Thematics: New Approaches (S U N Y Series, Margins of Literature) (SUNY series, The Margins of Literature)

This book aims at refocusing critical reflection on thematics in the arts, a topic that has been neglected recently. The volume is divided into four sections: theoretical essays, applications to literature, reflections on thematics in music and the visual arts, and a conclusion. The contributors, of international reputation, include Jean-Yves Bosseur, Claude Bremond, Menachem Brinker, Peter Cryle, Lubomír Dolezel, Françoise Escal, Thomas Pavel, Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan, Georges Roque, Jean-Marie Schaeffer, Cesare Segre, and Werner Sollars. In the theoretical section, the authors assess the need for new thematics, relate thematics to structural analysis and interpretation, and sketch a history of the discipline. The second section contains three applications to literature and examines the theme of the double, the Faustian literary theme, and the relation between literary theme and plot. The third section includes essays on classical music, modern music, and painting. The volume concludes with an essay on the aesthetic implications of thematic studies. The contributors answer questions about the nature of themes in general, and what would constitute a modern theory of literary themes. Thematics CONTENTS INTRODUCTION PART I REASSESSING THEMATICS What Is the Theme and How Do We Get At it? 1. The linguistic connection: a limited contribution I) Definitions in terms of linguistic structures II) Definitions in terms of the speaker's intentions and interests III) Definitions in terms of information-status IV) Definitions in terms of 'aboutness' 2) Alternative suggestions a) Theme as a high-order label b) Theme as a global signified homologous to various formal aspects Works Cited From Motif to Function and Back Again Theme and Interpretation Thematic Criticism A Thematics of Motivation and Action 1. The idea of a general thematics 2. Basics of a theory of motivation 3. Motivational themes of acting 3.1. Reflecting the pressure of the master factor, acting is thematized into an 3.2. Actions are thematized by being engendered in a conflict of motivations 3.3. Mme de Rênal's story proceeds within the theme of inner motivational conflict until she is forc... References PART II THEMATICS IN LITERATURE The Bluish Tinge in the Halfmoons; or, Fingernails as a Racial Sign: The Study of a Motif The Sign Patterns of a Motif The History of a Motif Conclusion A Semantics for Thematics: The Case of the Double 1. Selective thernatics 2. Structural thematics 3. The double and its family 4. Varieties of the double a) Modes of construction b) Paradigmatic variants c) Syntagmatic variants d) Varieties of authenticity References Variations on the Theme of Faust Racinian Spaces I. The Sleep-Walkers II. Tragic Circles and Blowing Winds III. The Privilege of the Stage IV. Coda PART III OTHER ARTS Painters and their Motifs I. Theme and Assemblage (1) Primary or natural meaning (2) Secondary or conventional meaning (3) Intrinsic meaning, or content Literature and the Visual Arts Themes in Crisis The Study of Motifs II. The Bird in Magritte: To Catch a Motif Theme in Classical Music Theme and Thematics in Contemporary Music PART IV CONCLUSION The End of an Anathema NOTES What is Theme? From Motif to Function and Back Again Theme and Interpretation Thematic Criticism A Thematics of Motivation and Action The Bluish Tinge in the Halfmoons A Semantics for Thematics Variations on the Theme of Faust Racinian Spaces Painters and their Motifs Theme in Classical Music The End of an Anathema CONTRIBUTORS NAME INDEX A B C D F G H K L M P R S T V W Y SUBJECT INDEX A C D E F G H I L M P S T V W This book aims at refocusing critical reflection on thematics in the arts, a topic that has been neglected recently. The volume is divided into four sections: theoretical essays, applications to literature, reflections on thematics in music and the visual arts, and a conclusion.The contributors, of international reputation, include Jean-Yves Bosseur, Claude Bremond, Menachem Brinker, Peter Cryle, Lubomír Dolezel, Françoise Escal, Thomas Pavel, Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan, Georges Roque, Jean-Marie Schaeffer, Cesare Segre, and Werner Sollars. In the theoretical section, the authors assess the need for new thematics, relate thematics to structural analysis and interpretation, and sketch a history of the discipline. The second section contains three applications to literature and examines the theme of the double, the Faustian literary theme, and the relation between literary theme and plot. The third section includes essays on classical music, modern music, and painting. The volume concludes with an essay on the aesthetic implications of thematic studies. The contributors answer questions about the nature of themes in general, and what would constitute a modern theory of literary themes.Claude Bremond is Professor of the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales in Paris. He is the author of Logique du récit, co-author of L'Exemplum and Mille et un contes de la nuit; and co-editor of Formes Médiévales du conte merveilleux. Joshua Landy is in the Department of Comparative Literature at Princeton University. Thomas Pavel is Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Princeton University. He is the author of Infléxions de voix, La Syntaxe narrative des tragédies de Corneille, The Poetics of Plot: The Case of English Renaissance Drama, Fictional Worlds, and The Feud of Language. This book aims at refocusing critical reflection on thematics in the arts, a topic that has been neglected recently. The volume is divided into four sections: theoretical essays, applications to literature, reflections on thematics in music and the visual arts, and a conclusion. The contributors, of international reputation, include Jean-Yves Bosseur, Claude Bremond, Menachem Brinker, Peter Cryle, Lubomir Dolezel, Francoise Escal, Thomas Pavel, Shlomith Rimmon-Kenan, Georges Roque, Jean-Marie Schaeffer, Cesare Segre, and Werner Sollars. In the theoretical section, the authors assess the need for new thematics, relate thematics to structural analysis and interpretation, and sketch a history of the discipline. The second section contains three applications to literature and examines the theme of the double, the Faustian literary theme, and the relation between literary theme and plot. The third section includes essays on classical music, modern music, and painting. The volume concludes with an essay on the aesthetic implications of thematic studies. The contributors answer questions about the nature of themes in general, and what would constitute a modern theory of literary themes. What Is Theme And How Do We Get At It? / Shlomith Rimmon-kenan -- From Motif To Function And Back Again / Cesare Segre -- Theme And Interpretation / Menachem Brinker -- Thematic Criticism / Peter Cryle -- A Thematics Of Motivation And Action / Lubomír Dolézel -- The Bluish Tinge In The Halfmoons; Or, Fingernails As A Racial Sign : The Study Of A Motif / Werner Sollors -- A Semantics For Thematics : The Case Of The Double / Lubomír Dolézel -- Variations On The Theme Of Faust / Jean-marie Schaeffer -- Racinian Spaces / Thomas Pavel -- Painters And Their Motifs / Georges Roque -- Theme In Classical Music / Françoise Escal -- Theme And Thematics In Contemporary Music / Jean-yves Bosseur -- The End Of An Anathema / Claude Bremond And Thomas Pavel. Edited By Claude Bremond, Joshua Landy, And Thomas Pavel. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 193-220) And Indexes. Claude Bremond is Professor of the Ecole des hautes tudes en sciences sociales in Paris. He is the author of Logique du rcit , co-author of L'Exemplum and Mille et un contes de la nuit ; and co-editor of Formes Mdivales du conte merveilleux . Joshua Landy is in the Department of Comparative Literature at Princeton University. Thomas Pavel is Professor of French and Comparative Literature at Princeton University. He is the author of Inflxions de voix, La Syntaxe narrative des tragdies de Corneille, The Poetics of The Case of English Renaissance Drama, Fictional Worlds , and The Feud of Language .