Narrative Structure and Reader Formation in Lady Mary Wroth's Urania

Narrative Structure and Reader Formation in Lady Mary Wroth's Urania offers the first systematic formal and thematic analysis of Wroth's Urania in its historical context and explores the structural means by which Wroth fashions her readership. The book thus has a dual focus, at once on narrative art and reader formation. It makes two original cl

Narrative Structure and Reader Formation in Lady Mary Wroth's Urania offers the first systematic formal and thematic analysis of Wroth's Urania in its historical context and explores the structural means by which Wroth fashions her readership. The book thus has a dual focus, at once on narrative art and reader formation. It makes two original claims, the first being that the Urania is not the unorganized accumulation of stories critics have tended to present it as, but a work of sophisticated narrative structures i.e. a complex text in a positive sense. These structures are revealed by means of a circumspect narratological analysis of the formal and thematic patterns that organise the Urania. Such an analysis furthers our understanding of the reading strategies that Wroth encourages. The second claim is, then, that through the careful structuring of her text Wroth seeks to create her own ideal readership. More precisely, the formal and thematic structures of the Urania engage with readers' expectations, inviting them to reflect on prominent thematic issues and respond to the text as what early modern prefaces term "good" readers. Combining narratological methods with a generic perspective and taking into account the work of book historians on early modern reading practices, this monograph provides a new approach to the Urania, supplementing the typically gender- or (auto)biographically-oriented interpretations of the romance. Moreover, it contributes to the study of early modern (prose) narrative and romance and exemplifies how historically contextualised narratological analysis may yield new insights and profit research on reading strategies.

Autorentext

Rahel Orgis is a postdoctoral researcher on behalf of the University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and coordinator for the English doctoral programme of CUSO (Conférence universitaire de Suisse occidentale).

Klappentext

Narrative Structure and Reader Formation in Lady Mary Wroth's Urania offers the first systematic formal and thematic analysis of Wroth's Urania in its historical context and explores the structural means by which Wroth fashions her readership. The book thus has a dual focus, at once on narrative art and reader formation. It makes two original claims, the first being that the Urania is not the unorganized accumulation of stories critics have tended to present it as, but a work of sophisticated narrative structures i.e. a complex text in a positive sense. These structures are revealed by means of a circumspect narratological analysis of the formal and thematic patterns that organise the Urania. Such an analysis furthers our understanding of the reading strategies that Wroth encourages. The second claim is, then, that through the careful structuring of her text Wroth seeks to create her own ideal readership. More precisely, the formal and thematic structures of the Urania engage with readers' expectations, inviting them to reflect on prominent thematic issues and respond to the text as what early modern prefaces term "good" readers. Combining narratological methods with a generic perspective and taking into account the work of book historians on early modern reading practices, this monograph provides a new approach to the Urania, supplementing the typically gender- or (auto)biographically-oriented interpretations of the romance. Moreover, it contributes to the study of early modern (prose) narrative and romance and exemplifies how historically contextualised narratological analysis may yield new insights and profit research on reading strategies.

Inhalt

Table of Contents

List of Tables and Figures

Acknowledgements

Introduction

Chapter 1: Entering the Urania through the Frontispiece

Abundance versus Lack

Reading the Lack of Prefatory Material

Reading the Abundance of the Frontispiece

Conclusions

Chapter 2: Narrator and Narratee: Guidance, Critical Sympathy and Discretion

The Gender-Neutral Narrator

Textual Guidance: Orientation and Cohesion

Sympathy and Criticism

The Art of Narration and Discretion

The Narratee

The Published First Part vs. the Manuscript Continuation

Chapter 3: Narrative Levels and Strands: Emotional Immediacy, Proliferation and the Promise of Closure

Narrative Levels

Narrative Strands

The Published First Part vs. the Manuscript Continuation

Chapter 4: Space and Displacements: Multiple Reading Modes and Tensions of Meaning

Reading Space and Settings

Spatial Movements and Travel Patterns

Chapter 5: Recurring Themes and Plots: Textually Inscribed Reflection and Debate

Recurring Themes and Plots

The Quest for Identity

Conquering and Defending a Throne

Love Matters

Courtship

Male Infidelity

Marriage

Supporting and Contrasting Inset Tales

Conclusion: Interpretive Freedom vs. Closure The Story of Drusio and Isabella

Appendix

Bibliography

Primary Sources

Secondary Sources

Index