In the spring and summer 2005, Mr. Dr. Jens Martin Gurr conducted the seminar dealing with the reflections on science and progress in the novel “The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman” written by Laurence Sterne, at the University of Essen. This was how my concern with the investigation of Sterne’s writing and conversational style and its influence on the reader of the novel came into being.
The general aim of my homework was to find out different means and methods Sterne used to influence the readers imagination and to involve the reader into an equal conversation with him. I tried to gather different informations about this novel and the theme I have chosen.This was done in two ways:
1. By reading the text and underlining those parts of the text which suit my theme best.
2. By collecting books and journal publications on my subject, using the MLA Online Bibliography available on the website of the university library.
All information from another sources are indicated with quotations. I have indicated the material from the internet used in the last chapter of my homework too. After the introductory part that sets the stage and provides a conceptual framework, my homework is organized into three major sections. The first section of my homework deals with the general information about the role of the writing and conversational process in the 18th century.
My interest in what tendencies in the 18th century help to create such texts like Sterne’s Tristram Shandy led to certain decisions about the information I present in my homework. The first section is small, and it occupies only one page of my homework. The second section addresses the question of what role different graphic means and print forms play in the relationship between Tristram and the reader. We can trace, how Sterne tries to engage the reader into an equal conversation with the help of some graphic means and print tricks, how he influences the reader’s imagination and makes the reader an active participant in the novel. I tried to mention the most interesting moments in the text, which I found in the text during the process of reading of Tristram Shandy.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The role of conversation and writing in the 18th century
- 3. Sterne's graphic design and print form as means of increasing the reader's imagination
- 3.1 The role of asterisks for the reader's co-work
- 3.2 The function of dashes in the text
- 3.3 Sterne's typography and the written word
- 4. Identification and self-presentation of Tristram Shandy and his relationship with the reader
- 4.1 The problem of identification
- 4.2 Tristram's self-presentation and friendship with the reader
- 4.3 Tristram's didactic technique and his book
- 5. Summary
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper aims to investigate Laurence Sterne's writing and conversational style in Tristram Shandy and how these elements engage the reader in a collaborative process. The study explores how Sterne utilizes various techniques to influence the reader's imagination and foster a sense of active participation in the narrative.
- The role of conversation and writing in 18th-century literature.
- Sterne's use of graphic design and print techniques to enhance reader engagement.
- The relationship between Tristram Shandy and the reader, including issues of identification and self-presentation.
- Sterne's didactic techniques and their impact on the reader's experience.
- The evolution of the concept of conversation in the 18th century.
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the context of the paper, outlining its objective to examine how Laurence Sterne's writing style and use of conversation in Tristram Shandy engage the reader. It details the methodology employed, including close textual analysis and research utilizing the university library's resources. The chapter provides a brief overview of the paper's structure, highlighting its three main sections, each exploring a key aspect of Sterne's techniques for reader engagement.
2. The role of conversation and writing in the 18th century: This chapter explores the shift in literary culture from an orally-dominated tradition to one increasingly reliant on the written word in the 18th century. It examines how the concept of "conversation" itself transformed, evolving from a primarily social interaction to a more multifaceted concept encompassing writing, speech, and imagery. The chapter draws upon Goldsmith's work to illuminate the changing roles of speakers and listeners/readers and how Sterne's narrative embraces and challenges these evolving conventions. The changing social dynamics and importance of conversation within 18th-century society are also explored.
3. Sterne's graphic design and print form as means of increasing the reader's imagination: This chapter delves into Sterne's innovative use of graphic design and print techniques to actively engage the reader's imagination. It analyzes how Sterne employed visual elements such as asterisks and dashes, as well as his distinctive typography, to disrupt traditional narrative linearity and encourage active participation. The chapter argues that Sterne's approach was not merely decorative, but rather integral to the text's meaning and its interaction with the reader. It emphasizes Sterne's deliberate strategy of leaving space for the reader's own imaginative contributions.
4. Identification and self-presentation of Tristram Shandy and his relationship with the reader: This chapter examines the complex relationship between Tristram Shandy and the reader. It explores how Tristram's self-presentation and conversational style work to draw the reader into his narrative, fostering a sense of intimacy and shared experience. The chapter analyzes how Tristram employs various techniques, both narrative and rhetorical, to achieve this effect. The complexities of identification with Tristram are explored, highlighting the intentional ambiguity and the dynamic interplay between author, narrator, and reader.
Keywords
Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy, 18th-century literature, reader engagement, conversational style, graphic design, typography, narrative techniques, didacticism, imagination, print culture.
Frequently Asked Questions: Laurence Sterne's *Tristram Shandy* - A Reader Engagement Analysis
What is the main focus of this paper?
This paper analyzes Laurence Sterne's Tristram Shandy, focusing on how Sterne's writing style and use of conversation actively engage the reader in a collaborative process. It investigates how Sterne utilizes various techniques to stimulate the reader's imagination and foster active participation in the narrative.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the role of conversation and writing in 18th-century literature; Sterne's innovative use of graphic design and print techniques (asterisks, dashes, typography) to enhance reader engagement; the complex relationship between Tristram Shandy and the reader, focusing on identification and self-presentation; and Sterne's didactic techniques and their impact on the reader's experience. The evolution of the concept of conversation in the 18th century is also examined.
What methods are used in the analysis of *Tristram Shandy*?
The analysis employs close textual analysis of Tristram Shandy, supplemented by research utilizing university library resources. The methodology includes examining Sterne's use of language, graphic design elements, and narrative structure to understand his techniques for reader engagement.
How does Sterne use graphic design and print techniques in *Tristram Shandy*?
Sterne uses graphic design and print techniques such as asterisks, dashes, and unique typography to disrupt traditional narrative linearity and encourage active reader participation. These elements are not merely decorative but integral to the text's meaning and its interaction with the reader, leaving space for the reader's imaginative contributions.
What is the nature of the relationship between Tristram Shandy and the reader?
The paper examines the complex and dynamic relationship between Tristram Shandy and the reader. It analyzes how Tristram's self-presentation and conversational style foster a sense of intimacy and shared experience. The complexities of identification with Tristram and the intentional ambiguity in the narrative are key aspects of this exploration.
What is the significance of conversation in 18th-century literature, as explored in the paper?
The paper explores the shift in literary culture from an orally-dominated tradition to one increasingly reliant on the written word in the 18th century. It examines how the concept of "conversation" itself transformed, encompassing writing, speech, and imagery, and how Sterne's narrative embraces and challenges these evolving conventions.
What are the chapter summaries provided in the document?
The document provides summaries for each chapter. Chapter 1 introduces the paper's objective and methodology. Chapter 2 examines the role of conversation and writing in the 18th century. Chapter 3 analyzes Sterne's use of graphic design and print techniques. Chapter 4 explores the relationship between Tristram Shandy and the reader. Chapter 5 offers a concluding summary.
What are the keywords associated with this analysis of *Tristram Shandy*?
The keywords include: Laurence Sterne, Tristram Shandy, 18th-century literature, reader engagement, conversational style, graphic design, typography, narrative techniques, didacticism, imagination, and print culture.
- Citar trabajo
- Volodymyr Kalinkin (Autor), 2005, Sterne's writing and conversational style. A co-operative work between the author and the reader, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/83159
