Twinning Literature and Anthropology: A Proposed Theoretical Framework for Litero-Anthropological Research via “Exemplary Person”, “Value Formation” and “the Good Life”

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MA in English, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of English Literature and Cultural Studies, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad , Mashhad, Iran.

3 Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology, Director of Frobenius Institute, Goethe University, Frankfort, Germany

10.34785/J014.2023.014

Abstract

Although literature and anthropology might seem an unlikely pair, their collaboration has been the subject of debate. As a theoretical endeavor, the present study aims to propose the fruitful collaboration between these two domains through the framework of litero-anthropological research. The results of such research disclose how fictional works once analyzed by means of anthropological criteria can be assigned to three levels of reading that are not only relevant to anthropology but also uncover the layers of meaning in literary narratives. For this purpose, a theoretical framework is formed that draws on Max Scheler’s exemplary person, Clyde Kluckhohn’s value and Edward Fischer’s the good life, the combination of which has not been analyzed collectively before. It was concluded that the analysis of a literary work by means of this framework opens a new gate to character analysis whereby literary critics can reveal how protagonists are portrayed as exemplary persons who promote a set of values through their discourse. Finally, the theory of the good life revealed if the set of values the protagonist upholds is conducive to attaining the good life. These values aim to reach beyond the world of fiction and meet the actual world of the readers.

Keywords

References

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 December 2021
  • Revise Date: 19 November 2022
  • Accept Date: 28 April 2023

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