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Distance and Dramatization: Henry James on the Art of Fiction (Narrative Theory, 4)
Abstract
'Narrative Theory' is an online introduction to classical structuralist narratological analysis. The fourth section deals with the modes of narrative, "showing" and "telling", as theorized by Henry James and other theorists of the dramatic aesthetics in narrative. Outline: 1. Two concepts of narrative distance. 2. The theory of the novel before James; Besant's 'Art of Fiction'; 3. James and the Art of the Novel; 4. The Novel as an Organic Unit; 5. Point of View; 6. The Revaluation of Narrative; 7. Distance: Conclusion.
The research paper gives an overview of the essay titled 'Art of Fiction', a lecture by Walter Besant and a similarly titled essay, a rebuttal to Walter Besant by Henry James. The purpose of this paper is to show the relevance of the then-stated characteristics and elements of Fiction by both Walter Besant and Henry James, to the Fiction writing of today. A detailed analysis by comparing the two writer's works "Art of Fiction", a point of reference is established with today's fiction writing. The primary source of data in the form of a book titled Art of Fiction along with secondary sources and relevant research papers are studied to shed light on the place of Fiction in the 21st Century .The study reveals a crossover of the ideas conveyed in the form of these essays compiled in a book with the same title Art of Fiction in 1884 .The strong views expressed by Walter Besant for the genre Fiction to be given its due place as a serious Art form , on par with other of its sister Arts has been realized. Henry James has set the groundwork for the importance and significance of Fiction.
preface to The Portrait of a Lady (Penguin, 1963) viii
- Henry James
Henry James, preface to The Portrait of a Lady (Penguin, 1963) viii.
The Craft of Fiction 62
- Percy Lubbock
Percy Lubbock, The Craft of Fiction 62.