The Power of Words in Literature and Culture

Masahiko Abe (born 1966) serves as Professor of English Literature at the University of Tokyo, where he has established himself as a leading authority in modern British and American literature. His academic journey began at the University of Tokyo, where he earned his BA and MA degrees, followed by a PhD from Cambridge University. His scholarly contributions span both English and Japanese literature, with acclaimed works including "On Slow Motion" (2009), "Staring and Literature" (2012), and "Discovering Poetry" (2014). His research examines unique perspectives on literature, as demonstrated in works like "Politeness and English Literature: Examining the Kindness of the Narrator" (2015) and "Talking Like Children Helps: Strategy of Infantilism in Japanese Literature" (2015). His most recent publication, "People Dancing to the Music of Paperwork" (2023), continues his innovative approach to literary analysis. His excellence in scholarship has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Waseda Literary Award for "Going to the Wilderness" (1998) and the Suntory Prize for Social Sciences and Humanities for "Staring and Literature" (2013). At the University of Tokyo, he focuses on modern poetry and fiction in English, contributing significantly to both British and American literary studies.