Chaucer and the Subversion of Form

This collection of essays explores Geoffrey Chaucer's works through new formalist approaches, examining the limits of poetic organization and the complexities of formal agency. It highlights the disparate forces of narrative and poetic practice, readerly reception, intertextuality, genre, scribal attention, patronage, and historical change, and offers diverse perspectives on Chaucer and a varied analysis of these problems.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 240 pages
\n Publication date: 01 April 2021
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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Responding to the vibrant resurgence of literary formalism, this comprehensive volume presents a timely and invigorating exploration of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. By advancing novel formalist approaches, medieval scholars have embarked on a quest to unravel the enigmatic consequences when structure fails to yield meaning, delving into the very boundaries of poetic organization. While Chaucer is widely celebrated for his mastery of form, his work also raises profound inquiries into formal agency, encompassing the intricate interplay between narrative and poetic practice, readerly reception, intertextuality, genre, scribal attention, patronage, and historical transformations. This definitive collection of essays presents diverse viewpoints on Chaucer and offers a multifaceted analysis of these complex issues, probing the enigmatic outcomes when form is resisted by the author or reader, when it falters inadvertently or purposefully, and how it can manifest as misleading, erroneous, or even perilous.

Introduction:
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in literary formalism, a critical approach that emphasizes the structural and linguistic aspects of literature. This resurgence has been driven by a desire to re-examine the works of canonical authors and to explore new ways of understanding their artistic achievements. Geoffrey Chaucer, one of the most influential writers of the Middle Ages, is a prime example of a writer who has been subjected to formalist analysis, and this volume seeks to contribute to the ongoing discussion by offering a comprehensive exploration of his works.

Formalist Approaches:
The essays in this volume adopt a range of formalist approaches, including close reading, structuralism, and post-structuralism. These approaches allow scholars to analyze Chaucer's texts in detail, examining the ways in which his language and narrative strategies shape the meaning and impact of his works. By focusing on the formal elements of Chaucer's writing, scholars can gain a deeper understanding of his artistic intentions and the ways in which he uses language to convey his ideas.

Troubling Questions:
One of the central themes of this volume is the question of formal agency. Chaucer is acknowledged as a master of form, but his work also raises troubling questions about the disparate forces of narrative and poetic practice, readerly reception, intertextuality, genre, scribal attention, patronage, and historical change. These issues are explored in depth in the essays, which consider how Chaucer's formal choices shape the way in which his stories are told and received by his readers.

Diverse Perspectives:
The essays in this volume offer a diverse range of perspectives on Chaucer and his works. Contributors from various disciplines, including English literature, medieval studies, and cultural studies, bring their unique insights and approaches to the analysis of Chaucer's texts. This diversity of perspectives ensures that the volume covers a wide range of topics and approaches, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and students alike.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this volume offers a timely and fresh exploration of the works of Geoffrey Chaucer. By advancing novel formalist approaches and delving into the complex issues of formal agency, it provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing discussion of literary formalism. The essays in this volume offer diverse perspectives on Chaucer and his works, making it an essential resource for scholars and students alike.

\n Weight: 368g\n
Dimension: 151 x 228 x 17 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781316644126\n \n