Functions Of Prototype Theory In Cognitive Poetics

Cognitive poetics, which was brought forward by the “cognitive turn” ofliterature research in the1970s, is a developing interdisciplinary subject based on theresearches of cognitive science. It applies cognitive linguistic theories tointerpretation of literary works and emphasizes on the mental activities as well as thecognitive mechanism during the literary reading process. In the meanwhile, it alsodiscusses the general issues that poetic concerns to construct its own theoreticalsystem.Prototype theory is firmly grounded on the human experiences and cognitionto outside world. As a leading theory of cognitive linguistics, it has great explanatorypower of illustrating how human beings understand and categorize the world. It hasbeen widely used in linguistic researches and has made praiseworthy achievements.Prototype theory, closely related to human cognition, has also been employed intothe field of cognitive poetics in that it can brings new ways of studying literature.However, cognitive poetics has seldom discussed the functions and influences thatprototype theory brings to the cognitive research of literature. In regard of this, thethesis endeavors to make a tentative study on this issue.Firstly, the thesis takes an overall review of cognitive poetics and prototypetheory. Then based on the theoretical basis, it attempts to explore the functions ofprototype theory in cognitive poetics. On the one hand, the theory provides a newperspective of rethinking the definition of literature. This prototypical approach canbe more reasonable and effective for defining literature compared to the classicalapproach adopted by traditional literary criticism. On the other hand, by analyzingselected literary texts in light of prototype theory, the thesis discusses how the theoryfunctions in literary reading from the aspects of interpreting poetic theme and image,and how it helps readers have better understanding of the literary texts.According to the present study, in can be proved that prototype theory indeed has explanatory power in literary study and it plays an important role in cognitivepoetics. This theory functions in the cognitive study of literature both theoreticallyand practically. It can provide new angle of view for literary study and in turn enrichcognitive poetic researches.