A New Map for Literary Criticism: Geocriticism and Its Response to Contemporary Crises
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Abstract
Born from both spatial theories in the vein of Foucault and Lefebvre as well as research in a vast diversity of disciplines (geography, cartography, cultural studies, urban studies, sociology, ecology, and more), Geocriticism is interdisciplinary by nature and therefore serves as an example of what other criticism can and should strive for: intellectual interconnectedness. By using geocriticism as a practical model, this paper argues that, ideally applied, theoretical lenses are more than merely an excuse for the perpetuation of academic jargon; they are a necessary response to contemporary concerns. This article examines the emergence of geocriticism, its principles, and a sample of recent scholarship engaging with the theory in a meaningful way.
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