Cognitive Poetics is a literary theory that emerged in the late 20th century, combining principles of cognitive science and literary studies. It aims to explore how readers comprehend and respond to literary texts. It also seeks to understand the cognitive processes that occur during the act of reading and how these processes influence the interpretation and emotional experience of literature.
Etymology and Meanings of Cognitive Poetics Literary Theory
Etymology of Cognitive Poetics:
- Cognitive: Derived from the Latin word cognitivus, meaning “related to knowing or perceiving.” It pertains to mental processes, such as understanding, reasoning, and memory.
- Poetics: Originates from the Greek word poiesis, meaning “making” or “creation.” In literary terms, it refers to the study of poetic or literary composition and the principles governing artistic expression. Therefore, it is a literary theory or cognitive poetics literary theory pertaining to the mental processes of reading.
Meanings of Cognitive Poetics Literary Theory
| Meaning | Explanation |
| Interdisciplinary Approach | Cognitive Poetics is an interdisciplinary literary theory that merges principles from cognitive science and literary studies, combining insights from both fields. It aims to uncover the cognitive processes underlying the creation and interpretation of literary texts. |
| Understanding Reading Processes | It analyzes how readers comprehend and engage with literary texts during the act of reading. It delves into the mental processes involved in making meaning from the text and explores the cognitive strategies used by readers. |
| Mental Models | Cognitive Poetics explores the construction of mental models, which are mental representations of events, characters, and settings described in the text. These mental models aid readers in forming a coherent understanding of the narrative. |
| Schema Theory | Drawing on schema theory, this literary theory examines how readers utilize pre-existing knowledge structures (schemas) to interpret new information in literary works. It explores how these schemas influence readers’ comprehension and interpretation. |
| Conceptual Blending | Cognitive Poetics delves into the process of conceptual blending, where readers combine elements from the text with their background knowledge to create new and metaphorical meanings. This blending enriches the reader’s experience and interpretation. |
| Embodied Mind | It acknowledges the role of the body and sensorimotor experiences in the reading and interpretation of literature. It recognizes that bodily experiences can influence readers’ emotional responses and understanding of the text. |
| Defamiliarization | Cognitive Poetics investigates how literary texts can present familiar aspects of life in a way that challenges readers’ automatic perceptions. By defamiliarizing the familiar, the text prompts readers to engage more deeply with the material. |
| Emotional Engagement | The theory explores the emotional responses evoked in readers while interacting with literary works. It examines how language and narrative techniques can evoke various emotions, enhancing the reader’s emotional engagement with the text. |
| Complementary to Literary Theories | Cognitive Poetics enriches traditional literary theories by providing insights into the cognitive mechanisms behind readers’ interactions with texts. It complements other approaches by offering a deeper understanding of the cognitive aspect of literature. |
Definition of Cognitive Poetics Literary Theory
Cognitive poetics explores how readers understand and experience literature through their cognitive processes, including mental imagery, conceptual blending, embodied cognition, and schemas.
Cognitive Poetics Literary Theory: Origin, Major Critics and Works
Origin:
- Emergence: Cognitive Poetics emerged in the late 20th century as an interdisciplinary approach that combines cognitive science and literary studies.
- Influences: It draws from various disciplines, including cognitive linguistics, psychology, neuroscience, and literary theory.
Major Critics and Scholars:
- Reuven Tsur: Israeli poet and scholar, known for his foundational work in Cognitive Poetics, including What Makes Sound Patterns Expressive: The Poetic Mode of Speech-Perception.
- Peter Stockwell: British scholar, recognized for his contributions to this theory and stylistics, author of Cognitive Poetics: An Introduction.
- Lisa Zunshine: American literary scholar, known for exploring cognitive approaches to literature in her works, such as Why We Read Fiction: Theory of Mind and the Novel.
- David Herman: American scholar, known for his research on narrative and cognition, co-editor of The Emergence of Mind: Representations of Consciousness in Narrative Discourse.
Major Works:
- The Literary Mind by Mark Turner: It is seminal work that discusses how literary creativity and cognition are intertwined.
- Fictional Minds by Alan Palmer: This work explores the relationship between fiction and cognitive processes, introducing the concept of “cognitive narratology.”
- Metaphors We Live By by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson: Though not exclusively focused on literature, this work has been influential in discussing how metaphors shape thought and language.
- Reading Minds: The Study of English in the Age of Cognitive Science by Mark Turner: It is a comprehensive exploration of cognitive approaches to literature and reading.
- Cognitive Poetics in Practice by Joanna Gavins and Gerard Steen: This book offers practical applications to the analysis of literary texts.
- Unnatural Narrative: Theory, History, and Practice edited by Jan Alber and Rüdiger Heinze: It includes essays exploring cognitive aspects of unnatural and experimental narratives.
Significance of Cognitive Poetics in English Studies
Cognitive poetics holds significant value in English Studies as it offers a groundbreaking interdisciplinary approach that explores the cognitive processes and structures underlying the creation, reception, and interpretation of literary texts. By bridging the gap between literary theory and cognitive science, this field provides new insights into how readers engage with language, symbols, and narratives, shedding light on the intricacies of poetic meaning-making and aesthetic experiences. Through the examination of mental concepts such as metaphor, imagery, and narrative schemas, Cognitive poetics enriches our understanding of literary creativity and communication, enhancing the appreciation of literature’s profound impact on human cognition and emotion. Its application facilitates a deep comprehension of the complexities of literary works, fostering innovative teaching methodologies and literary analyses that enrich the study of English literature and language.
Suggested Readings
- Gavins, Joanna, and Gerard Steen. Cognitive Poetics in Practice. Routledge, 2003.
- Herman, David, Manfred Jahn, and Marie-Laure Ryan, editors. The Routledge Encyclopedia of Narrative Theory. Routledge, 2005.
- Lakoff, George, and Mark Johnson. Metaphors We Live By. The University of Chicago Press, 1980.
- Palmer, Alan. Fiction and the Structure of Mind. The University of Michigan Press, 2004.
- Stockwell, Peter. Cognitive Poetics: An Introduction. Routledge, 2002.
- Turner, Mark. Reading Minds: The Study of English in the Age of Cognitive Science. Princeton University Press, 1991.
- Tsur, Reuven. What Makes Sound Patterns Expressive: The Poetic Mode of Speech-Perception. The University of Washington Press, 1992.
- Zunshine, Lisa. Why We Read Fiction: Theory of Mind and the Novel. The Ohio State University Press, 2006.