Day: November 7, 2023

Etymology of Temporality

The etymology of the term “temporality” can be traced back to its Latin roots. It derives from the Latin word “temporalis,” which pertains to matters of time or the temporal dimension.

The term has evolved over centuries to encapsulate the concept of time, encompassing the temporal nature of events, phenomena, and existence itself.

In an academic context, “temporality” is often employed to describe the study and analysis of time, including its fluidity, significance, and the temporal relationships that shape human experiences and cultural phenomena. This term plays a crucial role in various disciplines, such as philosophy, literature, and anthropology, as it enables scholars to explore the intricate interplay between time, human consciousness, and the narratives of existence.

Meanings of Temporality

Definition of Temporality as a Theoretical Term

Temporality, as a theoretical term, refers to the study and analysis of time as a fundamental dimension of human experience and existence. It encompasses the examination of how time shapes individual and collective identities, influences cultural and historical narratives, and underlies the sequential order of events.

In various academic disciplines, temporality serves as a framework for exploring the multifaceted nature of time, from its impact on consciousness to its role in shaping the narratives of literature and the understanding of temporal phenomena in science and philosophy.

Temporality: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Temporality and Literary Theories

1. Narrative Theory: Temporality is crucial in narrative theory, which focuses on how stories are constructed and told. It plays a significant role in the sequencing of events, the manipulation of time, and the use of flashbacks or foreshadowing. The concept of temporality helps theorists understand how authors create suspense, reflect on memory and identity, and structure their narratives.
2. Postcolonial Theory: In postcolonial literature, temporality is often used to explore the intersection of different time periods and cultures. It helps to analyze how colonized societies navigate the temporal space between their indigenous traditions and the influence of colonial powers. This concept is vital in understanding the complex temporal dynamics in postcolonial texts.
3. Feminist Theory: Temporality has a role in feminist literary theory by examining the experiences of women in different time periods. It can be applied to uncover the struggles and transformations of female characters as they move through various stages of their lives. It also aids in analyzing how women’s roles and identities are affected by the temporal context of their stories.
4. Psychoanalytic Theory: Temporality has relevance in psychoanalytic literary theory, particularly in the analysis of characters’ inner lives and the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind. It allows for the exploration of the temporal aspects of trauma, memory, and psychological development in literature.
5. Historical and Cultural Context: Examining temporality is essential for understanding how literature reflects the historical and cultural contexts in which it was written. It helps critics identify periods of social change, upheaval, or transition and how these impact the narratives and characters within literary works.
6. Postmodern Theory: Temporal liminality aligns with the postmodernist idea that linear time is not absolute. Postmodern literature often challenges traditional notions of time, and the concept of liminality is instrumental in analyzing these temporal disruptions and non-linear narratives.
7. Cultural Studies: Cultural studies encompass the examination of cultural representations and their relationship to society. Temporality is relevant in exploring how literature reflects and shapes cultural identities over time, providing insights into the evolution of cultural narratives.
8. Queer Theory: Queer theory explores non-normative sexualities and identities. Temporal liminality can be used to investigate how LGBTQ+ characters navigate the complex temporality of their identities, coming out, and societal acceptance in literature.

Temporality in Literary Criticism

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: Temporal Complexity: Márquez’s novel is a masterpiece of temporal complexity, as it weaves a narrative that spans generations and explores the cyclical nature of time. The novel’s inventive use of time, blending past, present, and future, challenges conventional linear storytelling and immerses readers in a world where temporality is fluid and unpredictable.
2. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: Stream of Consciousness: Woolf’s exploration of temporality through stream-of-consciousness narration is a hallmark of modernist literature. The novel delves into the inner thoughts and perceptions of its characters in real-time, capturing the fleeting nature of individual experiences and the ever-shifting present moment.
3. One Day by David Nicholls: Temporal Structure: Nicholls’ novel employs a unique temporal structure, revisiting the lives of the two protagonists on the same date each year. This approach allows readers to witness the characters’ growth, changes, and the impact of time on their relationship. The novel poignantly illustrates how temporality shapes personal development and human connections.
4. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: Time Travel and Trauma: Vonnegut’s novel explores temporality through the experiences of its protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, who becomes “unstuck in time.” This temporal dislocation reflects the traumatic effects of war on the human psyche. The novel challenges conventional chronology and highlights the disorienting nature of trauma and the perception of time.

