Theatricality and the chronotope in "The Magus" by J. Fowles and "England, England" by J. Barnes

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2009
Filimonova, Alexandra
The thesis reveals the main principles of the theatrical chronotope and examines the ways in which it is embodied in the novels of two postmodern authors – The Magus by John Fowles and England, England by Julian Barnes. These are analyzed as presenting two different variants of texts that employ the theatrical chronotope to exploit its different possible semantic implications. The thesis argues that in The Magus theatricality is employed to convey the author’s philosophical and aesthetical thoughts. The main qualities of the theatrical universe, actualized in the novel, are its epistemological potential determining the protagonist’s quest in the “heuristic mill” of the metatheatre, and the multileveled structure of theatrical reality, combining different degrees of conventionality, which serves to posit the question of the relationships of aesthetical and actual reality. In England, England, theatricality is used to investigate the nature of modern society presented as a kind of totalitazing spectacle. Accordingly, the theatrical chronotope is used to construct a simulative reality, manifesting that of the modern society in replacing the actual reality and experience of living with the illusory pseudo-experience of consuming the images of reality and living, in its role-imposing and transforming abilities manipulating both personal and national identity.

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Citation Formats
A. Filimonova, “Theatricality and the chronotope in “The Magus” by J. Fowles and “England, England” by J. Barnes,” M.A. - Master of Arts, Middle East Technical University, 2009.