The Work of Fiction

Cognition, Culture, and Complexity

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
Cover of the book The Work of Fiction by Ellen Spolsky, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Ellen Spolsky ISBN: 9781351880367
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Ellen Spolsky
ISBN: 9781351880367
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: March 2, 2017
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

The essays gathered here demonstrate and justify the excitement and promise of cognitive historicism, providing a lively introduction to this new and quickly growing area of literary studies. Written by eight leading critics whose work has done much to establish the new field, they display the significant results of a largely unprecedented combination of cultural and cognitive analysis. The authors explore both narrative and dramatic genres, uncovering the tensions among presumably universal cognitive processes, and the local contexts within which complex literary texts are produced. Alan Richardson's opening essay evaluates current approaches to the study of literature and cognition, locating them on the map of recent literary studies, indicating their most compelling developments to date, and suggesting the most promising future directions. The seven essays that follow provide innovative readings of topics ranging from Shakespeare (Othello, Macbeth, Cymbeline, The Rape of Lucrece) through Samuel Richardson's Clarissa, to contemporary authors Ian McEwan and Gilbert Sorrentino. They underscore some of the limitations of new historicist and post-structuralist approaches to literary cultural studies while affirming the value of supplementing rather than supplanting them with insights and methods drawn from cognitive and evolutionary theory. Together, they demonstrate the analytical power of considering these texts in the context of recent studies of cultural universals, 'theory of mind,' cognitive categorization and genre, and neural-materialist theories of language and consciousness. This groundbreaking collection holds appeal for a broad audience, including students and teachers of literary theory, literary history, cultural studies, and literature and science studies.

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

The essays gathered here demonstrate and justify the excitement and promise of cognitive historicism, providing a lively introduction to this new and quickly growing area of literary studies. Written by eight leading critics whose work has done much to establish the new field, they display the significant results of a largely unprecedented combination of cultural and cognitive analysis. The authors explore both narrative and dramatic genres, uncovering the tensions among presumably universal cognitive processes, and the local contexts within which complex literary texts are produced. Alan Richardson's opening essay evaluates current approaches to the study of literature and cognition, locating them on the map of recent literary studies, indicating their most compelling developments to date, and suggesting the most promising future directions. The seven essays that follow provide innovative readings of topics ranging from Shakespeare (Othello, Macbeth, Cymbeline, The Rape of Lucrece) through Samuel Richardson's Clarissa, to contemporary authors Ian McEwan and Gilbert Sorrentino. They underscore some of the limitations of new historicist and post-structuralist approaches to literary cultural studies while affirming the value of supplementing rather than supplanting them with insights and methods drawn from cognitive and evolutionary theory. Together, they demonstrate the analytical power of considering these texts in the context of recent studies of cultural universals, 'theory of mind,' cognitive categorization and genre, and neural-materialist theories of language and consciousness. This groundbreaking collection holds appeal for a broad audience, including students and teachers of literary theory, literary history, cultural studies, and literature and science studies.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Treatment or Diagnosis by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Women Psychotherapists' Reflections on Female Friendships by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Dutch Translation in Practice by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Voice-Overs by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book A Vos Marques! by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book America in 1900 by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Perspectives on Peter Maxwell Davies by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Asylum Seeking and the Global City by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Fertility and Familial Power Relations by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Revolution From Above by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Gender and the Political Economy of Conflict in Africa by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Corporate Social Performance in Emerging Markets by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book America's Trade Policy Towards Japan by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Alcohol and Crime by Ellen Spolsky
Cover of the book Politics with a Human Face by Ellen Spolsky
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