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Chapter 6. “Spellbound in darkness”

Narrative absorption discussed by film theory
  • Frank Kessler
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Narrative Absorption
This chapter is in the book Narrative Absorption

Abstract

This contribution discusses various strands in classical and modern film theory that have tried to conceptualize the phenomenon of absorption. In the 1910’s already, several authors described the specific state the film spectator is in with a dream. This metaphor has been taken up in a variety of ways, from the often-used designation of Hollywood as a “dream factory” to psychoanalytical film theory in the 1970’s. The so-called cinematic apparatus – the darkened hall, the projector and the positioning of the spectator – was seen as a crucial element in producing this dream-like state, as was the specific impression of reality that filmic images produce. This strand is manifest in the French Filmology movement, in early semiotic film theory and, again, in psychoanalytical film theory. The article also discusses alternative accounts for the phenomenon of absorption such as the semio-paragmatic concept of “fictionalisation” or the more recently used concept of “immersion”.

Abstract

This contribution discusses various strands in classical and modern film theory that have tried to conceptualize the phenomenon of absorption. In the 1910’s already, several authors described the specific state the film spectator is in with a dream. This metaphor has been taken up in a variety of ways, from the often-used designation of Hollywood as a “dream factory” to psychoanalytical film theory in the 1970’s. The so-called cinematic apparatus – the darkened hall, the projector and the positioning of the spectator – was seen as a crucial element in producing this dream-like state, as was the specific impression of reality that filmic images produce. This strand is manifest in the French Filmology movement, in early semiotic film theory and, again, in psychoanalytical film theory. The article also discusses alternative accounts for the phenomenon of absorption such as the semio-paragmatic concept of “fictionalisation” or the more recently used concept of “immersion”.

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Narrative absorption 1
  5. Part I. Conceptualization of narrative absorption
  6. Chapter 1. Beyond metaphors and traditions 11
  7. Chapter 2. Towards a new understanding of absorbing reading experiences 29
  8. Chapter 3. Narrative persuasion 49
  9. Chapter 4. Immersion into narrative and poetic worlds 69
  10. Chapter 5. Into film 97
  11. Chapter 6. “Spellbound in darkness” 119
  12. Chapter 7. Antecedents of identification 133
  13. Part II. Empirical studies on narrative absorption
  14. Chapter 8. Identifying with in-game characters 157
  15. Chapter 9. The effect of suspense structure on felt suspense and narrative absorption in literature and film 177
  16. Chapter 10. Elaboration, emotion, and transportation 199
  17. Chapter 11. Forms of absorption that facilitate the aesthetic and explanatory effects of literary reading 217
  18. Part III. Outcomes of narrative absorption
  19. Chapter 12. Absorption and meaningfulness 253
  20. Chapter 13. The role of absorption processes in narrative health communication 271
  21. Chapter 14. Absorption in narrative fiction and its possible impact on social abilities 293
  22. Index 315
https://doi.org/10.1075/lal.27.07kes

Chapters in this book

  1. Prelim pages i
  2. Table of contents v
  3. Acknowledgements ix
  4. Narrative absorption 1
  5. Part I. Conceptualization of narrative absorption
  6. Chapter 1. Beyond metaphors and traditions 11
  7. Chapter 2. Towards a new understanding of absorbing reading experiences 29
  8. Chapter 3. Narrative persuasion 49
  9. Chapter 4. Immersion into narrative and poetic worlds 69
  10. Chapter 5. Into film 97
  11. Chapter 6. “Spellbound in darkness” 119
  12. Chapter 7. Antecedents of identification 133
  13. Part II. Empirical studies on narrative absorption
  14. Chapter 8. Identifying with in-game characters 157
  15. Chapter 9. The effect of suspense structure on felt suspense and narrative absorption in literature and film 177
  16. Chapter 10. Elaboration, emotion, and transportation 199
  17. Chapter 11. Forms of absorption that facilitate the aesthetic and explanatory effects of literary reading 217
  18. Part III. Outcomes of narrative absorption
  19. Chapter 12. Absorption and meaningfulness 253
  20. Chapter 13. The role of absorption processes in narrative health communication 271
  21. Chapter 14. Absorption in narrative fiction and its possible impact on social abilities 293
  22. Index 315
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