Narrative Prosthesis in Literature & Literary Theory

Narrative Prosthesis: Etymology, Meanings and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “narrative prosthesis” emerges from the intersection of literary theory and disability studies. “Narrative” pertains to the storytelling aspect, while “prosthesis” draws from the field of disability studies, referring metaphorically to the incorporation of disability into narrative frameworks.

Meanings:

• Literary Representation: It addresses how disabilities are portrayed in literature, often critiquing the reliance on stereotypical and limiting tropes.
• Structural Device: It signifies the use of disability as a narrative device, influencing plotlines and character development, sometimes reinforcing societal misconceptions.
• Identity Construction: The concept explores how characters with disabilities navigate identity formation within the narrative context, shedding light on the social implications of these constructions.
• Reader’s Perspective: It invites examination of how readers perceive and internalize representations of disability, fostering awareness of societal attitudes.
• Intersectionality: It considers the intersection of disability with other aspects of identity, acknowledging the complex interplay of various social categories in shaping narratives.

Concept:

Narrative prosthesis encapsulates the critical examination of the portrayal of disabilities in literature, delving into the ways in which narratives construct, reinforce, or challenge societal perceptions of individuals with disabilities. It emphasizes the importance of nuanced and authentic representations, aiming to reshape cultural attitudes and promote a more inclusive understanding of disability within the realm of storytelling.

Narrative Prosthesis: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Narrative prosthesis is a theoretical term that explores the portrayal of disabilities in literature. It encompasses the examination of how disabilities are utilized as narrative devices, shaping characters and plotlines. The concept critically assesses the implications of these representations on societal perceptions and advocates for more nuanced, authentic, and inclusive depictions of disability in storytelling.

Narrative Prosthesis: Theorists, Works and Arguments

1. Rosemarie Garland-Thomson:
   • Works: Garland-Thomson’s “Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature” discusses how disability functions as a narrative prosthesis, influencing literary representations.
2. Lennard J. Davis:
   • Works: Davis’ “Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body” critically examines the construction of disability in literature and culture, contributing to the understanding of narrative prosthesis.
3. Tobin Siebers:
   • Works: Siebers’ “Disability Aesthetics” explores the aesthetic dimensions of disability representation in literature, shedding light on the role of disability as a narrative prosthesis.
4. Margaret Price:
   • Works: Price’s “Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life” delves into the intersection of mental disability and academia, contributing insights to the discourse on narrative prosthesis.
5. David T. Mitchell and Sharon L. Snyder:
   • Works: Mitchell and Snyder’s “Narrative Prosthesis and the Materiality of Metaphor” is a foundational essay that investigates how disability operates as a metaphorical device in narratives.

These scholars, through their works and arguments, have advanced the understanding of narrative prosthesis by exploring how disability is utilized, constructed, and represented in literature, contributing to discussions on identity, culture, and societal perceptions.

Narrative Prosthesis: Major Characteristics

Characteristic	Literary References
1. Symbolic Role of Disability	In Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes, the protagonist‘s intellectual disability serves as a symbolic it, highlighting societal perceptions of intelligence.
2. Narrative Device	In The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon, the protagonist’s autism functions as a narrative prosthesis, shaping the novel’s perspective and plot.
3. Identity Construction	The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance explores the construction of identity through the disfigured protagonist, serving as a narrative prosthesis for societal prejudices.
4. Challenging Stereotypes	In The Miracle Worker by William Gibson, Helen Keller’s deaf-blindness challenges societal stereotypes, acting as a narrative prosthesis for questioning preconceived notions.
5. Metaphorical Representation	In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, the mental illnesses of the characters function as a narrative prosthesis, metaphorically representing societal oppression and control.

