In the last paragraph of the introduction it is said what this paper does not do but the exact aim of the study is not stated. This is, of course, not the ideal procedure how a "Seminararbeit" should be written - without having a specific aim in mind. My aim, in fact, was to compare Huston's film and Joyce's short-story in a way that made it possible to express some of the fascinating details of both. I did not know the results that this would lead to. To take the concept of 'point of view,' which exists both in literary and filmic theory, as a basis for comparison lead to a good and surprising result. It offered a way to do exactly what I wanted, that is simply to watch and to read. In this way the different techniques of the film and the story began to crystallize - or rather the way a reader or viewer was lead to an understanding.
The result was successful primarily because 'point of view' offers a metaphor which comprises seeing as well as telling and captures a notion of subjectivity as well as objectivity.
If one needed to state the aim of the paper the best would be to say that it was not to be lead by an idea but to let the film and the story have the lead and to see how their differences and characteristics would single out and the concept of 'point of view' is a concept which allows one to take up exactly that position as simply either a reader in the story or a viewer in the film.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Literature and Film - Some Notes
- The Problem of Point of View
- Elements of Narration in Film
- Levels of Narration in Huston's The Dead
- Subjectivity in the Short Story - Who's Voycing?
- Concluding View of Both Versions of "The Dead"
- Final Thoughts
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper explores the adaptation of James Joyce's short story "The Dead" into John Huston's film, examining the relationship between literature and film, particularly focusing on the concept of "point of view." The paper aims to analyze how this concept manifests in both literary and filmic theory, and how it influences the viewer's or reader's understanding of the story.
- The relationship between literature and film, especially with regards to narrative structure and techniques.
- The concept of "point of view" in both literary and filmic theory, and its role in shaping audience interpretation.
- The differences and similarities between the film and the short story, particularly how they present narrative elements.
- The influence of Joyce's prose style and language in the filmic adaptation.
- The shift in perspective in Huston's film, notably the emphasis on Gretta's story over Gabriel's.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The introduction discusses the challenges of adapting Joyce's works to film, particularly highlighting the importance of language in his writing. It acknowledges that Huston's adaptation, while a Hollywood film, demonstrates a sensitive approach to the story. Chapter II explores the relationship between literature and film, emphasizing their shared ability to tell stories while highlighting their distinct characteristics. This chapter also discusses the challenges of adapting literature to film, focusing on the inherent differences in how characters and beauty are portrayed in each medium. Chapter III delves into the concept of "point of view" and its significance in understanding both literary and filmic narratives. Chapter IV examines the elements of narration in film, highlighting the importance of visual elements and the differences in how time and space are represented in film compared to literature. Chapter V discusses the levels of narration in Huston's adaptation of "The Dead," exploring how the film utilizes various techniques to present the story from different perspectives.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This paper focuses on key terms such as "point of view," "narrative structure," "adaptation," "film theory," "literary theory," "James Joyce," "John Huston," "The Dead," and "Dubliners." The analysis explores how these concepts interrelate to create a deeper understanding of the relationship between literature and film.
- Quote paper
- Gertrud Schmitz (Author), 1990, Voices of "The Dead" - Comparing Film and Literature, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/22593
