On the Margins of Discourse: The Relation of Literature to Language

Barbara Herrnstein Smith's On the Margins of Discourse examines the relationship between natural discourse and poetic language, analyzing how literary works differ from everyday verbal expression. The book establishes a theoretical framework for understanding literature as a distinct form of linguistic communication. Smith investigates the nature of verbal art through close analysis of poetry, fiction, and drama, contrasting these with non-literary forms of language. Her work challenges traditional assumptions about the boundaries between literary and non-literary language use. The study progresses through detailed examinations of specific texts while building a comprehensive theory of how literary works create meaning and value. Smith draws on linguistics, philosophy of language, and literary criticism to support her analysis. This systematic exploration of literature's linguistic foundations raises fundamental questions about the role of context, intention, and interpretation in determining how we experience verbal art. The book contributes to ongoing debates about the nature of literary meaning and the relationship between language and artistic expression.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this academic text on literary theory. The book appears in scholarly citations but has minimal public reviews on major platforms. What readers liked: - Clear explanations of speech act theory applied to literature - Detailed analysis of fictional discourse and natural language - Thorough examination of literary interpretation methods - Useful for graduate students studying narratology What readers disliked: - Dense theoretical language requires multiple readings - Some find the writing style overly formal - Limited practical examples to illustrate concepts Available Ratings: Goodreads: No rating (4 ratings total, no written reviews) Amazon: No rating (out of print, no reviews) Google Books: No user ratings or reviews The book appears primarily in academic contexts - course syllabi, dissertations, and scholarly works - rather than consumer review sites. Most discussion occurs in academic papers citing Smith's theories rather than reader reviews.

The Philosophy of Literary Form by Kenneth Burke This work examines how literary forms function as symbolic actions and shape meaning through language patterns and structures.

Ways of Reading by David Bartholomae and Anthony Petrosky The text explores the relationship between reading practices and textual meaning through theoretical frameworks similar to Smith's discourse analysis.

Literary Theory: An Introduction by Terry Eagleton The book connects literary discourse to broader social and linguistic structures while analyzing the foundations of literary interpretation.

Is There a Text in This Class? by Stanley Fish This work investigates how interpretive communities and linguistic contexts determine textual meaning and literary understanding.

The Rustle of Language by Roland Barthes The collection examines the intersection of linguistics and literature through structural analysis of texts and discourse.

🔖 Barbara Herrnstein Smith served as president of the Modern Language Association in 1988, making her contributions to literary theory particularly influential during a pivotal period in the field. 📚 The book challenges traditional distinctions between "literary" and "ordinary" language, arguing that all discourse exists on a continuum rather than in separate categories. 💭 Published in 1978, this work emerged during a period of significant debate about the nature of literary interpretation and helped shape the discourse analysis movement in literary studies. 📖 Smith's concept of "natural discourse" versus "fictive discourse" presented in the book has become foundational in narrative theory and continues to influence contemporary discussions of storytelling. 🎓 The author developed many of the book's key ideas while teaching at Bennington College and the University of Pennsylvania, where her seminars on literary theory attracted significant attention in academic circles.