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THE CONCEPTS OF ‘METATEXTUALITY’ AND ‘METAFICTION’ IN LITERARY CRITICISM

Authors :
Elvira Vatazhko
Source :
Слово і Час. :100-109
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Shevchenko Institute of Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, 2021.

Abstract

Undoubtedly, the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century are notable for the extensive artistic experiment, including metatextual and metafictional phenomena. Such scholars as Gérard Genette, Anna Wierzbicka, Patricia Waugh, Linda Hutcheon, Robert Sholes, and many others focused on the mentioned issues in their research work. Therefore, this paper considers metatextuality and metafiction in the theoretical perspective tracing the origins of metatextuality and its connections with postmodern literature. The terms ‘metatext’ and ‘metafiction’ appeared as rather close in time. Notably, both of them are based on the discursive practices of the late 20th century. However, the term ‘metatext’ originated in the scholarly practice of structuralism. It is obvious that ‘metatext’ was constructed by analogy with the concept of ‘metalanguage’. Either of them does not exist without the initial text (or language). Metatextual elements are important for analyzing styles, genres, types of expression, discursive functions, and more. On the other hand, the term ‘metafiction’ has an obvious connection with genre studies. Metafiction qualifies as a special kind of literary text that became characteristic of the postmodern era. Such features as self-referentiality of artistic expression, introspection, and self-consciousness became essential for postmodern aesthetics. Metatextuality relates to the narrative theory and metacritiсism, while metafictionality is applicable within the intertextual analysis. Thus, the paper highlights an advance of metadiscourse in the cultural consciousness of the late 20th century.

Details

ISSN :
27070557 and 02361477
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Слово і Час
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........c7869370186eabe1189faf0722b46c5c