2019 Fiscal Year Research-status Report

Domestic Spaces in Gothic Literature

Research Project

Project/Area Number	17K02518
Research Institution	The University of Tokyo
Principal Investigator	Landau Samantha 東京大学, 大学院総合文化研究科, 特任准教授 (70739028)
Project Period (FY)	2017-04-01 – 2021-03-31
Keywords	英米・英語圏文学 / 英米文学 / 比較文学 / Gothic Fiction / ゴシック小説 / 怪奇小説 / Uncanny Studies / Supernatural Studies
Outline of Annual Research Achievements	This year, several major goals of the research were achieved. First and foremost, the conference "Gothic Spaces: Houses, Landscapes, Bodies" was held at the University of Tokyo, Komaba, with about 70 participants, about of whom gave lectures. This very diverse group represented scholarship on the Gothic and current research being done in all over Asia, the Middle East, Europe, North and South America. They presented research on how the Gothic is present in literature of many countries and exists in languages besides English. The diversity of this information was both unusual and uplifting to voices that need to be heard in Gothic scholarship. In de-centering from Europe and North America, we were able to give a voice to many scholars. We agreed to create a new Gothic network to keep moving this work forward (see future plans). The second achievement was archival research-based. I conducted research in San Francisco and D.C. on the Gothic house, architecture, and the early to mid-19th century literary scene. In learning about the roots of how architecture underpins West Coast Gothic, I was able to deepen my knowledge of American Gothic, as well as my knowledge on authors specific to my research, such as Shirley Jackson. My third research achievement was to submit two articles to academic journals and one book chapter. One article is currently still under review, and one is in the final stages of editing and due to come out this autumn. The book chapter is also currently under review, but should be published (with delays due to Corona Virus) sometime next year.
Current Status of Research Progress	Current Status of Research Progress 2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned. Reason Two important goals were met: to conduct archival research, and to hold the international conference, "Gothic Spaces: Houses, Landscapes, Bodies." This conference represented the success of years of cultivating relationships with scholars from within and outside of Japan. "Gothic Spaces" conference drew a wider audience than originally thought, and the conference was a big success. More than 60 participants from over 15 countries, a diverse group of scholars, attended to give lectures on a wide variety of topics. Many scholars have stayed in touch. We hope to create a Gothic network in Asia in the future. It also represented the start of a larger contribution to the internationalization of scholarship in Japan, helping to center Japan as a place for studying and discussing Gothic fiction. This was one of the goals of my project, so it shows the project is progressing rather smoothly. The archival research I completed focused mainly on Shirley Jackson and other authors tangential to her works, with visits D.C. and San Francisco. I gained an understanding of the West Coast architecture that underpins her image of the house and confirmed these influences in her letters and notes. Some information is still missing, however, so further work is necessary. The progress towards the submission of my book proposal to an academic publisher (the culmination of my project) has started and has made good progress, but is not yet completed. After getting advice on how to approach a publisher and write the proposal in AY2019, I am currently still writing and editing.
Strategy for Future Research Activity	There are two main goals for the AY2020 research scheme: to create the framework for a Gothic network in Asia, and submit my book proposal to an academic publisher. For the Gothic network, I am contact with several scholars from the Gothic Spaces conference, and we are planning how to create a steering board and what kinds of activities we will have (e.g. conferences or publications). These activities will also continue our commitment to including various fields, nationalities, genders, and ethnic groups to contribute diversity to academia in Japan. We currently plan to hold meetings via Zoom, as well as a small symposium to help us refocus our research goals and exchange ideas during this Corona Virus pandemic. Because of Corona Virus, it is difficult to travel. I plan to participate in conferences via Zoom or other online forums, and continue my active participation. I plan to give a lecture on Emily Dickinson and the Gothic at the Annual Meeting of the Emily Dickinson International Society. I am also looking for other opportunities to present my research, as the conferences I was already accepted to for this academic year have been postponed to 2021 and 2022. I am currently writing and editing my book proposal, based on my research over the past 3 years of this project and my PhD dissertation. I with create a list of publishers and consult senior academics about how to approach them. By autumn 2020, I hope to submit my proposal.
Causes of Carryover	The reason for the remaining amount to be used during the fiscal year is for the purpose of conducting further archival research for my book proposal and getting my book proposal accepted. As stated in my progress report, I was unable to complete some of the research for my book proposal. This was due to time constraints and because the archives in question could not find certain boxes and items within the time frame required. I will use this remaining money to complete the archival research (mainly in D.C., but also possibly in San Francisco and New York City) and move this project forward to completion. Furthermore, there are several new studies being released on topics related to this research that will strengthen my book proposal. So I will buy these books related to the Gothic House, domesticity, and Female Gothic. These will not only buttress my research, but consulting them will also ensure that my book proposal stays original and contains new research, thus increasing my chances of getting my book proposal accepted.
Remarks	The website above was created for the Gothic Spaces Japan Conference, which took place October 19-20, 2019, with additional activities on October 21-22, 2019.