Description


Course: Irony has been identified in the Western tradition as both a rhetorical/literary trope and a worldview. Similar literary and philosophical phenomena are evident in the Japanese tradition, and yet the historical and cultural context differs greatly. In this course we will explore this context and attempt to come to an understanding of the roots, manifestations, and categories of irony in Japan. The questions we will examine include: What do we really mean by the word "irony"? What is the connection between ironic modes of thought and language? Is this concept universal, or does the Japanese tradition represent something unique? What is the relationship between ironic modes of literary expression and their historical moment?

The readings for the course will be of four types:

  1. Western literary theory and philosophy dealing with irony and its relationship to literature,
  2. Japanese prose fiction from various eras.
  3. Literary criticism dealing with the Japanese tradition.
  4. Japanese language texts of various sorts.
The nature and quantity of this final category will depend upon the abilities and interests of the students enrolled.




Requirements: The course will be conducted in a seminar format, and student participation is thereby required for its success. Students are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings and ready to voice an opinion on them.

There will be a number of homework assignments throughout the course. Most of these will be a matter of exploring/researching a question which arises in discussion, and presenting one's findings to the class.

Students will be required to write a twenty to twenty-five page research paper dealing with material covered during the quarter. The precise focus of the paper is left to the student, but all are encouraged to consult closely with the instructor before deciding on a topic. Papers should include some degree of consultation with original Japanese language sources.




Texts:
  1. The Floating World in Japanese Fiction.
    Howard Hibbett

  2. The Life of an Amorous Woman.
    Ihara Saikaku (Translation by Ivan Morris).

  3. In the Shade of Spring Leaves: The Life of Higuchi Ichiyo with Nine of Her Best Short Stories.
    Robert Lyons Danly.

  4. Japan's First Modern Novel: "Ukigumo" of Futabatei Shimei.
    Marleigh Grayer Ryan.

  5. Quilt and Other Stories.
    Tayama Katai (Translation by Kenneth G. Heun§shall).

  6. Japanese Gothic Tales.
    Izumi Kyoka (Translation by Charles Shiro Inoue).

  7. The Broken Commandment.
    Shimazaki Toson (Translation by Kenneth Strong).

*Other readings will be made available to students in packet form throughout the course of the quarter.




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