The Narreme in the Medieval Romance Epic

An Introduction to Narrative Structures

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, Medieval, Gothic & Romantic, Theory
Cover of the book The Narreme in the Medieval Romance Epic by Eugene Dorfman, University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Eugene Dorfman ISBN: 9781442638358
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division Publication: December 15, 1969
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Eugene Dorfman
ISBN: 9781442638358
Publisher: University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Publication: December 15, 1969
Imprint:
Language: English

In this study Professor Dorfman applies the methods of modern linguistics to literary analysis. Literature may be described as the structured use of language: the modern linguistic analyzes language in a search for the minimal units of sound and form, phoneme and morpheme, and determines the combinations by which they can communicate meaning. The author here searches for a minimal structural unit in the literary narrative analogous to the phoneme and the morpheme in language structure.

Based on a detailed analysis of the Roland and the Cid and twelve additional Romance narratives, Professor Dorfman's argument is that the structure of the medieval Romance epics may be analyzed into functional units which he calls "narremes." He divides a narrative into two types of structure: the superstructure and the substructure. A narrative, by definition, is a series of incidents. All the incidents in the narrative, taken as written, form the superstructure. Analysis, however, shows that many of the incidents may be abstracted from the narrative without deflecting the story-line. On the other hand, other incidents reveal themselves as organically linked with each other, so they cannot be omitted, without destroying the story-line. These selected incidents are the narremes, which make up the substructure of the narrative.

This method of analysis produces so interesting and surprising results, results which make an important advance in research in linguistics and Romance literature.

Eugene Dorfman, as an orthodox structuralist, has focused strictly on the formal descriptions of the narratives; but his analysis leads into the great traditional problems of literary history, and in particular poses anew the problem of the origins of the epic. 

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

In this study Professor Dorfman applies the methods of modern linguistics to literary analysis. Literature may be described as the structured use of language: the modern linguistic analyzes language in a search for the minimal units of sound and form, phoneme and morpheme, and determines the combinations by which they can communicate meaning. The author here searches for a minimal structural unit in the literary narrative analogous to the phoneme and the morpheme in language structure.

Based on a detailed analysis of the Roland and the Cid and twelve additional Romance narratives, Professor Dorfman's argument is that the structure of the medieval Romance epics may be analyzed into functional units which he calls "narremes." He divides a narrative into two types of structure: the superstructure and the substructure. A narrative, by definition, is a series of incidents. All the incidents in the narrative, taken as written, form the superstructure. Analysis, however, shows that many of the incidents may be abstracted from the narrative without deflecting the story-line. On the other hand, other incidents reveal themselves as organically linked with each other, so they cannot be omitted, without destroying the story-line. These selected incidents are the narremes, which make up the substructure of the narrative.

This method of analysis produces so interesting and surprising results, results which make an important advance in research in linguistics and Romance literature.

Eugene Dorfman, as an orthodox structuralist, has focused strictly on the formal descriptions of the narratives; but his analysis leads into the great traditional problems of literary history, and in particular poses anew the problem of the origins of the epic. 

More books from University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division

Cover of the book Apocalypse Delayed by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Two Medieval Occitan Toll Registers from Tarascon by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Japan as a 'Normal Country'? by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Water Policy Reform in Southern Alberta by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Friedrich Schlegel by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book The Old Stones of Kingston by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book The TRACE Econometric Model of the Canadian Economy by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book High Ideals and Noble Intentions by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book The New North-West by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book The Magpie by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Canada's Navy, 2nd Edition by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Dying from Improvement by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Cold Iron and Lady Godiva by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book The Calling of the Nations by Eugene Dorfman
Cover of the book Bacteriology Primer in Air Contamination Control by Eugene Dorfman
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