Editor’s Introduction to Provocations

With this issue we are introducing an occasional series of “Provocations”—that is, shorter, more suggestive essays that consider questions or propositions in an exploratory manner. The aim is to create a flexible forum for scholarly alternatives to the peer- reviewed article. Michelle Burnham and Karen A. Weyler lead the way with their smart and thought- provoking consideration of an alternative origin story for the American novel.