Message and affect in realist literature discussed at seminar

On May 20, 2025, a seminar of the research group of the Institute of Literature, Folklore and Art of the University of Latvia project “Reclaiming Latvian Realism: Literary Innovation as Identity Quest” (REALT) took place.

The seminar participants engaged in an inspiring discussion on narrative and affects in realist literature, as well as on other issues prompted by a reading of Fredric Jameson’s work "The Antinomies of Realism".

The discussion focused on the boundaries of realism, the overlap of its elements with modernism, its relationship with postmodernism, and the place of realism in the contemporary literary landscape.

During the conversation, participants examined the oppositions identified by Jameson in realist literature — narrative and representation, as well as affects and emotions — analyzing them in the context of Latvian literary works from different historical periods.

The seminar was organized by the research group of the Latvian Council of Science-funded project No. lzp-2024/1-034 "Reclaiming Latvian Realism: Literary Innovation as Identity Quest" (REALT).