The following is from the first chapter of my book:
Woven from the threads of
disenfranchisement and enchantment, Owenson's writing captures the semiotic essence
of the philosophically and politically inspired Romantic era, in which the grand is intentionally written to be grander in
terms of style, topics and themes, where literary characterizations align with
political forces to challenge the core of that which comprises a civil society.
The field of semiotics defines the significance of meaning in terms
of its relative interpretations by Owenson’s audiences. Based on its historical
and philosophical frames of reference, an audience assigns a variety of
interpretations to any piece of literature. As Mario J. Valdés asserts, “The meaning we construe to any
statement or any text is tentative; indeterminacy is controlled by a system of
signs we accept as determinate in order to establish a temporary identity to
the text.” [1]
In
alignment with this thought, Owenson’s readers interact with her as author and
interpret the material independently of each other, yet in a way that is
inclusive of the history and culture of all parties. These inclusive qualities
of specific communities comprise the basis for the establishment of certain
elements to be identified as iconic.
Iconic
representation of literature within any community develops from that
community’s awareness of the connection between the writer’s endeavour and
human consciousness. When the community understands that each writer is
contributing to the possible transformation of consciousness, fresh ideas offer
the possibility for growth in the potential for change.
Reformation
occurs when the community also understands the historicity of the artists’
renderings in correlation with the current status of the community’s mind-set.
Eventually, the cultures within a community, inclusive of the writers and those
who comprise the audience, form a semiotic alliance that incorporates the
language, philosophy and history of the culture. Once these elements align, a
tolerance emerges that provides opportunity for innovation.... (pp.18-19)
[1] Mario Valdés,
Hermeneutics of Poetic Sense:
Critical Studies of Literature, Cinema, and Cultural History (Toronto:
University of Toronto Press, 1998) p.15.
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