Page 191 - DENG501_LITERARY_CRITICISM_AND_THEORIES

Gowher Ahmad Naik, LPU Unit 17: Mikhail Bakhtin and his “From the Prehistory of Novelistic Discourse”-Dialogics in Novels: Detailed Study

Unit 17: Mikhail Bakhtin and his “From the Prehistory of Notes
Novelistic Discourse”-Dialogics in Novels: Detailed Study

CONTENTS
Objectives
Introduction
17.1 Mikhail Bakhtin’s, “From the Prehistory of Novelistic Discourse”
17.2 Summary
17.3 Key-Words
17.4 Review Questions
17.5 Further Readings

Objectives

After reading this Unit students will be able to:
• Discuss Bakhtin’s essay From the Prehistory of Novelistic Discourse.
• Explain the origin and nature of the novel.

Introduction

Mikhail Bakhtin's essay "From the Prehistory of Novelistic Discourse" is a study on the history
and construction of modern language in novels. Bakhtin's essay "From the Prehistory of Novelistic
Discourse" is composed of three parts, each offering a different component to his study of novelistic
discourse. The first part is an introduction to novelistic discourse; Bakhtin introduces the five
stylistic approaches to novelistic discourse and differentiates the novel from other forms of writing.
The penultimate section of the essay focuses ancient Greek literature and stories, specifically
parody sonnets, and acknowledges its impact on the current discourse in novels. In addition, the
second portion of the essay incorporates the idea of polyglossia-the coexistence of multiple
languages in the same area-to illustrate the challenges of construction a common vernacular within
literature. The final part of the essay references the Middle Ages, medieval texts, and works from
the Bible to show the growth of novelistic discourse through time (in comparison to the Greek
texts).
Bakhtin's incorporation of the history of the Bible in relation to the term "polyglossia" offered a
careful approach to one of the most unifying texts in the world. Bakhtin calls the Bible "authoritative
and sanctified", it is also widely read and interpreted by many across the world. However, the
history of language and verbal discourse has the power to change meaning. While polyglossia
complicated the novelistic discourse and how texts were read, the Bible remains the one text read
and interpreted by many. Bakhtin also says that polyglossia contributed to debunking the myth of
"straightforward genres", that it offers change and variety. Interestingly, when the Bible it is
interpreted, it is for moral meaning; the conversion of language over time and the various meanings
it implies doesn't hold precedence.
The word hybrid is used repetitively in the essay to describe a crossbreeding of ideas. In part three
of the essay, both parody and satire are referenced as "intentional hybrids" in linguistic discourse.
However, "satire" is said to be complex. While both imply irony and imitation, parody is a
composition of satire. The marriage of languages to produce a comical style and influential discourse
should be problematic. Crossing languages would cause confusion and misinterpretation, but
instead it enhanced the history of novelistic discourse.

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