OSL Symposium ‘Meditations on Malevolence: Exploring Evil in Modern Fiction’

Date: 31 January 2025 | 9.30-17.00
Venue: Utrecht University Drift 25 – room 102 Utrecht
Organizer: Bart Mulderij (University of Groningen)
Credits: 1 EC (assignment instructions will follow closer to the date of the event).  NB: Credits can only be awarded to humanities ReMA and PhD students from Dutch universities.

Registration opened on October 7th, 9am CET via THIS LINK.

‘Meditations on Malevolence’ is a one-day symposium on the representation of evil in literature, taking place in Utrecht on 31st January 2025. The symposium will feature lectures by two keynote speakers, namely Prof. Maria Boletsi (Leiden University / University of Amsterdam) and Dr Xavier Aldana Reyes (Manchester Metropolitan University), in addition to three panels with presentations by OSL members and international scholars.

Throughout the centuries, literature has exhibited a profound fascination with the concept of evil. From Milton’s epic poem Paradise Lost to Victorian classics such as The Picture of Dorian Gray, and contemporary works like Lord of the Flies or American Psycho, numerous novels have delved into the complexities of morality, pushing the boundaries of human understanding.

Recent scholarship has witnessed a growing interest in the exploration of evil within literature. Works such as Taran Kang’s Transgression and the Aesthetics of Evil have studied the changing representation of evil in art from the Enlightenment to the modern era. Similarly, scholars like Emily Alder (2020) have identified a trend in fiction during the fin de siècle that veers away from the traditional dichotomy of good versus evil, embracing a more nuanced and ambiguous portrayal of malevolence. This shift challenges conventional boundaries and prompts a deeper examination of the relationship between humanity and traditionally perceived malevolent forces.

These pivotal changes at the end of the nineteenth century heralded a significant shift towards a more complex and nuanced exploration of morality and malevolence in literature. As such, there is a pressing need for new research to further map the idea of evil across various literary genres and media forms. Whether it be from a (Neo-)Victorian or Gothic perspective, or through philosophical and theoretical lenses, there exists ample opportunity for scholars to delve into this topic.

To that end, this symposium seeks to explore the multifaceted representation of the idea of evil in modern fiction and adjacent media. Building on recent scholarship that has interrogated the complexities of morality and malevolence in literature, film, art, and other cultural forms, this symposium aims to facilitate interdisciplinary discussions that deepen our understanding of how notions of evil evolve across different historical periods and remain relevant in contemporary narratives.

We look forward to engaging in vibrant discussions and sharing insights into the enduring fascination with the idea of evil in modern literature and media.

The full program of the symposium (including assignment details) is now available here.