Uses of Literature

Beschreibung

Uses of Literature bridges the gap between literary theoryand common-sense beliefs about why we read literature. * Explores the diverse motives and mysteries of why we read * Offers four different ways of thinking about why we readliterature - for recognition, enchantment, knowledge, andshock * Argues for a new "phenomenology" in literarystudies that incorporates the historical and social dimensions ofreading * Includes examples of literature from a wide range of nationalliterary traditions

Autor*in

Rita Felski

Themen in »Uses of Literature«

Literary & Cultural Theory Literary Criticism & History Literatur- u. Kulturtheorie Literature Literaturkritik u. -geschichte Literaturwissenschaft

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"Together, Felski's four short essays on recognition,enchantment, knowledge and shock leave me refreshed, invigorated,and willing to engage with my own reading responses both morecritically and more charitably. She does achieve her aim, which isto get 'a better handle on how and why we read.'"(Academic Matters, January 2009) "Felski finds that it is the structural elitism of the literarycritics that has given theory its bad name ... .Felski wants tofind an 'ordinary' theory of literature and culture that wouldreplace these hermeneutics of suspicion. Her strategy is to outlinea theory of literature based on four modes of humaninteraction--recognition, enchantment, knowledge and shock.She devotes a chapter to each, marshalling a wide range of texts toillustrate her approach ... .The one on 'recognition isconvincing'.. .Felski's manifesto is timely." (Times HigherEducation Supplement, August 2008) "Felski proposes a pragmatic approach to readingliterature. Opposing the exclusive focus on otherness incontemporary literary theory, she offers a correction by balancingotherness with the acknowledgment of the presence of the self inreading literature." (Choice Reviews, December2008) "A spirited defense of literature, full of ideas which promiseto prove invigorating for the future development of literarytheory. ... An inspired discussion." (Journal of LiteraryTheory, 2008)"For decades now, the picture of how we read held by literarytheorists and that held by everyday common readers have beengalaxies apart. But in this lucid, readable, and highly persuasivebook, Rita Felski demonstrates the impossible: that recent literarytheorists and common readers not only have something to say to eachother, but actually need one another." -Gerald Graff, Professor of English and Education and 2008President, Modern Language Association "With literature and reading losing their appeal to youngpeople by the year, this manifesto is all the more worthy andtimely ... People are moved by a novel, play, poem. That's whatkeeps literature alive and makes it important. Why does it happen?Uses of Literature explains it, restoring notionsdiscredited in literary study but central to the experience ofreading ... Such a return to basics is just what our fadingdisciplines need if liberal education is to thrive." -Mark Bauerlein, Emory University "As I would expect from a scholar of this calibre, thequality of thought is very high. What came as an unexpectedpleasure was the quality of the writing - which is to say,the directness and clarity, the elegance and wit ... I amconvinced of the value of her [book] as a whole - that is, to'build better bridges' between literary theory andcommon knowledge. I thoroughly enjoyed it." -Gail McDonald, University of Southampton "Uses of Literature is a lively, sophisticatedpolemic about literary criticism and literary theorists ...Extraordinarily well-written, intellectually expansive, [drawing]on a wide range of canonical and popular literature and film toillustrate Felski's compelling account of literary value. Andas a teacher, I found her individual chapters to be brimming withpossibilities for the classroom, focusing, as they do, on theimportant heterogeneity of reading experiences." -Janet Lyon, Pennsylvania State University
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