Andrew Webb on Edward Thomas and Pascale Casanova

Kieron Smith writes: CREW’s postgraduate discussion group series for 2011 kicked off this week. On Wednesday 2nd February, Swansea University lecturer Dr Andrew Webb generated a stimulating discussion with an overview of his work on the poet Edward Thomas within the burgeoning critical field of World Literature.

Using Pascale Casanova’s ambitious study of literary globalisation The World Republic of Letters, Andrew highlighted the way critics of varying national allegiances have moulded Thomas’s work to fit conflicting narratives of English, Welsh and British culture. His talk raised some fascinating and wide-ranging questions concerning national literature, global literary culture and the nature of national-cultural dominance. All of these were fuelled by the tasty baking of CREW’s in-house chef, Dr Sarah Morse, and later the refreshing beverages of some of Swansea’s finest bars.

Many thanks to Andrew for sharing his work with us.
CREW’s postgraduate seminars take place in the CREW ‘green’ room on Wednesday afternoons at 3pm. Watch this space for more information. All welcome.