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Most of the essays collected in this volume deal with theoretical issues that dominate the international debate on Postmodernism, issues such as the shifting nature of the concept, the problem of periodization and the problem of historicity. Other essays offer readings of Postmodernist texts and relate practical criticism to a theoretical framework. Hans Bertens (Utrecht) sketches the historical development of the concept Postmodernism in American criticism, distinguishing between the various definitions that have been proposed over the last twenty-five years, in an attempt to bring some order to the field and to facilitate future discussion. Brian McHale (Tel Aviv) and Douwe Fokkema (Utrecht) offer models for the description of Postmodernist texts. Richard Todd (Amsterdam) argues convincingly that Postmodernism is much more of a presence in contemporary British fiction than has so far been assumed, and Herta Schmid (Munich) presents a similar argument with respect to Russian avant-garde theater. Elrud Ibsch (Amsterdam) presents a contrastive analysis of Thomas Bernhard and Robert Musil; Ulla Musarra (Nijmegen) writes on Italo Calvino. The relation between Existentialism and Postmodernism is examined by Gerhard Hoffman (Würzburg); Theo D'haen (Utrecht) finds important parallels between Postmodernism in literature and in the visual arts; Matei Calinescu (Bloomington, Ind.) relates literary Postmodernism to a far more general cultural shift, rejecting, however, Foucault's notion of an epistemic break and arguing for both continuity and discontinuity. Finally, Helmut Lethen (Utrecht) and Susan Suleiman (Harvard) sharply question the concept of Postmodernism. Suleiman argues that the supposed Postmodernist reaction against Modernism may well be a critical myth or, if it isn't, a reaction limited to the American literary situation.
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APPROACHING POSTMODERNISM
UTRECHT PUBLICATIONS IN GENERAL AND COMPARATIVE LITERATURE Utrechtse Publikaties voor Algemene Literatuurwetenschap (UPAL) Series Editors: Keith Busby D.W. Fokkema J.J. Oversteegen Institute of General and Comparative Literature Utrecht, The Netherlands The volumes to be included in the series will fall into three main groups: a) studies which contribute to the understanding of the problems of literary theory, past and present; b) works which can be said to fill existing lacunae in the fields of general and comparative literature, including text editions; c) works which reflect the research interests of the department itself. This includes comparative literature from the Middle Ages to the present, as well as particular aspects of and approaches to the theory of literature.
Volume 21 Douwe Fokkema & Hans Bertens (eds.) APPROACHING
POSTMODERNISM
APPROACHING POSTMODERNISM Papers presented at a Workshop on Postmodernism, 21-23 September 1984, University of Utrecht
edited by
Douwe Fokkema & Hans Bertens University of Utrecht
JOHN BENJAMINS PUBLISHING COMPANY AMSTERDAM/PHILADELPHIA 1986
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data Workshop on Postmodernism (1984 : University of Utrecht) Approaching postmodernism. (Utrecht publications in general and comparative literature, ISSN 0167-8175; v. 21) Bibliography: p. Includes Index. 1. Literature, Modern ~ 20th century -- History and criticism - Congresses. 2. Postmodernism - Congresses. I. Fokkema, Douwe Wessel, 1931. II. Bertens, Johannes Willem III. Title. IV. Series. PN771.W67 1986 809'.04 85-30684 ISBN 90 272 2196 0 ISBN 90 272 2206 1 (pbk.: alk. paper) © Copyright 1986 - John Benjamins B.V. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by print, photoprint, microfilm, or any other means, without written permission from the publisher.
CONTENTS
Foreword Preliminary Remarks Douwe Fokkema The Postmodern Weltanschauung and its