Reed published by MLA on Teaching Henry James's <i>Daisy Miller</i> and <i>The Turn of the Screw</i>
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Lipscomb University’s Kimberly Reed, professor of English and French and director of the university’s study abroad program, has edited, “Approaches to Teaching Henry James’s Daisy Miller and The Turn of the Screw,” published by the Modern Language Association (2005). The book, co-edited with Peter G. Beidler, is a collection of essays written by college professors to provide innovative ways to study two very familiar works of literature, according to Reed.
The idea to write and edit a book on this subject developed from Reed’s previous interest in Henry James’ work. Prior to receiving her doctorate in 1993 from Vanderbilt University in comparative literature, Reed wrote a dissertation comparing the work of French writer, Honoré de Balzac with that of the English writer Henry James.
“I love the work of Henry James and believe it is extremely important that teachers use his work in the classroom,” Reed said. “However, I know that he isn’t always the easiest to read or teach.
“I often use the MLA book series, “Approaches to Teaching” and found myself wishing one existed that would encourage teachers to use James’ work more often while providing them with a guide to make the process easier. So I thought to myself, ‘Why don’t I edit that?’ I then approached MLA with the idea and they approved my proposal.”
Reed asked Beidler to co-edit the book because of his reputation as a well-known James scholar.
“He is not only a well-established scholar and published professor, but he is also a great guy to know,” Reed said. “He provided me with a lot of wisdom throughout the editing process.”
The entire process, from gaining initial approval from the MLA through finding contributors and editing their essays to having the book published, took Reed five years. She said it was a great experience and was similar to writing a dissertation.
“Editing this book was important to me because I believe a need existed to have a teacher’s guide on this topic,” Reed said. “It also enabled me to make connections in the academic world, to immerse myself in research and scholarship once again and to remind myself of what my students go through. And just like a dissertation, the secret is that you just don’t give up.
“Thankfully, I have an extraordinarily understanding husband, who is even more excited about this book being published than I am, and daughter, who from the age of seven has known that her mother was working on a book. They have been wonderful throughout the entire process.”
Reed has been inspired through her most recent research on James’ work to begin another book, this one a collection of essays on his ghost stories. She said this book will not have a pedagogical focus as the first one does, but instead will be geared more for scholarship.
For more information about the Department of English at Lipscomb University, call 615.279.5960 or e-mail kenna.tomberlin [at] lipscomb.edu.