Narrative Subversion in Medieval Literature - Softcover

Risden, E.L.

 
9780786477784: Narrative Subversion in Medieval Literature
Softcover
ISBN 10: 0786477784 ISBN 13: 9780786477784
Publisher: McFarland & Co, 2016

Synopsis

A story that follows a simple trajectory is seldom worth telling. But the unexpected overturning of narrative progress creates complexity and interest, directing the reader's attention to the most powerful elements of a story.

Exile, for example, upsets a protagonist's hopes for a happy earthly life, emphasizing spiritual perception instead. Waking life interrupts dreams, just as dreams may redirect how one lives.

Focusing on medieval literature, this study explores how narrative subversion works in such well known stories as Beowulf, Piers Plowman, Le Morte D'Arthur, The Canterbury Tales, Troylus and Criseyde, "Voluspa" and other Old Norse sagas, Grail quest romances, and many others.

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About the Author

E.L. Risden, emeritus professor of English at St. Norbert College, lives in De Pere, Wisconsin, where he continues to write literary and movie scholarship, speculative fiction, and occasional poetry.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Publisher
McFarland & Co
Publication date
2016
Language
English
ISBN 10 
0786477784
ISBN 13 
9780786477784
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
192