A girl balances on the ledge of a fountain, poised to jump into a reflection of what seems to be an undisturbed pool. However, it is not only a reflection but a protest. Bodies, nature, ethics, and affects: much like the cover image for Writing the World 2023-2024, the Comparative Literature program’s anthology of undergraduate writing, the contributors to this volume navigate these themes with finesse and sharp analytical thinking. Unlike previous volumes, this year we have compiled essays from the academic year rather than the calendar year, showing how members of the undergraduate community engage in dialogue with current academic theories and the immediate societal issues they are passionate about.

This volume contains critical essays on medieval and contemporary literatures, and a creative ekphrastic short story. We are proud to present pieces that work across genre, form, and region, from Korean horror to the Palestinian short story, inviting readers to consider the role of connectivity and assemblage in scholarly discourse.

The editors

Aishwarya Marathe and Enrique Urbina