Contributions to English and American Literary Studies (CEALS)- Democracy, Secrecy Dissidence in Contemporary Fiction

This volume examines the interplay of democracy, secrecy, and transparency in contemporary English literature. Drawing on Secrecy Studies, it explores secrecy as resistance to hegemonic transparency. Texts are analyzed as a realm for dissidence, freedom, and interpretive depth, addressing secrecy’s thematic and formal roles in narrative. This volume explores the relationship between democracy, secrecy, and transparency in contemporary English literature. It focuses on how fiction engages with the tension between secrecy and disclosure, central to debates about freedom in information societies. Drawing on theorists like Derrida, Birchall, Horn, and Han, among others, the essays examine secrecy as a form of resistance against hegemonic transparency, framing it as a political act of dissent. Scholars on Secrecy Studies argue that secrecy challenges dominant ideologies and creates space for contestation, rather than aligning with oppressive systems. Literature is positioned as an ideal realm to articulate these ideas, showcasing how secrecy functions both thematically and formally. On one level, literature reflects dissidence, freedom of expression, and censorship; on another, it underscores the impossibility of full disclosure, with texts retaining interpretive openness. This collection analyzes how secrecy operates as a structuring device, shaping narrative form, and explores its connections to resistance, democracy, and transparency in cultural and political contexts. The chapter “Posthumanism, Secrecy, and Transparency: From Jennifer Egan's ‘Black Box’ (2012) to ‘Lulu the Spy, 2032’ in The Candy House” by Sonia Baelo-Allué is a Gold Open Access chapter with a CC-BY 4.0 licence. It can be downloaded here.