Proseminar Tales of the Quest Journeys to the Self in Contemporary Anglophone Fiction

Quest stories – classically involving challenges, perilous journeys, trials and tribulations and ultimately redemption – prove to be more than mere treasure hunt stories. Rather, they grant the reader insight into the hero’s internal journey, drawing an intricate map of the hero’s mental landscapes. As the hero progresses in space and time, he discovers essential truths about himself and his world. The treasure chest that is sought after then can become a symbol of the reconciliation with past or future. This course will explore the quest theme in contemporary fiction with particular attention to the relationship between the internal journey the hero sets out for and the external journey. We will briefly locate the quest motif within a longer literary history (starting with Homer’s Odyssey), advance our understanding of the relevant theoretical background and focus on two contemporary novels and short stories. Students are required to purchase David Mitchell’s 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet' and Simon Armitage’s 'Sir Gawain and the Green Knight'. A reader with a selection of relevant theoretical texts and a variety of short stories will be made available in early April (Copyshop Am Reckhammerweg). Important note: Please start reading Mitchell’s 'The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet'! Anglistik Universität Duisburg-Essen SS 2012 LHRGe, Lehramt an Grund-, Haupt-, Real- u. Gesamtschule, Sp Haupt-, Real-, Gesamtsch. Chaghouani Samira