A year ago I was introduced to something called "literary theory" and "literary criticism" here at E&PG Since Jacques Derrida and William Empson's sly appearances in neurons, I tried to find resources to learn bit more about these concepts. From disco'ed Derrida youtube video to dense articles that skimmed over my head, finally I found something very approachable that serves as a primer. After going through few theories, I realised that literature is not a dainty hopscotch but it is a ferocious playground with brutal gladiators. If anyone is interested, here is shmoop's link to introduce literary theories: Literary Criticism You can explore the references (inline and appendix) for further reading. But why all this? You will be able to admire and analyse better what you are reading.
@Cimorene OMG!! Let's hash it out. It has been forever that I read anything to do with Derrida/ Miller/Baba/ Jung.
Dear blindpup10, I am not sure if such dense topics can be engagingly discussed (read: my pretension will be exposed). The pin-up was more for quiet reading however your response was unexpected. How do you propose we discuss such topics here in a light-footed manner. If you have ideas, do share. I will be delighted.
@Cimorene-sorry didn't mean to be intense! I didn't realize it was meant to be a silent reading. I assumed you would post the reading material or discuss the reading materials Ex- Dora:An analysis of a case or hysteria by Freud-- Start the reading from prefatory remarks. Pair the article with a novel like Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. The posters would read both the reading material or listen to it and discuss the literary theory/ literary criticism from the novel. Analyze what Freud has suggested in the article is present in the novel. Dora I assumed this what this thread would be planning-- along some line. I am deeply sorry-- I didn't really understand what was truly meant.
@blindpup10 , I will write to you tomorrow. Since when did “apology” become norm of the forum. You are a newbie to my tease. You have no clue such reciprocal exchanges are not music to my ears but singing bowl to my soul. Let's discuss more tomorrow. Till then let the tip of the tongue take a trip of three steps down the palate to tap, at three, on the teeth. De. Ri. Da.
I am fully sold to your approach. Let's begin with something very basic. How about reading Roald Dahl or PG Wodehouse and analysing the text against Vladimir Propp's narratemes? More details at 31 Narratemes. My library has plenty of books from these authors (slice of the collection below) The 31 Narratemes 1st Sphere: Introduction Steps 1 to 7 introduces the situation and most of the main characters, setting the scene for subsequent adventure. 1. Absentation: Someone goes missing 2. Interdiction: Hero is warned 3. Violation of interdiction 4. Reconnaissance: Villain seeks something 5. Delivery: The villain gains information 6. Trickery: Villain attempts to deceive victim 7. Complicity: Unwitting helping of the enemy 2nd Sphere: The Body of the story The main story starts here and extends to the departure of the hero on the main quest. 8. Villainy and lack: The need is identified 9. Mediation: Hero discovers the lack 10. Counteraction: Hero chooses positive action 11. Departure: Hero leave on mission 3rd Sphere: The Donor Sequence In the third sphere, the hero goes in search of a method by which the solution may be reached, gaining the magical agent from the Donor. Note that this in itself may be a complete story. 12. Testing: Hero is challenged to prove heroic qualities 13. Reaction: Hero responds to test 14. Acquisition: Hero gains magical item 15. Guidance: Hero reaches destination 16. Struggle: Hero and villain do battle 17. Branding: Hero is branded 18. Victory: Villain is defeated 19. Resolution: Initial misfortune or lack is resolved 4th Sphere: The Hero’s return In the final (and often optional) phase of the storyline, the hero returns home, hopefully uneventfully and to a hero's welcome, although this may not always be the case. 20. Return: Hero sets out for home 21. Pursuit: Hero is chased 22. Rescue: pursuit ends 23. Arrival: Hero arrives unrecognized 24. Claim: False hero makes unfounded claims 25. Task: Difficult task proposed to the hero 26. Solution: Task is resolved 27. Recognition: Hero is recognised 28. Exposure: False hero is exposed 29. Transfiguration: Hero is given a new appearance 30. Punishment: Villain is punished 31. Wedding: Hero marries and ascends the throne We can exchange our notes and check if we matched on our analysis of the spheres. Cim : [1, 10, 16, 27] Blindpup10 : [ 1, 8, 17, 23] I cannot think of anything more reductive and fun than this. Let me know your thoughts and if you are interested the book you would like to begin with.
@blindpup10, I've checked out Roald Dahl's The Twits - Roald Dahl Let me know if you have access to the book (buy, borrow, recommend: steal) The book is only 112 pages so is a good choice as experimental in our project.
@Cimorene- Nice! It's good to start it light and see how this thread would go. Why are we doing 2 different reading? Why not just the similar one-- [1,10,16,27]? About the book- nope I don't have Roald Dahl. It will take few days to be delivered. Let's say we will say like Aug15th OR (any time that's suitable for you) for us to give our POV..?? In the meantime, if anyone is interested can also join into this discussion too.
I was unclear in my previous post. What I meant was after reading the book we identify the spheres in the book and choose a (or multiple if you feel more then one describes the situation) narratemes. 1st Sphere: Introduction (both think alike that the story begins with #1 someone missing) 2nd Sphere: The Body of the story (our interpretation of the story diverges because you feel #8 and I feel #10 embodies the storyline) 3rd Sphere: The Donor Sequence (same here) 4th Sphere: The Hero’s return (same here) This is how my analysis matrix looks Cim : [1, 10, 16, 27] and yours, Blindpup10 : [ 1, 8, 17, 23] Same text, deviation in our interpretation. August 2nd week suits me.
For those who are wondering why "— The Beginning" and not " — The Beginners". I watched Bahubali movie recently and felt "Beginning" is more emphatic.