[READING RESPONSE] DE CERTEAU, M

This article explores how narrative structures could create spatial scheme in terms of how each story at core is a travel story and a spatial practice. The author argues that space could create narrative through providing a theater of actions and actuating a contradiction between frontiers and bridges.

The author starts by enunciating several ambiguous terms, like “place” and “space”, or “map” and “tour”. Whereas “space” is composed of when various mobile elements intersects with each other, a “place” is an instantaneous configuration of position, which implies stability.

One thing I find especially intriguing for me is how stories could enable frequent alteration of spaces into places or places into spaces, especially in detective novels. For instance, there is usually such a switch from a stabile place with rigid order into intensified series of actions that culminate into a space, and may sometimes reverse back when the case is solved.

— Mengdie Zhou, u3591819

1 thought on “[READING RESPONSE] DE CERTEAU, M

  1. Sammie says:

    You pointed out the key points in the reading and I appreciate how you brought in the example of detective novels. Perhaps you can specify an example of a particular detective novel and further elaborate on its relevance.

    Reply

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