Narratology Research Group at Hamburg University

Hans-Harald Müller in cooperation with Tom Kindt

The 'implied author'. On the development, reception and function of a concept positioned between Narratology and Theory of Interpretation. Historical and systematic reconstructions.

The concept "Implied Author", despite of its wide-spread use, is a contentious one due to its rather vague definition. Its explication can be expected to contribute to clarifying questions relating to Narratology, as well as to the Theory of Interpretation.

In order to arrive at an adequate explication, our study will (1) re-construct the historical problematic of the concept's formation in the American "Chicago School" (Wayne C.Boothe), following an approach informed by the methodology of History of Science;  (2) investigate the use of the term and its problems by looking at the history of, as well as classifying the types of, its international  reception. The analysis of this reception study will emphasize achievements and functions of the vaguely defined term. In conclusion, a differentiated proposal for the future use of the term will be formulated

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