Serendip is an independent site partnering with faculty at multiple colleges and universities around the world. Happy exploring!

Beyond the Nature of Genre

jrlewis's picture

In their essays, both Owen and Dimock present persuasive arguments for the malleable, pliable nature of genre.  The implications of this conception are taken up by Jeanette Winterson.  She argues that the norms associated with genre facilitate greater creativity by authors.  Referring to both Orlando and Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas, she writes that in “either case there is an immediate challenge to genre-boxing but there is to, an invitation to believe.  To accept what will follow as truth and as the kind of truth only possible between people who know each other well… We can be taken in by someone who offers truth with a wink and says ‘I’m telling you stories. Trust me.” 

Comments

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
To prevent automated spam submissions leave this field empty.
1 + 1 =
Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.