Dr. Mary M. Alcaro, a visiting assistant professor of literature at Bryn Mawr College, takes us on a captivating journey through the intersections of plague, trauma, and Middle English texts. This episode kicks off our new interview series with Dr. Alcaro, who shares her path from undergraduate curiosity to a dissertation on the social and psychological effects of the Black Death. Through her fascinating insights, we uncover the profound influence of the plague on language and its lasting impact on literary theory and the history of medicine. Filled with humor and introspection, this conversation shines a new light on medieval literature and its contemporary relevance.

Our discussion takes a closer look at Geoffrey Chaucer's "The Book of the Duchess," highlighting how Chaucer subtly addresses the plague's impact without explicitly mentioning it. Dr. Alcaro explains the use of terms like "wound" to reflect the collective suffering of the audience, drawing intriguing parallels to modern-day euphemisms and the language of trauma. We also explore the concept of a "history of omission," where what is left unsaid can be as revealing as what is recorded, and how language evolves in response to shared traumatic experiences. This episode offers a thought-provoking examination of how literary works navigate the complexities of human grief and communal memory.

Rounding out the episode, we delve into the unexpected connections between medieval melancholia and modern-day humor, uncovering tales that resonate with contemporary comedic sensibilities. Dr. Alcaro reflects on the historical context of forced positivity during pandemics, drawing parallels to our recent experiences with COVID-19. We contemplate the long-term impacts of the pandemic on literature and society, pondering how themes of disease, isolation, and sensory perception might shape future works. Join us for an engaging and often humorous exploration of trauma, literature, and the enduring human experience across the ages.

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Topics:

Trauma, Literature, Middle English, Plague, Black Death, Language, Literary Theory, History of Medicine, Geoffrey Chaucer, The Book of the Duchess, Wound, Omission, Euphemisms, Traumatic Events, Melancholia, Plague Prophylaxis, Humor, Contemporary Relevance, Grief, Memory, Pandemic, COVID-19, Isolation, Sensory Perception, Post-Pandemic Society, Social Norms, Developmental Concerns, Autism, Quarantine, Social Class, Misinformation, Social Alienation, Disease, Endemic, Identity, Irony, Dr. Mary M. Alcaro