Literary Criticism Research Articles

The listening renaissance: a theoretical exploration of audio-based digital narratives in literature

This paper examines the burgeoning phenomenon of audio-based digital narratives and their transformative impact on literature consumption, focusing on the evolving role of listening in the digital age. As audiobooks, podcasts, and other audio formats gain prominence, they challenge traditional notions of reading and storytelling, reshaping individual’s engagement with literary works. Through a theoretical exploration drawing from cognitive theory, media studies, and literary criticism, this study argues that the rise of audio literature represents not merely a shift in medium, but a fundamental change to process and interact with narrative content. The paper investigates the historical evolution of audio narratives, the cognitive processes involved in auditory literary experiences and the emergence of “literary listening” as a distinct skill. It also considers broader implications, including accessibility issues, the democratization of literature, and potential future directions of storytelling in an increasingly audio-centric digital environment. By synthesizing existing research and theoretical frameworks, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the listening renaissance in literature. The paper concludes by reflecting on the changing nature of literature consumption and the enduring importance of listening in an individual’s engagement with narrative art, suggesting that audio-based digital narratives represent a significant cultural shift associated with literature, rather than just a technological trend.

North–South Trade as a Source of Uneven Development: A Critical Literature Review on the Role of Absorptive Capacity

North–South Trade as a Source of Uneven Development: A Critical Literature Review on the Role of Absorptive Capacity

Reorienting Territorial Rights: The Case for Grounded Normative Theory

Abstract This article defends grounded normative theory (GNT) as a more appropriate methodology to tackle questions of territorial justice in settler states over the dominant approach in territorial rights theory. I contrast the central aims and methodological commitments of territory theories and GNT: the former are engaged in an ideal, conceptual project primarily directed at other liberals, while the latter is oriented towards addressing injustices through deep engagement with the narratives and power relations that normalize them. I then outline three limitations of the territorial rehabilitation project undertaken by territory theorists that result from their failure to engage the robust critical and empirical literatures on settler colonialism. Finally, I sketch how GNT can reorient the territorial rehabilitation project towards decolonization.

Challenges in nature-based health and therapy research and critical considerations for application in musculoskeletal health

Nature-based health and therapy (NBHT) is a term incorporating a broad suite of practices that focus on engagement with the natural world and nature-rich spaces for potential physical and mental health benefits. As healthcare professions such as physiotherapy and osteopathy move away from biomedical/reductionist models of care for complex conditions towards approaches which take into account social and environmental determinants of health, NBHT may become part of clinical interventions and public health messaging. However, there are multiple challenges in aspects of NBHT research and application, from methodological issues in the primary research base, to questions of environmental injustice and access inequalities in many areas. In addition, engaging with natural environments which are vulnerable to the entwinned threats of climate change and biodiversity collapse requires consideration of the effects of ecological disturbance and the underlying anthropocentric/utilitarian view of the natural world. In this perspective, we outline a critique of NBHT literature and offer positive suggestions for how better-quality research can be conducted and implemented by focusing on local environmental, social, and political factors. We conclude by outlining a set of critical considerations that healthcare professionals might use to develop and implement NBHT programmes in their specific regional contexts.

Post-Truth Philosophy and Truth Analysis in the Era of Disinformation and Fake News

The article examines the idea of post-truth in contemporary philosophy and analyses truth in political, philosophical and anthropological contexts. The authors of the article point out the ambiguity of the concept of post-truth, which is on a par with such concepts as the death of the author in literature and literary criticism, the death of the subject and the end of metaphysics in philosophy. The article aims to study the philosophy of post-truth and the role of truth in contemporary philosophical thought, particularly philosophical anthropology, and their role in countering fake news and disinformation. The article outlines the meaning of the terms “truth”, “fake news”, and “truth” and describes current trends in the study of post-truth philosophy in the era of disinformation and fakes, the main facets of the phenomena of “truth” and “post-truth”, and explores the potential of post-truth and fakes to influence and change mass consciousness, form an ideological coordinate system in society, distort the picture of the world and determine changes in political situations. In addition, the article formulates recommendations for recognising and counteracting fake news, conducts an experimental study among the student audience of a higher education institution on the ability to recognise and respond to the most fake news. The methodological basis of the article is a combination of several theoretical and empirical methods: descriptive method, methods of synthesis and analysis, methods of contextual analysis, linguistic analysis, modelling, as well as empirical research methods (survey method combined with mathematical and statistical methods). The article proposes the hypothesis that digital literacy, understanding of the socio-political situation in the country and the world, and the ability to evaluate an information resource directly affect the process of ‘recognising’ fake news and counteracting this news in the public space. To confirm the hypothesis, an empirical study was conducted based on a survey of 4th year students majoring in Political Science and Computer Science (100 respondents, 50 students of each speciality) at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (Ukraine). As the results of the experiment showed, both linguistic analysis methods (comparison of contexts, presence of logical and grammatical errors, analysis of quotes) and technical methods (verification of the source, its domain, verification of the authenticity of the text) can be used to identify fake news.The research authors point out that the concept of post-truth in contemporary philosophical thought implements the idea of weak structures that should replace metaphysical structures. The author analyses the relationship between truth–philosophy and truth–man. The relationship between truth and man varies in national, social, Christian, and anthropological aspects. Truth allows a person to draw a system of coordinates and landmarks in the modern chaotic world. It is determined that post-truth is not a situation after the truth but a situation on the other side of the truth, a world beyond man. Post-truth exists in the post-truth paradigm, in which postmodern metamorphoses and technical transformations deepen. In the media sphere, post-truth is seen as a quasi-real environment favourable to pseudo-news, so the authors propose to consider fake news as a manifestation of post-truth.

