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Adventure, Mystery, and Romance: Formula Stories as Art and Popular Culture

John G. Cawelti

3.8/5 ( ratings)

In this first general theory for the analysis of popular literary formulas, John G. Cawelti reveals the artistry that underlies the best in formulaic literature. Cawelti discusses such seemingly diverse works as Mario Puzo's The Godfather, Dorothy Sayers's The Nine Tailors, and Owen Wister's The Virginian in the light of his hypotheses about the cultural function of formula literature. He describes the most important artistic characteristics of popular formula stories and the differences between this literature and that commonly labeled "high" or "serious" literature. He also defines the archetypal patterns of adventure, mystery, romance, melodrama, and fantasy, and offers a tentative account of their basis in human psychology.

Language: English

Pages: 344

Format: Paperback

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Release: July 15, 1977

ISBN: 0226098672

ISBN 13: 9780226098678

Adventure, Mystery, and Romance: Formula Stories as Art and Popular Culture

John G. Cawelti

3.8/5 ( ratings)

In this first general theory for the analysis of popular literary formulas, John G. Cawelti reveals the artistry that underlies the best in formulaic literature. Cawelti discusses such seemingly diverse works as Mario Puzo's The Godfather, Dorothy Sayers's The Nine Tailors, and Owen Wister's The Virginian in the light of his hypotheses about the cultural function of formula literature. He describes the most important artistic characteristics of popular formula stories and the differences between this literature and that commonly labeled "high" or "serious" literature. He also defines the archetypal patterns of adventure, mystery, romance, melodrama, and fantasy, and offers a tentative account of their basis in human psychology.

Language: English

Pages: 344

Format: Paperback

Publisher: University of Chicago Press

Release: July 15, 1977

ISBN: 0226098672

ISBN 13: 9780226098678

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