Simple Forms: Legend, Saga, Myth, Riddle, Saying, Case, Memorabile, Fairytale, Joke

by André Jolles, Peter Schwartz (Translator)

Legend, saga, myth, riddle, saying, case, memorabile, fairy tale, Andr� Jolles understands each of these nine "simple forms" as the reflection in language of a distinct mode of human engagement with the world and thus as a basic structuring principle of literary narrative. Published in German in 1929 and long recognized as a classic of genre theory, Simple Forms is the first English translation of a significant precursor to structuralist and narratological approaches to literature. Like Vladimir Propp's Morphology of the Folktale, with which it is often compared, Jolles's work is not only foundational for the later development of genre theory but is of continuing relevance today. A major influence on literary genre studies since its publication, Simple Forms is finally available in English.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Literary Fiction, Literature

272 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1930

Reviews

[Lukas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Der Wahnsinn. Pflichtlektüre.

[Harold Rhenisch · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the classics, and that's no exaggeration. The clear doorways that Jolles opens into varied impulses towards communication are astounding and exciting. The book is a must-read. The best chapters do come early, however. The later ones are, although invaluable, at times seen through a veil. It would be a gorgeous challenge to work them out with more care than he took. One of the fascinating things for me is the degree to which Jolles represents German existential ideas from the early twentieth century, ones running parallel with Heideggerian philosophy and at times even with populist existential philosophies incorporated into Nazi ideology, but quite separate from them and without the political stain. A secondary effect is the invaluable doorway in opens into the period, and the tools it gives for dismantling it — something of great relevance today, when the far right is, once again, pretending to carry the existential torch. Don't get me wrong, though. The book is about language, story-telling, and forms of speech on the level of a universal grammar of language. Absolutely brilliant.

[Novecento · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly rich and innovative, analytically sharp unfolding of basic literaty forms (not thought as genre or other transcendental notions) but as forms of languages's 'labour' or 'work'. Totally unprententious but a really elaborated work which provides a great approach to "literature" by looking for example at the basic dynamic underlying what we call 'legends' which leads to comparisons between St. George (who basically continues to existiert as legend) and the Sports section of 20th century newspapers. The sharpness and etymological dwellings on language remind me of Heidegger. Strange why like Heidegger Jolles also heavily sympathized with the Nazis. Still one of the Most profound works on literature as a process of language I have ever read.

[Valentina Markasović]

Me when I find out which party this Dutch-German writer living in the first half of the 20th century was a member of: 👁👄👁

[عبد ربه · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want to read book