135056 VO VO: Sociology of the novel (2024S)

From the perspective of literary sociology, networks are a central factor in the production, circulation and reception of literary texts. The lecture examines a series of case studies from the Renaissance (Petrarca, Boccaccio), Romanticism (Mme de Staël and her circle) up to the 20th century (Victoria Ocampo and her circle; James Joyce's editors). They will be treated not only as specific networks at certain points in history, but stand paradigmatically for different networking strategies and forms of canonization. This concerns positive relations – places, literary magazines, correspondences, translation work and personal friendships – as well as the lack of relations (marginalization), and their importance for literary history.