Unveiling social realities: A Marxist analysis of Rene Eune Ponte’s balak

The research employs the Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework within the Marxist literary approach to examine selected balak (poetry) from Rene Eune Pueblos Ponte's collection Hagawhaw sa Salibagjaw. Ponte, a prominent cultural figure in the Bohol School of Living Traditions, Bohol, Philippines captures the socio-political realities of his community through poetry. The study focuses on five balak selected based on Marxist criteria, emphasizing their reflection on class struggle, ideology, and socio-economic disparities. Using CDA, the research dissects the linguistic and thematic elements of the balak, revealing how language conveys power dynamics and class ideologies. The analysis identifies recurring Marxist themes: alienation, corruption, poverty, inequality, and social injustice. These themes illustrate Ponte’s critique of systemic oppression while resonating with broader socio-political conditions in the Philippines. Findings demonstrate that Ponte’s balak are cultural artifacts encapsulating collective struggles and aspirations. His poetic imagery and stylistic devices articulate the lived experiences of marginalized communities, fostering critical consciousness among readers. The study bridges literary analysis with societal critique, emphasizing the relevance of Marxist literary criticism in understanding regional literature. Ponte's verses become a vehicle for collective introspection, offering insights into the poet's and his community's societal challenges. This research contributes to appreciating Boholano literature by providing insights into societal issues embedded in local poetic traditions. It advocates for including regional literary works in the curriculum, enriching cultural understanding and critical thinking while shedding light on enduring societal issues in the Philippines that resonate with the Marxist themes found in Ponte's poetry.

Penerapan Teknik Collaborative Writing (CW) terhadap Peningkatan Emotional Intelligence (EI)

This study investigates the implementation of collaborative writing technique in developing emotional intelligence of students. The participants are students of Sekolah Tinggi Bahasa Inggris Pontianak who took Essay Writing and Literary Criticism class. This study employs qualitative methodology with a questionnaire to collect the intended data referring to the five domains of emotional intelligence suggested by Goleman (1996) and Serrat (2017), namely self-awareness, self-regulation, self-motivation, social awareness, and social skills. The results of the data analysis indicated that collaborative writing technique is indeed helpful in developing the students’ emotional intelligence indicated by the improvements of each emotional intelligence domain from meeting 1 to meeting 3.

Bridging Gaps in Cultural Identity Graphics for Enhanced Space Perception in Qinzhou City: A Conceptual Framework

ABSTRACT This study employs cultural graphics to close the gaps in cultural and social identity in Qinzhou City, China, to enhance the urban spatial perception. To analyze existing studies and identify unexplored areas, the Critical Literature Review was performed on cultural graphics that fostered emotional and symbolic connections. The study develops 'cultural graphic resonance', a concept based on the Semiotic, Social Identity, and Cultural Identity theories of the emotional and symbolic effects of cultural symbols on urban identity and cohesion. The findings advance a mix of traditional elements, such as Nixing pottery and Lingnan motifs, with modern images to create a unified urban identity. It offers actionable strategies to bridge cultural identity divides and to improve the urban spatial perception. Finally, policy and design recommendations for culturally diverse cities like Qinzhou are given as a basis for future empirical research on the role of cultural graphics in urban planning and community cohesion.

