The Origin Of The Concept Of Spatial Form By Joseph Frank

With the rise of the domestic studies on the spatial narrative, spatial form has the domestic impact on the research of spatial narrative.However, there are some distance between domestic research and spatial form. Chinese scholars have ignored the concept of the spatial form.The study of it is still not sufficient.Based on interpretation of various documents,this paper aims to research the theory of spatial form by a more systematic and comprehensive way to show immediate and more updated research to introduce domestic.By clarifying the concept of the "spatial form", it is good to promote the development of the current spatial narrative theory and deepen the research of the current literary criticism.Based on researches at home and abroad,this paper use the method of literature research and comparative analysis to explore the internal theoretical background, dynamic development process and the concept of spatial form. The introduction describes why I choose this research,research survey form at home and abroad and the main content and characteristics of this paper. Whether at home or abroad,the concept and scope of the study of spatial form has been endless debate issues. Meanwhile, domestic research also ignore the concept of "spatial form" and its changes.The first chapter has explored the background of the spatial form in four factors, they are Joseph Frank’s personal background, modern art theory (especially in the form of aesthetics), literary theory (Lessing "Laocoon" and Edwin Muir "Novel Structure") and contemporary literature. Joseph Frank’s personal experience have provided the basis for research inquiry; fertile soil of modern art theory of culture and literary arts perception have provided powers of observation and logical analysis; literary theory have provided new ways and examples; and the influence of modern poetry and fiction have provided study and practical experience for the criticism of the space in the form of research.The second chapter has reviewed the concept of "spatial form" varies from the theory of different stages. According to the development and the characteristic of it, this paper divides it into three stages. They are Embryonic period (1945-1948), the development of Controversy (1948-1991) and theoretical maturity (1991).Apart form the connotation of space within the space of literature in the field of literature summary, but also related to the field of art, the concept of the spatial form has contaminated artistic connotation richer level.At the first stage, based on the analysis of characteristics of modern poetry and modern fictions (especially Zhu Donna Barnes "Night Forest"),Frank has made a summary about it as spatial form. The concept of it has a tight link wiht three words,they are juxtaposition,reflexive reference and reading with unity.At the second stage, Frank limit the scope of application of the space in the form of modern avant-garde literature, followed by the opening of the space in the form of applications. In maturity, spatial form is being applied to the field of modem art. Frank would try to form a problem in the field of art and incorporate it into space in the form of branches.It has a spiral development, the development trajectory can be summarized as:"summarize modern fiction and poetry in space phenomenon of spatial form"-"spatial form of modern avant-garde literature"-"space in the form of narrative"-"art form in space."The third chapter has explored the impact and change of the concept of the spatial form. After the space in the form of the concept of development is relatively mature, there is a broad impact. On the one hand, scholars point of view based on Frank’s thesis, express their views, rich and refined "form space" concept, the scope of application or theoretical positions. These diverse forms of understanding reflecting the dynamism of space concepts. On the other hand, the space form and Russian Formalism, Jacobson theory of poetry, narrative theory of Genette narrative space and has a similar argument-Compared with Shklovsky and others opinions, Frank has made a summary about the spatial trend in modern literature. While the formalists have a emphasize on the focus of literary. Spatial form the most prominent differentiating factor expressed as two points, one space in the form closely linked to the field of modern art in the form of the problem; the second is also concerned about the question readers. Compared with Jakobson’s points at the field of modern poetry, The field of modern novel is the main positions of its research in the spatial form.Compared with Genette’s narrative theory, although the "description (description)" and "discourse (discourse)" and similar forms of space, but Frank thought if we add stream of consciousness and other techniques into the "Description",you can achieve the effect of spatial form. Spatial form having a role in the function of the volatility of the historical relationship between the two ("Narration and description" and "text Narrator") language model. Furthermore, although the spatial form,space theory and spatial narrative theory have shared the word of "space ", but they are different.As a result,both modern literature and art have the impact on the concept of the spatial form.At the same time,spatial form have a dynamic development.It has three connotations,the first one is main to make a summary about the modern avant-garde literature in space trend; second is space and narrative form and structure related; the third is modern art form in space. It is good for researchers to explore the development of narrative space by clarifying the concept of the spatial form.