Literary Attitudes Research Articles

The Literary History of 2 Sam 8:1b–14 and the Old Sabaic Royal Summary Inscription RES 3945/3946

Abstract In this essay, I explore the literary background of 2 Sam 8:1b–14. The Old Sabaic royal summary inscription RES 3945/3946 exhibits significant structural and compositional parallels to the summary account of David’s achievements. I argue that the quantity and quality of such similarities firmly locates the writing practices underlying the literary history of 2 Sam 8:1b–14 within a scribal tradition of narrating royal accomplishments shared in Israel and Ancient South Arabia. Based on this historical approximation, it is possible to revisit the problem of the passage’s literary shape and position within the book of Samuel.

The Role of Value-Semantic Oppositions in Revealing the Deep Literary and Psychological Characteristics of the Narrator’s Image in “Poor Liza” by N.M. Karamzin

Value-semantic oppositions in the novel by N.M. Karamzin, seen as meaningful text dominants in situations of "existential fullness", are discussed in the article from the point of view of an interdisciplinary approach of literary criticism, text theory, psychology and linguistics. The article describes the process of literary and psychological meaning generation, coupled with the narrator’s inherent properties, as well as implicit literary and psychological textual relationships with inherent properties, it also singles out the contextual ways of these characteristics, reflecting motives, attitudes, generalized worldview judgments (generalizations). The author shows the dialog nature of the narrator’s literary and psychological attitude to the realities denoted by various parts of the opposition in the situation of “existential fullness”. The role of lexical markers corresponding to the depicted integral emotional state of the narrator in the privision of active reader's attention and attracting him to the deep literary and psychological characteristics is revealed.

Quest for Body and Voice: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of Shamsie's Broken Verses

In contemporary and postmodern literary discourses, feminism has introduced a paradigm change in the sex debates. The plan of feminist critical discourse analysis is to explore different discourses from a feminist viewpoint. The planned study conforms to this field of feminist discourse that will attempt to analyze Kamila Shamsie's selected work, Broken Verses. She, being a famous feminist, has produced discourses in which structural and thematic samples absorb sex debates. Her feminist tendency has established clear expression in all the aspects of her works: body, voice and characterization. The current study shows how she has used feminist discourse strategies in conventionality with her feminist literary position. This research extensively improves the perceptive of Kamila Shamsie's work and pictures how the feministic arrangement and feminist critical discourse analysis have been inventively infused in her famous works.

Framing the (in)sensible in Egypt’s post-2011 satirical novels in The Queue and Cats of the Eluded Year

After Egypt’s 2011 Revolution and the trials and tribulations that led to the re-ascendancy of the old regime to state control, policies of repression intensified to silence dissidents and limit the freedom of cultural expression. The inventiveness of Egyptian novels, however, has not only withstood that authoritarian political temperament, but also managed to perforate its enforced wall of silence, carrying on protest in the cacophonous outcries for change in their artistic expression. This article reads two satirical novels produced in the post-2011 Egyptian context, Basma Abdel Aziz’s al-Tabur, 2013 (The Queue, 2016) and Ibrahim Abdel Meguid’s Qitat al-ᶜam al-faᵓit, 2017 (Cats of the Eluded Year), as examples of the current novelistic undertakings aiming to polemically subvert and destabilize the status quo. Drawing on Mikahil Bakhtin’s conceptions of satire, heteroglossia, and the carnivalesque, the article explores their inventive aesthetics and peculiar combination of seemingly paradoxical literary attitudes, such as realism and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, bluntness and cynicism, as well as the fusion of human heroism and indignation. Providing a survey of Egyptian satire and its correlation with inverting systems of dominance, the article examines these satirical novels as historical forms that respond to pervasive power asymmetries in their postcolonial context.

