Narrative Theory: Core Concepts and Critical Debates

by DAVID HERMAN, JAMES PHELAN, PETER J. RABINOWITZ, BRIAN RICHARDSON, ROBYN R. WARHOL

Overview

Narrative Theory: Core Concepts and Critical Debates addresses 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 Theory can 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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814251843
Publisher:	Ohio State University Press
Publication date:	04/13/2012
Series:	THEORY INTERPRETATION NARRATIV
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	353
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

David Herman, James Phelan, and Robyn Warhol are faculty members in the Department of English at 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 ix

Acknowledgments xiii

Part 1 Perspectives: Rhetorical, Feminist, Mind-Oriented, Antimimetic

1 Introduction: The Approaches

Narrative as Rhetoric James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 3

A Feminist Approach to Narrative Robyn Warhol 9

Exploring the Nexus of Narrative and Mind David Herman 14

Antimirnetic, Unnatural, and Postmodern Narrative Theory Brian Richardson 20

2 Authors, Narrators, Narration

James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 29

Robyn Warhol 39

David Herman 44

Brian Richardson 51

3 Time, Plot, Progression

James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 57

Robyn Warhol 66

David Herman 71

Brian Richardson 76

4 Narrative Worlds: Space, Setting, Perspective

James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 84

Robyn Warhol 92

David Herman 98

Brian Richardson 103

5 Character

James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 111

Robyn Warhol 119

David Herman 125

Brian Richardson 132

6 Reception and the Reader

James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 139

Robyn Warhol 144

David Herman 150

Brian Richardson 155

7 Narrative Values, Aesthetic Values

James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 160

Robyn Warhol 165

David Herman 169

Brian Richardson 176

Part 2 Responses

Response James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz 185

To Robyn Warhol's Feminist Approach 187

To David Herman's Approach to Narrative as Worldmaking 191

To Brian Richardson's Theory of Antimimetic Narrative 197

Response Robyn Warhol 201

To James Phelan Peter J. Rabinowitz's Rhetorical Narrative Approach 201

To David Herman's Cognitive Approach 206

To Brian Richardson's Antimimetic Narrative Approach 211

Response David Herman 218

Paradigms in Dispute: Contrasting Assumptions for Narrative Theory 220

Response Brian Richardson 235

General 235

Character 238

Specific Points 241

Missing Theory 245

Works Cited 251

Index 262

Editorial Reviews

Narrative Theory: Core Concepts and Critical Debates is organized in a supple, intellectually meaningful, and reader-friendly way. There are several good books about narrative, but I know of no book like this one. It will certainly be of interest to students of narrative—across disciplines—and of narrative theory.” —Gerald Prince, professor of Romance languages, University of Pennsylvania

From the Publisher