Narrative Prosthesis: Relevance in Literary Theories

• Feminist Literary Theory:
  • It is relevant in feminist literary theory as it highlights the representation of disabled characters, often scrutinizing how their narratives intersect with gender roles and expectations.
• Postcolonial Literary Theory:
  • In postcolonial literary theory, it may be examined in the context of how disability is portrayed in colonized societies, considering the power dynamics and cultural implications.
• Critical Disability Studies:
  • Central to critical disability studies, it offers a lens to critique the use of disability as a literary device, exploring its impact on reinforcing or challenging societal attitudes towards disabled individuals.
• Queer Theory:
  • In queer theory, it may intersect with discussions on queerness and disability, examining how characters with disabilities are portrayed within the LGBTQ+ context and addressing potential stereotypes.
• Cultural Studies:
  • It is pertinent in cultural studies, providing a framework to analyze how literature reflects and influences cultural perceptions of disability, contributing to broader discussions on diversity and inclusion.

Narrative Prosthesis: Application in Critiques

1. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes:
   • Application: The protagonist’s intellectual disability in Flowers for Algernon serves as a narrative prosthesis, symbolically representing societal views on intelligence. The novel critiques societal norms and prejudices through the lens of the character’s evolving cognitive abilities.
2. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon:
   • Application: It in this novel is the protagonist’s autism, which shapes the narrative perspective. The critique lies in challenging stereotypes surrounding autism, offering readers a unique insight into the world of a character who perceives and interprets events differently.
3. The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance:
   • Application: In this play, the disfigurement of the protagonist, Joseph Merrick, functions as a narrative prosthesis. It critiques societal reactions to physical differences and challenges audiences to reconsider their perceptions of beauty and normalcy.
4. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey:
   • Application: The mental illnesses portrayed in the characters of the novel act as narrative prostheses, metaphorically representing societal oppression and control. The critique lies in challenging the stigmatization of mental health issues and questioning institutional power dynamics.

In each of these works, it is used to critique societal attitudes towards disability, whether intellectual, developmental, physical, or mental, contributing to a broader discourse on inclusion and the representation of diverse experiences in literature.

Narrative Prosthesis: Relevant Terms

Theoretical Term	Brief Definition
1. Disability Studies	Examines the social and cultural aspects of disability.
2. Identity Politics	Focuses on how identity, including disability, shapes politics.
3. Intersectionality	Considers the interconnected nature of various social identities.
4. Critical Disability Theory	Explores the societal impact of disability from a critical perspective.
5. Representation Theory	Analyzes how different groups, including disabled individuals, are represented in media and literature.
6. Stigma Theory	Investigates the societal prejudices and discrimination faced by marginalized groups.
7. Social Model of Disability	Differentiates between impairment (medical) and disability (social).
8. Narrative Construction	Focuses on how narratives shape perceptions and realities.
9. Othering	Examines the process of viewing certain groups as fundamentally different or inferior.
10. Crip Theory	Explores disability as a cultural, social, and political construct.

Narrative Prosthesis: Suggested Readings

1. Davis, Lennard J. Enforcing Normalcy: Disability, Deafness, and the Body. Verso, 1995.
2. Garland-Thomson, Rosemarie. Extraordinary Bodies: Figuring Physical Disability in American Culture and Literature. Columbia University Press, 1997.
3. Haddon, Mark. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. Doubleday, 2003.
4. Keyes, Daniel. Flowers for Algernon. Harcourt, 1966.
5. Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Viking Press, 1962.
6. Pomerance, Bernard. The Elephant Man. Grove Press, 1979.
7. Price, Margaret. Mad at School: Rhetorics of Mental Disability and Academic Life. University of Michigan Press, 2011.
8. Siebers, Tobin. Disability Aesthetics. University of Michigan Press, 2010.
9. Snyder, Sharon L., and David T. Mitchell. “Narrative Prosthesis and the Materiality of Metaphor.” Michigan Quarterly Review, vol. 27, no. 2, 1988, pp. 327-347.
10. Keyes, Daniel. The Minds of Billy Milligan. Bantam, 1981.