The AI Revolution: A Posthumanist Reading of the (Re)Presentations of Artificial Intelligence in Selected Contemporary Films

Artificial Intelligence (AI) transcends mere technological advancement, taking on profound philosophical, ethical, and cultural significance. This study focuses on the representation of AI in contemporary films, a medium that reflects society’s shifting concerns and aspirations regarding humanity’s relationship with technology. Despite the growing importance of AI in our lives, a gap remains in understanding how films depict AI and contribute to societal discourse on autonomy, ethics, and identity. The study aims to examine key themes in films such as Ex Machina (2014), Her (2013), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001), and The Matrix (1999), exploring how these portrayals influence our perception of AI. Employing a posthumanist theoretical framework, this study investigates how AI is represented as the “Other” and the ethical responsibilities involved in creating autonomous entities. Methods include a thematic analysis of these films, focusing on how AI characters are depicted and the moral dilemmas presented. Key findings highlight that cinema often frames AI through a lens of human anxieties—particularly around autonomy, ethical responsibility, and identity formation. These films present both utopian and dystopian visions of AI’s role in society, offering diverse perspectives on the implications for human identity and agency. The study concludes that cinema plays a pivotal role in shaping public understanding of AI and its transformative potential, raising critical questions about the future of humanity in an increasingly AI-integrated world. Keywords: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cinema, Posthumanism, Literary Criticism, Sustainability (SDG 12)

Analyzing the Theme of The Everlasting Regret from the Perspective of Segmented Discourse Representation Theory

This research conducts a thematic analysis of The Everlasting Regret based on Segmented Discourse Representation Theory (SDRT), aiming to uncover its deeper meanings by exploring the text's discourse structure and rhetorical relations. Unlike traditional literary criticism approaches, this study adopts the SDRT framework, with a focus on analyzing the rhetorical relations between Compound Discourse Units (CDUs). The academic debate surrounding the theme of The Everlasting Regret is extensive, with major perspectives including allegorical, romantic, and dual-theme interpretations. Through detailed analysis, this research argues that The Everlasting Regret does not present a dual theme, but rather a single one. Moreover, this theme is not a celebration of love, but rather a subtle and nuanced form of satire. Additionally, the research offers an in-depth examination of key discourse units within the text, revealing that the rhetorical relations among them can be interpreted as Contrast, Result, and Narration. This not only highlights the complexity of discourse coherence and textual structure, but also suggests a potential intrinsic link among these three rhetorical relations.

Challenges of Engineering Skillsets Essential for Driving Circularity of Smart Cities

This study aims to define specific transferable engineering capabilities needed for the implementation (design and practices) of circular economy (CE) within a smart city setting. We conducted a critical literature review of over 100 studies on the core values of CE and smart cities to investigate the knowledge gap in this topic and understand what specific skillset is employed by industry experts that can be harnessed on a wider scale, which can allow for the optimization of CE. There is a lack of research on the skillsets needed to implement a circular economy in any setting, and there are very few studies on circularity practices in a smart city setting. Primary data collection allows us to bridge this knowledge gap, yielding new findings that do not already exist concerning the skillset employed by experts in the field, which can positively impact the smart city settings in which a circular economy is implemented. We conducted a qualitative analysis based on expert interviews of 21 participants who have experience in the circular economy. This information will benefit the industry by informing businesses and councils about the key skillsets and capabilities to look out for when employing people to implement any aspect of circular practices in a smart city setting, with an emphasis on enhancing efficiency, achieving deliverables, and thinking systemically to address complex challenges they may face during the implementation. We also investigated the implementation of CE in smart cities to provide a well-rounded view of the different achievements and challenges faced during the process. This mainly focuses on the work of governance in smart circular cities, a factor that has many important implications and externalities in different sectors. This study describes the methodology adopted to formulate a detailed questionnaire for expert interviews with respect to the skill gap and capabilities necessary for working in the industry, the results of which aid discussions regarding the different challenges faced in CE implementation. Our findings reveal that background knowledge in engineering and sustainability is the most ‘highly critical’ hard skill according to the experts, while communication and stakeholder engagement are the essential soft skills required to ensure the success of a circular economy within smart city settings.

