Paradigmatization of Prose Structures II. On Novel and Language

Abstract

This study is meant as an account for the theoretical and philosophical explanation of the structure (i.e. construction principles) of modem prose writings. The concept of paradigmatization defines its specific language logic and, therefore, a methodological question of whether it is possible to see in language patterning a specific form of historical consciousness is first discussed. A systematic questioning about the modern novel, which declares itself as something completely unlike the traditional novel, follows. Such a question can only be raised considering the conceptions of the novel in Romanticism, when it was definitely acclaimed as art. But if the status of the traditional novel as art is dubious, the close enquiry for the source form of the novel as pseudès historía and its origin language dominant is to be made. The analysis makes evident that the novel conceived as historía does not possess necessary characteristics of poetic language. It follows, that the novel is throughout its rather long history gravitating towards being realized as art. The final section deals with differences between the language principles that determine diegetic nature of the traditional and the modern novel.