Polysystem Theory in Literature

Polysystem Theory: Etymology/Term, Definition, and Concept

Etymology/Term:

The term “Polysystem” originates from the combination of two Greek words: “poly,” meaning many, and “systema,” denoting a system or structure. Coined by the Israeli literary theorist Itamar Even-Zohar in the 1970s, Polysystem Theory refers to a conceptual framework for studying the relationships, interactions, and dynamics within cultural systems, particularly focusing on literature and language.

Definition:

Polysystem Theory is a theoretical framework within cultural and literary studies that examines the complex interplay of multiple systems and subsystems within a cultural or literary environment. It emphasizes the dynamic relationships between various elements, such as literary genres, languages, and cultural contexts. The theory seeks to understand how these elements interact, influence each other, and contribute to the evolution and reception of literary and cultural phenomena.

Concept:

• Multiple Systems: Recognizes the coexistence of various systems within a cultural framework, including literary genres, languages, and cultural traditions.
• Interconnectedness: Emphasizes the intricate connections and influences between different elements in a cultural system, highlighting the reciprocal relationships that shape cultural production and reception.
• Dynamic Evolution: Views cultural systems as dynamic entities that evolve over time, responding to internal and external factors such as societal changes, technological advancements, and cultural interactions.
• Reception and Transformation: Investigates how cultural and literary elements are received, adopted, and transformed within a cultural system, exploring the processes of adaptation and reinterpretation.
• Cultural Heterogeneity: Acknowledges the heterogeneity within cultural systems, emphasizing the coexistence of diverse voices, perspectives, and forms of expression.
• Translation and Mediation: Considers the role of translation and mediation in facilitating the transfer of ideas, texts, and cultural elements across different systems within a polysystem.
• Norms and Deviations: Analyzes the establishment and negotiation of norms within cultural systems, as well as the impact of deviations and innovations on the cultural and literary landscape.
• Cultural Dynamics: Examines how cultural dynamics, including power relations and socio-political factors, shape the development and prominence of certain elements within a polysystem.
• Literary Canon Formation: Explores the processes involved in the formation and transformation of literary canons within a cultural system, considering factors such as institutional influence and audience reception.
• Globalization and Transnationalism: Considers the implications of globalization and transnational cultural flows on the interactions and transformations within polysystems, emphasizing the interconnectedness of diverse cultural contexts.

Polysystem Theory: Major Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Major Theorists	Key Works	Central Arguments
Itamar Even-Zohar	“Polysystem Studies”	– Introduces the concept of Polysystem Theory, emphasizing the study of literary and cultural dynamics.
		– Discusses the role of norms, systems, and power relations in shaping cultural production and reception.
Gideon Toury	“Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond”	– Applies Polysystem Theory to the field of translation studies, examining the dynamics of translated literature.
		– Explores the impact of systemic factors on the reception and dissemination of translated texts.
Andre Lefevere	“Translation, Rewriting, and the Manipulation of Literary Fame”	– Expands on Polysystem Theory in the context of translation, focusing on the manipulation of literary fame through rewriting.
		– Highlights the role of cultural systems in determining the status and visibility of translated works.
Ezrahi Yehouda	“Rubric of War: Language, Semiotics, and Political Violence”	– Applies Polysystem Theory to analyze the semiotics of political violence and the role of language in shaping perceptions.
		– Explores how cultural systems contribute to the construction of meaning in situations of conflict.
Rachel Weissbrod	“Polysystem Theory Revisited”	– Revisits and updates key concepts of Polysystem Theory, considering its relevance in contemporary cultural studies.
		– Examines the theoretical implications and applications of Polysystem Theory in diverse cultural contexts.

Please note that the list of major theorists and their works is not exhaustive, and there may be other scholars who have contributed to the development and application of Polysystem Theory.

Polysystem Theory: Key Principles with Examples

Key Principles	Examples	Short Description
Multiple Systems:	Example: Coexistence of poetry, drama, and prose in a literary polysystem.	Different literary genres and cultural elements coexist within a system, each with its own conventions and norms.
Interconnectedness:	Example: Interaction between literature and translation influencing literary systems.	Emphasizes the intricate connections and influences between various cultural elements within a polysystem.
Dynamic Evolution:	Example: Evolution of a literary genre over time.	Views cultural systems as dynamic entities that evolve in response to changing societal, cultural, and artistic influences.
Reception and Transformation:	Example: Adaptation of a classic novel into a film.	Examines how cultural and literary elements are received, adopted, and transformed within a polysystem.
Cultural Heterogeneity:	Example: Multicultural anthology with diverse voices.	Acknowledges the coexistence of diverse voices, perspectives, and forms of expression within a cultural polysystem.
Translation and Mediation:	Example: Translation facilitating the exchange of ideas across linguistic systems.	Considers the role of translation as a form of mediation, facilitating the transfer of cultural elements across systems.
Norms and Deviations:	Example: Acceptance of experimental poetry challenging established norms.	Analyzes the establishment of norms and the impact of deviations on the cultural and literary landscape within a polysystem.
Cultural Dynamics:	Example: Political upheavals influencing literature.	Explores how cultural dynamics, including power relations and socio-political factors, shape the development of polysystems.
Literary Canon Formation:	Example: Inclusion or exclusion of works from a literary canon.	Examines the processes involved in the formation and transformation of literary canons within a cultural polysystem.
Globalization and Transnationalism:	Example: Widespread popularity of a book across different countries.	Considers the implications of globalization on the interconnectedness and transnational flow of cultural products within polysystems.