Nikolay Ulyanov's historical and aesthetic position in the context of “DP literature”

Historians attribute the beginning of the scientific and literary activity of the second wave of emigration to the time of the camps for the DP (Displaced Persons).The concept of the “DP literatureˮ is often used as a synonym for the “second waveˮ of Russian emigrant literature. Most of the names of writers who were “displaced personsˮ are not often mentioned in the history of Russian literature and are known only to a narrow circle of specialists. The article examines the special historical and aesthetic position of a prominent representative of this group – Nikolay Ulyanov, justified by a short excursion into his dramatic fate and the history of scientific and literary creative work. Today, in his homeland, Nikolay Ulyanov is better known as a remarkable historian, the author of a few, but unique, scientific works and concepts. And although many of his literary works have also been reprinted and are available to the general reader, the special literary position of Nikolay Ulyanov, which distinguished him in the contradictory literature and science of the second wave, remains not fully studied. The article discusses Nikolay Ulyanov's positioning of himself and his like-minded people as successors and completers of the Russian culture of “Fin de siècleˮ. The disclosure of this provision, an attempt to explain its grounds and consequences for the surrounding Nikolay Ulyanov in a completely different context is undertaken in this article.

Reception of Jin Yong’s Wuxia Novels in English and French: A Sentiment Analysis with Reflection

This research investigates the reception of English and French translations of Jin Yong’s Wuxia novels through sentiment analysis --- a text mining technique which helps uncover readers’ opinions of these translated literary works from their online reviews. The findings show that almost all of the published English/French versions of Jin Yong’s Wuxia novels are well received by readers in both languages in terms of fictional details like “character”, “plot” and “narratives”, despite there are some minor complains. These findings lead us to reflect on the current literary position of Wuxia translations in the English and French-speaking countries, where translated Wuxia works positioning as “Chinese literary classics” may partly help facilitate further reception of this type of traditional Chinese literature in the West.

Vilnius and Polock. Two centers of Polish culture on the threshold of the 19th century

At the beginning of 19th century Vilnius and Polock were the only towns on the territory of the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania in which Polish publications, newspapers, theatres and high schools existed. Enlightenment ideas and liberal trends played an important part in the Vilnius community. On the contrary, ideological climate in Polock was created by Jesuits – the order dissolved by the Pope, but existing in the Russian territory. The Author indicates the differences between these two communities and also draws attention to Lithuanian poems written in Vilnius by Antanas Strazdas and Byelorussian poems written there in the Philomaths community by Jan Czeczot. He also considers how big was the influence of Polock environment on the literary activities and attitude of Jan Barszczewski, a student of Polock college and future leading representative of Polish-Byelorussian literary borderland.

A Comparative study of the most important components of romanticism in Shamloo and Tagore poetry

A Comparative study of the most important components of romanticism in Shamloo and Tagore poetry

Contradictions and extremes of Russian real criticism in assessing the literary position of Ivan Goncharov

In Russian literary studies, the opinion about the excessive objectivity, if not dryness and coldness, of Ivan Goncharov as a writer, who did not want to show his personal attitude to the events and persons described by him in any way, was fixed. The article reveals the origins of this opinion about the author of "Oblomov", proves that it originates in the criticism of the natural school. It turns out that here was Vissarion Belinsky to start the party of considering Ivan Goncharov as someone who only portrays, paints, but does not lecture anyone and does not punish, does not expose his contemporary reality became the basis for subsequent criticism of the mid-19th century, represented by the names of Nikolay Dobrolyubov, Dmitry Pisarev, Nikolai Shelgunov. The article shows the change in the attitude of criticism of "Nikolai Gogol direction" to Ivan Goncharov from positive to negative – thus, if the first novel of the writer, "A Common Story" was perceived by supporters of the natural school very warmly, even enthusiastically, the second and the most famous – "Oblomov" – was not the same and caused a lot of controversy, and the last – "The Precipice" – was in fact misunderstood and considered to be a retrograde novel written by a man with very outdated views on the social life of Russia, the one who actually sang of Russia’s serfdom past and sharply condemned revolutionary-minded youth. Based on the materials of several critical articles, it is concluded that representatives of the "real" direction attributed Ivan Goncharov to the supporters of pure art, or "art for art's sake".

Giving Up the Realist Ghost in The Turn of the Screw

Realism is a famously tricky term. In literary studies it can denote a genre, an (anti-)aesthetic, a narrative mode, a philosophical literary attitude, or any combination thereof. It can be a cohesive ideal impossible to achieve in modernity (Georg Lukács), a tension between two systems of temporality (Fredric Jameson), or an approach to the novel that is tied to the

М.Н. Муравьев и античные поэты: неопубликованные переводы

The article is devoted to the translations of M.N. Muravyov. We present more than ten unpublished texts from his Notebook, which is preserved at the Manuscripts Department of the Russian State Library: a number of works of Horace, Virgil, Anacreon, Martial, Callimachus, Lucretius and Lucan. Secondary in this context, but no less important, is the translation of a fragment from the famous poem Jerusalem Delivered by T. Tasso. These texts do not exhaust the subject (many of Muravyov’s translations still remain unpublished), but, along with others, may become the basis for the reconstruction of Muravyov’s literary position, which can already be characterized as oriented towards European “classicism.”

