This paper deals with the analysis of Henry Fielding’s ‘Joseph Andrews’ (published in 1972) in relation to Samuel Richardson’s ‘Pamela’ (published in 1740). It has been claimed that Fielding wrote his novel as a response to ‘Pamela’, according to several allusions included in his novel ‘Joseph Andrews’. To describe the relationship between these two texts, the notion of transtextuality, coined by the French literary scholar Gérard Genette, will be used. Here the focus will lie on the so called hypertextuality, which describes the ‘overlapping’ of two different texts.
The aim of this paper is to analyse ‘Joseph Andrews’ in terms of parody, which is one of the possible hypertextual operations that occur in literature. In order to do so, the notion of parody will be defined, mostly by opposing and comparing two recent accounts of the term. With the help of the knowledge of hypertextuality and parody, Fielding’s novel will be examined in detail. The main purpose is to find out whether Fielding parodied ‘Pamela’ or not. Therefore structural and functional criteria of ‘Joseph Andrews’ will be taken into account.
The first two chapters will provide the fundamental knowledge that is necessary for the analysis of the novel in the end. The important literary terms and their definitions will be introduced. Afterwards Henry Fielding’s ‘Joseph Andrews’ will be analysed.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Background Knowledge
- Intertextuality
- Parody
- General definition of the term parody
- Historical development of the term parody and related forms
- Definitions of parody by Gérard Genette and Simon Dentith
- Analysis of Henry Fielding's 'Joseph Andrews'
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes Henry Fielding's 'Joseph Andrews' in relation to Samuel Richardson's 'Pamela,' examining whether Fielding's work constitutes a parody of Richardson's. It uses the concept of hypertextuality to explore the relationship between the two novels. The analysis will define and compare different accounts of parody before examining 'Joseph Andrews' for structural and functional criteria indicative of parody.
- Defining and applying the concept of parody in literary analysis.
- Exploring the relationship between Fielding's 'Joseph Andrews' and Richardson's 'Pamela' through the lens of intertextuality and hypertextuality.
- Analyzing the structural and functional elements of 'Joseph Andrews' to determine the presence or absence of parody.
- Examining different theoretical perspectives on parody, including those of Genette and Dentith.
- Understanding the historical development of the concept of parody.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Introduction: This chapter introduces the paper's central aim: to analyze whether Henry Fielding's 'Joseph Andrews' functions as a parody of Samuel Richardson's 'Pamela.' It establishes the context by mentioning the claimed response of Fielding's novel to 'Pamela' and introduces the concept of transtextuality, specifically hypertextuality, as the framework for examining the relationship between the two texts. The chapter outlines the paper's structure, stating that the initial chapters will provide necessary theoretical background before the detailed analysis of 'Joseph Andrews' commences.
Background Knowledge: This chapter lays the groundwork for the subsequent analysis by introducing the crucial concept of intertextuality. It presents two approaches to intertextuality: a broader, theoretical approach influenced by Bakhtin's concept of dialogism and Kristeva's idea of texts as mosaics of quotations; and a more systematic approach by Genette, who categorizes different forms of transtextual relationships. Genette's classification of transtextuality, including intertextuality (quotation, plagiarism, allusion), paratextuality, metatextuality, and hypertextuality (transformation and imitation), is detailed. This provides the theoretical tools necessary to analyze the potential parody in 'Joseph Andrews'.
Parody: This chapter focuses on defining and clarifying the term "parody." It delves into the general definition of parody, tracing its historical evolution and development. Crucially, it contrasts and compares the definitions of parody as offered by two significant scholars, Gérard Genette and Simon Dentith, to provide a robust and nuanced understanding of the term, essential for the subsequent analysis of Fielding's novel.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Parody, Intertextuality, Hypertextuality, Transtextuality, Henry Fielding, Joseph Andrews, Samuel Richardson, Pamela, Literary Analysis, Genette, Dentith.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Henry Fielding's "Joseph Andrews"
What is the main objective of this paper?
The paper's primary goal is to analyze Henry Fielding's "Joseph Andrews" to determine whether it functions as a parody of Samuel Richardson's "Pamela." It uses the framework of hypertextuality to explore the intertextual relationship between the two novels.
What theoretical concepts are central to this analysis?
The analysis hinges on the concepts of intertextuality and hypertextuality. Intertextuality examines the relationship between texts, while hypertextuality focuses specifically on transformations and imitations within that relationship. The paper also draws upon different definitions and perspectives on parody, particularly those offered by Gérard Genette and Simon Dentith.
How does the paper define and approach the concept of parody?
The paper provides a detailed examination of the term "parody," tracing its historical development and comparing the definitions provided by Genette and Dentith. This nuanced understanding of parody is crucial for the subsequent analysis of "Joseph Andrews."
What is the structure of the analysis?
The paper begins with an introduction outlining its objectives and methodology. It then provides necessary background knowledge on intertextuality, followed by a dedicated chapter defining and exploring the concept of parody. The core of the analysis focuses on "Joseph Andrews," examining its structural and functional elements to assess the presence of parody in relation to "Pamela."
What specific aspects of "Joseph Andrews" are analyzed?
The analysis examines structural and functional criteria within "Joseph Andrews" to determine if it meets the criteria for parody. This includes comparing its narrative techniques, character development, and overall themes to those present in Richardson's "Pamela."
How does the paper utilize Genette's work?
The paper incorporates Genette's classification of transtextuality, which includes intertextuality, paratextuality, metatextuality, and hypertextuality. This framework provides a structured approach to understanding the relationship between "Joseph Andrews" and "Pamela."
What are the key findings or conclusions expected from this analysis?
The paper aims to conclude whether "Joseph Andrews" can be definitively classified as a parody of "Pamela" based on its structural and functional characteristics, utilizing the theoretical framework established throughout the paper.
What are the key terms or keywords used in this analysis?
Key terms include: Parody, Intertextuality, Hypertextuality, Transtextuality, Henry Fielding, Joseph Andrews, Samuel Richardson, Pamela, Literary Analysis, Genette, Dentith.
- Citation du texte
- Lena Wandschneider (Auteur), 2005, Henry Fielding’s 'Joseph Andrews' in terms of parody , Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/78921
