Theory of Literature and Other Critical Writings (Weatherhead Books on Asia)

Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) was the foremost Japanese novelist of the twentieth century, known for such highly acclaimed works as Kokoro, Sanshiro, and I Am a Cat. Yet he began his career as a literary theorist and scholar of English literature. In 1907, he published Theory of Literature, a remarkably forward-thinking attempt to understand how and why we read. The text anticipates by decades the ideas and concepts of formalism, structuralism, reader-response theory, and postcolonialism, as well as cognitive approaches to literature that are only now gaining traction. Employing the cutting-edge approaches of contemporary psychology and sociology, Soseki created a model for studying the conscious experience of reading literature as well as a theory for how the process changes over time and across cultures. Along with Theory of Literature, this volume reproduces a later series of lectures and essays in which Soseki continued to develop his theories. By insisting that literary taste is socially and historically determined, Soseki was able to challenge the superiority of the Western canon, and by grounding his theory in scientific knowledge, he was able to claim a universal validity. LIT008000,Literary Criticism/Asian/General,LIT000000,Literary Criticism/General Although Natsume Soseki Is Widely Celebrated As Japan's Greatest Modern Novelist, He Began His Writing Career As A Literary Theorist And Scholar Of English Literature. He Would Later Look Back On His Theory Of Literature (1907) As An Immature And Unfinished Work, But It Is In Fact An Astonishingly Original Attempt At Constructing A Model For Understanding All Literature Through The Experience Of Reading. The Theory Of Literature Foreshadows The Ideas And Concepts That Would Later Form The Critical Foundations Of Formalism, Structuralism, Reader-response Theory, Cognitive Science, And Postcolonialism. It Remains An Unprecedented Work Of Literary Theory, Unmistakably Modern Yet Also Clearly (and Self-consciously) Non-western. In A Later Series Of Lectures And Essays, Soseki Continued To Develop His Ideas. This Material, Some Of It Never Before Translated Into English, Is Also Included In The Volume. The Editors Offer A Critical Introduction That Contextualizes Soseki's Theoretical Project Historically And Explores Its Contemporary Legacy.--jacket. Pt 1. Excerpts From Theory Of Literature (bungakuron, 1907) -- Preface -- Book 1. Classification Of Literary Substance -- Book 2. Quantitative Change In Literary Substance -- Book 3. The Particular Character Of Literary Substance -- Book 4. Interrelations Between Literary Substances -- Book 5. Group F -- Pt 2. Other Writings (1907-14) -- Statement On Joining The Asahi -- Philosophical Foundations Of The Literary Arts -- Preface To Literary Criticism -- The Merits And Flaws Of -isms -- My Individualism. Natsume Sōseki ; Edited By Michael K. Bourdaghs, Atsuko Ueda, And Joseph A. Murphy. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [265]-279) And Index. Translated From The Japanese.

natsume Soseki, Widely Held To Be Japan's Greatest Modern Novelist, In Fact Began His Career As A Literary Theorist And Scholar Of English Literature. In 1907, He Published theory Of Literature, A Remarkably Forward-thinking Attempt To Understand How And Why We Read. Soseki Would Later Critique theory Of Literature As An Unfinished Work, But The Text Remains An Unprecedented Achievement, Anticipating By Decades The Ideas And Concepts That Would Form The Critical Foundations Of Formalism, Structuralism, Reader-response Theory, Cognitive Science, And Postcolonialism.

employing The Cutting-edge Approaches Of Contemporary Psychology And Sociology, Soseki Created A Model For Studying The Conscious Experience Of Reading, As Well As A Theory For How The Process Changes Over Time And Across Cultures. By Insisting That Literary Taste Is Socially And Historically Determined, Soseki Was Able To Challenge The Superiority Of The Western Canon, And By Grounding His Theory In Scientific Knowledge, He Was Able To Claim A Universal Validity.

along With theory Of Literature, This Volume Reproduces A Later Series Of Lectures And Essays In Which Soseki Continued To Develop His Theories& Mdash;some Of Which Have Never Before Been Translated Into English. In Addition, The Editors Of The Book Provide A Critical Introduction Contextualizing Soseki's Theoretical Project In History And Exploring Its Contemporary Legacy.

Acknowledgments Introduction: Natsume Soseki and the Ten-Year Project Part One: Excerpts from Theory of Literature Preface Book 1: Classification of Literary Substance Book 2: Quantitative Change in Literary Substance Book 3: The Particular Character of Literary Substance Book 4: Interrelations Between Literary Substances Book 5: Group F Part Two: Other Writings on Literary Theory, 1907-14 "Statement on Joining the Asahi" "Philosophical Foundations of the Literary Arts" "Preface" to Literary Criticism "The Merits and Flaws of -isms" "My Individualism" Notes Index