contribution of international critics like Barker
Fairley and Jeffrey Sammons;
- contemporary (19th-century) and modern translations, questions of
translatability and translational practice;
- Raabe and European Realism / comparative readings and the question
of Raabe's "modernism".
The conference is planned for 7-9 September 2006 so as to coincide with the
175th anniversary of Raabe's birth on 8 September 1831. It will take place
at National University of Ireland, Maynooth. NUIM is located 30 kilometers
west of Dublin with quick and easy access to the capital by car, train or
bus. Coincidentally, the publication that will hopefully result out of this
conference will be ready in good time for the 100th anniversary of Raabe's
death in 2010.
Interested colleagues are invited to send (in electronic form or on paper)
a brief outline of their proposed paper (not more than 300 words) by 15
November 2005 either to Professor Florian Krobb (Department of German,
National University of Ireland, Maynooth, County Kildare, Republic of
Ireland, email: [log in to unmask]) or to Professor Dirk Göttsche
(Department of German, University of Nottingham, University Park,
Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK, email: [log in to unmask]).
Contributions should be in English and not exceed a speaking time of 30
minutes.
Please feel free to pass the information on to any other colleagues of your
acquaintance who might be interested in participating.
With best wishes,
Dirk Göttsche and Florian Krobb
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