These novels showcase the diverse ways in which temporality is a central theme and narrative device in literature. They challenge traditional storytelling and offer readers an opportunity to engage with the complex, ever-changing nature of time and human existence.

Relevant Terms of Temporality

1. Chronology: The arrangement of events in the order in which they occurred in a narrative, shaping the temporal structure of a literary work.
2. Anachronism: The deliberate or accidental use of elements, events, or language that do not fit the time period or historical context of a narrative, disrupting the narrative’s temporal coherence.
3. Temporal Shift: The intentional manipulation of the chronological order of events within a literary work, often used to create narrative complexity and explore different facets of time.
4. Elastic Time: A narrative technique that allows time to be stretched, compressed, or otherwise manipulated to emphasize certain events or experiences, creating a dynamic temporal dimension.
5. Temporal Distortion: The alteration of the perceived pace or duration of time within a literary text, challenging readers’ temporal expectations.
6. Retrospective Narration: A narrative approach in which events are presented from a future perspective, often offering hindsight and reflection on past events.
7. Stream of Consciousness: A narrative style that attempts to depict the continuous flow of a character’s thoughts and experiences in real-time, capturing the fluidity of consciousness and its relationship with time.
8. Synchrony and Diachrony: Concepts used in structuralist and semiotic approaches to literature, referring to the study of language or events at a single moment in time (synchrony) and across a historical timeline (diachrony).
9. Temporality of Memory: The exploration of how memories and recollections influence the narrative’s temporal structure, as characters reflect on past experiences and their impact on the present.
10. Temporal Liminality: The state of transition or in-betweenness in a narrative, often characterized by uncertainty, transformation, and change in the temporal dimension, leading to deeper exploration of the story’s themes and character development.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. A Lover’s Discourse: Fragments. Vintage, 2010.
2. Benjamin, Walter. The Arcades Project. Belknap Press, 2002.
3. Hassan, Ihab. The Dismemberment of Orpheus: Toward a Postmodern Literature. University of Wisconsin Press, 1982.
4. Derrida, Jacques. Archive Fever: A Freudian Impression. University of Chicago Press, 1998.
5. Proust, Marcel. In Search of Lost Time. Modern Library, 1998.
6. Ricoeur, Paul. Time and Narrative. University of Chicago Press, 1985.
7. Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway. Harcourt Brace, 1925.

Etymology of Subconscious

The term “subconscious” originates from the Latin words “sub,” meaning “under,” and “conscius,” meaning “conscious.”

It was first introduced in English in the mid-19th century and refers to mental processes and content occurring below the threshold of conscious awareness, implying a realm of thoughts, emotions, and perceptions that influence behavior without conscious recognition.

Meanings of Subconscious

Definition of Subconscious as a Theoretical Term

The term “subconscious” serves as a theoretical concept in psychology and cognitive science, referring to mental processes and content that occur below the threshold of conscious awareness.

It encompasses thoughts, emotions, memories, and automatic responses that influence behavior without the individual’s explicit recognition.

It is a crucial element in understanding human cognition and the complexities of the mind, often explored through techniques like dream analysis, introspection, and psychoanalysis.

Subconscious: Theorists, Works and Arguments

The concept of the subconscious has been influential in the fields of psychology, literature, and philosophy. Here are notable theorists, works, and arguments related to the subconscious:

Theorists:

1. Sigmund Freud: Freud is renowned for his pioneering work in psychoanalysis, emphasizing the role of the subconscious mind in shaping human behavior. His theories, including the division of the mind into the conscious, subconscious, and unconscious, have had a profound impact on psychology and literature.
2. Carl Jung: Jung extended Freud’s ideas and introduced the concept of the collective unconscious, suggesting that a shared reservoir of experiences and symbols exists in the human psyche, influencing individual behavior and creativity.

