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UBC Theses and Dissertations
A genre for our times: the Menippean satires of Russell Hoban and Murakami Haruki Fisher, Susan Rosa
Abstract
The thesis examines the novels of Anglo-American author Russell Hoban (1923-) and Japanese author Murakami Haruki [Chinese characters] (1949-) as Menippean satires. The Introduction defines the Menippean satire and considers possible sources for this genre as found in the works of Hoban and Murakami. Parts I and II examine several novels by Hoban and by Murakami respectively, demonstrating how their works conform to the conventions of the Menippean satire. In examining Murakami's fiction, Part II also considers possible antecedents in Japanese literature for tropes and topoi that appear Menippean in the light of Western genre theory; there is a special emphasis on Murakami's most recent work, [Chinese characters] Nejimakidori kuronikuru (1994-6, The Wind-up Bird Chronicles). The Conclusion examines why these two authors write Menippean satires. No claim is made that either author has chosen this genre in deliberate imitation of classical or Renaissance models. Rather, from the standpoint of cultural history, the thesis argues that the Menippean satire—or at least a form of postmodernist novel with notable affinities to the Menippean satire—has re-emerged as a genre for our times. Drawing on examples from the fiction of Murakami and Hoban, the conclusion demonstrates that central features of this genre—fantasy, crudity, philosophical dialogues, inserted genres, invented languages, and the descent into hell—are particularly appropriate for the fictional treatment of life in a postmodern world. Moreover, these features are serviceable not only in a Western context. Murakami Haruki, despite his Japanese cultural background and his avowed intention to write about Japan, relies on many of the same generic strategies as does Russell Hoban.
Item Metadata
Title |
A genre for our times: the Menippean satires of Russell Hoban and Murakami Haruki
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Creator | |
Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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Date Issued |
1997
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Description |
The thesis examines the novels of Anglo-American author Russell Hoban (1923-) and
Japanese author Murakami Haruki [Chinese characters] (1949-) as Menippean satires.
The Introduction defines the Menippean satire and considers possible sources for this
genre as found in the works of Hoban and Murakami. Parts I and II examine several
novels by Hoban and by Murakami respectively, demonstrating how their works
conform to the conventions of the Menippean satire. In examining Murakami's fiction,
Part II also considers possible antecedents in Japanese literature for tropes and topoi
that appear Menippean in the light of Western genre theory; there is a special emphasis
on Murakami's most recent work, [Chinese characters] Nejimakidori kuronikuru
(1994-6, The Wind-up Bird Chronicles).
The Conclusion examines why these two authors write Menippean satires. No claim is
made that either author has chosen this genre in deliberate imitation of classical or
Renaissance models. Rather, from the standpoint of cultural history, the thesis argues
that the Menippean satire—or at least a form of postmodernist novel with notable
affinities to the Menippean satire—has re-emerged as a genre for our times. Drawing on
examples from the fiction of Murakami and Hoban, the conclusion demonstrates that
central features of this genre—fantasy, crudity, philosophical dialogues, inserted genres,
invented languages, and the descent into hell—are particularly appropriate for the
fictional treatment of life in a postmodern world. Moreover, these features are
serviceable not only in a Western context. Murakami Haruki, despite his Japanese
cultural background and his avowed intention to write about Japan, relies on many of
the same generic strategies as does Russell Hoban.
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Extent |
17019729 bytes
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Genre | |
Type | |
File Format |
application/pdf
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Language |
eng
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Date Available |
2009-04-03
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Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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Rights |
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
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DOI |
10.14288/1.0088082
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URI | |
Degree | |
Program | |
Affiliation | |
Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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Graduation Date |
1997-11
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Campus | |
Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Item Media
Item Citations and Data
Rights
For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.