2.4 Are definitions a form of productive containment?

Previous positing in this thread: On Definitions (3) some thoughts on the previous with a special focus on “fiction” (and on “literature” as the prominent present rivalling category — a category we constantly fail to define). The word “definition” promises

2.3 Why do we want to define the novel?

Previous positing in this thread: On Definitions (2) In this thread’s last posting I took a look at literary historians and their eagerness to define the “novel” as a “literary genre”. Their agenda was unsuspicious: If one had a stable

2.2 “The Novel” : Thing / Word / Discourse? What do we define?

On Definitions (2) And, Andrew, I can almost point at the hiatus in which the reflex you spoke of is triggered. This is a picture of that moment taken from Paul J. Hunter’s preface to his book Before Novels, published

2.1 Definitions – Questioning an Academic Reflex

First thought of a thread On Definitions A few weeks ago I was asked to provide a definition of “conspiracy theory” – an innocent enough exercise, and not too difficult especially because I could draw upon some experience in the