Works:

1. The Interpretation of Dreams by Sigmund Freud: In this seminal work, Freud delves into dream analysis as a means of accessing the subconscious. He argues that dreams serve as a gateway to the hidden realms of the mind, revealing repressed desires, fears, and unresolved conflicts.
2. Psychology and Alchemy by Carl Jung: Jung’s exploration of alchemical symbolism and its connection to the subconscious is a significant work. He argues that symbols and archetypes in the collective unconscious play a vital role in human psychology and creativity.

Arguments:

1. Role in Psychological Healing: Both Freud and Jung argued that understanding the subconscious is crucial for psychological healing. By uncovering repressed memories and emotions, individuals can confront and resolve inner conflicts, leading to better mental health.
2. Influence on Creative Expression: The subconscious has a profound influence on artistic and literary creation. Many artists and writers, such as the Surrealists, have drawn upon the imagery and symbolism of the subconscious to explore the depths of human experience and creativity.
3. Repression and Unconscious Motivation: The theorists have argued that much of human behavior is driven by subconscious desires and motives that individuals may not consciously recognize. These repressed elements can lead to neuroses and affect decision-making.

The exploration of the subconscious has opened new avenues for understanding human cognition, creative expression, and mental health, with Freud and Jung being central figures in shaping these discussions.

Subconscious and Literary Theories

1. Psychoanalytic Literary Theory (Freudian Analysis): Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, particularly the idea of the subconscious, has had a profound impact on literary criticism. Freud’s work on the unconscious mind, dreams, and repressed desires is frequently used to analyze characters, symbolism, and the hidden motivations in literary works. For example, analyzing the motivations and conflicts of characters in a novel through the lens of Freudian concepts like the id, ego, and superego.
2. Surrealism: Surrealism, an artistic and literary movement, embraced the idea of the subconscious as a source of creativity and insight. Writers associated with surrealism, such as André Breton, explored the dreamlike, irrational, and imaginative aspects of the human psyche in their works. Surrealist literature often blurs the line between reality and dreams, delving into the hidden recesses of the mind.
3. Stream of Consciousness: Stream of consciousness is a narrative technique that attempts to represent the continuous flow of thoughts and sensations in a character’s mind. This technique often reveals the character’s subconscious thoughts and associations. Writers like James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and William Faulkner employed this method to delve into the inner workings of their characters’ minds.
4. Archetypal Criticism: Archetypal criticism, associated with the work of Carl Jung, explores universal symbols and patterns in literature. Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious, which contains universal human experiences and symbols, is relevant here. Archetypal critics examine how characters, motifs, and narratives in literature may tap into these archetypal elements residing in the collective unconscious.
5. New Criticism: While New Criticism primarily focuses on the text itself, it is not entirely divorced from the idea of the subconscious. New Critics consider the ambiguity and multiple interpretations inherent in literary texts, acknowledging that the author’s subconscious and unintended meanings may influence the work.
6. Postmodernism: Postmodern literature often blurs the boundaries between reality and fiction, conscious and subconscious thought. Authors like Italo Calvino, Jorge Luis Borges, and Salman Rushdie play with metafiction, intertextuality, and unreliable narration, suggesting that the subconscious influences the construction of narrative and reality.
7. Feminist Literary Theory: Feminist theorists have explored the impact of societal conditioning on the female subconscious. They examine how patriarchal norms and expectations are internalized in female characters and how women’s repressed desires and emotions are represented in literature.

