Re: Literature and World-Systems Analysis

Good question on world systems and literature. I would say this: we should consider this matter in terms of literary typologies. Don’t just look for literary works that display a world systems-like perspective in their pages; look instead for a greater range of fictional works with their driving (universal) themes … and then consider them in terms of world systems concepts.

As to specific works for analyzing, why not look at this material -> JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Silmarilion? Why these to start with? As I said, we should start off with the big themes and great ideas of literature. JRRT’s material is chocked full of this stuff. ---> What’s in it? The question of POWER (over others) and its allure, universalism versus localism (ala the Shire, with both its good points and bad points), the war issue (to fight, not fight, and what it actually gains you), etc.

Also, don’t forget a book like Achebe’s Things Fall Apart (themes of traditional life, colonialism, cultural and historical modernization, Colonial Christianity versus old African religions, erosion of old social ways and the introduction of new ones, tragic flaws, strength [Okonkwo] and weakness [Unoka] … )

It seems like TFA would be good for considering issues of “Expansion” and “Crisis.” We can look at the old ways of Umuofia dying off (& Okonkwo’s tragic descent) via “Crisis” while at the other side of the coin, we can see the colonial consolidation of power and its inroads into Africa as being part of a new social/economic “Expansion.” The social/cultural ideals of traditional Ibo society were once in “hegemony”, but with the coming of the European, they face first “rivalry” (and then defeat) at the hands of the colonialists. Their traditional lifeways are no longer “Core” for that small region of villages and its people. That old culture is replaced by a new culture under the control of the European colonizers.

As to LOTR and Sim., there are many themes and metaphors we could consider under a world systems outlook. The one thing I think Tolkien’s world shows a real mastery of is demonstrating how a number of these separate themes are interwoven in a storyline. LOTR for example: The battle for “hegemony” and for being a “core” ‘POWER’ not only takes place between Mordor and Gondor, it also takes place between Mordor (as the seat of the Maia , Sauron’s might) and the invisible might of the Valar in the Far West (as their power is both represented and expressed through Gandalf the White, an Istari/Wizard, also a Maia like Sauron, but pledged not to overpower the world of men and elves, yet to lead them in deeds against the forces of the Dark Lord of Mordor). LOTR also considers the place of the individual in light of the group/groups and the movements/dynamisms of the world, the centrality of the environment and nature to the old world, the machinery of war and industry (albeit quite distantly in the descriptions/dialogue about Mordor and Isengard), and the interweaving of daily life (its experiences, material implements) with the drama of the wider world. And, like Roger Ebert commented in a review of the Peter Jackson film adaptation of LOTR, it’s about the “journey” and what happens along it.

Now, ultimately, LOTR is a story and shouldn’t be over-read, allegorically, as being about this issue or that issue. Still, I think we can use such stories to help illustrate the themes/concepts that we discuss in a world systems approach. We still have to look at the historical record and contemporary social data for our actual content to study and deal with; but to help us in our analysis of such subject material, the literary themes of fictional works can be most useful. LOTR (as well as Donnerjack and Dune) are particularly good in showcasing the complexities of human life as it exists and is framed in the wider world. In any event, I hope my post here has been helpful. Best!

Luke Rondinaro, Group Facilitator, The Consilience Projects

www.topica.com/lists/consiliencep

Khaldoun Samman <ibnsubhi@yahoo.com> wrote:

Greetings,

I have a question that some of you may have
considered. Fiction has been used in a large number
of courses in social sciences quite effectively. There
are many books to use to discuss "the sociological
imagination," race, gender, identity, and social
class. Has anyone used fiction to discuss
world-systems analysis or inequality on a global
scale?

Khaldoun

__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com