Literature and Liminality: Festive Readings in the Hispanic Tradition - Hardcover

Pérez Firmat, Gustavo

 
9780822306580: Literature and Liminality: Festive Readings in the Hispanic Tradition

Synopsis

Recent literary studies and related disciplines have given much attention to phenomena that seem to occupy more or less permanently eccentric positions in our experience.
Gustavo Perez Firmat examines three of these marginal or liminal phenomena—paying particular attention to the distinction between "center" and "periphery"—as they appear in Hispanic literature. Carnival (the traditional festival in which normal behavior is overturned), choteo (an insulting form of humor), and disease are three liminal entities discussed. Less an attempt to frame a general theory of such "liminalities" than an effort to demonstrate the interpretive power of the liminality concept, this work challenges conventional boundaries of critical sense and offers new insights into a variety of questions, among them the notion of convertability in psychoanalysis and the relation of New World culture to its European forebears.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

From the Back Cover

"Even in these days when landmark works in literary criticism succeed each other with every flip of the calendar, "Literature and Liminality "comes on the scene as a brilliantly original piece of thinking. Criss-crossing the Atlantic between Peninsular Spanish and Latin American texts, the book erases area divisions among Hispanists and speaks to all in that field. Beyond that, it has much to say to anyone interested in literature and literary criticism, and one can only hope that the broader group will respond to the invitation."--John W. Kronik

About the Author

Gustavo P?rez Firmat is Professor of Spanish in the Department of Romance Studies and Professor in the Program in Literature, Duke University. He is the author of numerous books.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.