Podcast Summary: Title: Ologies with Alie Ward
Episode: Literary Olfactology (THE POLITICS OF SMELL) with Dr. Ali Lukes
Release Date: July 30, 2025
Host: Alie Ward
Guest: Dr. Ali Lukes, Literary Olfactologist

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Ologies with Alie Ward, Alie delves into the niche yet profoundly impactful field of Literary Olfactology with Dr. Ali Lukes. The conversation explores the intricate relationships between smell, literature, culture, and social dynamics, uncovering how olfactory elements shape narratives and societal perceptions.

Dr. Ali Lukes' Background

Dr. Ali Lukes, a distinguished scholar in English Literature, holds a Bachelor's from the University of Exeter, a Master's in Issues in Modern Culture from University College London, and a PhD from Cambridge University, where she now supervises English Literature studies.

[05:03] Dr. Ali Lukes: "I use she/her. Other people care more about whether people use my title than I do, but it has kind of become a bit of a persona."

Dr. Lukes emphasizes her passion for integrating philosophy and critical theory within literature, allowing her to explore diverse cultural and ethical dimensions through textual analysis.

Smell in Literature

A significant portion of the discussion centers on how smell is portrayed in literature, with "Lolita" by Vladimir Nabokov serving as a primary example. Dr. Lukes illustrates how olfactory descriptions are foundational to character development and thematic exploration.

[10:01] Dr. Ali Lukes: "In 'Lolita,' smell is absolutely fundamental to the story. Re-reading it with smell in mind reveals layers that were previously unnoticed."

She elaborates on Humbert Humbert's use of perfume advertising language to describe Lolita, indicating a symbolic commodification of innocence.

"Wetlands" by Charlotte Roche

Another literary work discussed is Charlotte Roche's "Wetlands," which presents vivid and often unsettling olfactory experiences that challenge readers' perceptions and comfort zones.

[13:43] Dr. Ali Lukes: "This book tests the boundaries of pleasurable reading with its precise and sometimes graphic smell descriptions."

Scientific Aspects of Smell

Dr. Lukes provides a comprehensive overview of how smell operates within the human brain, particularly its connection to memory and emotion.

[16:57] Dr. Ali Lukes: "Smell has a unique relationship with memory and emotion, evoking visceral and immediate responses thanks to its direct pathway to the hippocampus."

She discusses the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and its debated functionality in humans, contrasting it with its clear role in other mammals.

[28:25] Dr. Ali Lukes: "The human VNO is likely vestigial with non-operational sensory function, unlike in dogs where it plays a crucial role in detecting pheromones."

Smell and Social Issues

The conversation delves into how smells are intertwined with issues of racism, xenophobia, and classism. Dr. Lukes explains how certain food odors become stigmatized, reflecting broader societal prejudices.

[50:05] Dr. Ali Lukes: "The aversion to smells like garlic among some white Americans is deeply rooted in xenophobic attitudes towards Italian and Jewish communities."

She references historical studies, such as the 2016 King's College London paper, highlighting how odors associated with ethnic cuisines often invoke discomfort and discrimination.

[51:47] Dr. Ali Lukes: "Differential treatment of food smells in public spaces often has a racial component, enforcing stereotypes and social exclusion."

Smell in Relationships and Romance

Exploring the role of smell in romantic contexts, Dr. Lukes touches upon the concept of pheromones and their speculative influence on human attraction.

[27:15] Dr. Ali Lukes: "Smell signals desire and attraction that is difficult to explain through reason, which is why pheromones are a recurring theme in romance literature."

While acknowledging the lack of concrete scientific evidence for human pheromones, she connects the cultural fascination with the idea in both literature and popular discourse.

[28:25] Alie Ward: "Is this why online dating is just such a crapshoot?"

Personal Experiences with Smell

Dr. Lukes shares her personal journey of losing her sense of smell due to COVID-19 and the subsequent impact on her professional and personal life.

[75:26] Dr. Ali Lukes: "I lost my sense of smell completely for eighteen months. It was like having a hard rock reset, and my relationship with smells changed dramatically."

This experience deepened her understanding of smell disorders, influencing her scholarly work and empathizing with those affected.

Vocabulary and Descriptions of Smell

The episode examines the linguistic nuances in describing smells, noting the predominance of negative terms over positive ones in the English language.

[47:02] Dr. Ali Lukes: "We have an overabundance of words for negative smells like 'reeking' and 'putrid,' but very few descriptors for pleasant odors like 'ambrosial.'"

Alie Ward references Alain Corbin's work to illustrate the historical bifurcation of olfactory lexicon into foul and fragrant categories.

[48:46] Dr. Ali Lukes: "Negative smells are overprovided with finely differentiated terms, whereas positive smells lack such linguistic richness."

Perfume and Class in Literature

Dr. Lukes discusses how references to specific perfumes in literature often signify social status and class distinctions.

[65:07] Dr. Ali Lukes: "Luxury brands like Chloe and Chanel No. 5 are used in novels to denote wealth and exclusivity, reflecting broader socioeconomic narratives."

She cites Toni Morrison’s "Tar Baby" as an example where perfume symbolizes identity and class.

[67:50] Dr. Ali Lukes: "Chloe, mentioned in 'Tar Baby,' represents high-end luxury and serves as a marker of the characters' socioeconomic status."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with reflections on the evolutionary and cultural significance of smell, emphasizing its role in shaping human experiences and societal structures. Dr. Lukes' insights offer a profound understanding of how a seemingly simple sense can influence complex aspects of life and literature.

[79:54] Dr. Ali Lukes: "I love feeling like I have a sense of purpose, contributing new knowledge in a field that’s still growing and very much needed."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Dr. Ali Lukes [05:03]: "I use she/her. Other people care more about whether people use my title than I do, but it has kind of become a bit of a persona."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [10:01]: "In 'Lolita,' smell is absolutely fundamental to the story. Re-reading it with smell in mind reveals layers that were previously unnoticed."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [16:57]: "Smell has a unique relationship with memory and emotion, evoking visceral and immediate responses thanks to its direct pathway to the hippocampus."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [28:25]: "The human VNO is likely vestigial with non-operational sensory function, unlike in dogs where it plays a crucial role in detecting pheromones."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [50:05]: "The aversion to smells like garlic among some white Americans is deeply rooted in xenophobic attitudes towards Italian and Jewish communities."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [27:15]: "Smell signals desire and attraction that is difficult to explain through reason, which is why pheromones are a recurring theme in romance literature."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [75:26]: "I lost my sense of smell completely for eighteen months. It was like having a hard rock reset, and my relationship with smells changed dramatically."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [47:02]: "We have an overabundance of words for negative smells like 'reeking' and 'putrid,' but very few descriptors for pleasant odors like 'ambrosial.'"
• Dr. Ali Lukes [65:07]: "Luxury brands like Chloe and Chanel No. 5 are used in novels to denote wealth and exclusivity, reflecting broader socioeconomic narratives."
• Dr. Ali Lukes [79:54]: "I love feeling like I have a sense of purpose, contributing new knowledge in a field that’s still growing and very much needed."

Further Resources

Listeners interested in exploring more about Literary Olfactology and related topics can visit Ologies.com for additional episodes and resources. Follow Dr. Ali Lukes on Instagram at @doctorali_lukes for updates on her research and upcoming books.

This episode of Ologies with Alie Ward offers a fascinating exploration into the world of smells within literature and society, revealing how olfaction influences storytelling, cultural perceptions, and even personal identities. Dr. Ali Lukes' expertise provides listeners with a deeper appreciation of the unseen and often underappreciated role that smell plays in our lives.