Completing a postgraduate research degree in English Literature is difficult but what do we mean when we talk about literature itself as difficult? What connotations, both positive and negative, are implied when we classify a work as difficult? Does it make any difference whether a text was difficult or easy for its author to write? More than just a complaint, is there any critical value in the notion of difficulty and does it carry weight as a category of literary analysis? Is there a difference between a text being difficult to read and it being difficult to research or write about?
If not an easy one, we hope to have a pleasant discussion about these and other questions on Thursday 11th December at 4-6pm. Location will be our usual venue of G13 of the Arts Building and, for those joining online, https://bham-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/6447557473.
If attending, please come ready to talk about all matters difficult and, if possible, with an example of a text that you would call difficult.
Many thanks to Rob Nield for this suggestion!