Writing Plague

Reviews / Votes

"WRITING PLAGUE: LANGUAGE AND VIOLENCE FROM THE BLACK DEATH TO COVID-19 is comparative literary study at its very best; it covers seven centuries of European literary history and multiple literary genres with an elegantly realized argument, a capacious conceptual framework, and incisive close readings of medieval, early modern, and modern works. Thoughtful and thought-provoking, it marshals literary analysis, political history, and psychological insight as it explores responses to plague, especially the scapegoating of minorities and melancholic self-blaming. Prof. Thomas details the complexities of such violence and the mutations of violence, directly and indirectly manifested. This unfailingly humane book deserves a broad readership for the issues it raises and for the clear-headedness with which it treats them."

- William Mills Todd III , Research Professor, Harry Tuchman Levin Professor of Literature, Emeritus, Harvard University

" Writing Plague brings the medieval world to life for a modern audience. Through careful dissection of words and images, Thomas explores how the Black Death impacted the social imagination of 14 ^th century Europe. The fear of death led to social schisms and the scapegoating of minorities, notably the Jews; a pattern with many parallels in social and political responses to the COVID-19 pandemic."
- Peter Rutland , Colin and Nancy Campbell Professor in Global Issues and Democratic Thought, Government Department, Wesleyan University
"A timely and powerful study that tracks literary representations of plague from the 14 ^th century through the Early Modern period and up to our present moment. This book shows us how artistic treatment of the Black Death could be used to offer comfort and consolation, but also, how it could be weaponized to promote fear and persecution against minority communities. More pertinent than ever in the time of COVID."
- Dorsey Armstrong , Department Head and Professor of English, Executive Editor, Arthuriana, English Department, Purdue University