Reading Response: Michel de Certeau

After reading this article, I can clearly differentiate ‘place’ and ‘space’. A place is defined as the order in accord with which elements are distributed in relationships of coexistence… an instantaneous configuration of positions (that implies) an indication of stability. A space is defined as existing by the consideration of vectors of direction, velocities and time variables. For example, the street geometrically defined is transformed into space by walkers. These two concepts are interchangeable. Stories transform places into spaces or spaces into places. Anyone can define both of them because not everyone has the same experience at that specific point. Maps and tour narratives play important role in facilitating these transformations. They are two different forms of spatial descriptions. A map is just an indifferent geographical description while a tour is more like a speech act, usually in terms of operations. The above concepts are quite important to film because narrative through “space” reconstructs the experience of characters, therefore portrays the diversity and subjectivity of the narrative.

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1 thought on “Reading Response: Michel de Certeau

  1. Sammie says:

    The point you made about subjectivity is interesting and could perhaps also be discussed from the audience’s perspective. If you are quoting directly from de Certeau’s writing, use quotation marks and cite accordingly.

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