Subconscious in Literary Criticism

Relevant Terms of Subconscious

1. Subconscious Mind: The part of the mind that contains thoughts, memories, and emotions that are not currently in conscious awareness but can influence a character’s behavior and motivations.
2. Psychoanalysis: A method of literary analysis that explores its elements of a character’s psyche, often drawing on the theories of Sigmund Freud to understand their hidden desires and conflicts.
3. Repression: The psychological mechanism by which unpleasant memories or thoughts are pushed into the subconscious to protect the conscious mind from distress.
4. Dream Symbolism: The interpretation of symbols and imagery in a character’s dreams to gain insight into their such desires, fears, or unresolved issues.
5. Freudian Slip: A verbal mistake or lapse that reveals an unconscious thought, desire, or intention, often used in literature to highlight hidden motivations.
6. Id, Ego, Superego: Freud’s model of the human psyche, with the id representing primal desires, the ego managing conscious reality, and the superego enforcing moral and social values.
7. Subtext: Unspoken or implicit meanings in a literary work that hint at deeper emotions, desires, or motivations lying beneath the surface of the text.
8. Stream of Consciousness: A narrative technique that presents a character’s thoughts and feelings as they occur in real-time, often revealing their subconscious musings and associations.
9. Jungian Archetypes: Universal symbols, characters, or themes in literature that tap into the collective unconscious, as proposed by Carl Jung, to evoke deep and shared human experiences.
10. Catharsis: A release of pent-up emotions, often triggered by the revelation of subconscious truths, providing emotional relief for both characters and readers in a literary work.

Suggested Readings

1. Freud, Sigmund. The Interpretation of Dreams. Translated by James Strachey, Basic Books, 2010.
2. Irwin, W. R. The Game of the Impossible: A Rhetoric of Fantasy. University of Illinois Press, 1984.
3. Jung, Carl Gustav. Man and His Symbols. Dell, 1964.
4. Kristeva, Julia. The Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Translated by Leon S. Roudiez, Columbia University Press, 1982.
5. Rank, Otto. The Double: A Psychoanalytic Study. Translated by Harry Tucker Jr., The University of North Carolina Press, 1971.
6. Thompson, John B. Shadows of the New Sun: Wolfe on Writing, Writers on Wolfe. Liverpool University Press, 2007.
7. Zizek, Slavoj. The Sublime Object of Ideology. Verso, 1989.

Etymology of Spatiality

The term “spatiality” originates from the word “space” and its suffix “-ality.” “Space” itself has Latin roots, coming from the Latin word “spatium,” which means “extent” or “distance.” The addition of the suffix “-ality” transforms “space” into “spatiality,” signifying the quality or characteristic of being related to or inherent in space.

In academic discourse, “spatiality” is used to describe the attributes, dimensions, and relationships of physical or abstract spaces. It has become a fundamental concept in various fields, including geography, architecture, and the social sciences, where it is employed to analyze the structure, organization, and meanings of different spaces, both tangible and conceptual.

The term underscores the significance of space as a critical element in understanding human experiences, environments, and societal structures.

Meanings of Spatiality

Definition of Spatiality as a Theoretical Term

Spatiality, as a theoretical term, refers to the study and interpretation of the organization, attributes, and relationships of physical and abstract spaces within various academic disciplines. It involves examining how spaces, both tangible and conceptual, impact human experiences, interactions, and societal structures.

Scholars use spatiality to explore the dimensions and meanings of space, offering insights into its role in shaping our understanding of the world.

Spatiality: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Henri Lefebvre: Lefebvre, a French sociologist and philosopher, made significant contributions to the concept of spatiality. His work, particularly “The Production of Space,” explores how social, political, and economic forces shape the spatial organization of cities and societies.
2. Edward Soja: An influential geographer, Soja is known for his theory of “spatial justice,” which examines how spatial structures and urban planning impact social inequality. His book, “Seeking Spatial Justice,” delves into this concept.
3. Michel Foucault: Foucault, a philosopher and social theorist, discussed the relationship between power and space. In his work, “Of Other Spaces,” he introduced the idea of heterotopias, spaces with multiple, contrasting meanings.

Key Works:

1. Henri Lefebvre’s The Production of Space (1974): Lefebvre’s magnum opus explores the social construction of space and its role in everyday life, providing a foundation for spatial theory.
2. Edward Soja’s Seeking Spatial Justice (2010): Soja’s work critically examines the spatial inequalities and injustices that arise from urban planning and development.
3. Michel Foucault’s “Of Other Spaces” (1967): In this essay, Foucault introduces the concept of heterotopias and discusses how spaces can have complex, layered meanings and functions.