М.Н. Муравьев и античные поэты: неопубликованные переводы

The article is devoted to the translations of M.N. Muravyov. We present more than ten unpublished texts from his Notebook, which is preserved at the Manuscripts Department of the Russian State Library: a number of works of Horace, Virgil, Anacreon, Martial, Callimachus, Lucretius and Lucan. Secondary in this context, but no less important, is the translation of a fragment from the famous poem Jerusalem Delivered by T. Tasso. These texts do not exhaust the subject (many of Muravyov’s translations still remain unpublished), but, along with others, may become the basis for the reconstruction of Muravyov’s literary position, which can already be characterized as oriented towards European “classicism.”

On Henrikas Nagys’ Niveau

The author of the article examines the trajectories of the Lithuanian diaspora poet, Henrikas Nagys’ (1920–1996), works, their recognition and his ability to remain an influential figure in the field of literature. The assessment of poet’s works and his personality are highlighted by introducing behindthe-scenes actions and circumstances, which did not resonate in the literary criticism of the time, but were captured in the diaspora cultural press and in the private egodocuments that became available later, such as memoirs, diaries, and vast correspondence. These egodocuments constitute the basis of this research.The author of the article has chosen the historical empirical method, which suits the most to observe the dynamics of Nagys’ aesthetic and moral choices and evaluations in the context of Lithuanian diaspora—the early recognition of Nagys’ poetry; the strengthening of his generation’s literary position, actively pursued by the poet himself; promoting the authors of similar poetic aesthetics to the ranks of the leading writers (i.e. hierarchical actions); and later, poet’s sore reaction to his exclusion from the top of hierarchy.Nagys, an ardent patriot of Lithuania, who firmly defended his position in the disputes, was uncompromising towards the Soviet regime. Ideological and worldview differences were one of the reasons why Nagys broke ties with the associates of the monthly Akiračiai and the literary journal Metmenys and the Santara Federation. Nagys felt unappreciated when the literary criticism professing the new literary research methods put forward the authors of the renewed canon of Lithuanian diaspora poetry (Alfonsas Nyka-Niliūnas, Tomas Venclova, Henrikas Radauskas).Nagys learned of the value of his works and of his influence on poets living in Lithuania only after 1990s, relying on the reactions to his poetry (political context was also important for understanding its value orientation) revealed in private correspondence with Lithuania’s writers.

Poetas sem qualidades: o irônico projeto antológico de Manuel de Freitas

a antologia Poetas sem qualidades consiste no primeiro título do catálogo da editora lisboeta Averno. Em seu paratexto prefacial, intitulado “O tempo dos puetas”, fundamenta-se a política comercial desse selo, que consiste em não encaminhar, mercadologicamente, reedições dos livros já publicados que apresentam a poesia de autores contemporâneos pouco reconhecidos criticamente. Neste artigo, discuto o referido posicionamento editorial, reconhecendo a seleta que o registra como objeto irônico, uma vez que critica posicionamentos literários de viés institucional ao formular uma atitude de resistência caracterizada pela sua base argumentativa construída por meio de uma dicção acadêmica. Também apresento uma reflexão acerca da recepção crítica destinada à antologia em textos pertencentes a dois periódicos, aqui representada por um texto de Gastão Cruz componente do número 12 da revista portuguesa Relâmpago (2003) e também por um artigo de autoria do poeta Nuno Júdice publicado em 2009 pela revista brasileira Via Atlântica.

The Trade in Knowledge in Tristram Shandy

The trend to discussion of literature in the light of historical and material cultures, while enlightening in itself, runs counter to some significant aspects of Sterne’s own humanist and literary positions. Sentimental commerce is a central theme of A Sentimental Journey, and at some points of Tristram Shandy. In the latter, however, Sterne takes a less positive view of material commerce, and is suspicious of the reduction of human experience, learning, and understanding to the quantifiable and fungible objects of trade. Commerce and trade are persistent and developed tropes in Sterne’s discussions of the obsessions of Toby and, especially, of Walter Shandy. In this regard, as so often, Yorick is regularly presented as a necessary and humane counterpoise.

