Julian Barnes

Course Description

Of the nine novels that Julian Barnes has written to date, Flaubert's Parrot (1984) and A History of the World in 10½ Chapters (1989) are probably the most widely known. Barnes's fiction-writing reveals an interest in how human identity on the one hand and history on the other are constructed, and the latter aspect has earned some of his fiction the label of 'historiographic (meta)fiction'. A study of three of this outstanding writer's novels helps students gain an understanding of the 'possible worlds' of literature and may force them to revise their notions of such staple categories as 'fact' and 'fiction'. What is more, Barnes's observations about (English) society and culture make his texts stimulating reading that is agreeably seasoned with a pinch of humour.

Prerequisites:

Earning a course credit in this Proseminar presupposes that students have already taken the lecture course "Introduction to the Study of Literature" and that they attend the seminar on a regular basis. Apart from writing a term paper of between 10 and 12 pages, students will be asked to give a short presentation on a specified topic.

Required reading:

Barnes, Julian (1985). Flaubert's Parrot. London: Picador (ISBN 0-330-28976-4). First publ. 1984.
Barnes, Julian (1990).A History of the World in 10½ Chapters. London: Picador (ISBN 0-330-31399-1). First publ. 1989
Barnes, Julian (1999). England, England. London: Picador (ISBN 0-330-37344-7). First. publ. 1998.

Registration:

To register, students are to send an e-mail to Marie-Luise Egbert by 15 March, stating their name, semster standing and subjects.