Key Arguments:

1. Spatial Production: The theorists argue that space is not a neutral backdrop but is actively produced by various social, economic, and political forces. Understanding how space is constructed and controlled is crucial for comprehending societal dynamics.
2. Spatial Inequality: Spatiality plays a central role in perpetuating or alleviating social inequalities. The works of these theorists emphasize how unequal access to space can result in disparities in resources, opportunities, and quality of life.
3. Heterotopias and Power: Foucault’s concept of heterotopias highlights how spaces can embody power dynamics and have multiple, sometimes contradictory meanings. These spaces serve as sites for the negotiation of social norms and values.
4. Spatial Practices: Spatiality encompasses the everyday practices and activities that occur within spaces. Understanding these practices is essential for unraveling how individuals and communities engage with and shape their environments.

In summary, spatiality theorists have made significant contributions to our understanding of how space is constructed, controlled, and imbued with meaning. Their works shed light on the relationship between space and social, political, and economic factors and emphasize the importance of spatial justice and equality.

Spatiality and Literary Theories

1. Postcolonial Literature: Spatiality plays a crucial role in postcolonial literature, where the physical and conceptual spaces are central to exploring the effects of colonialism, identity, displacement, and cultural clashes. Writers like Chinua Achebe and Salman Rushdie use spatiality to reflect the complexities of postcolonial identities and the negotiation of power in a global context.
2. Feminist Literary Theory: Feminist literary criticism often examines how spatiality impacts gender roles and women’s experiences. Spatiality is used to analyze the domestic and public spheres, as well as the ways in which women are confined or liberated within various spaces. Works like Virginia Woolf’s “Mrs. Dalloway” and Charlotte Perkins Gilman’s “The Yellow Wallpaper” illustrate these spatial dynamics.
3. Postmodern Literature: Postmodern literature frequently explores spatiality as a means of deconstructing traditional narrative structures. Authors like Italo Calvino and Jorge Luis Borges use spatiality to create intricate, non-linear narratives that challenge readers’ perceptions of reality and fiction.
4. Ecocriticism: In ecocritical literary theory, spatiality is employed to examine the relationship between literature and the environment. It focuses on how literary works depict natural and urban spaces, and how these spaces are impacted by human and ecological interactions. Authors like Henry David Thoreau and Wendell Berry often feature prominently in ecocritical discussions of spatiality.
5. Psychoanalytic Literary Criticism: Psychoanalytic theorists, such as Sigmund Freud and Jacques Lacan, have explored spatiality in literature to analyze the symbolism of spaces and the psychological dimensions of characters. This approach delves into the subconscious and the spatial representations of inner psychological conflicts in works like Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Fall of the House of Usher.”

In these literary theories and contexts, spatiality is a fundamental concept that enriches the analysis of how space and place contribute to the themes, characters, and narratives in literature. It allows for a deeper exploration of the relationships between individuals, their environments, and the broader cultural and historical contexts in which stories are situated.

Spatiality in Literary Criticism

Relevant Terms

1. Topos: A recurring thematic element or motif in literature related to a specific place or space, often used to convey symbolic or cultural significance.
2. Cartographic Novel: A literary work that incorporates elements of mapmaking and cartography, using spatial representation as a narrative tool.
3. Spatial Poetics: The study of how space and place are portrayed in literature, examining the poetic aspects of spatial descriptions.
4. Psychogeography: An approach to literature that explores how physical environments and urban spaces impact human emotions, behaviors, and creativity.
5. Spatial Narrative: The use of spatial elements and settings to shape the structure and storytelling of a narrative, influencing how the plot unfolds.
6. Toponym: A place name or location-specific term within a literary work that holds cultural, historical, or thematic significance.
7. Geocriticism: An interdisciplinary approach to literary analysis that examines the relationship between literature and the physical environment, exploring how landscapes and spaces influence literary texts.
8. Heterotopia: A concept introduced by Michel Foucault, referring to spaces that exist outside conventional norms, often used in literature to represent places of difference or otherness.
9. Chronotopic Reading: A method of literary analysis that focuses on the relationship between time and space within a text, revealing how temporal and spatial elements are interconnected.
10. Liminal Space: A space in literature that represents a threshold or transitional zone, often symbolizing transformation, ambiguity, and potential.

