Title 9:

[Cover design: Rowan McCormick / Cover layout: Jack Ross ]

Writers of Passage

by Rowan McCormick

Edited by Jack Ross

Preface by Mary Paul

Afterword by Eleanor Rimoldi

Social and Cultural Studies 9
(June 2008)
ISSN: 1175-7132


•

Abstract:

I considered the potential of ascribing ‘heroic’ significance to the events of our lives – to cast a more favourable reading on those hard times past, and yet to come.

Rowan McCormick’s monograph is based on an experimental and explorative research process - a leap of faith - from which has resulted a somewhat experimental and explorative essay. With reference to both anthropological and literary theory, a series of conversations with writers reveals the heroic nature of their existence.

This study celebrates the power of narrative to mediate a sense of the conditions of one's existence, to manipulate an audience, to affect conventions, to impress readers with notions about the other, to impress a sense of order upon a chaotic existence, to convey knowledge, and to affect a sense of connection between people.

Recognising what he calls ‘the generative and transformative power of the ethnographic process,’ Rowan's monograph examines the many ways in which we attempt to ‘write’ ourselves into significance. The result is a fresh and witty essay which combines insights from both English and Anthropology, and suggests fruitful new ways of reconciling the two disciplines.

Notes on Contributors:

Rowan McCormick is a graduate student in Massey's School of Social and Cultural Studies, majoring in Anthropology and Media Studies.

Dr Mary Paul is the Coordinator of the English Programme in the School of Social and Cultural Studies.

Dr Eleanor Rimoldi is the Coordinator of the Social Anthropology Programme in the School of Social and Cultural Studies.

Title 8:

[Cover photograph: Jack Ross / Cover layout: June Lincoln]


To Terezín:
A Travelogue

by Jack Ross

Afterword by Martin Edmond

Social and Cultural Studies 8
(June 2007)
ISSN: 1175-7132


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from the Preface:

“Your irritation at the disunity is, justifiably or not, the effect I intend.”

So W. H. Auden to one of the first critics of The Sea and the Mirror (1944), his wartime verse commentary on Shakespeare’s The Tempest. More specifically, to criticism of the discordant moment in the poem when Caliban addresses the audience in the urbane, prosy accents of Henry James.

The most natural style for talking about the horrors of Nazi oppression during the Second World War has come to be the clipped, gnomic phrases of Paul Celan or Nellie Sachs – both camp survivors who managed thus to refute Adorno’s famous dictum that “writing lyric poetry after Auschwitz is barbaric.”

Whatever the possibilities for Celan and Sachs, it seems (to say the least) rather presumptuous to attempt to walk in their footsteps so many decades later.

My problem was to write “naturally” and approachably about one of the most unnatural acts of modern times – without a distinct personal axe to grind and with full awareness of my temerity in doing so. If the result seems smooth, seamless and entirely self-justifying then I will have failed. My interest is more in the questions I raise than in the answers I’ve attempted to provide. ...

– Jack Ross

Notes on Contributors:

Martin Edmond’s most recent book is Luca Antara: Passages in Search of Australia (East Street, 2006), described by J. M. Coetzee as “a book-lover’s book, a graceful and mesmerizing blend of history, autobiography, travel and romance.” His other publications include The Autobiography of My Father (AUP, 1992), The Resurrection of Philip Clairmont (AUP, 1999), Fenua Imi: The Pacific in History and Imaginary (Bumper Books, 2002), Chronicle of the Unsung (AUP, 2004) and Ghost Who Writes (Four Winds Press, 2004).

Dr Jack Ross is a lecturer in English and Creative writing at the School of Social and Cultural Studies, Massey Albany. He is the author of various books of poems, including City of Strange Brunettes (Pohutukawa Press, 1998) and Chantal’s Book (HeadworX, 2002), as well as four works of fiction: Nights with Giordano Bruno (Bumper Books, 2000), Monkey Miss Her Now (Danger Publishing, 2004), Trouble in Mind (Titus, 2005), and The Imaginary Museum of Atlantis (Titus, 2006). He also edited, with Jan Kemp, the spoken-word anthologies Classic NZ Poets & Contemporary NZ Poets in Performance (AUP, 2006 & 2007).

Welcome

[Cover photograph: Luke King / Cover image: fern sculpture by Virginia King]

Social and Cultural Studies is a quality-assured interdisciplinary monograph series produced in the School of Social and Cultural Studies at Massey University’s Auckland campus. This series aims to generate debate and share insights in areas of common interest to scholars and students in the humanities and social sciences. Essays that are eclectic in approach, analytically innovative, avoid unnecessary jargon, and stimulate the imagination are especially encouraged.

Editorial board:

• Dr Jack Ross
• Dr Jennifer Lawn
• Dr Graeme MacRae

Contributors wishing to have their work considered for publication should submit two copies of the manuscript in APA format. For peer review purposes, the contributor’s name should not appear on the manuscript.

Social and Cultural Studies uses the APA referencing format. Submitted manuscripts should conform to this format. A basic formatting guide can be consulted online here or downloaded from here.

Submissions and enquiries:

The Editor
Social and Cultural Studies
School of Social and Cultural Studies
Private Bag 102 904
North Shore Mail Centre
Auckland
AOTEAROA/NEW ZEALAND

J.R.Ross@massey.ac.nz
Ph: 64 9 414 0800 ext 9506
Fax: 64 9 441 8162

http://sscs.massey.ac.nz/

Copies of the various titles in the Social and Cultural Studies series may be ordered online from the School Administrator, School of Social and Cultural Studies, or from the above mail address (add $2.00 for postage and packaging).