Escritoras monjas. Autoridad y autoría en la escritura conventual femenina de los Siglos de Oro

Escritoras monjas. Autoridad y autoría en la escritura conventual femenina de los Siglos de Oro

Литературная позиция А. С. Пушкина в осмыслении П. В. Анненкова

Исследовательские работы П. В. Анненкова разных лет о жизни и творчестве А. С. Пушкина, характеристике которых посвящена настоящая статья, являются приоритетными во многих отношениях. Авторитетный пушкинист показал становление и развитие литературной позиции великого русского поэта, прозаика, драматурга. В его работах прослеживается тесная связь мировоззрения и творчества, эстетических и этических принципов, общественного и личного начала в творческом развитии Пушкина, в соотношении его художественных поисков от позднего классицизма через понимание сложности романтизма к представлению об отражении в искусстве действительности. Прослеживаются тесные контакты русского писателя с европейскими, процесс формирования национальных творческих принципов и поиски положительных идеалов в русском обществе. Анализ движения литературной позиции Пушкина в работах Анненкова разных лет показывает развитие и углубление его исследовательской мысли.

Image of Mary Stuart in Tragedies of C. H. Spiess and F. Schiller

Features of the interpretation of events related to the life and death of the Queen of Scotland, Mary Stuart (1542-1587), in the works of the outstanding German playwright F. Schiller (1759-1805) and his contemporary, the famous writer Christian Heinrich Spiess (Spiess, 1755-1799) is considered. The originality in the image of the last days of Mary by C. H. Spiess and F. Schiller is emphasized. The question is raised about the various literary and aesthetic positions of both German writers. Attention is paid to the review of works in various genres and genres of art dedicated to Mary Stuart by Spiess and Schiller. First, an analysis of the work of the author, which is secondary in the framework of German and European literature, is presented, since Spiess wrote his tragedy many years before the great German playwright. It is shown that Schiller’s tragedy was written with a characteristic thirst for epic coverage of reality, while the stage play of Spiess is more focused on the events of the last days of Mary Stuart’s life and turns into a chamber work. The results of the study can be used when giving lecture courses on foreign literature of the XVIII-XXI centuries, special courses on the literature of Western European countries, on the problems of classical literature in Germany, as well as literature of the Western European Enlightenment and pre-romanticism.

Eros and Self-Realization: Zora Neale Hurston's Janie and Flora Nwapa's Efuru

ABSTRACT A comparative analysis of Zora Neale Hurston's Their Eyes Were Watching God and Flora Nwapa's Efuru suggests the importance of romantic love to the self- actualization of the heroines of these novels, whose authors share similar biographies, concerns, and literary positions in the spheres of African American and African literatures respectively. For Hurston, eros paradoxically represents the ultimately unfulfilled possibility for self-realization that finally may be achieved only in and through the self. By contrast, for Nwapa, the focus shifts from the centrality of romantic love to the complex and contradictory place of childbearing in female self-realization. However, finally, self-actualization is achieved with other women in identification with Mammywater, the powerful Igbo lake goddess.

Paratextual Adaptation of Social Importance for Three Groundbreaking Scandinavian Novels

To sell a novel as socially relevant, the book cover, prefaces, and other paratext can help convey why readers should care and how the story should be read. But relevance can expire as society moves on. Reprints of groundbreaking classics that no longer engage contemporary concerns adapt their paratext to reach new readers, often by emphasizing the book’s historical and/or literary position. This article examines paratextual strategies across time and space for three Scandinavian novels with exceptional influence. Enlightenment-promoting Niels Klim’s Underground Travels (1741) was the region’s first novel; Hunger (1890) is praised by many as the world’s first modernist novel; and The Man on the Balcony (1967) became the progenitor of Nordic Noir. Early paratext used anonymity, false veracity, or documentary elements to sell relevance. But with commercial success, and temporal and geographical distance, paratext became increasingly author focused and self-referential, at times all but ignoring the author’s intent for the story.