The concept of orphanhood may reveal a liminal yet productive state between figures, identities, homes, cultures and languages, exposing fertile spaces for crafting (re)generative views of self and other through literary texts. As characters, orphans may become queered figures, pointing back to the vulnerable state of childhood itself; as protagonists, orphans have also been connected to the concept of the hero (Rose-Emily Rothenberg), the role of the laborer, and the emotional “regeneration” of adults (Claudia Nelson). Our panel seeks papers that contribute to the discussion of orphanhood as a (re)generative positioning—not just a space of lack and of fractured existence and identity—as it may be considered in literature across genres, forms, and time periods. We welcome papers that consider orphanhood as broadly conceived, informing discussions of identity, culture, communication, translation, and meaning making, as well as analyses of literary characters whose orphanhood lends itself to readings not limited to queerness, race, ethnicity, religion, class, sex, gender, ecological, and/or animal studies.

Our panel seeks papers that contribute to the discussion of orphanhood as a (re)generative positioning—not just a space of lack and of fractured existence and identity—as it may be considered in literature across genres, forms, and time periods. We welcome papers that consider orphanhood as broadly conceived as well as analyses of literary characters.

This is an in-person panel. Each abstract submission must include:

-A title of no more than 80 characters
-An abstract of 200 to 300 words
-A brief bio
-Media needs (We provide a projector and screen and a limited number of external speakers. Bring your own laptop.)

 https://cfplist.com/nemla/Home/S/21647

 yschutter@albany.edu

 Yolande Schutter