In this Book
- A New History of Medieval French Literature
- Book
- 2011
- Published by: Johns Hopkins University Press
- Series: Rethinking Theory
summary
Is it legitimate to conceive of and write a history of medieval French literature when the term “literature” as we know it today did not appear until the very end of the Middle Ages? In this novel introduction to French literature of the period, Jacqueline Cerquiglini-Toulet says yes, arguing that a profound literary consciousness did exist at the time.Cerquiglini-Toulet challenges the standard ways of reading and evaluating literature, considering medieval literature not as separate from that in other eras but as part of the broader tradition of world literature. Her vast and learned readings of both canonical and lesser-known works pose crucial questions about, among other things, the notion of otherness, the meaning of change and stability, and the relationship of medieval literature with theology. Part history of literature, part theoretical criticism, this book reshapes the language and content of medieval works. By weaving together topics such as the origin of epic and lyric poetry, Latin-French bilingualism, women’s writing, grammar, authorship, and more, Cerquiglini-Toulet does nothing less than redefine both philosophical and literary approaches to medieval French literature. Her book is a history of the literary act, a history of words, a history of ideas and works—monuments rather than documents—that calls into question modern concepts of literature.
Table of Contents
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- Translator’s Note
- p. vii
- Introduction
- pp. 1-12
- Part One: Writing in the Middle Ages
- pp. 13-61
- 1. The Materiality of Writing
- pp. 15-19
- 2. The Question of the Author
- pp. 20-37
- 3. The Work and Its Audiences
- pp. 38-55
- 4. The Work and Its Milieux
- pp. 56-61
- Part Two: The Field of Literature
- pp. 63-112
- 5. The Subject Matter
- pp. 65-79
- 6. The Paths to Writing
- pp. 80-99
- 7. Modes of Composition
- pp. 100-106
- 8. Models of Writing
- pp. 107-112
- Part Three: Building the Sense
- 9. The Question of Literary Heritage
- pp. 115-128
- Conclusion: The Incubation Period
- pp. 129-134
- Chronology
- pp. 135-146
- Bibliography
- pp. 149-165
Additional Information
ISBN
9781421403328
Related ISBN(s)
9781421403038
MARC Record
OCLC
809317496
Pages
176
Launched on MUSE
2012-06-26
Language
English
Open Access
No