Spectacles Of Realism

A rethinking of realism that reveals its relevance to sexual and cultural politics. Despite rumors of its demise in literary theory and practice, realism persists. Why this is, and how realism is relevant to current interdisciplinary debates in gender studies and cultural studies, are the questions underlying Spectacles of Realism. With particular reference to nineteenth-century French culture, the contributors explore the role realism has played in the social construction of gender and sexuality. Among their subjects are nineteenth-century physiologies, photographs, caricatures, and Balzacs Comdie humaine; the ethnographic claims of Goncourts naturalism and the historical claims of Zolas; and the allure of exotica displayed at new museums and international expositions. Contributors: April Alliston, Princeton U; Emily Apter, UCLA; Charles Bernheimer, U of Pennsylvania; Rhonda Garelick; Judith Goldstein, Vassar; Anne Higonnet, Wellesley; Roger Huss, Queen Mary and Westfield College; Dorothy Kelly, Boston U; Diana Knight, U of Nottingham; Jann Matlock, Harvard U; Linda Nochlin, NYU; Patrick ODonovan, Kings College; Vanessa Schwartz, American U; Naomi Segal, U of Reading; Barbara Vinken, NYU.