Abstract

The introduction first goes back on Jeremy Bentham’s historical scheme to highlight lesser-known traits and show how it was not limited to carceral applications, a versatility which has been reflected in literature. It then moves on to Foucault’s chapter on panopticism in _ Discipline and Punish, _ foregrounding its most influential aspects as well as others which are often overlooked. The third part focuses on the reception of Foucault’s panopticism in literary criticism, from the seminal studies of D.A. Miller and John Bender to contemporary times. The fourth part deals with the influence of panopticism within the field of surveillance studies, as well as the input offered by literature for these discussions. The introduction then presents the structure of the issue and offers a summary of each of the five articles and of the final interview.