Between Objective and Subjective Architectural Experiences: Conceptualizing Refractive Neuroarchitecture Phenomenology

This analytical essay is aimed at developing a conceptual framework to assess how people experience the built environment both objectively and subjectively through a critical literature review of neuroarchitecture, architectural phenomenology, and neurophenomenology. Whereas both modes of human experience with the built environment are inseparable in real life, they have often been evaluated as seemingly antithetical and distinct approaches. Our experiences with the environment are mediated by our brains, for instance, our brain’s neurophysiological responses to colors, shapes, or heights. Such experiences are universal. Also, our experiences are constantly refracted by our unconscious subjective and intersubjective sense-making filters in the brain. Based on the critical literature review and synthesis, this study conceptualizes a refractive neuroarchitecture phenomenology, which is defined as a study of humans’ subjective and intersubjective architectural experiences through an epistemological and methodological convergence of the first- and second-person phenomenological and third-person neuroscientific methods. This conceptualization would provide intellectual significance as it attempts to integrate both objective and subjective epistemology and methodology into architectural research. For a practical implication, it is expected to demonstrate the importance of the phenomenological aspect of architectural efficacy and ways of applying neuroscientific research for place-making, including urban renewal and historic preservation.

Janko Silan as a Poet and Representative of Slovak Catholic Modernism

The paper aims to map the chronological development of the poetic work of Janko Silan, a representative of Slovak Catholic Modernism. It focuses on the development of his poetic method from his debut to posthumously published works. Literary scholarship in Slovakia regards his poetry timeless for its appealing subjectivism, authentic spirituality and humanity.Janko Silan’s debut Kuvici [Owls] displays distinct modernist tendencies. Silan adopted the motif of little owls from Slovak folklore, where they were known as harbingers of death. The lyrical subject too presents himself as one who is sad and aware of his mortality. The author also incorporated autobiographical motifs into his collection, especially the motif of eye disease and blindness.The poetry of Silan, the seminarian, includes three thematically distinct collections: the spiritual Rebrík do neba [Ladder to Heaven], the love poems in the Sonety májové [May Sonnets] and the commemorative poetic composition Slávme to spoločne [Let us Celebrate It Together]. The explicit spiritual theme in his seminarian’s poetry does not contain aesthetic value; it is baroquely patulous and sentimental. The love theme of Sonety májové [May Sonnets] is surprising to the reader coming from an author who is preparing for priestly celibacy. It seems that as an anthropological value, sexuality too is a gift from God and needs to be incorporated into the spiritual life. The book of poems, Slávme to spoločne [Let us Celebrate It Together] is dedicated to the author’s mother, Helena. Silan describes her as a “beautifully holy woman”.The poetry of the priest period, between 1942 and 1945, includes Silan’s collections Kým nebudeme doma [Until We Are Home] and Piesne z Javoriny [Songs from Javorina]. Literary critics and historians highly praise the second of Silan’s priestly collections. It is described as Franciscan because of many natural motifs that the author utilizes.Janko Silan is described as a “verbumist” because he was involved in a group of poets gathered around the magazine and publishing house Verbum (1946–1949). This period includes the collections Piesne zo Ždiaru [Songs from Ždiar] and Úbohá duša na zemi [Poor Soul on Earth]. In them, the author expresses his anxiety about the political situation and threat of Communist totalitarianism.Silan’s collection of poetry from the 1960s Oslnenie [Sun Blindness] corresponds with a relaxed political and social context. His poetry is “grounded”, human-centred, without explicit spiritualization. The smile that the author allows himself adds to the anthropological value.When Janko Silan was banned from publishing his poetry, he wrote “for the desk drawer”. The most famous from this period is the collection Katolícke piesne z Važca [The Catholic songs from Važec] and the novel Dom opustenosti [The House of Abandonment]. The prevalent themes are the violation of human rights in Czechoslovakia and the repressive impact of totalitarianism on an individual who, for reasons of conscience, is not willing to conform to Communist ideology. Of several works written in this period, Dom opustenosti [The House of Abandonment] has been particularly popular with readers and scholars.

Challenging energy transition and green jobs: climate policy obstruction across borders

Challenging energy transition and green jobs: climate policy obstruction across borders

Juegos intertextuales en “Respiración artificial” de Ricardo Piglia

The literary criticism is one of the main narrative devices used by Ricardo Piglia in his novel Respiración artificial (1980). One of the particularities of this novel is the presence of multiple citations and references that place the intertext in the foreground, from which it defines a rich and complex narrative imbrication that oscillates between fiction, autobiography, and literary criticism. In this paper we will explore Piglia´s novel from the point of view of his metatextual theory, which will allow us to understand it as a cartographic construction that not only seeks to reinterpret, but also to reconfigure the literary tradition at its core. The experimental writing, composed of references, openly calls into play a series of procedures that intermingle literary genres, fragment and recreate a variety of works which, taken to different narrative planes, ultimately dissolve the limits between the field of literary criticism and creation.

