New Readings of the American Novel Narrative Theory and its Application

Messent, Peter B.

ISBN 10: 0333437977 / ISBN 13: 9780333437971

Published by MacMillan, London, 1990

About this Item

In the original publisher's glossy decorated card covers. No dustjacket as issued. Ex- Reference Library with minimal library markings. Protected in the usual clear plastic library jacket. (viii) + 328 pp. Contents: - Speech Representation, Focalization and Narration in The Great Gatsby; Time and narrative: Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury; Slippery Stuff: The Construction of Character in The Sun Also Rises; The Dynamics of Reading: A Lost Lady; 'The Portrait of a Lady' and 'The House of Mirth': A Barthesian Reading; The Clash of Language: Bakhtin and Huckleberry Finn; A Medley of Voices: Zora Neale Hurston's 'Their Eyes Were Watching God'. Notes, Index. Overall despite its status as an Ex-Lib copy this is an Excellent Very Clean, Tight and Bright copy. ; Ex-Library; 8vo 8" - 9" tall; 344 pages.

Seller Inventory # 47803

Bibliographic Details

• Title: New Readings of the American Novel Narrative Theory and its Application
• Publisher: MacMillan, London
• Publication Date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0333437977
• ISBN 13: 9780333437971
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition: First Paperback Edition.
• Condition: Very Good+
• Dust Jacket Condition: No Dust Jacket
• Seller catalogs:
  • American Literature
  • Education
  • N & S. America/ USA
  • Eng Lit, Lit Crit & Shakespeare
  • Fiction

About this title

Synopsis

This study introduces a variety of theoretical models for the reading of narrative: Genette, Ricoeur, Iser, Barthes, Bakhtin, among others. Its aim is to demonstrate to students and teachers of literature how such models can be used to explain how a text's effects are created. At the same time, the author argues for a grounding of the individual text in its historical and cultural context. The seven American novels discussed come mainly from the traditional "canon"; a final chapter on "There Eyes Were Watching God" argues, however, for a broadening of the boundaries of literary discourse.

Review

"This should be essential reading in its totality for any core course in American literature. Messent's is a patient, fluid, and transparent hand that employs an inviting and supportive voice." Ian Bell, Keele University"

"This admirable study patiently explicates a veritable tour de force of the different complex strategies employed at present to dissect the "mechanics" of narrative. . . . I cannot begin to represent the richness of Messent's textual explanations nor his adeptness in explaining complex narratological schemes." Modern Fiction Studies"