Genres in Discourse

ISBN-13: 9780521342490 / Angielski / Twarda / 1990 / 148 str.

Tzvetan Todorov

Opis

This is a collection in translation of recent essays by Tzvetan Todorov, one of the most eminent of today's literary critics. The essays concentrate on the idea of genre, literary or otherwise, and asks such questions as: What is literature? What is genre? Which are the major literary genres? In the first section, Todorov proposes definitions for the notions of literature, discourse, and genre. Following is a general discussion of the two principal literary genres, fiction and poetry. Finally, in the third section of essays, Todorov examines individual authors as case studies: among them Poe, Dostoyevsky, Baudelaire, Conrad, and James.

Recenzje

"Although Todorov is operating within the realm of high theory, he constructs most arguments from meticulous readings of individual texts. Unlike the bravura gestures of critics such as Harold Bloom, Todorov's close readings are quieter. Like embroidery examined with a magnifying glass, they impress by their intricacy and refinement....he is amazing." Village Voice

Spis treści

Prefatory note; Part I: 1. The notions of literature; 2. The origin of genres; Part II: 3. The two principles of narrative; 4. Reading as construction; 5. A poetic novel; 6. Poetry without verse; Part III: 7. Notes from the Underground; 8. The limits of Edgar Poe; 9. Heart of Darkness; 10. The Awkward Age; Index.