Smells and their influence on society might not be an obvious topic in literature, but they hold surprising significance. Dr. Ally Louks from Cambridge University has explored how smells and the language of smell shape power dynamics related to gender, race, class, and other social structures. Her research dives into how literary works portray these dynamics and how they resonate in today’s world.
Dr. Louks explains the purpose of her research, saying, “The broad aim of this thesis is to offer an intersectional and wide-ranging study of olfactory oppression by establishing the underlying logic that facilitates smell’s application in creating and subverting gender, class, sexual, racial, and species power structures.” This research, part of her doctoral work in English Literature, focuses on how modern and contemporary fiction sheds light on the importance of smells in defining identities and social connections.
People often react to smells in a way that feels automatic, categorizing others without much thought. According to Dr. Louks, this strong emotional response can lead to rejection or, alternatively, ways of controlling or reshaping relationships. Her study looks at the complex ways smells can be both appealing and off-putting, showing how they often reinforce or challenge societal norms.
Stories and books play a key role in reflecting these ideas. George Orwell’s The Road to Wigan Pier and Bong Joon-ho’s film Parasite reveal how smells highlight class differences. Meanwhile, Virginia Woolf’s Flush and Laura Jean McKay’s The Animals in That Country use smells to explore ideas about animals and non-human worlds. In works by Toni Morrison and Raven Leilani, smell is shown to intersect with race and gender, demonstrating how it can enforce societal inequalities.
Online debates about her work have sparked much discussion. To clear up misunderstandings, Dr. Louks said, “To clarify for anyone unfamiliar with academia, I have a PhD in English Literature, not a PhD in Olfactory Ethics – that is the subject of my thesis that earned me the PhD.” She has also addressed misinterpretations of her research, saying, “I’m still genuinely bamboozled by the sheer volume of people entirely mischaracterizing the subject and argument of my thesis. The words are there before them but their interpretation is on a separate plane of existence.”
Smell can also be a tool for exploring human desire and identity. In Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita and Patrick Süskind’s Perfume, smells are linked to control and exploitation. Dr. Louks also examines queerness and unconventional forms of attraction in texts like Ann Quin’s Berg and Sam Byers’ Come Join Our Disease, showing how writers push readers to think differently about smells and their significance.
Literature, Dr. Louks suggests, acts as a testing ground for new ways of understanding relationships and identities. By analyzing how smells appear in stories, she offers a fresh perspective on how something as fleeting as a scent can influence society in meaningful and lasting ways. Her research challenges us to rethink the power of smells and how they shape our world, making it an important contribution to understanding both literature and culture.
Reference
Louks, A. (2024). Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose [Apollo – University of Cambridge Repository]. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.113239
Dr. Ally Louks is a distinguished scholar specializing in English Literature, with a keen interest in the intersection of sensory experiences and societal structures. A graduate of Cambridge University, Dr. Louks earned her PhD through groundbreaking research that explores how smells are represented in literature and their role in shaping gender, race, class, and other social hierarchies.
Her work uniquely combines literary analysis with cultural critique, offering fresh perspectives on how olfactory imagery—often overlooked—carries profound significance in modern and contemporary fiction. Dr. Louks’ research delves into diverse texts, demonstrating how smells influence identity and challenge social norms.
Beyond academia, Dr. Louks is a vocal advocate for accessible scholarship, often engaging with public audiences to clarify and discuss her work. Her contributions extend beyond her thesis, inspiring discussions about the power of sensory perception in literature and its impact on understanding societal dynamics.
