The Shape of Things to Come. An Interview with Eva von Contzen

In this interview, Eva von Contzen introduces her current research project on retellings of premodern texts in contemporary narrative fiction. In this connection, she talks about the potential of historical and diachronic narratologies as an interdisciplinary undertaking that not only investigates storytelling practices at certain points in time, but that also examines narratives from different cultures

The Shape of Things to Come. An Interview with Eva von Contzen

In this interview, Eva von Contzen introduces her current research project on retellings of premodern texts in contemporary narrative fiction. In this connection, she talks about the potential of historical and diachronic narratologies as an interdisciplinary undertaking that not only investigates storytelling practices at certain points in time, but that also examines narratives from different cultures

Narratology and Classics.: A Transhistorical Approach

Irene J. F. de Jong: Narratology and Classics. A Practical Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2014. Pp. 240. EUR 25.00. ISBN 978-0-1996-8870-

Diachrone Narratologie und historische Erzählforschung. Eine Bestandsaufnahme und ein Plädoyer

Der Beitrag nähert sich dem Feld der mediävistischen Erzählforschung zu­nächst in Abgrenzung zum Begriff Narratologie und in interdisziplinärer Per­spek­­tive: Ausgehend von zentralen Beispielen der oft teleologisch auf die Moderne ausgerichteten Narratologie wird gezeigt, dass die mediävistische Erzähl­forschung – zu Unrecht – ein Schattendasein führt. Dabei kann gerade an mittel­alterlichen Texten eine Schärfung dessen erfolgen, was wir über Erzählen zu wissen glauben: Aus einem Zusammenspiel aus transdisziplinärer Kooperation einerseits und ande­rer­­seits der Nutzung philologischer Kernkompetenzen könnte so von der mediä­vistischen Erzählforschung ein Gewinn für die gesamte Narratologie aus­gehen.This contribution primarily approaches the field of medieval narrative research as distinct from the concept of narratology and from an interdisciplinary perspective. Using key examples from narratology, which is often teleologically oriented towards the modern age, it shows that medieval narrative research is – unjustly – relatively invisible, although medieval texts offer a particularly good opportunity to refine our understanding of narrative. Through a combination of transdisciplinary cooperation on the one hand and the application of philological core competences on the other, medieval narrative research can benefit narratology as a whole. &nbsp

Historische Narratologie – Wahrscheinlichkeit, Unzuverlässigkeit, Schema-Erzählen

   Einleitung zum Themenheft

Why We Need a Medieval Narratology: A Manifesto

In the wake of the growing interest in diachronic approaches and the historicizing of narratology, a medieval narratology is called for which systematically scrutinizes medieval forms and functions of narration. In the first part of the article, the problems of applying classical narratological theories to medieval literature are sketched, as well as the reasons for the relative invisibility of the narratological studies already conducted by medievalists. In the second part, the main parameters of a medieval narratology are outlined by means of selected sample analyses across a range of genres. A medieval narratology, it is argued, requires necessary shifts and modifications of existing theories, but also an open dialogue between the disciplines. Both narratologists and medievalists can profit from such an endeavor, which does not reject classical and post-classical theories. Rather, it is based on an informed understanding of the historical grounding of narrative forms and their place in the history of literature. The essay rounds off with a proposal of “Ten Theses for a Medieval Narratology”

New Chaucer Studies: Pedagogy and Profession

The beginnings of New Chaucer Studies: Pedagogy and Profession are found in many energetic conversations about the state of our field and our profession at the New Chaucer Society&rsquo;s 2018 Congress in Toronto. Concerned about the sustainability of medieval studies, the editors imagined a journal that not only addressed these pressing issues but also helped diminish the isolation many medievalists feel. Most of all, they sought to rethink how different forms of academic labor are defined and valued. The resulting journal rests on two pillars of accessibility: open access and peer review. Available through the University of California&rsquo;s Scholarship publishing platform, the journal is freely available regardless of institutional affiliation. And by encouraging a peer-review process of constructive criticism and intellectual dialogue, the journal promotes fresh perspectives. The journal&rsquo;s first issue presents timely and thoughtful contributions by Anthony Bale, Andrew James Johnston, Dan Kline, and Carolyn Dinshaw.</p

Afterword: three letters

The essays consider issues of affect and emotion in terms of three early English letters - by Chaucer, the Paston family, and Henry VIII - in order to consider issues of the personal and the literary. It also comments on the volume of essays as a whole, and consider the field of the history of emotions and affect studies