Suggested Readings

1. Calvino, Italo. Invisible Cities. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1974.
2. Foucault, Michel. “Of Other Spaces.” In Rethinking Architecture: A Reader in Cultural Theory, edited by Neil Leach, Routledge, 1997, pp. 330-336.
3. Lefebvre, Henri. The Production of Space. Translated by Donald Nicholson-Smith, Blackwell, 1991.
4. Matar, Hisham. In the Country of Men. Dial Press, 2006.
5. Soja, Edward. Seeking Spatial Justice. University of Minnesota Press, 2010.
6. Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1927.

Narrative Space: Etymology and Concept

Narrative Space: Etymology The term “narrative space” originates from the Latin “narrare,” meaning “to recount” or “to tell.”

In literary theory, it pertains to the setting and environment in which a story unfolds, encompassing physical locations, temporal dimensions, and the conceptual landscape.

Understanding its etymology is crucial for comprehending how authors construct the world in which their stories occur, influencing reader engagement and interpretation.

Narrative Space: Concept: It is a foundational concept in literary theory, representing the spatial and temporal framework of a narrative, including physical settings, time periods, and conceptual realms. It significantly influences reader immersion, shaping the narrative’s atmosphere, mood, and context.

Authors use it to create an immersive storytelling experience, and exploring it enhances our understanding of how setting impacts character development and thematic elements in literature.

Narrative Space: Meanings

Narrative Space: Theoretical Term Definition

Narrative space is a theoretical term in literary analysis that encompasses the spatial and temporal dimensions within which a narrative unfolds, including physical settings, temporal periods, and imaginative landscapes.

It plays a fundamental role in shaping the reader’s understanding of the narrative context, character interactions, and thematic exploration.

Authors strategically employ this space to immerse readers in the story, evoke specific atmospheres and moods, and convey symbolic or metaphorical meanings related to the narrative’s themes.

Narrative Space: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

1. Gérard Genette:
   • Work: Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method (1980).
   • Argument: Genette discusses the concept of narrative distance, which involves the degree of detachment or proximity between the narrator and the characters, affecting how the narrative space is presented. He explores the use of narrative voice and its impact on the reader’s perception of this space.
2. Mikhail Bakhtin:
   • Work: The Dialogic Imagination (1981).
   • Argument: Bakhtin’s dialogic theory emphasizes the dynamic interaction of voices and perspectives within the narrative space. He highlights the concept of heteroglossia, where different voices and languages coexist, shaping the narrative space as a site of multiple views and discourses.
3. Dorrit Cohn:
   • Work: Transparent Minds: Narrative Modes for Presenting Consciousness in Fiction (1978).
   • Argument: Cohn focuses on the presentation of characters’ consciousness within the narrative space. She explores how different narrative modes and techniques influence the reader’s access to the characters’ inner thoughts and experiences, thereby shaping this space.
4. William Labov:
   • Work: Language in the Inner City: Studies in the Black English Vernacular (1972).
   • Argument: Labov’s research on narrative analysis extends to the study of oral narratives and how individuals structure their personal narratives in real-life contexts. His work provides insights into the organization of this space in spoken discourse.
5. Roland Barthes:
   • Work: S/Z (1970).
   • Argument: Barthes discusses the role of the reader in constructing narrative space, especially in texts he categorizes as “writerly.” He examines how readers engage with the narrative, interpreting and contributing to the construction of this space within the text.

These theorists and their works offer various insights into the concept and function of this space, ranging from the narrator’s role to the dialogic nature of narratives and the reader’s active engagement in shaping the narrative space.

