Emerging Vectors of Narratology: Toward Consolidation or Diversification?

Abstract

This is an introduction to the interviews redacted as a follow-up of the 2013 ENN conference. The discussions that originated at the conference were rich and thought-provoking and so the editors of this special section of «Enthymema» decided to continue the dialogue about the state of the art and the future of narratology. The call for papers for the 3rd ENN conference addressed its academic audience with an interesting remark about the state of the art of narratology: «It can be observed that postclassical narratology, in its initial phase, expanded the scope of inquiry of its predecessor to become multiple, interdisciplinary, transgeneric, transmedial. More recently, it appears that narratology has entered a phase of consolidation, but with a continued trend toward diversification» (Pier and Roussin 8). Such were the premises to the conference and the discussions that followed were rich and stimulating. We agree with these observations and we think that this is a time of increasing maturity and self- awareness for narratology, therefore we decided to follow up the conference and asked some scholars to reflect on the questions that started the dialogue, also addressing issues that arose during the confrontation. These were our questions: 1. Do you think that narratology has entered a phase of consolidation? If yes, what does this consolidation consist of? What do you consider to be the most important aspect to pursue with the aim of consolidation? 2. In your opinion, in what ways can narratology be said to diversify? 2a. Does diversification imply more double entry narratologies (cognitive n., feminist n., unnatural n., etc.)? If yes, what is still missing for a more complete account of narrative phenomena? 2b. Or does diversification, perhaps simultaneously, involve a look at the various scientific cultures underlying research programs in narrative theory, past and present, but also non- Western? As theoreticians address issues of cognition and context in narrative, in what ways should the role of poetics and rhetoric in narratology be rethought? 3a. With respect to question 2, what contributions can each narratology or narrative theory bring to the others? To what extent can concepts and methods travel and be shared among different theories? And between narratology and other disciplines? 3b. Do you think that narratology as a consolidating discipline should be concerned by issues of