——Serial acedemic events to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the School of Foreign Languages Literatures

On October 22, the English Department held a reading salon titled “Echoes of Classics: A Reading Salon on Foreign Literature” at Hongyuan Building to mark the 80th anniversary of the School of Foreign Languages and Literatures (SFLL). The event aimed at carrying on the School tradition of foreign literature studies and fostered academic exchange through close reading of literary classics.

The first session featured Professor Jiang Hongxia, who led faculty and students in a discussion of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus. Chaired by Professor Shi Juhong, Head of the English Department, the session examined the novel’s distinctive narrative structure and textual details. Through close reading, Professor Jiang encouraged students to explore the work’s rich and varied meanings and introduced different scholarly approaches to its study, offering valuable insights into literary research.

In the second session, Professor Qi Heping guided faculty and students in reading poems by American poet Emily Dickinson. The session was chaired by Associate Professor Wang Xiaoping, Deputy Head of the English Department. Drawing on Dickinson’s life and experiences, Professor Qi introduced students to the poet’s distinctive style and voice. By connecting biographical context with close textual analysis, she explored Dickinson’s use of language and imagery, as well as the themes of nature, life, emotion, and the inner world. The discussion encouraged students to appreciate poetry’s artistic power and consider how individual experience can speak to shared human concerns. The session featured thoughtful analysis and spirited discussion in an engaging atmosphere.