Mitchell Gunn

Mitchell Gunn's dissertation, "Games of Meaning: A Cognitive-Phenomenological Theory of What, How, and Why We Read," examines both experimental and traditional forms of literature and media, ranging from novels to contemporary video games, to argue that the reading act can be productively modeled as gameplay, enabling a rich, nuanced account of both how and why readers engage with particular works. Drawing on an array of theoretical precedents from literary theory, the emergent field of game studies, and beyond, he seeks to build a common foundation for the critical analysis and interpretation of works across a wide array of media and art forms.

Alongside his scholarly research, Mitchell also engages in creative work, building on his experience in U of T's MA in Creative Writing program. His poetry has been published in the Feathertale Review and filling Station.

List of Publications

Scholarly Publications

Gunn, Mitchell. “How/Why We Read/Play: Conceptualizing Reader Goals in the Game of Literature.” Teaching Games and Game Studies in the Literature Classroom, edited by Tison Pugh and Lynn Ramey, Bloomsbury, pp. 71-8. 22 September 2022.

Creative Publications

Gunn, Mitchell. “A Field Study.” Feathertale Review, no. 25, December 2020.

 “Instructions.” filling Station, no. 73, Winter 2020.

“The Prairie Scene” and “Unconscious.” The Lamp, vol. 9, 9 September 2019.

 “These Materials.” Echolocation, vol. 16, 22 October 2018.

“I Only Dance When I Do the Dishes.” Hart House Review, no. 27, 8 April 2018.