Phantasmagoria: In Conversation with Ghosts

The Centre for Culture and Heritage proudly presents ‘Phantasmagoria: In Conversation with Ghosts,’ a one-day graduate conference exploring the ‘hues of life’ through meaningful encounters with spectres, phantoms, and spirits. This conference includes a series of 20-minute critical and creative presentations from a variety of subject disciplines and perspectives within the Humanities and beyond. View the full programme for the event.

'Phantasmagoria’, Lewis Carroll’s longest poem, tells the story of a human’s encounter with a ghost. Written across seven cantos, the poem explores each character’s position and perspective. Ghosts, says the narrator, ‘can visit when they choose’ and humans ‘can’t refuse /To grant the interview.’ But the phantom reminds its ‘victim’ that ghosts ‘have just as good a right [...] to fear the light’ as humans to fear the dark and should be treated with ‘proper cordiality.’

In the last canto, the narrator laments the departure of this ‘friendly phantom,’ having learned something valuable about what it means to be human. The ‘hues of life are dull and gray’ without the presence of ghosts.

Registration is £15 and all are welcome to attend. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

This event precedes the M. R. James Symposium on Tuesday 30 April 2024 where students and University of Suffolk alumni can receive a 50% discount.

All conference attendees are warmly encouraged to join us at the Hold on Monday evening for a double screening of M. R. James ghost stories. Tickets for the screening must be purchased separately via the Suffolk Archives website.

If you have any queries, please contact the event organisers Dr Lindsey Scott (Lindsey.Scott@uos.ac.uk) and Dr Jamie Bernthal-Hooker (J.Bernthal-Hooker@uos.ac.uk).