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Theme:
The Power of Literature

The theme of QUCL 2025 is "The Power of Literature". Literary texts have the power to move us to tears, compel us to change, and bring us to action. They can change the course of literary canons and genres, as well as the course of global social systems and politics. Throughout history, books have been banned because of their innate power and influence. This year's keynote speaker and undergraduate speakers will investigate the origins of such power and how it manifests. 

The articles linked below helped inspire our conference theme. They emphasize the varying ways literature holds power.

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"How Reading Helps Us Build Empathy and Resist Tyranny"

Gaiutra Bahadur 

The Washington Post

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"The Literary Power of Hobbits: How JRR Tolkien Shaped Modern Fantasy" 

Verlyn Flieger

Literary Hub

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"'We Are Living in the Century of Fear': Hisham Matar on Why We Need Books"

Hisham Matar

The Guardian

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"Opinion: The Healing Power of Queer Coming-of-Age Stories"

Alex Marzano-Lesnevich

The New York Times

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