Prosaics and Other Provocations: Empathy, Open Time, and the Novel (Ars Rossica)

This far-ranging study develops Morson’s concept of “prosaics,” which stresses the importance of ordinary events and the novel’s unique ability to portray them. Arguing that time is open and contingency real, Morson develops a “prosaics of process” showing how some masterpieces have found an alternative to structure. His well-known pseudonym Alicia Chudo, the inventor of “misanthropology,” explores the disturbing philosophical content of laughter, disgust, and even empathy. Northwestern University’s most popular professor, Morson attributes declining student interest in literature to current teaching methods. He argues in favor of showing how literature fosters empathy with people unlike ourselves. Ever playful, Morson explores the relation of games to wit, which expresses the power of the mind to triumph over contingency in the social world. Acknowledgments 9 Preface David M.Bethea 11 Abbreviations 22 Part One Overture 36 Chapter OneWhat Is Prosaics? 37 Part Two What Is Open Time? 57 Chapter TwoNarrativeness 58 Chapter ThreeThe Prosaics of Process 75 1 / The Vision of Poetics and Product 76 2 / The Counter-Tradition. Presentness and Process 92 3 / Outlining a Prosaics of Process 125 Part Three What Is Mis anthropology ? 150 Chapter FourMisanthropology: Voyeurism and Human NatureBy Al i c ia Chudo 151 Chapter FiveMisanthropology, Continued:Disgust, Violence, and More on Voyeurism By Alicia Chudo 170 1 / Another Look at Voyeurism 170 2 / Identification 179 3 / Laughter and Disgust 186 Chapter SixMisanthropology in Verse: An Onegin of Our TimesBy Alicia Chudo 196 Part Four What Is Literary Education? 207 Chapter SevenNovelistic Empathy, and How to Teach It 208 Part Five What Is Wit? 247 Chapter EightContingency, Games, and Wit 248 Index 274 Gary Saul Morson?s Ideas About Life And Literature Have Long Inspired, Annoyed, And Provoked Specialists And General Readers. His Work On ?prosaics? (his Coinage) Argues That Life?s Defining Events Are Not Grand But Ordinary, And That The World?s Fundamental State Is Mess. Viewing Time As A ?field Of Possibilities,? He Maintains That Contingency And Freedom Are Real. To Represent Open Time, Some Masterpieces Have Developed An Alternative To Structure And Require A ?prosaics Of Process.? Morson?s Curmudgeonly Alter Ego, Alicia Chudo, Invents The Discipline Of Misanthropology,? Which Explores Human Voices From Voyeurism To Violence. Reflecting On His Legendarily Popular Courses, Morson Argues That What Literature Teaches Better Than Anything Else Is Empathy. Himself An Aphorist, Morson Offers A Witty Approach To Literature?s Shortest Genres And To Quotation In General Part One: Overture -- What Is Prosaics? -- Part Two: Narrativeness -- The Prosaics Of Process -- The Vision Of Poetics And Product -- The Counter-tradition: Presentness And Process -- Outlining A Prosaics Of Process -- Part Three: What Is Misanthropology? -- Misanthropology: Voyeurism And Human Nature / Alicia Chudo -- Misanthropology, Continued: Disgust, Violence, And More On Voyeurism / Alicia Chudo -- Another Look At Voyeurism -- Identification -- Laughter And Disgust -- Misanthropology In Verse: An Onegin Of Our Times / Alicia Chudo -- Part Four: What Is Literary Education? -- Novelistic Empathy, And How To Teach It -- Part Five: What Is Wit? -- Contingency, Games, And Wit.