Links to Literature
Being the New Same: Perspectives on Ageing in Merete Mazzarellas Works 1979-2019
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Johanna Slotte Dufva
Merete Mazzarella, a Fenno-Swedish/Danish author and academic, has captivated readers with over thirty literary works since her debut novel in 1979. In this study, I delve into the portrayal of ageing across the first four decades of Mazzarella's authorship. The central hypothesis of my doctoral thesis posits that the depiction of ageing evolves in tandem with the author's own life journey, utilizing iterativity within the texts as primary material for analysis. Through examination of Mazzarella's production, I have identified three overarching narratives on ageing: 1) ageing as a metaphor for death, 2) ageing as a narrative of decline, and 3) ageing as a process of constructing a new self through the life story. While my research is ongoing, preliminary findings suggest relations between Mazzarella's personal experiences of ageing and the socio-cultural context within which she writes. By presenting this thesis at the conference, I aim to offer fresh insights into Mazzarella's unique perspective on ageing, shedding light on the multifaceted dimensions of the ageing process within the broader cultural and social landscape, ultimately offering a deeper understanding of the human experience across the lifespan. Keywords: Merete Mazzarella, ageing narratives, iterativity, ageing studies, literature.
Menopause in Contemporary Spanish Literature and Cinema
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Cristina Sanchez Conejero
Menopause has traditionally been regarded in society and culture as something negative. As a consequence of this, the women experiencing this period of life have suffered and in many cases still suffer a marginalization in a world that values and promotes youthful looks. However, in order to address this and to also demystify some stereotypes many of these women face, there are currently works in Spanish literature and cinema such as novels -Y a lo mejor contarlo- (2023) by María Acaso and -Ese jueves al anochecer me subí al tren- (2021) by Astrid Gil-Casares and films like -Invisibles- (2020) directed by Gracia Querejeta and -Caída libre- (2024) directed by Laura Jou that represent a crucial contribution. By means of these works, I analyze how their authors and directors are changing the traditional narrative regarding menopause and how it is related to women and what it means for society and culture today. The critical apparatus I make use of includes, among others, feminist theories.
