Chapter 1. Perspectivization as a link between narrative micro- and macro-structure
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Sonja Zeman
Abstract
This chapter holds that the basic principle of narrative discourse structure can be deduced from cognitive-linguistic principles of perspectivization, which are manifested on different levels of linguistic structure in a recursive manner. This is shown in an analysis of point of view in grammar, on the sentential level as well as on the level of narrative discourse. In this connection, it is argued that the grammatical distinction between ‘speaker’ vs. ‘observer’ pervades the whole discourse and is reflected in the narratological differentiation between ‘narrator’ vs. ‘character’. Furthermore, it is argued against a background of ‘theory of mind’ that phenomena of focalization ought to be analyzed analogously to recursive embedding of epistemological levels of intentionality, i.e. hierarchical relations of propositional attitudes. As a consequence, it is the cognitive principle of perspectivization that can offer a tertium comparationis for an alignment of grammatical and textual levels and, thus, of narrative micro- and macro-structure. This line of analysis is illustrated in a final step by examining the perspectivization of Humbert Humbert’s reality in Nabokov’s Lolita.
Abstract
This chapter holds that the basic principle of narrative discourse structure can be deduced from cognitive-linguistic principles of perspectivization, which are manifested on different levels of linguistic structure in a recursive manner. This is shown in an analysis of point of view in grammar, on the sentential level as well as on the level of narrative discourse. In this connection, it is argued that the grammatical distinction between ‘speaker’ vs. ‘observer’ pervades the whole discourse and is reflected in the narratological differentiation between ‘narrator’ vs. ‘character’. Furthermore, it is argued against a background of ‘theory of mind’ that phenomena of focalization ought to be analyzed analogously to recursive embedding of epistemological levels of intentionality, i.e. hierarchical relations of propositional attitudes. As a consequence, it is the cognitive principle of perspectivization that can offer a tertium comparationis for an alignment of grammatical and textual levels and, thus, of narrative micro- and macro-structure. This line of analysis is illustrated in a final step by examining the perspectivization of Humbert Humbert’s reality in Nabokov’s Lolita.
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface and Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
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PART I: Cognitive-linguistic perspectives
- Chapter 1. Perspectivization as a link between narrative micro- and macro-structure 17
- Chapter 2. Presenting narration 43
- Chapter 3. Neurolinguistic view into narrative processing 63
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PART II: Literary and transmedial perspectives
- Chapter 4. The double-layered structure of narrative discourse and complex strategies of perspectivization 91
- Chapter 5. Narrator and narrative space in Middle High German epic poetry (Parzival, Ehescheidungsgespräch, Prosalancelot) 115
- Chapter 6. Seeing or meaning? 139
- Chapter 7. Pictorial narrativity 161
- Index 183
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface and Acknowledgements vii
- Introduction 1
-
PART I: Cognitive-linguistic perspectives
- Chapter 1. Perspectivization as a link between narrative micro- and macro-structure 17
- Chapter 2. Presenting narration 43
- Chapter 3. Neurolinguistic view into narrative processing 63
-
PART II: Literary and transmedial perspectives
- Chapter 4. The double-layered structure of narrative discourse and complex strategies of perspectivization 91
- Chapter 5. Narrator and narrative space in Middle High German epic poetry (Parzival, Ehescheidungsgespräch, Prosalancelot) 115
- Chapter 6. Seeing or meaning? 139
- Chapter 7. Pictorial narrativity 161
- Index 183