Analysis of Procurement Routes and Contract Types for Housing Retrofit in the United Kingdom

The study focused on the procurement routes and the forms of contract, currently used in the UK housing retrofit industry. Importantly, the contracts between the clients and the contractors were investigated. This study used a qualitative approach with a critical literature review and semi-structured interview data collection for the methodology. The findings show that the housing retrofit industry does not use any standard form of contract in general. Most contractors use guarantees, warranties, and invoices instead of standard forms of contract. They usually use bespoke contracts if contract administration is required. This is because there is nothing wrong with the existing way of addressing contract administration in retrofit. As the UK needs to retrofit 30.1 million houses, there can be contractual disputes aggregating to 8.1 million properties or GBP 221.4 billion project value. The study recommends using standard forms of contract to avoid and reduce the detrimental effects of contractual disputes in housing retrofit in the future.

Achieving Construct Clarity Through Perceived Workplace Exclusion: A Critical Literature Analysis and Proposed Model

ABSTRACTThere are many researchers who believe that workplace exclusion is a unique construct and worthwhile to study; however, there is also significant inconsistency across existing research in definitions and explanations. These variations illustrate the practical and investigative need for a more precise approach that can be consistently utilized to facilitate a common and deeper understanding of workplace exclusion. To this end, we build a bridge across the different perspectives to establish a clearer conceptual foundation. Our work focuses on the target's belief that they are being excluded, represented by the proposed concept of perceived workplace exclusion. We first analyze definitions and theoretical logic drawn from representative publications found across literatures on exclusion, mistreatment, and diversity by applying Suddaby's criteria for construct clarity. Our results show the presence of multiple definitions, an absence of clear differentiation from similar constructs, confusing contextual descriptions and approaches, and utilization of multiple, inconsistent theoretical perspectives. We then utilize valuable insights from our analysis, along with logic drawn from the perceived organizational membership framework, to craft the concept of perceived workplace exclusion. Through our work, we generate propositions and research questions to stimulate future research efforts that will result in significant theoretical advancement and accumulated knowledge.

Асоба і творчасць Алеся Адамовіча ў сучасных даследаваннях

The purpose of the article is to review publications in Belarusian, Russian, English and Czech devoted to Ales Adamovich, as well as to highlight current directions of research into his work. To achieve this goal, a brief analysis of some of the studies have been made. Thus a guide to the research on this topic was created. The author explains the necessity of studying Adamovich's work and outlines interesting directions of research: study of the themes of social and political essays and works of literary criticism, conceptual meaning and poetics of literary works, biographical and comparative studies, analysis of the specificity of genres, connection with Soviet military prose and the work of Svetlana Aleksievich, de-ideologization. This publication may be useful for a scholar studying Adamovich's work.

Pharmacogenetics of the Treatment of Neglected Diseases.

Pharmacogenetics (PGx) aims to identify individuals more likely to suffer from adverse reactions or therapeutic failure in drug treatments. However, despite most of the evidence in this area being from European populations, some diseases have also been neglected, such as HIV infection, malaria, and tuberculosis. With this review, we aim to emphasize which pharmacogenetic tests are ready to be implemented in treating neglected diseases that have some evidence and call attention to what is missing for these three diseases. A critical literature review on the PGx of HIV infection, malaria, and tuberculosis was performed. There are three PGx guidelines for antiretroviral drugs used in HIV infection, one for malaria, and none for tuberculosis. Some evidence is already available, and some genes have already been identified, such as CYP2D6 for primaquine treatment and NAT2 for isoniazid. However, some barriers to the implementation are the lack of evidence due to the few studies on the diseases themselves and the admixture of the most affected populations, which must be considered, given the genetic differentiation of these populations. PGx tests such as abacavir are already implemented in some places, and efavirenz/atazanavir is ready to implement if this medication is used. Other gene-drug associations were found but still do not present a clear recommendation. We call attention to the need to generate more evidence for testing treatments for other neglected diseases, such as malaria and tuberculosis, given their epidemiological importance and for the public health of less favored populations.

Technology-driven Sustainability in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: A Systematic Literature Review

This systematic literature review explores how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) leverage technology to integrate sustainability into their operations, thus contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through a comprehensive analysis of 208 articles from 147 journals, we identify eight key themes: external environment, organisational context, sustainability orientation, technology opportunities, innovation focus, knowledge management, assessment frameworks, and sustainability practices and outcomes. The study findings enable us to synthesise an integrated framework that illuminates the intersection of technology use and sustainability incorporation in SMEs. This review addresses critical literature gaps and provides a foundation for future research and practical applications in SME sustainability.