PROSE (+) FICTION

WHAT IS IT?

Literature

Why do we read fiction?

What happens when we read?

Virginia Woolf (1882-1941)

“A Haunted house”

What is the story “about”?

Who are the characters (she, they, you, I)?

What does the story make you think about?

Analysis and Interpretation

When we read, we intuitively analyze, comparing the new with the known. Analysis is the way to understanding.

Interpretation is understanding communicated to others.

Analysis and interpretation depend on one’s knowledge, cultural background, method, etc.

There is an unlimited number of interpretations (possible meanings), the only limit is the text itself.

READER’S ROLE

Active reading = interacting, participating, creating new meanings.

The reader makes a text come to life.

Text and Work

“Text” is the succession of printed signs in the book. It is fixed and not a subject to change.

Text turns into a “work” when we read it and bring it to life with our understanding.

For practical purposes, the words “work” and “text” can be interchangeable.

Work – Author - Reader

Unity: a work of literature is framed by the beginning and the end.

Integrity: every element is important, nothing can be taken out.

Dialogism: characters talk to each other and the author’s utterance is addressed to the reader. Reading = “conversing” with the author.

WHAT IS PROSE?

The Middle Class Gentleman (Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme) by Molière

PHILOSOPHY MASTERI'll explain to you all these strange things to their very depths.

MONSIEUR JOURDAINPlease do. But now, I must confide in you. I'm in love with a lady of great quality, and I wish that you would help me write something to her in a little note that I will let fall at her feet.

PHILOSOPHY MASTERVery well.MONSIEUR JOURDAINThat will be gallant, yes?PHILOSOPHY MASTERWithout doubt. Is it verse

that you wish to write her?MONSIEUR JOURDAINNo, no. No verse.

The Middle Class Gentleman (Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme) by Molière

PHILOSOPHY MASTERDo you want only prose?MONSIEUR JOURDAINNo, I don't want either prose or

verse.PHILOSOPHY MASTERIt must be one or the other.MONSIEUR JOURDAINWhy?PHILOSOPHY MASTERBecause, sir, there is no other

way to express oneself than with prose or verse.MONSIEUR JOURDAINThere is nothing but prose or

verse?PHILOSOPHY MASTERNo, sir, everything that is not

prose is verse, and everything that is not verse is prose.

The Middle Class Gentleman (Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme) by Molière

MONSIEUR JOURDAINAnd when one speaks, what is that then?

PHILOSOPHY MASTERProse.MONSIEUR JOURDAINWhat! When I say,

"Nicole, bring me my slippers, and give me my nightcap," that's prose?

PHILOSOPHY MASTERYes, Sir.MONSIEUR JOURDAINBy my faith! For more

than forty years I have been speaking prose without knowing anything about it, and I am much obliged to you for having taught me that.

What types of prose are there?

Types of prose

Letters Journal or

newspaper columns

Dictionary entries

Internet Blogs Memoirs Academic essays Fiction

And many more…

What is Prose Fiction?

Prose is any text not written in verse. Prose fiction is narrative* fiction not

written in verse.

*A narrative informs readers of events, factual (i.e., historical accounts) or imaginary (fiction).