Aristotles division Drama Lyrical poetry Epic poetry /
fiction
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Any novels that made impression on you? Any important novels in
your life?
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The art of telling to narrate: Latin narro, narrare to tell
narrative: primary cognitive instrument Modern psychology:
fundamental role of the narrative in the cognitive process apart
from paradigmatic thinking, is one of the two fundamental ways of
thinking (J. Bruner)
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Surrounded by stories / narratives: confessions, jokes,
testimonials, gossip, novels, films (they all tell stories)
Narrative: a fundamental way of organizing experience Narrative is
strongly related to exercise of power and control
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Universality of narration Storytelling universal human
practice: international, transhistorical, transcultual Most social
interaction - narrative Roland Barthes
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The powers of narrative Frederic Jameson: reality comes to us
in the shape of stories Many serious psychological dysfunctions:
inability to construct relevant narratives (or auto-narratives
)
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Powers of the narrative storytelling used in psychological
therapy powers of the narrative: reduce content and seduce the
reader also to subvert and disrupt
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The novel - fiction Relatively late England 18 th century
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Several precursors in the West Epic poem Chivalric romance
Italian novella Picaresque novel
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Asiatic tradition of fiction The Tale of Genji ( Genji
Monogatari) by Murasaki Shikibu (11 th c.) Romance of the Three
Kingdoms ( ) by Luo Guanzhong (14 th c.)
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Epic: ancient precursor of the contemporary novel.
Characteristic features of an epic: Long, narrative poem in
elevated style. The protagonist figure of great importance. Happens
at an important moment in history. Vast setting. Presence of the
supernatural forces (gods, goddesses, angels, demons, magical
objects or powers). Narrated with a measure of objectivity.
Detailed description of characters and setting. All events relate
to the central theme.
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Characteristic conventions of the epic Begins with the
invocation (usu. to the muse). Narrative opens in medias res. Often
includes extended formal speeches of the characters. Frequently
uses elaborate epithets and similes.
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Major types of epics Primary (folk or oral, for recitation)
Homers Iliad and Odyssey, Beowulf, Song of Roland, Cid, Gilgamesh.
Secondary (literary or art epics composed, written down): Virgils
Aneide, Dantes Divine Comedy, Miltons Paradise Lost.
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Chivalric romance Expresses tendency in literature opposite to
that of realism Originates from the epic tradition Developed in the
context of aristocratic courts
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Features Tale in verse or prose about improbable adventures:
quest Idealised protagonist (upper-class, heroic, devout, strong
etc.). Remote and enchanted setting ( the marvellous and the
mythic) Elements of courtly love Presence of the chivalric code /
ethos
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Three main cycles of medieval romances: The matter of Britain
(Arthurian romances). The matter of Rome (Alexander the Great,
Trojan wars, Thebes). The matter of France (Charlemagne and his
knights).
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In many European languages (e.g. French, German or Russian) the
term romance or roman is synonymous with the novel
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NOVELLA Italian origin, means a piece of news. A piece of short
narrative, concentrating on a single event situation or conflict.
It produces elements of suspense. Most famous example: Boccaccio,
Decameron (1349-51).
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Other features Characters are ordinary people. Realistic and
sparse description. Focus on action, usually comprising of some
mischief with sexual undertones. Celebrates human vitality and
shrewdness.
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PICARESQUE (picaresca) Originates in the 16 th century Spain
Most famous: Lazarillo de Tormes (1553) Spanish: picaro (picaroon)
rogue, knave Famous picaresques in English literature: Thomas
Nashe, The Unfortunate Traveller (1594). Daniel Defoe, Moll
Flanders (1722). Henry Fielding, Jonathan Wild (1743). Tobias
Smollet, Roderick Random (1748).
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Features Special type of character: low-life, cunning, with
strongly anti-heroic features Typically, servant of many masters,
often involved in criminal activity. A chronicle of the adventures:
episodic structure No character development or progress Simple,
plain style, realistic manner in description Satire of society
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Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) First European
novel: part I - 1605; part II - 1615 A psychological portrait of a
mid-life crisis Satirizes medieval romances, incorporates pastoral,
picaresque, social and religious commentary What is the nature of
reality? How does one create a life?
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THE FATHERS OF THE ENGLISH NOVEL Daniel Defoe, Robinson Crusoe
(1719). Jonathan Swift, Gullivers Travels (1726). Samuel
Richardson, Pamela (1740). Henry Fielding, Joseph Andrews (1742),
Tom Jones (1749). Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy (1759)