The one vs. the many : minor characters and the space of the protagonist in the realist novel

Does a novel focus on one life or many? Alex Woloch uses this simple question to develop a powerful new theory of the realist novel, based on how narratives distribute limited attention among a crowded field of characters. His argument has important implications for both literary studies and narrative theory. Characterization has long been a troubled and neglected problem within literary theory. Through close readings of such novels as Pride and Prejudice , Great Expectations , and Le Père Goriot , Woloch demonstrates that the representation of any character takes place within a shifting field of narrative attention and obscurity. Each individual—whether the central figure or a radically subordinated one—emerges as a character only through his or her distinct and contingent space within the narrative as a whole. The "character-space," as Woloch defines it, marks the dramatic interaction between an implied person and his or her delimited position within a narrative structure. The organization of, and clashes between, many character-spaces within a single narrative totality is essential to the novel's very achievement and concerns, striking at issues central to narrative poetics, the aesthetics of realism, and the dynamics of literary representation. Woloch's discussion of character-space allows for a different history of the novel and a new definition of characterization itself. By making the implied person indispensable to our understanding of literary form, this book offers a forward-looking avenue for contemporary narrative theory. Does A Novel Focus On One Life Or Many? Alex Woloch Uses This Simple Question To Develop A Powerful New Theory Of The Realist Novel, Based On How Narratives Distribute Limited Attention Among A Crowded Field Of Characters. His Argument Has Important Implications For Both Literary Studies And Narrative Theory. Characterization Has Long Been A Troubled And Neglected Problem Within Literary Theory. Through Close Readings Of Such Novels As Pride And Prejudice, Great Expectations, And Le Pere Goriot, Woloch Demonstrates That The Representation Of Any Character Takes Place Within A Shifting Field Of Narrative Attention And Obscurity. Each Individual--whether The Central Figure Or A Radically Subordinated One--emerges As A Character Only Through His Or Her Distinct And Contingent Space Within The Narrative As A Whole. The Character-space, As Woloch Defines It, Marks The Dramatic Interaction Between An Implied Person And His Or Her Delimited Position Within A Narrative Structure. The Organization Of, And Clashes Between, Many Character-spaces Within A Single Narrative Totality Is Essential To The Novel's Very Achievement And Concerns, Striking At Issues Central To Narrative Poetics, The Aesthetics Of Realism, And The Dynamics Of Literary Representation. Woloch's Discussion Of Character-space Allows For A Different History Of The Novel And A New Definition Of Characterization Itself. By Making The Implied Person Indispensable To Our Understanding Of Literary Form, This Book Offers A Forward-looking Avenue For Contemporary Narrative Theory. The Iliad's Two Wars -- Characterization And Distribution -- Narrative Asymmetry In Pride And Prejudice -- Making More Of Minor Characters -- Partings Welded Together: The Character-system In Great Expectations -- A Qui La Place?: Characterization And Competition In Le Pere Goriot And La Comedie Humaine -- Sophocles's Oedipus Rex And The Prehistory Of The Protagonist. Alex Woloch. Issued As Part Of Upcc Book Collections On Project Muse. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [337]-382) And Index. Mode Of Access: World Wide Web. Critics have always noted the presence of flat characters in Jane Austen's oeuvre-and Pride and Prejudice particularly-but they have rarely insisted on analyzing this flatness.