Global Literatures 312: Solitude and Literary Imagination

A theme of solitude runs through the veins of much of Japanese literature.  Through studies of selected works of some of significant writers from Japan, we will explore various literary renditions of solitude.  Our concern in this course extends beyond a sense of alienation from others to a more essential sense of estrangement from self, one’s own language, and conventional temporality.  We will also ruminate on solitude as an origin of literary imagination.  The list of writers may include Yukio Mishima, Kobo Abe, Kenzaburo Oe, Mieko Kanai, Haruki Murakami and Toh Enjoji. May be taken for credit toward the South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies major or Japanese major or minor.