The influence of duality and Poe’s notion of the ‘bi-part soul’ on the genesis of detective fiction in the Nineteenth-Century

This thesis examines the meaning, origin and influence of Edgar Allan Poe’s notion of the ‘Bi-Part Soul’, and the associated theme of duality, in selected texts of nineteenth-century detective fiction. Poe’s detective opus, ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ (1841), ‘The Mystery of Marie Rogêt’ (1842) and ‘The Purloined Letter’ (1844), features the eccentric and complex Monsieur C. Auguste Dupin and establishes Poe as a significant pioneer in the cultural genesis of the detective genre. Poe’s idea of a ‘double’ detective with a ‘Bi-Part Soul’, who is both ‘creative and resolvent’ but also exhibits a ‘diseased intelligence’, provides a compelling psychological ‘blueprint’ for subsequent fictional detectives.The meaning of the ‘Bi-Part Soul’ and how it relates to Poe’s divergent philosophical beliefs of Transcendental Idealism and Materialism are evaluated before establishing a strong connection between the ‘Bi-Part Soul’ and a more general notion of duality, manifested in the literary motifs of doubling, the divided self and the doppelgänger. This is followed by a discussion of the origins of the ‘Bi-Part Soul’. The thesis argues that its derivation can be found in Aristotle’s (384 – 322 BC) bipartite psychology which reflects the same split between the rational and irrational human virtues. The explication of the tropes which evolve from ‘The Bi-Part Soul’ are explored in a Case Study focusing on ‘The Murders in the Rue Morgue’ (1841). The presence and influence of ‘The Bi-Part Soul’ and duality in British nineteenth-century fiction, which acts as a prologue to the conception of the detective genre, are examined in the context of the Newgate novel and Sensation fiction (1830 – 1868), Charles Dickens’ Bleak House (1853), Wilkie Collins’ The Moonstone (1868) and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde (1886). Dupin’s ‘Bi-Part’ psychological mould is traced throughout the fictional detectives in these texts and culminates in an analysis of Arthur Conan Doyle’s fin-de-siècle Sherlock Holmes. This dissertation suggests that Poe’s notion of the ‘Bi-Part Soul’ established an enduring and influential model for subsequent writers of detective fiction and continues to shape the culture of the genre to this day

A study and experiment plan for digital mobile communication via satellite

The viability of mobile communications is examined within the context of a frequency division multiple access, single channel per carrier satellite system emphasizing digital techniques to serve a large population of users. The intent is to provide the mobile users with a grade of service consistant with the requirements for remote, rural (perhaps emergency) voice communications, but which approaches toll quality speech. A traffic model is derived on which to base the determination of the required maximum number of satellite channels to provide the anticipated level of service. Various voice digitalization and digital modulation schemes are reviewed along with a general link analysis of the mobile system. Demand assignment multiple access considerations and analysis tradeoffs are presented. Finally, a completed configuration is described

'I hope we can handle it': A study examining student ability beliefs and motivations before transition

This paper employs the ‘Expectancy-Value Model of Achievement Motivation’ (Wigfield and Eccles, 2000) to identify performance barriers and facilitators for further education students continuing their studies at university. Using this model to understand student ability beliefs and motivations prior to university study identifies potential performance challenges and informs strategies to improve the transition experience from further to higher education. Three focus groups of students planning to transition to university were asked to discuss a number of theoretical strands inherent to the Expectancy-Value Model, such as ability beliefs and motivation components, to determine student potential to perform and persist with higher education. Findings revealed students had decisive and clear motivations for transitioning to university however a number of barriers were perceived which shaped their ability beliefs and could potentially impact their performance. Outcomes of this study inform approaches to enhance the transition experience of students to higher education and are particularly relevant as the Scottish Government aims to remove barriers and widen participation. Additionally, the research findings make an important contribution to informing the approach of university and further education institution (FEI) staff, guiding policy makers and knowledge transfer

