Texto social. Estudios pragmáticos sobre literatura y cine (review)

In Texto social. Estudios pragmáticos sobre literatura y cine, Annette Paatz and Burhard Pohl try to achieve two related endeavors: first, at the very core of the book itself, is a heartfelt homage to Professor Manfred Engelbert. Second, clearly linked to Dr. Engelbert’s interest in the relation between literature and society, the editors present the reader with a variety of articles that explore the aforementioned relationship from different points of view. The intention of this book is to “[demostrar] múltiples posibilidades de contextualización que dan prueba de un entendimiento de la literatura como práctica social y como proceso de comunicación” (10).

The book opens with an introduction from the editors. In this introduction they highlight the importance of the connection between literature and society through the latter’s historical development. The rest of the book is divided into two parts. The first, La sociedad en el texto, examines mostly “la problemática de la (re-)presentación de la historia en construcciones ficcionales” (11); the second, El texto en la sociedad, “ya no se trata ante todo de análisis de obras, sino de los contextos dentro de los que la actividad intelectual se va desarrollando” (12). There are thirty-five essays and one epilogue.

The main ideas exposed above are expanded upon throughout the book. The first half of the book presents essays that deal directly with the way fiction relates to its contemporary context (Verónica Cortínez, Karsten Garscha, Burkhard Pohl, etc.). Other pieces investigate the social function of certain formal procedures (Frank Lauterbach, Sabine Schlickers), while still others present poetry as a social practice linked to existentialist experiences (Dietrich Briesemeister, Ottmae Ette).

In the second half the emphasis switches from the literary works to their historical contexts. Here, some essays comment on the importance of literature in certain historical events (Udo Schöning, Efraín Kristal, etc.). The rest of the essays analyze the role of the intellectual in his/her society (Ana Luengo, Francisco Cadet, etc.). Kathrin Bergenthal ends the book by way of an epilogue in which she reflects on art and life itself with Chile and its poetry as context.

At the beginning of this review I used the word “try” when writing about the editors’ main reasons to put this book together, because I do not think this is flawless work. As a homage I have no doubt of the success of this book; but as a demonstration of the “múltiples posibilidades de contextualización que dan prueba de un entendimiento de la literatura como práctica social y como proceso de comunicación” (10) the results are slightly problematic. First, and in spite of its title, film is barely discussed, hence the title becomes a bit misleading. Second, and most importantly, what ultimately may hurt this book is the randomness and, to a certain extent, lack of cohesion of the included essays. The mentioned historical events, the literary works and the authors all come from all over the place and, relevant as they are within the right context, become irrelevant and repetitive through this book.

Texto social. Estudios pragmáticos sobre literatura y cine is not the place to go to if interested in the relationship between literature and its historical context, and the multiple implications of this association. However, as a homage, it is indeed a remarkable one. A lot of time and dedication have been exercised upon this book, and it shows. Professor Manfred Engelbert has many reasons to be proud.