Structuralist Poetics: Structuralism, Linguistics and the Study of Literature

Description

A work of technical skill as well as outstanding literary merit, Structuralist Poetics was awarded the 1975 James Russell Lowell Prize of the Modern Language Association. It was during the writing of this book that Culler developed his now famous and remarkably complex theory of poetics and narrative, and while never a populariser he nonetheless makes it crystal clear within these pages. Cover Endorsements Title Copyright Contents PREFACE TO THE ROUTLEDGE CLASSICS EDITION PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PART I Structuralism and Linguistic Models 1 The Linguistic Foundation Langue, Parole Relations Signs Discovery Procedures ‘Generative’ or ‘Transformational’ Consequences and Implications 2 The Development of a Method: Two Examples The Language of Fashion Mythological Logic 3 Jakobson’s Poetic Analyses 4 Greimas and Structural Semantics 5 Linguistic Metaphors in Criticism The Work as System The Work as Semiotic Project PART II Poetics 6 Literary Competence 7 Convention and Naturalization Ecriture, Lecture The ‘Real’ Cultural Vraisemblance Models of a Genre The Conventionally Natural Parody and Irony 8 Poetics of the Lyric Distance and Deixis Organic Wholes Theme and Epiphany Resistance and Recuperation 9 Poetics of the Novel Lisibilité, Illisibilité Narrative Contracts Codes Plot Theme and Symbol Character PART III Perspectives 10 ‘Beyond’ Structuralism: Tel Quel 11 Conclusion: Structuralism and the Qualities of Literature NOTES BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX