literary critics Flashcards
narrative by dr lodge (art of fiction 1)
unreliable narrators are fictional characters who tell the story but aren’t always trustworthy. an unreliable ‘omniscient’ narrator is almost a contradiction in terms because an omniscient narrator is supposed to be all-knowing and be truthful, and could only occur in deviant, experimental texts.
narrative by dr lodge (art of fiction) 2
there is some possibility of discriminating between truth and falsehood within the imagined world of the novel, as there is in the reality and show how human beings or conceal the latter. This needs not be a conscious or mischievous intention on their part (does not have to be done intentionally or with bad intentions.)
characterisation by h. porter abbott (1)
for aristotle the action or plot of the story is the most important element, arguing that character serves the action - it helps to advance the plot, but the plot itself is the ultimate purpose of the story. In a tragedy, the story is driven by what happens (the action.)
narrative by dr lodge (art of fiction) 2
there is some possibility of discriminating between truth and falsehood within the imagined world of the novel, as there is in the reality and show how human beings or conceal the latter. This needs not be a conscious or mischievous intention on their part (does not have to be done intentionally or with bad intentions.)
characterisation by h. porter abbott (2)
For Stephen, the goal of narrative is to reveal the essence of character, likening the biography genre to a portrait, emphasizing that a good narrative should capture the nature of a person, much like a portrait reveals a person’s essence. a third position is that action and character is inseparable. Stephens contemporary, henry james argued that character and action are indistinguishable.
flat characters by h. porter abott
the flat characters are simple, lacking depth and complexity. These characters often repeat predictable behaviours, and their traits can be summed up in a phrase or motif. These characters are commonly found in comedy, satire, and melodrama, and are seen as representing the mechanical side of humanity. They are often surface-level, and what you see is what you get.
round characters by h. porter abott
round characters are complex, multi-dimensional, and can’t be reduced to a single phrase. Forster believed these characters had depth, and their complexity made them more lifelike. The complexity of such characters, which include conflicting thoughts, feelings, and values, is what makes them more similar to real people. While flat characters can be humorous and effective in satire, critics tend to favour round characters because they offer a closer reflection of reality.
narrative gaps h porter abbott
narratives are full of gaps that readers must fill in to make sense of the story. many stories leaves many gaps, like the exact nature of the narrator’s wounds, which readers fill with their own imagination and knowledge. these omissions are essential for the dynamism of a narrative, as they engage readers to actively participate in constructing meaning.
setting by dr lodge
he suggests that these gaps are intentional omissions or ambiguities in a narrative which serve to engage readers by prompting them to actively interpret and fill in the missing information. This technique not only maintains the narrative’s momentum but also deepens the reader’s involvement with the text.
setting in gatsby (1)
fitzgerald’s setting in gg contrasts the wealthy areas of west egg (new money) and east egg (old money) on long island, reflecting the social class divide of the 1920s. west egg, where gatsby resides, represents new wealth and ambition, while east egg, home to Tom and Daisy buchanan, symbolises inherited wealth and tradition.
setting in gatsby (2)
between east egg and west egg them lies the “valley of ashes,” symbolising moral decay, the underprivileged, and the consequences of relentless materialism. this geographical division underscores themes of class disparity, the american dream’s elusive nature, and the moral corruption beneath the era’s wealth.
narrative gaps in gatsby
gatsby’s past: his backstory is mysterious, with incomplete details about his rise to wealth and his relationship with daisy, leaving readers to piece together the truth.
daisy’s feelings: the novel doesn’t fully explain daisy’s emotions toward gatsby and tom, leaving her true loyalties ambiguous.
gatsby’s death: the circumstances surrounding Gatsby’s death are unclear, leaving gaps about who was responsible and why, intensifying the novel’s tragic themes.
flat and round charcaters in gatsby
round characters are complex and undergo development throughout the novel. nick carraway, as the narrator, experiences growth in his thoughts and perceptions, especially regarding gatsby and the moral decay around him. jay gatsby is mysterious and multi-dimensional, with layers of ambition, love, and deception revealed as the story progresses.
flat characters are one-dimensional and don’t show significant development. Tom Buchanan is portrayed as arrogant, racist, and selfish, lacking depth beyond these traits.
characterisation in gatsby
nick carraway, the narrator, is unreliable due to his subjective perspective and emotional bias. his admiration for gatsby leads him to portray gatsby as a tragic hero, while downplaying other characters’ flaws. nick’s limited knowledge and emotional investment shape his storytelling, making certain events, like gatsby’s past and death, unclear or incomplete. the narrative gaps and selective omission further emphasize nick’s unreliability, leaving room for different interpretations of the story.
