Fictions of America: A Conversation on Firsts

Join Ulrich Baer (Director, NYU Center for the Humanities) and Smaran Dayal (Ph.D. candidate in Comparative Literature, NYU) as they discuss their co-edited anthology, Fictions of America: The Book of Firsts. Fictions of America presents “first” literary works that broke barriers, inaugurated new traditions, and prove that the imagination of diverse authors was one of the most powerful forces in shaping our nation. Moderated by Nicholas Boggs (Clinical Assistant Professor of English, NYU)

[melissataylorbahrs]

I am a great fan of Phillis Wheatley’s tremendous mix of classicism and radical free speech: in answer to the Uli Baer’s question: “Who reads Phillis Wheatley?” I DO !!! I taught her for years!! Thank you too for information leading me to reading Native American female poets: I could not catch the two names given (but perhaps will discover in this book)! I also hope to learn from you (or your book?) the last name of Teresa ………… young Haitian poet.
Thank you for this fresh look / interview. I sought fresh voices to recreate the canon for a number of years of teaching International Baccalaureate English, Advanced Placement English —- and “Regular Ed.” English, as well —- surely as gifted ( or more) in an open spirit for the fresh voice !!! as any advanced student of literature and writing was. Deeply appreciative of your studies, of this interview, and — in advance — of your book.