Narrative, Perception, and the Embodied Mind: Towards a Neuro-narratology

169 Pages·2022·10.179 MB·English

by  Lilla Farmasi

Routledge Research in Cognitive Humanities
NARRATIVE, PERCEPTION,
AND THE EMBODIED MIND
TOWARDS A NEURO-NARRATOLOGY
Lilla Farmasi
Narrative, Perception, and the
Embodied Mind
This book encourages cross-disciplinary dialogues toward introducing a
new framework for neuro-narratology, expanding on established theory
within cognitive narratology to more fully encompass the different
faculties involved in the reading process.
To investigate narrative cognition, the book traces the ways in which
cognitive patterns of embodiment – and the neural connections that
comprise them – in the reading process are translated into patterns in
narrative fiction. Drawing theories of episodic memories and nonvisual
perception of space, Farmasi draws on theories of episodic memories
and nonvisual perception of space in analyzing a range of narratives
from twentieth century prose. The first set of analyses shines a light on
perception and emotion in narrative discourses and the construction of
storyworlds, while the second foregrounds the reader’s experience. The
volume makes the case for the fact that narratives need to be understood
as dynamic elements of the interaction between mind, body, and
environment, generating new insights and inspiring further research.
This book will appeal to scholars interested in narrative theory,
literary studies, cognitive science, neuroscience, and philosophy.
Lilla Farmasi is a Senior Assistant Professor at the English Department
of the University of Szeged, Hungary. She earned her PhD in literature
from the University of Szeged. Her research interests include narra-
tology, (neuro)phenomenology of perception, cognitive science, and
illness narratives.
Routledge Research in Cognitive Humanities
Language, Cognition, and Emotion in Keats’s Poetry
Katrina Brannon
Narrative, Perception, and the Embodied Mind: Towards a
Neuro-narratology
Towards a Neuro-narratology
Lilla Farmasi
For more information about this series, please visit: https://www.routledge.
com/Routledge-Research-in-Cognitive-Humanities/book-series/RRCH
Narrative, Perception,
and the Embodied Mind
Towards a Neuro-narratology
Lilla Farmasi
First published 2023
by Routledge
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and by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an
informa business
© 2023 Lilla Farmasi
The right of Lilla Farmasi to be identified as author of this work
has been asserted in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the
Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or
reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be
trademarks or registered trademarks, and are used only for
identification and explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalog record for this title has been requested
ISBN: 978-1-032-15274-5 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-15276-9 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-24341-0 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003243410
Typeset in Sabon
by MPS Limited, Dehradun
Contents
Acknowledgments vii
PART I
From cognitive narratology, to neuro‐narratology 1
Introduction 3
1 Neuro-narratology 26
2 Spatial perception, negative emotions, and
narratives 46
PART II
Sense perceptions and storyworlds 61
3 Sense perceptions and representation of
consciousness in the storyworld of Vladimir
Nabokov’s Invitation to a Beheading and
Poe’s “The Pit and the Pendulum” 63
4 Storytelling with Tourette’s syndrome in Jonathan
Lethem’s Motherless Brooklyn 77
5 Narrative space and motion(lessness) in “The Ivory
Acrobat” 88
PART III
Sense perceptions and readerly experience 99
6 Narrative experience as kinetosis for the reader:
spatial perception in The Body Artist 101
vi Contents
7 Disorientation, dislocation, and disnarration
in Mark Z. Danielewski’s House of Leaves 112
8 Representation of dissociation and negative
emotions in Haruki Murakami’s “Sleep” 123
9 Conclusion and afterthoughts 136
References 142
Index 153
Acknowledgments
This book is the reincarnation of my Ph.D. dissertation. I am indebted to
all my professors whom I had the privilege of learning from throughout
my studies. I am especially grateful for the dedicated work of my
supervisors, György Novák, Attila Kiss, and Ágnes Zsófia Kovács,
and the heads of our doctoral program of English and American
Literatures and Cultures, György Endre Szőnyi and Anna Kérchy. I
also felt supported by many colleagues and friends, who helped with
conversations, practical advice, invaluable feedback on my work, and
with keeping my spirits up throughout the writing: Márta Horváth,
László Sári B., István Szendi, Larisa Zámbóné Kocic, Ágnes Sávai-
Matuska, Ágnes Bató, Emma Bálint, Zsuzsa Sütő, András Berze, Eszter
Szép, Kata Gyuris, Melinda Dabis, Ágnes Harasztos, Péter Makai,
and many more who helped me, whether or not they were aware of it.
Last but not least, I am glad to thank my family and my husband, Ray,
my most loving supporter and infinite source of encouragement.

Part I
From cognitive
narratology, to
neuro-narratology