RE/READING GREAT EXPECTATIONS: CONNECTOR TEXTS’ TRANSFORMATIVE RE-IMAGINING OF CANONICAL TEXTS
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English
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Texts, Technologies, and Literature
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Distribution Rights granted to UMBC by the author.
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Abstract
This project examines the transformative potential of "connector texts" in reimagining Charles Dickens' Great Expectations to address the exclusionary nature of Western canonical literature. Through analysis of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs, Lloyd Jones’ Mister Pip, and abridged versions by A.L. Kennedy and I.S. Saharyia, the study highlights how these texts challenge Eurocentric literary dominance and expand the scope of the global literary canon. By incorporating subaltern perspectives, hybrid identities, and culturally localized narratives, connector texts empower historically marginalized reading communities, including Indigenous, colonized, and non-Western populations. These texts critique the hierarchical classification of literature, deconstruct Western cultural hegemony, and foster inclusivity within academic institutions. The project underscores the importance of re-writing canonical texts to enable diverse voices to actively participate in literary discourse, thereby decentralizing the canon and promoting equitable representation in global classrooms. Connector texts emerge as vital tools for decolonizing Western-influenced academia and reshaping literary education.