This essay adopts a sociological approach to expose Alice Munro's scathing lucidity in the depiction of human relationships, through the analysis of two emblematic stories, "The Peace of Utrecht" and "Royal Beatings". While underlining the specificity of Alice Munro's gaze, by way of comparing her short fiction with Anne Tyler's novels, the article echoes some of the criticism which has been sometimes levelled at Munro's stories, highlighting Munro's astringent vision and unforgiving lucidity. While Tyler's fiction reflects an almost Austenian sensibility, Munro's short stories show an uncanny refusal to being trapped by any kind of emotion, since her characters seem to refuse the responsibility of any true and authentic human relationship.
A Comparative Essay on the Sociology of Literature: Alice Munro's Unconsummated Relationships
ALBERTAZZI, SILVIA
2010
Abstract
This essay adopts a sociological approach to expose Alice Munro's scathing lucidity in the depiction of human relationships, through the analysis of two emblematic stories, "The Peace of Utrecht" and "Royal Beatings". While underlining the specificity of Alice Munro's gaze, by way of comparing her short fiction with Anne Tyler's novels, the article echoes some of the criticism which has been sometimes levelled at Munro's stories, highlighting Munro's astringent vision and unforgiving lucidity. While Tyler's fiction reflects an almost Austenian sensibility, Munro's short stories show an uncanny refusal to being trapped by any kind of emotion, since her characters seem to refuse the responsibility of any true and authentic human relationship.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.