Narrative Theory: Core Concepts and Critical Debates

by Herman, David; Phelan, James; Rabinowitz, Peter J.; Richardson, Brian; Warhol, Robyn

• ISBN13: 9780814251843
• ISBN10: 0814251846
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-04-28
• Publisher: Ohio State Univ Pr

Summary

Narrative Theory: Core Concepts and Critical Debatesaddresses two frequently asked questions about narrative studies: "what is narrative theory?" and "how do different approaches to narrative relate to each other?" In engaging with these questions, the book demonstrates the diversity and vitality of the field and promotes a broader dialogue about its assumptions, methods, and purposes. In Part One, the co-authors explore the scope and aims of narrative from four distinct perspectives: rhetorical (Phelan and Rabinowitz), feminist (Warhol), mind-oriented (Herman), and unnatural (Richardson). Using case studies ( Huckleberry Finn, Persuasion, On Chesil Beach,and Midnight's Children,respectively), the co-authors explain their different takes on the same core concepts: authors, narrators, narration; plot, time, and progression; space, setting, and perspective; character; reception and the reader; and narrative values. In Part Two, the co-authors respond to one another's views. As they discuss the relation of the approaches to each other, they highlight significant current debates and map out key developments in the field. Accessibly written, Narrative Theorycan serve as the basis for a wide range of courses, even as its incisive presentation of four major approaches and its lively give-and-take about the powers and limitations of each make the book an indispensable resource for specialists.

Author Biography

David Herman, James Phelan, and Robyn Warhol are faculty members in the Department of English at The Ohio State University, Peter J. Rabinowitz in the Department of Comparative Literature at Hamilton College, and Brian Richardson in the Department of English at the University of Maryland.

Table of Contents

Preface	p. ix
Acknowledgments	p. xiii
Perspectives: Rhetorical, Feminist, Mind-Oriented, Antimimetic
Introduction: The Approaches
Narrative as Rhetoric	p. 3
A Feminist Approach to Narrative	p. 9
Exploring the Nexus of Narrative and Mind	p. 14
Antimirnetic, Unnatural, and Postmodern Narrative Theory	p. 20
Authors, Narrators, Narration
Time, Plot, Progression
Narrative Worlds: Space, Setting, Perspective
Character
Reception and the Reader
Narrative Values, Aesthetic Values
Responses
Response	p. 185
To Robyn Warhol's Feminist Approach	p. 187
To David Herman's Approach to Narrative as Worldmaking	p. 191
To Brian Richardson's Theory of Antimimetic Narrative	p. 197
Response	p. 201
To James Phelan	p. 201
To David Herman's Cognitive Approach	p. 206
To Brian Richardson's Antimimetic Narrative Approach	p. 211
Response	p. 218
Paradigms in Dispute: Contrasting Assumptions for Narrative Theory	p. 220
Response	p. 235
General	p. 235
Character	p. 238
Specific Points	p. 241
Missing Theory	p. 245
Works Cited	p. 251
Index	p. 262
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