ENGL 3680 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Metafiction, Canadian Literature
15 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Postmodernism views canadian literature as "ex-centric" and parody. Davey did not dispute the existence of canadian lit, he just argued against using thematic criticism. Postmodernism has shaped the world and how people view themselves - we are postmodern people. Modernism: came about a series of massive cultural shocks (ww!, depression, changing roles of women) Break the traditional, they wanted something new and different. Self-conscious/reflexivity in writing (metafiction = writing about writing) Postmodernism: not fixed - no defining features, resists even defining itself. Displays a self-conscious awareness of its creation and reception. Challenges and rejects fixed or absolute truth and meaning. Argues for the social construction of language and identity. No common sense, just people creating meaning socially. Generally benefits those who already hold power in the existing social structure/hierarchy. Post structuralists: believe that words do not have fixed meaning, they can change but that doesn"t make them any less powerful.
