Spatiality in Literature & Literary Theory

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

Aspect	Meaning
Literal Space	Refers to physical dimensions, object arrangement, and relationships in the physical world, such as length, width, and height.
Geographical Space	Pertains to the arrangement and distribution of physical features on Earth’s surface, including landforms, climate, and ecosystems, exploring their impact on human activities.
Architectural Space	Crucial in architecture, involves design, layout, and dimensions within structures to create functional, aesthetically pleasing environments.
Social Space	In sociology and anthropology, focuses on how people perceive, use, and assign meaning to physical spaces, studying interactions and cultural significance.
Psychological Space	Relates to individuals’ emotional connection to physical spaces and how their mental states are influenced by the spaces they occupy.
Virtual Space	In the digital realm, it encompasses the organization and interaction of elements in virtual environments, crucial in virtual reality, gaming, and digital design.
Conceptual Space	Beyond the physical, it’s applied to abstract spaces, like mathematical or ideological spaces, exploring the relationships and characteristics of non-physical spaces.

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

Work	Critique
To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf	In Woolf’s novel, the spatiality of the lighthouse serves as a central motif, representing both a physical destination and a psychological journey. The novel’s fragmented narrative and stream-of-consciousness style reflect the characters’ inner thoughts and emotional landscapes, emphasizing the role of space in shaping their experiences and relationships.
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez	García Márquez employs spatiality to create the fictional town of Macondo, which is as much a character as the people who inhabit it. The novel’s magical realism blurs the boundaries between reality and fantasy, highlighting how the spatiality of Macondo influences the fate of the Buendía family and the town’s symbolic significance in Latin American literature.
Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino	Calvino’s novel is a masterful exploration of spatiality, where each city described in the book represents a unique concept or emotion. The novel critiques the constructed nature of space and the role of imagination in shaping our perception of places. It challenges the conventional understanding of space and invites readers to consider the subjective nature of spatial experience.
In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar	Spatiality takes on a different dimension in this novel set in Libya under Gaddafi’s regime. The spaces of the home, the city, and the nation become oppressive and surveillance-laden, reflecting the characters’ constant fear and struggle for freedom. Matar’s critique lies in the way spatiality is used to depict the psychological and political constraints of the characters.

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.