Genres and Their Problems: Theoretical and Historical Perspectives

Abstract

This book deals with problems of genre in various literary and cultural fields. Its point of departure is that genre concepts and genre thinking seem to be indispensable, in cultural debate as well as in teaching and research, despite there being no agreement about their nature and function. Generic expectations guide our ways of reading, helping us to an interpretation; but the texts oppose these expectations as often as they produce them. Nevertheless we think and talk in terms of genre: concepts of genre are habitually referred to, and issues of genre are continually raised. At the same time problems of meaning, reference, and demarcation of genre are annoying, the function of genre is disputed, and the very phenomenon of genre is called into question. The essays in this book focus on problems of genre from theoretical, methodological, and historical points of view. Scholars from all of Scandinavia contribute – the book is the first of its kind. The tasks processed are manifold: bringing out current research; critically scrutinizing prevalent key concepts, approaches, and thought habits; considering complementary or alternative concepts and approaches; discussing concrete applications in theoretical,methodological, and historical perspectives. Above all, the common aim of the authors is to stimulate further discussion, research and reflection.