Narrative Nuance

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Masculinity, Aging, and Home in Joanna McClelland Glass’s Trying

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Chin-ying Chang  

This paper investigates the intersection between masculinity and aging within the domestic sphere in the play Trying (2004) by the Canadian playwright Joanna McClelland Glass. The research focuses on three issues. The first issue concerns aging males who grapple with their diminishing physical capabilities. Glass’s play challenges traditional notions of masculinity and encourages a more empathetic and critical examination of how men experience aging. The second issue concerns aging males who struggle to reconcile their sense of masculinity with the realities of aging both at home and in broader society. By highlighting the internal conflicts faced by aging men as they negotiate their gender roles, Glass’s play invites the audience to reflect on the societal pressures and personal insecurities that shape male identities. The third issue explores men’s problems with home life as they intend to prove their manhood. By focusing on the home as a space where traditional gender roles are both maintained and challenged, Glass highlights the interactions between gender, aging, and domesticity and provides insight into the topics of masculinity and aging.

Beyond the Classical - Quantum Mechanics in Postmodern Fiction: Exploring Uncertainty, Superposition, and Reality in Contemporary Narratives

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Chaima Nheri  

This paper delves into the intersection of quantum mechanics and postmodern fiction, to examine how fundamental principles such as uncertainty, superposition, and entanglement inspire narrative innovation. By moving beyond the ledge of classical storytelling, postmodern authors incorporate quantum concepts to challenge linearity, embrace multiplicity, and create fragmented yet interconnected storyworlds. Through an analysis of selected works, including David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, Italo Calvino's If on a Winter's Night a Traveler, and Blake Crouch's Dark Matter, this study reveals how quantum mechanics reshapes narrative structures, fosters reader engagement, and provokes philosophical reflections on reality and perception. This exploration highlights the growing influence of scientific thought in the literary domain, which redefines the boundaries between physics and fiction.

Featured From Tradition to Modernity: Literary and Ethnographic Reflections on Gender and Aging in the Satsunan Islands

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Rika Ohira  

This research examines how literature, including poems and folk songs from the Satsunan Islands, reflects changing perceptions toward aging and gender in the transition from tradition to modernity. By analyzing gerontological themes in these texts and comparing them with real-world experiences, the study explores how traditional values and modern influences shape the aging process. The research integrates literary analysis of works such as Toryu Nikki with ethnographic fieldwork, including interviews with elderly residents and community members. Through narrative analysis, this study aims to uncover how caregiving norms, gender roles, and social well-being are negotiated in rural island communities. The findings will contribute to discussions in gerontology, cultural studies, and Japanese literature by illustrating the interplay between historical traditions and contemporary societal transformations. This research aims to provide insights into the resilience of traditional caregiving practices and the evolving identity of aging populations in Japan’s remote islands.

Fluid Narratives: Hydrofeminist Thought in Sarah Hall’s Fiction

Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Anita Chmielewska  

Renown for her engagement with feminist and environmental themes embedded in the landscapes of the UK, Sarah Hall (b. 1974) has become one of the most promising contemporary British authors. While critics have explored various aspects of her work, less attention has been paid to how her fiction intersects with Astrida Neimanis’ concept of hydrofeminism, as discussed in Bodies of Water (2017). Hydrofeminism, an increasingly influential theoretical framework, emphasizes the water-based interconnectedness of all organisms, showcasing fluidity as a fundamental force that shapes connections within nature. This analysis examines the role of water and fluidity in Hall’s novels by tracing the development of hydrofeminist ideas through Haweswater (2002), How to Paint a Dead Man (2009), and Burntcoat (2021).

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