i went to a james simpson class this morning called the invention of middle english literature, 1330-1400. i wish singapore would teach medieval english literature in its university english curriculum. far from being "irrelevant" or "escapist" or whatever else they (even mike evans!) would like to call it i think they should find much to identify with in its anxieties and restless energy for self-invention. the idea of an infant literature trying to find its feet - without audience or patronage - learning to create spaces for its own ambitious, challenging texts, creating a space to be, doesn't all that strike a chord?