English

Revealing the Invisibility of Whiteness in Literary Studies

Document Type

Book Chapter

Abstract

This chapter narrates the work of redefining the literary canon and decentering the white gaze by including a selection of authors that better represent the diversity of the American canon. The “white gaze”, which refers to the lens in which white, often colonial, perspectives dominate the narrative and interpret texts, has historically marginalized or misrepresented diverse identities and experiences. The chapter describes several antiracist actions that not only decenter the white gaze, but also (paradoxically) use texts by historically influential white authors to make visible to students whiteness and issues of race and racism. Two activities/assignments (“Identity Survey” and “Commonplace Book”) invited students to not only reflect on their intersecting identities, but to explore their relationship to content and concepts in literary studies. As its title suggests, the chapter reveals pedagogical activities that remove the invisibility of whiteness in literary studies. © 2026 selection and editorial matter, Jie Y. Park and Laurie Ross; individual chapters, the contributors.

Publication Title

Towards a Community of Antiracist Praxis in Higher Education: Transformative Principles, Practices, and Resources for the Classroom

Publication Date

1-2025

First Page

119

Last Page

137

ISBN

9781040418444

DOI

10.4324/9781003472087-8

Keywords

antiracism, literary canon, literature, higher education, teaching

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