One of the most scholarly treatments of children's literature available, this book makes a significant contribution to both the examination of children's literature and the theoretical study of literary character. It excels brilliantly on both levels. Accessible, free from jargon, and thoroughly usable, the book will be useful both to those used to more traditional discussions of static or flat character and to those more comfortable with the newer language of intersubjective character construction. Essential. Upper-division undergraduates and above.

CHOICE

As always, Nikolajeva's familiarity with a wide range of international literary theory and children's literature is apparent...a welcome survey of the literature and a starting place for future studies of aspects of character that have only been touched on here.

Children's Literature

This study will be of greatest use in academic libraries and public libraries that support courses in children's literature at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

School Library Journal

Now available in paperback! Until now, there was no theoretical research of character in children's fiction and very few comprehensive theoretical studies of literary characters in general. In her latest intellectual foray, the author of From Mythic to Linear ponders the art of characterization. Through a variety of critical perspectives, she uncovers the essential differences between story ("what we are told") and discourse ("how we are told"), and carefully distinguishes between how these are employed in children's fiction and in general fiction. Yet another masterful work by a leading figure in contemporary criticism.
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Through a variety of critical perspectives, Nikolajeva ponders the art of characterization, uncovering the essential differences between story ('what we are told') and discourse ('how we are told'), and carefully distinguishing between how these are employed in children's fiction and in general fiction.
Les mer
Part 1 Introduction. Why a Theory of a Character? Part 2 PART 1. ONTOLOGY AND TYPOLOGY OF CHARACTER Chapter 3 Chapter 1. Approaches to Literary Characters Chapter 4 Chapter 2. From Hero to Character Chapter 5 Chapter 3. In Search of the Protagonist Chapter 6 Chapter 4. Collective Character Chapter 7 Chapter 5. From Collective Character to Intersubjectivity Chapter 8 Chapter 6. Secondary Characters and Character Constellations Chapter 9 Chapter 7. Complexity and Development Part 10 PART 2. EPISTEMOLOGY OF CHARACTER Chapter 11 Chapter 8. Character and Plot Chapter 12 Chapter 9. Authorial Discourse: Description and Narration Chapter 13 Chapter 10. Authorial Discourse: Actions and Events Chapter 14 Chapter 11. Figural Discourse: Speech Acts Chapter 15 Chapter 12. Figural Discourse: Internal Representation Chapter 16 Chapter 13. Implicit Characterization
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Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780810842502
Publisert
2002-05-21
Utgiver
Scarecrow Press; Scarecrow Press
Vekt
490 gr
Høyde
223 mm
Bredde
146 mm
Dybde
24 mm
Aldersnivå
U, P, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Innbundet
Antall sider
344

Forfatter

Om bidragsyterne

Maria Nikolajeva is Professor of Comparative Literature at Stockholm University in Stockholm, Sweden. She was the president of the International Research Society for Children's Literature 1993-97. She has also been member of the North American Children's Literature Association since 1985 and has served on its International Committee. In addition to being the author and editor of several books on children's literature, she is one of the senior editors of the forthcoming Oxford Encyclopedia of Children's Literature.