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出版者:Routledge

作者:Naomi Conn Liebler 编

出品人:

页数:200

译者:

出版时间:2006-11

价格:258.00元

装帧:Pap

isbn号码:9780415358415

丛书系列:

图书标签:

• Early Modern Literature
• Prose Fiction
• English Literature
• Renaissance
• 16th Century
• 17th Century
• Literary Criticism
• Cultural History
• Narrative
• Fiction

Early Modern Prose Fiction: A Journey Through the Genesis of the Novel This volume embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the nascent stages of prose fiction during the Early Modern period. Far from a monolithic entity, the literary landscape of this era was a vibrant tapestry woven with diverse narrative forms that laid the crucial groundwork for the novel as we understand it today. Our journey will delve into the origins and evolution of these early prose works, examining their thematic concerns, narrative techniques, and the social and cultural contexts that shaped their creation and reception. The Dawn of a New Narrative Age: The Early Modern period, roughly spanning from the late 15th to the late 18th century, witnessed a profound shift in literary production. While poetry and drama continued to flourish, prose fiction began to carve out its own distinct identity, moving beyond the confines of romance and epic to explore new modes of storytelling. This era saw the emergence of works that were increasingly concerned with the complexities of human experience, the intricacies of social relations, and the exploration of individual psychology. Key Genres and Their Characteristics: Our exploration will systematically dissect the major genres that contributed to the development of early modern prose fiction. We will begin with the enduring influence of romance, examining how its chivalric traditions were adapted and transformed to resonate with contemporary audiences. This includes analyzing the didactic elements present in many romances, their focus on idealized heroes and heroines, and their often improbable plots. We will also trace the gradual shift away from purely fantastical elements towards a more grounded realism, even within these fantastical frameworks. Next, we will turn our attention to the rise of picaresque narratives. These episodic tales, often featuring a roguish protagonist navigating a corrupt and hierarchical society, offered a starkly different perspective from the idealized worlds of romance. We will investigate the characteristics of the picaro – their cunning, their resourcefulness, and their often morally ambiguous actions – and explore how these narratives provided a critical lens through which to view social injustices and the hypocrisy of the ruling classes. The picaresque, with its emphasis on everyday life and its often satirical tone, proved to be a potent force in shaping the direction of prose fiction. The development of short story forms will also be a significant focus. From the witty and often bawdy tales of Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron to the more morally instructive narratives that followed, the short story offered a flexible and accessible medium for exploring a wide range of human predicaments and moral dilemmas. We will analyze the structural innovations and thematic variations found within these collections, paying close attention to how they reflected and commented upon the social customs and beliefs of their time. Furthermore, we will dedicate considerable attention to the emergence of "novelistic" tendencies within various prose forms. This involves identifying early attempts to create more sustained and complex narratives, characterized by a greater focus on character development, psychological depth, and the exploration of intricate plotlines. We will examine how authors began to experiment with different narrative voices, points of view, and the use of interior monologue, all of which were crucial steps towards the eventual establishment of the novel as a dominant literary form. Thematic Concerns and Social Commentary: Beyond genre classification, this volume will delve into the rich tapestry of themes that animated early modern prose fiction. A significant recurring concern is the exploration of love and desire, often depicted in various forms, from courtly affection to more passionate and transgressive unions. We will analyze how these narratives grappled with societal expectations, the constraints of marriage, and the personal consequences of romantic entanglement. Social mobility and class distinctions also emerge as central themes. Many early prose works offer a keen insight into the hierarchical structures of Early Modern society, charting the aspirations and frustrations of characters from different social strata. We will examine how authors used their narratives to both uphold and subtly critique these social orders, exploring the challenges faced by those seeking to ascend the social ladder and the often-cruel realities of poverty and marginalization. The exploration of morality and ethics is another pervasive element. Many early prose narratives served as vehicles for moral instruction, offering cautionary tales and exemplifying virtuous behavior. However, as the period progressed, there was a growing willingness to explore the complexities of moral decision-making, the ambiguities of good and evil, and the inherent fallibility of human nature. We will scrutinize the ways in which authors presented ethical dilemmas and the implicit or explicit judgments they passed upon their characters' actions. Religious and philosophical currents also deeply influenced early modern prose fiction. The Reformation and its aftermath, along with the burgeoning scientific revolution, fostered new ways of thinking about faith, reason, and the human condition. We will investigate how these intellectual shifts were reflected in the narratives, influencing characters' beliefs, their quests for meaning, and their understanding of the world around them. Narrative Techniques and Stylistic Innovations: The evolution of early modern prose fiction was intrinsically linked to the development of its narrative techniques. This volume will meticulously dissect these innovations. We will examine the crucial role of the narrator, analyzing the different types of narrative voices employed – from the omniscient to the first-person – and their impact on reader engagement and interpretation. The strategies used to establish credibility and verisimilitude, even in fantastical narratives, will be a key area of focus, as authors sought to convince their audiences of the truthfulness of their invented worlds. The art of plot construction will be thoroughly investigated, charting the shift from linear and formulaic structures to more intricate and psychologically driven plots. We will explore the use of suspense, foreshadowing, and thematic parallelism as tools for engaging the reader and deepening the narrative's impact. The gradual incorporation of dialogue as a means of characterization and plot advancement will also be a significant point of analysis. Furthermore, we will explore the stylistic choices made by Early Modern prose writers. This includes examining their use of language, the influence of rhetoric, and the evolving nature of prose style itself. We will consider how authors experimented with different registers and vocabularies to suit their subject matter and their intended audience. The Social and Cultural Context: Understanding early modern prose fiction necessitates a deep engagement with its social and cultural milieu. This volume will situate these literary works within their historical context, exploring the factors that shaped their creation and consumption. The growth of literacy and the print revolution played a pivotal role, making prose fiction more accessible to a wider audience than ever before. We will examine the role of printing presses, the emergence of booksellers, and the economic forces that influenced literary production. The development of a reading public, with its evolving tastes and expectations, is another crucial area of inquiry. We will explore the audiences for these works, considering factors such as gender, social class, and education. The interplay between authors and their readers, and the ways in which popular taste influenced literary trends, will be a central theme. Finally, we will consider the influence of other artistic and intellectual movements on early modern prose fiction. The visual arts, philosophical treatises, and even popular entertainments likely all contributed to the imaginative landscape from which these narratives emerged. Conclusion: Laying the Foundation for the Novel: By meticulously examining the diverse genres, recurring themes, narrative techniques, and socio-cultural contexts of Early Modern prose fiction, this volume aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this pivotal period in literary history. It is a period of experimentation, innovation, and the forging of a new narrative art form that would go on to captivate audiences for centuries to come. This journey through the genesis of the novel reveals a literary world teeming with creativity, intellectual ferment, and a profound engagement with the ever-evolving human experience. It is a testament to the power of prose to reflect, question, and ultimately shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

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