Overcoming Absence: From Love Letters to Skype

Camilla Skovbjerg Paldam

Research output: Contribution to book/anthology/report/proceeding › Book chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

In this chapter, I address the rhetoric of modern love correspondence – its various purposes, modes of communication, and meta-reflections on writing and media – from the beginning of the 20th century till today. I analyze how love and the beloved are mediated in the articulated desire and longing of love letters, and how love letters are used as a medium to overcome absence. I also reflect on the material status of love letters in relation to the technological development and subsequently the replacement of traditional letters by their digital counterparts such as email, text messages and real-time video chat like Skype.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Materiality of Love : Essays on Affection and Cultural Practice
EditorsAnna Malinowska, Michael Gratzke
Number of pages17
Place of publicationNew York, Oxon
PublisherRoutledge
Publication date2017
Pages68-84
Chapter5
ISBN (Print)978-0-415-78382-8
ISBN (Electronic)978-1-315-22863-1
Publication statusPublished - 2017
SeriesRoutledge Research in Cultural and Media Studies
Number112

Keywords

  • Love
  • Love letter
  • Skype
  • Distant relationships
  • Digital media

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  • Sexuality Studies

    Paldam, C. S. (Project manager), Hammeken, C. A. (Participant), Sencindiver, S. Y. (Participant), Rosendal, J. (Participant), Søndergaard, P. B. (Participant), Bjergegaard, P. (Participant), Skiveren, T. (Participant), Søndergaard, M. L. J. (Participant), Overgaard Hansen, K. (Participant), Olsen, L. M. (Participant), Dilling-Nielsen, L. (Participant), Nyegaard, N. (Participant) & Uldbjerg, S. (Participant)

    15/05/2013 → 13/12/2023

    Project: Research

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