Coping with Postmodernity

Forms and Functions of the Construction of (Dis-)Orientation in the Fiction of Douglas Coupland

Nonfiction, Reference & Language, Study Aids, ESL, Foreign Languages
Cover of the book Coping with Postmodernity by Martin Villwock, GRIN Verlag
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Martin Villwock ISBN: 9783640933785
Publisher: GRIN Verlag Publication: June 8, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Verlag Language: English
Author: Martin Villwock
ISBN: 9783640933785
Publisher: GRIN Verlag
Publication: June 8, 2011
Imprint: GRIN Verlag
Language: English

Examination Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject English - Pedagogy, Didactics, Literature Studies, grade: 1,3, University of Cologne (Englisches Seminar), language: English, abstract: In the following chapter of this paper, an outline of the present ontological crisis in terms of Lyotard's 'postmodern condition' will be given. Throughout the discussion of Coupland's fiction, this concept will be relevant for its influence on the characters' thoughts and emotions. Furthermore, the chapter will analyze the importance and self-referentiality of narrative structures in Coupland's work. The characters in Coupland's novels often come up with a plentitude of more or less successful strategies in order to deal with the semantic void they experience. For this chapter, material will be presented predominantly from the novels All Families are Psychotic, Generation X and Microserfs. The third chapter will focus on the presentation of working life in Coupland's prose. His novels reveal that work today has lost its former function as a source of orientation. In this analysis, the concept of alienation as introduced by Karl Marx will be used in order to grasp the nature of the conflict that the characters experience in their working lives in Coupland's novels. The chapter will focus on the presentation of working life in Generation X, Microserfs and Shampoo Planet. A fourth chapter will introduce yet a further source of disorientation - the hyperreality constituted by the media. Here, Baudrillard's observations (1983 and 1994) will serve as a starting point in a discussion of the experience of the 'hyperreal' and the possibility of contact with the 'real' in Coupland's work. Again, material will be presented from the novels Generation X, Microserfs and Shampoo Planet. The subsequent chapter will consider the important role that irony plays in several of the analyzed novels. Douglas Coupland, particularly in his first novels, impresses his readers with a smart and thoroughly ironic tone. In his later novels, however, he is deliberately trying to establish a more sincere language, mirrored by his characters' desire to embark on a sincere quest for meaning. The functions of the presentation of the different forms of disorientation and re-orientation will be at the center of my discussion of Coupland's fiction.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Examination Thesis from the year 2008 in the subject English - Pedagogy, Didactics, Literature Studies, grade: 1,3, University of Cologne (Englisches Seminar), language: English, abstract: In the following chapter of this paper, an outline of the present ontological crisis in terms of Lyotard's 'postmodern condition' will be given. Throughout the discussion of Coupland's fiction, this concept will be relevant for its influence on the characters' thoughts and emotions. Furthermore, the chapter will analyze the importance and self-referentiality of narrative structures in Coupland's work. The characters in Coupland's novels often come up with a plentitude of more or less successful strategies in order to deal with the semantic void they experience. For this chapter, material will be presented predominantly from the novels All Families are Psychotic, Generation X and Microserfs. The third chapter will focus on the presentation of working life in Coupland's prose. His novels reveal that work today has lost its former function as a source of orientation. In this analysis, the concept of alienation as introduced by Karl Marx will be used in order to grasp the nature of the conflict that the characters experience in their working lives in Coupland's novels. The chapter will focus on the presentation of working life in Generation X, Microserfs and Shampoo Planet. A fourth chapter will introduce yet a further source of disorientation - the hyperreality constituted by the media. Here, Baudrillard's observations (1983 and 1994) will serve as a starting point in a discussion of the experience of the 'hyperreal' and the possibility of contact with the 'real' in Coupland's work. Again, material will be presented from the novels Generation X, Microserfs and Shampoo Planet. The subsequent chapter will consider the important role that irony plays in several of the analyzed novels. Douglas Coupland, particularly in his first novels, impresses his readers with a smart and thoroughly ironic tone. In his later novels, however, he is deliberately trying to establish a more sincere language, mirrored by his characters' desire to embark on a sincere quest for meaning. The functions of the presentation of the different forms of disorientation and re-orientation will be at the center of my discussion of Coupland's fiction.

More books from GRIN Verlag

Cover of the book Der Insolvenzplan und seine praktische Bedeutung by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Die Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-/ Hyperaktivitätsstörung (ADHS) by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Implementierung des Balanced Scorecard Konzeptes by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Pflegeübergabe am Patientenbett by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Kinder und Medien in der Grundschulzeit - Computernutzung bei Grundschulkindern by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Employability - Lebenslanges Lernen im Bestreben nach Arbeitsplatzsicherheit in der BRD by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Die materiellen Prüfungskriterien der Fusionskontrolle in Deutschland by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Entwicklung eines Leitfadens zur Umsetzung von Hochverfügbarkeitskonzepten am Beispiel Cooper Standard Automotive by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Bilanzanalyse der Unternehmen Polytec und Wienerberger und deren Beurteilung by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Die Methodik der Maria Montessori und deren Rolle in der Behindertenpädagogik by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Andersartigkeit im Ethikunterricht thematisieren. 'Irgendwie Anders' von Kathryn Cave und Chris Riddell in der 4. Klasse einer Förderschule by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Rousseau und Athen by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Das Papstwahldekret von 1059 by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Ausschreibungen von Massenanfragen gewinnen by Martin Villwock
Cover of the book Der Eselroman- Lukians Onos und Apuleius Metamorphosen by Martin Villwock
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy