Chapter 2. White, Burke and the “literary” nature of historical controversies
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Verónica Tozzi
Abstract
In this article, my aim is to investigate the contributions that literary theory, as a theory of each and every type of general discursive construction, can offer to shed light on the nature of historiographical controversies, not only in relation to the difficulty of consensual resolution but to the undesirability of agreeing on a single account of the past. This diagnosis, we can assert, is general and shared; nobody argues, in social sciences and humanities, in favor of the search for a unified theory, or a single account. The question is how to account for the plurality and diversity of interpretations in conflict, and the consequences of this plurality for research itself.
Abstract
In this article, my aim is to investigate the contributions that literary theory, as a theory of each and every type of general discursive construction, can offer to shed light on the nature of historiographical controversies, not only in relation to the difficulty of consensual resolution but to the undesirability of agreeing on a single account of the past. This diagnosis, we can assert, is general and shared; nobody argues, in social sciences and humanities, in favor of the search for a unified theory, or a single account. The question is how to account for the plurality and diversity of interpretations in conflict, and the consequences of this plurality for research itself.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Preface ix
- Chapter 1. Constructionism in historical writing 1
- Chapter 2. White, Burke and the “literary” nature of historical controversies 17
- Chapter 3. The discursive construction of reality in the context of rhetoric 41
- Chapter 4. Understanding social conflict 67
- Chapter 5. I am and I am not Charlie 83
- Chapter 6. Media representations of recent human migrations to the United Kingdom and other Western countries 107
- Chapter 7. Rhetorical analysis of health risk discourse 133
- Chapter 8. Critical analysis of an educational discourse practice 159
- Chapter 9. The (re)construction of gender roles in the genre of song 181
- Chapter 10. Posthumanism and the city 203
- Chapter 11. Discourses of social movements in Southern Europe 227
- Chapter 12. Cognitive frames, imaginaries and discursive constructions 249
- Epilogue 273
- Author index 285
- Subject index 289
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents vii
- Preface ix
- Chapter 1. Constructionism in historical writing 1
- Chapter 2. White, Burke and the “literary” nature of historical controversies 17
- Chapter 3. The discursive construction of reality in the context of rhetoric 41
- Chapter 4. Understanding social conflict 67
- Chapter 5. I am and I am not Charlie 83
- Chapter 6. Media representations of recent human migrations to the United Kingdom and other Western countries 107
- Chapter 7. Rhetorical analysis of health risk discourse 133
- Chapter 8. Critical analysis of an educational discourse practice 159
- Chapter 9. The (re)construction of gender roles in the genre of song 181
- Chapter 10. Posthumanism and the city 203
- Chapter 11. Discourses of social movements in Southern Europe 227
- Chapter 12. Cognitive frames, imaginaries and discursive constructions 249
- Epilogue 273
- Author index 285
- Subject index 289
