21/9/06 - English Literature - Literary Theory

A Million Little Pieces, by James Fray. Powerful style. In-your-face. Unconventional literary style. Memoir. Oprah Winfrey chose this book to recommend to her viewers. Emotional trauma.

However, researchers found Fray's claims were untrue. He had never been to prison. So Fray had embroidered his own story. It was not a true memoir.

Fray told publishers it was a 'novel'. Agent suggested it published as a memoir.

Relationship between truth, literature, etc.

It is a strongly communicative novel. Readers thought they had been lied to, were offered their money back.

Others believed it didn't matter. The message was the same. Personal communication unchanged.

Outlines two views of literature. Fiction can hold valuable messages v. memoirs can only give personal messages. Real world debates. Relation to history behind discussion.

Between 1700 - 1750: the rise of the novel in public.

Robinson Crusoe presented as novel at this time. How many of Defoe's readers believed it was a memoir?

What are the perameters of a debate?

Ideas about literature are historical. Changeable. Refer to NTC* (chronological). Can dispute ideas in NTC. Pay attention to introduction and how this refers to extract.

Main points of argument:

1. Literature as art. Post WW2. Literature not everyday life. Beautiful, complex, interesting. Object with own laws, in itself.

2. Communication. Not author's point of view. Indirect. Gives ideas.

3. Subjective to reader. Reader's response makes literature what it is.

4. Historical artifact.

How can literature be interpreted? Be sceptical.

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*NTC: Norton Anthology of Theory and Criticism.