Understanding Parallel Literature

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Questions and Answers

How do parallel novels, also known as 'reimagined classics,' primarily engage with pre-existing literary works?

  • By borrowing a character, mirroring an 'old' plot, or blending characters from different books. (correct)
  • By strictly adhering to the original plot, setting, and characters to maintain authenticity.
  • By focusing solely on historical accuracy to provide educational adaptations of classic literature.
  • By translating classical texts into modern languages without altering any narrative elements.

In what way does Kirill Eskov's 'The Last Ringbearer' challenge traditional interpretations of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings'?

  • By ignoring the themes and plot replacing them with an entirely new narrative.
  • By focusing on the heroic qualities of traditionally evil characters. (correct)
  • By using a similar plot to explore the themes of power and corruption within heroic societies.
  • By reinterpreting existing themes of love and war.

What foundational role did folk literature play with the advent of written language?

  • It facilitated the creation of entirely new narratives unrelated to oral traditions.
  • It helped people understand their relationship with their environment and other people. (correct)
  • It caused a decline in oral storytelling as written forms gained popularity.
  • It solidified formulaic patterns, and predictable structures, which aided memorization.

What is an essential element that qualifies a narrative as detective fiction?

<p>The solving of a mystery through investigation and deduction. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which element is most characteristic of science fiction as a genre?

<p>The incorporation of imagined or speculative elements that do not exist in the real world. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Consider the parallel between Jane Austen’s 'Pride and Prejudice' and Seth Grahame-Smith’s 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'. How does the latter primarily transform the source material?

<p>By infusing the original plot with elements of horror and the supernatural. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How did the advent of written language change how folk literature helped people?

<p>It was used to help people understand their relationship with their environment and other people. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the most essential element that defines a narrative as belonging to the detective fiction genre?

<p>The solving of a mystery through investigation and deduction. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of formulaic patterns and predictable structures in folk literature?

<p>To aid memorization and oral transmission of the stories. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which theme is most characteristic of science fiction?

<p>Exploration of the consequences of technological and scientific advances. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes parallel literature from traditional adaptations or retellings of classic works?

<p>Introducing significant alterations to plot, characters, or themes to create new narratives. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following narratives could be considered folk literature?

<p>An epic poem recited through the generations. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is one primary element that is explored in science fiction?

<p>The analysis of the technological impact on the plot. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How do parallel novels or reimagined classics expand upon well-known novels?

<p>They create characters that fill in the story, mirror an 'old' plot, or blend the characters of one book with those of another. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of folk literature?

<p>Oral traditions (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes a mystery narrative a detective story?

<p>A mystery with the solving of a crime. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which is a common element in science fiction stories?

<p>A futuristic setting. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What makes ‘The Last Ringbearer’ by Kirill Eskov, a parallel to ‘The Lord of the Rings’?

<p>The Last Ringbearer mirrors the plot, it gives the perspective of the Mordorians as the good guys. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of Detective/Mystery stories, what is typically expected of the detective character regarding the crime?

<p>To explain how the crime was committed, who committed it, and what the motive of the crime was. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Science fiction spans a wide range of themes that often explore which of the following?

<p>Consequences of technological and scientific advances. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Parallel Literature

Modern texts that parody classical works.

Parallel Worlds

Stories set in parallel universes or different versions of the same storyline.

Parallel Novels

Focus on less prominent figures, elevating them to central roles.

Reimagined Classics

Fiction borrowing character and plot elements from older works.

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Folk Literature

Traditions passed through generations in numerous forms of predictable structures to aid memorization:

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Detective Fiction

A narrative solving a puzzle.

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Detective's Role

Explains how a crime was committed, who did it, and why.

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Science Fiction

Fiction with imagination.

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Science Fiction Elements

Speculative fiction with elements that do not exist in the real world.

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Science Fiction Themes

Genres explore time travel, space travel, set in the future, deal with tech.

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Study Notes

  • Parallel literature involves creating modern texts that parody classical works
  • Examples include Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which parodies Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
  • Peter Carey's Jack Maggs is another example and is a parody of Charles Dickens's Great Expectations
  • Parallel literature depicts parallel worlds like those in folktales
  • Folktales provide versions of the same story with different settings and times
  • Parallel literature depicts imaginary futuristic worlds like in science fiction texts
  • Worlds of mystery are depicted in detective and crime fiction
  • Parallel novels or "reimagined classics" borrow a character, mirror a plot, or blend characters from different books
  • These novels focus on a minor character and promote them to the main one
  • Revised settings, time frames, and characters may be the same

Examples of Parallel Literature

  • Jan Needle's Wild Wood (1981) corresponds to The Wind in the Willows from the perspective of stoats and weasels
  • Kirill Eskov's The Last Ringbearer (1999) parallels The Lord of the Rings with the Mordorians as the heroes
  • Alice Randall's The Wind Done Gone (2001) parallels Gone with the Wind
  • Geraldine Brooks's March (2005) parallels Little Women (1868)
  • Jo Baker's Longbourn (2013) parallels Pride and Prejudice

Folk Literature

  • Folk literature preserves oral traditions in various forms with predictable structures that aid memorization.
  • It helped people understand their relationship with their environment and other people with the advent of written language.

Detective/Mystery Stories

  • A narrative is detective fiction if it involves solving a mystery
  • The detective explains how the crime was committed, who did it, and their motive

Science Fiction

  • Science fiction is speculative fiction with elements that do not exist in the real world.
  • It explores themes like time travel and space travel, often set in the future, and deals with the consequences of technological and scientific advances.

Course Outline Topics

  • Introduction to Parallel Literature
  • Folktales
  • Two versions of Cinderella
  • Parallel Novels
  • Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
  • Science Fiction Characteristics
  • The Time Machine
  • Detective/Mystery/Crime Fiction
  • Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express

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