In defence of Theory Cover Image

Obrona teorii
In defence of Theory

Author(s): Danuta Ulicka
Subject(s): Literary Texts
Published by: Instytut Badań Literackich Polskiej Akademii Nauk
Keywords: Literary theory; Death of theory; Methodology

Summary/Abstract: This article evokes the issue of so-called ‘death of theory’ once again. Whilst approaching it in the perspective of achievements of the central and eastern-European literary studies of the former half of 20th century, the author argues that heralding an end of Theory is but ‘chatter’ (as Karol Irzykowski once named his contemporary statements of a crisis of novel) which, if to anything, refers to certain reduced versions of theoretical literary studies, excerpted from a late French structuralism. Juxtaposed against this achronotopic hypostasis is a concept of Theory as a cultural utterance that was conceived in the Central/Eastern Europe area roughly between 1900 and 1930. This particular version is being continued by those advocating a double simulated ‘death’.

  • Issue Year: 2007
  • Issue No: 4
  • Page Range: 175-196
  • Page Count: 21
  • Language: Polish