Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Acknowledgments ix
3. Contents xi
4. Preface: Eight Assumptions xiii
5. Introduction: Speculative Sketches-Critical Theory, Exegesis, Interpretation 1
6. Part I. Dimensions: Theoretical and Illustrative
7. 1. First Exemplifications: The Novel and the Self-Therapy of the Medium 11
8. 2. Theory: Trends, Past and Present 43
9. 3. The Shrinkage of Fact and the Expansion of Performative Discourse 80
10. Part II. Spectacular Dynamics: Paradigms of Anthropological Import
11. 4. Appearances: Shadowy Substances and Substantial Shadows 109
12. 5. Between Sociology and Anthropology: Trends, Past and Present 125
13. 6. Fragments of an Absent World Theater: "Baroque" and the Implicit Denial of Segment Culture 173
14. Part III. The Spectacular and the Vanishing Body: Sports and Literature
15. 7. First Steps-Theoretical and Practica 225
16. 8. Symptoms: Exposed Flanks in Older Cultural Theories 239
17. 9. Ecstasy, Violence, "Literature": Early Western Cultures and Codes of Vitality 271
18. 10. The Persistence of the Obsolete 297
19. Notes 323
20. Index 397