Belonging: Blurring the Boundaries

This paper applies Whitchurch’s (2008) concept of the ‘third space’ to the emergent territory occupied by further education college students as they ‘cross the boundary’ to continue their studies at the university. Findings reveal that these transitioning students face barriers to success, feelings of isolated and encounter negative perceptions. While this paper focuses on the Scottish education system and emphasises the Scottish Governments aim to remove barriers to widening access and participation in HE, the findings have a more general applicability and can support a variety of transitions made in the education sector. Research outcomes can, therefore, inform academic leaders, enhance the student experience, guide policy makers and aid knowledge transfer

'I hope we can handle it': A study examining student ability beliefs and motivations before transition

This paper employs the ‘Expectancy-Value Model of Achievement Motivation’ (Wigfield and Eccles, 2000) to identify performance barriers and facilitators for further education students continuing their studies at university. Using this model to understand student ability beliefs and motivations prior to university study identifies potential performance challenges and informs strategies to improve the transition experience from further to higher education. Three focus groups of students planning to transition to university were asked to discuss a number of theoretical strands inherent to the Expectancy-Value Model, such as ability beliefs and motivation components, to determine student potential to perform and persist with higher education. Findings revealed students had decisive and clear motivations for transitioning to university however a number of barriers were perceived which shaped their ability beliefs and could potentially impact their performance. Outcomes of this study inform approaches to enhance the transition experience of students to higher education and are particularly relevant as the Scottish Government aims to remove barriers and widen participation. Additionally, the research findings make an important contribution to informing the approach of university and further education institution (FEI) staff, guiding policy makers and knowledge transfer

Exploring Memory Interventions in Depression through Lifelogging Lens

Depression is a major affective disorder with significant socio-economic cost. Distinctive autobiographical memory impairments in depression include overgeneralization, negative-bias, and repetitive negative thinking. Some psychotherapeutic interventions are designed to address these impairments, with insufficient technological support. This paper reports on an analysis of four memory-based interventions proven effective in therapeutic practice for depression, while explores the memory impairments addressed by these interventions. We address these findings into three design implications for digital tools in this space. We suggest supports for enriched positive memory recall, strategically negative memory reappraisal and future episodic imagination

The problem of English language export fiction in Europe.

Translations from the English language domain are reportedly declining, thus suggesting that there is a counter trend in publishing where Anglophone markets are coexisting more favourably alongside small-nation book trades. This article, however, argues that the threat of globalization is growing, with readers bypassing translations of fiction titles and consuming English language editions in their original form. This paper focuses on the relationship European fiction markets have with English language fiction. Initially, a summary of the debate surrounding the prevalence of English language texts in Europe will be presented. Discussion then moves on to consider three book market perspectives on the role of English language fiction in Europe: the UK, Sweden and France. Empirical research includes a range of original interviews with publishing experts from each of the three book markets and seeks to determine whether translations from English are diminishing while consumption of English language export editions is increasing

‘Imperialistic abroad and xenophobic at home’. How does the UK publishing industry plead to these charges? Guilty or not guilty?

This article examines popular culture and its effect on the European translations market. The dominant position of Anglo-Saxon culture in the global cultural economy has stimulated an imbalance in the flow of translations towards the English-language market. According to Lawrence Venuti, translations academic, this exposes Anglo-American publishing as ‘imperialistic abroad and xenophobic at home’. This article focuses solely on UK publishing in the European cultural context and determines whether the UK market pleads guilty to these controversial charges. First, the context of Venuti’s claim is established by presenting statistical evidence detailing the flow of translations to and from the United Kingdom. Leading figures from UK publishing, including literary agents, rights managers, critics and organizational bodies, have been interviewed regarding the charges brought against them by Venuti. Statements from these individuals are explored and their defence presented. In the main, representatives from UK publishing, although they consider Venuti’s terminology to be emotive and contentious, plead guilty to both charges. Findings benefit knowledge exchange with minority cultures and the international cultural economy