Narrative Space in Literary Theories

Narrative Spaces: Application in Critiques

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: In Márquez’s masterpiece, narrative space serves as a vital component of the magical realism that defines the novel. The fictional town of Macondo becomes a character in its own right, shaping the events and the destinies of the Buendía family. The space within Macondo is filled with mystical elements and supernatural occurrences, creating a unique narrative space that blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. This narrative space allows Márquez to explore themes of time, memory, and the cyclical nature of history, adding depth to the story.
2. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: Woolf’s novel is a prime example of how narrative space can be used to delve into the inner thoughts and experiences of characters. The narrative is set in a single day in London, and the narrative space alternates between the external events of the city and the internal monologues of the characters. This dual narrative space allows Woolf to explore the inner lives and emotions of her characters, providing insight into their mental landscapes. The city of London becomes a backdrop that reflects the characters’ thoughts and feelings, emphasizing the connection between the external and internal narrative spaces.
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy: McCarthy’s novel employs narrative spaces to convey the desolate and post-apocalyptic world in which the story unfolds. The physical landscape is a character in itself, with the bleak, ashen setting mirroring the emotional and psychological journey of the father and son. The narrative spaces are devoid of hope and filled with danger, reflecting the harsh realities of survival in a devastated world. This narrative space plays a crucial role in conveying the novel’s themes of human endurance, love, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
4. The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón: Zafón’s novel is set in the enchanting city of Barcelona, and the narrative spaces of the city becomes a central element of the story. The city’s mysterious and labyrinthine streets provide the backdrop for a tale of literary intrigue and secrets. The narrative spaces of Barcelona is imbued with a sense of history, culture, and hidden stories, reflecting the novel’s themes of the power of literature and the preservation of memory. Zafón’s use of space in the form of the city itself adds richness and depth to the narrative, making Barcelona an integral part of the storytelling.

These critiques demonstrate how this space can be a versatile and essential element in different genres and styles of literature, contributing to the depth and complexity of the narratives.

Narrative Space: Relevant Terms

1. Setting: The physical and temporal backdrop in which the narrative takes place, encompassing locations, time periods, and environmental conditions.
2. Psychogeography: The study of how physical spaces and locations influence human emotions, behaviors, and experiences, often used to analyze such spaces.
3. Topography: The geographical features of a location, including its terrain, landmarks, and natural elements, which can shape the narrative environment.
4. Diegetic Space: The space within the narrative world where characters and events exist and unfold, as opposed to the extradiegetic space outside the story.
5. Heterotopia: A concept introduced by Michel Foucault, referring to spaces that exist outside of the normal, where different rules and structures apply, often used to analyze unique narrative spaces.
6. Liminal Space: A transitional or in-between spaces, symbolizing change or transformation, frequently used in narratives to represent character development.
7. Interior Monologue: A narrative technique that allows readers access to a character’s inner thoughts and emotions, revealing their mental and emotional narrative space.
8. Diegetic and Non-Diegetic Sound: In film and multimedia narratives, the distinction between sounds that occur within the narrative space and those added for the audience’s benefit.
9. Physical Environment: The tangible aspects of the narrative spaces, including landscapes, buildings, and objects, influencing character actions and interactions.
10. Spatial Metaphor: The use of space-related language and imagery to convey abstract concepts or emotions, often used to create a unique narrative space within the reader’s mind.

Narrative Space: Suggested Readings

1. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1983.
2. Foucault, Michel. “Of Other Spaces: Utopias and Heterotopias.” In Rethinking Architecture, edited by Neil Leach, 1986.
3. Certeau, Michel de. The Practice of Everyday Life. University of California Press, 1984.
4. Tuan, Yi-Fu. Space and Place: The Perspective of Experience. University of Minnesota Press, 2001.
5. Kristeva, Julia. The Powers of Horror: An Essay on Abjection. Columbia University Press, 1982.
6. Propp, Vladimir. Morphology of the Folktale. University of Texas Press, 1968.
7. Moretti, Franco. Atlas of the European Novel 1800-1900. Verso, 1998.
8. Jameson, Fredric. The Political Unconscious: Narrative as a Socially Symbolic Act. Cornell University Press, 1982.