Polysystem Theory: Criticism Against It

1. Overemphasis on Literature:

• Critics argue that Polysystem Theory tends to focus disproportionately on literary systems, potentially neglecting other cultural elements and forms of expression.

2. Lack of Universal Applicability:

• Some critics contend that the theory may not be universally applicable across diverse cultural contexts, limiting its effectiveness in analyzing non-Western or non-literary systems.

3. Static Nature of Systems:

• Critics suggest that Polysystem Theory’s portrayal of cultural systems as dynamic may oversimplify the complexities of societal changes and fail to adequately capture fluid cultural dynamics.

4. Inadequate Attention to Power Dynamics:

• The theory has been criticized for not sufficiently addressing power dynamics within cultural systems, overlooking the influence of institutions and power structures on the formation of norms.

5. Limited Exploration of Cultural Hybridity:

• Critics argue that the theory may not adequately account for the complex interactions and hybridities that arise from the blending of multiple cultural influences within a polysystem.

6. Neglect of Individual Agency:

• Some critics contend that Polysystem Theory may downplay the role of individual agency in shaping cultural production and reception, focusing more on systemic forces.

7. Eurocentric Bias:

• The theory has been accused of having a Eurocentric bias, potentially favoring Western cultural norms and systems in its analysis and applications.

8. Lack of Attention to Digital Culture:

• With the rise of digital culture, Polysystem Theory has faced criticism for not adequately addressing the transformative impact of technology on cultural production and dissemination.

9. Complexity and Accessibility:

• Critics argue that the theory’s complexity may hinder its accessibility, making it challenging for scholars and students to apply effectively in practical analyses.

10. Insufficient Engagement with Globalization:

• Some critics argue that Polysystem Theory may not fully engage with the complexities of globalization, particularly in capturing the rapid transnational flows of culture and information in contemporary times.

Polysystem Theory: Application in Critiques

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez:
   • Interconnectedness: Polysystem Theory can be applied to analyze the interconnectedness of magical realism in Marquez’s work with Latin American cultural systems. The fusion of indigenous folklore and colonial history showcases the dynamic interplay within the polysystem.
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen:
   • Norms and Deviations: Examining how Austen challenges and adheres to societal norms in Pride and Prejudice provides insight into the negotiation of norms within the literary polysystem of 19th-century England, revealing the societal expectations and deviations.
3. Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe:
   • Cultural Heterogeneity: Polysystem Theory can be employed to explore the cultural heterogeneity within Achebe’s work, depicting the clash between traditional Igbo society and the colonial influence. It highlights the coexistence of diverse cultural elements within the literary polysystem.
4. Blindness by Jose Saramago:
   • Translation and Mediation: Considering the translation of Saramago’s work into various languages, Polysystem Theory helps analyze how the mediation process affects the reception and transformation of the narrative across different linguistic and cultural systems.

Polysystem Theory: Main Terms Used in It

Term	Definition
Polysystem	Multiple interconnected systems within a cultural or literary environment, influencing each other.
Norms and Deviations	Established rules and their violations within cultural systems, shaping expectations and innovations.
Interconnectedness	Complex relationships and influences among various elements within a cultural or literary polysystem.
Cultural Heterogeneity	Coexistence of diverse voices, perspectives, and forms of expression within a cultural polysystem.
Translation and Mediation	The transfer of ideas, texts, and cultural elements across different linguistic and cultural systems.
Dynamic Evolution	The continuous and dynamic change in cultural systems in response to societal, artistic, and cultural shifts.
Literary Canon	The recognized and accepted body of literature within a cultural or literary polysystem.
Reception and Transformation	Processes through which cultural and literary elements are received, adopted, and transformed.
Globalization	The interconnectedness and transnational flow of cultural products within polysystems.
Cultural Dynamics	The influence of power relations, socio-political factors, and societal changes on polysystem development.

Polysystem Theory: Suggested Readings

1. Altieri, Charles. Canons and Consequences: Reflections on the Ethical Force of Imaginative Ideals. Northwestern University Press, 1990.
2. Rodowick, David Norman. Elegy for theory. Harvard University Press, 2014.
3. Even-Zohar, Itamar. Polysystem Studies. 2019. Academia.edu, www.academia.edu/32197796/Polysystem_Studies.
4. Gifford, Terry. Pastoral. Taylor and Francish, 2019.
5. Lefevere, Andre. Translation, Rewriting, and the Manipulation of Literary Fame. Routledge, 1992.
6. Marx, Leo. The Machine in the Garden: Technology and the Pastoral Ideal in America. Oxford University Press, 1964.
7. Toury, Gideon. Descriptive Translation Studies and Beyond. John Benjamins Publishing Company, 1995.