In spite of the vast amount of research on mood in Romance languages, certain fundamental issues are clearly underrepresented, particularly in the field of diachronic linguistics. With this in mind, the primary goal of this dissertation is to provide a comprehensive explanation for developments in Romance mood distribution. Unlike the majority of existing research, this approach does not analyze mood in isolation, nor does it look outward for language-external explanations. Instead, changes in mood usage are related to major typological developments via several interconnected analyses which rely heavily on data from Latin and medieval Spanish and French. This investigation, which takes as its starting point the well-attested typological shift from OV to VO word order, addresses four major issues. The first of these is branching congruency, whereby post-posed subordinate clauses are more closely associated with explicit subordinating conjunctions. This hypothesis is tested via a quantitative analysis of Latin data, in order to establish a link between conjunctions and VO word order. The development of these subordinating elements is then analyzed within the grammaticalization framework, which provides insight into the nature of specific Latin and Romance forms, in addition to demonstrating the usefulness of certain theoretical notions. The outcome of this process is a highly generalized Romance subordinator, which is argued to have undergone partial synthesis with the subjunctive, evidenced by an increase in both obligatoriness and contiguity. Finally, these cumulative changes in the linguistic system are shown to have had substantial destabilizing effects on the existing subjunctive / indicative contrast. The significance of this claim is that, already in Latin, mood selection is characterized by a loss of motivation and an increase in automaticity. As a result, subsequent changes in mood distribution in Romance languages are not viewed merely as reductive phenomena, but rather as signs of the refunctionalization of a destabilized, yet viable, paradigm. / text

Through its depiction of heroines, romance fiction has the capacity to reflect the attitudes and concerns women face in society. However, the depiction of heroines in romance novels is bound by the constraints publishers place upon them. A vibrant, passionate mid-life heroine gets pushed into a subgenre where romance no longer exists as an option, while a mid-life reader in search of a romance heroine to identify with is relegated to novels where romance is a marginal issue, rather than the main impetus that leads the story. This study, and the novel A Basic Renovation, addresses a neglected demographic of reader and heroine who are marginalised within the romance genre. As well, it gives reasons why heroines need not be characterised in particular roles or situations as they age, and a rationale for why their underrepresentation as romance heroines should end.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas at Austin, 2008. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Este trabalho tem como ponto de orientação a relação da Teoria do romance de Lukács com a filosofia da arte de Hegel. O confronto com Hegel se coloca como tentativa de aclarar conceitualmente as relações da obra do jovem Lukács com as suas categorias estético-filosóficas, na medida em que essas últimas apontam para o problema da arte na experiência moderna. A relação entre as duas reflexões estéticas se apresenta entrecortada pelos diálogos do autor húngaro com o círculo weberiano historicista, que evidenciam certa divergência da Teoria do Romance com os Cursos de Estética de Hegel. O trabalho busca mostrar um conflito interno à Teoria do romance entre a perspectiva histórico-dialética, que demarca a retomada por Lukács da unidade hegeliana entre forma artística e conteúdo histórico, e o uso metodológico, de inspiração antidialética, do método típico-ideal, que se constitui a partir do corte epistêmico entre os planos dos conceitos e o da realidade. Esse conflito tem como ponto de partida a divergência de Lukács acerca da valoração positiva por Hegel da experiência moderna, valoração que se articula ao diagnóstico hegeliano do fim da arte como forma de exposição da verdade moderna e sua substituição pela verdade mediada da filosofia, capaz de apresentar a liberdade moderna como experiência de totalidade figurada no Estado. Lukács, com Hegel, aponta o princípio da subjetividade como fundamento constitutivo da modernidade e do romance. O romance, contudo, em oposição a Hegel, é entendido como a exposição verdadeira da nova relação do homem com a liberdade. Isto se dá porque, segundo Lukács, o princípio constitutivo da subjetividade romanesca coincide com a experiência fragmentada do mundo moderno. A liberdade subjetiva demarca, como para Hegel, uma experiência do homem que rompe com as experiências pré-modernas. Ela permanece todavia, para Lukács, caracterizada pela fragmentação, pelo isolamento do homem em relação às estruturas sociais. A totalidade do romance, assim, é entendida, por ele como a expressão do caráter formal da busca de superação da fragmentação pelo sujeito isolado da modernidade. / This work takes as its point of orientation the relation between Lukács The Theory of the Novel and Hegel\'s philosophy of art. The confrontation with Hegel arises as an attempt to conceptually clarify the relationship of the work of the young Lukács with their aesthetic-philosophical categories to the extent that the latter point to the problem of art in modern experience. The relation between the two aesthetic reflections is presented with intersected dialogues by the hungarian author with the weberian historicist circle, which show some disagreement between The Theory of the Novel and the Aesthetics Course by Hegel. The work seeks to show an internal conflict in The Theory of the Novel between the historical-dialectic perspective, which marks the resumption from Lukács of the hegelian unity between artistic form and historical content, and the methodological use, anti-dialectical inspired, of the ideal-typical method, which is constituted from the epistemic cut between the plans and concepts of reality. This conflict has as its starting point the divergence of Lukács on the positive evaluation by Hegel of modern experience, valuation which is linked to the diagnosis of the hegelian end of art as a way of exposing the truth and its replacement by truth mediated from philosophy, able to present the modern freedom as an experience of totality figured in the State. Lukács, with Hegel, points the principle of subjectivity as a basis which constitutes modernity and the novel. The novel, however, in opposition to Hegel, is understood as the true exhibition of the new relation between man and freedom. This is because, according to Lukács, the constitutive principle of subjectivity romanesque coincides with the fragmented experience of the modern world. Freedom subjective marks, as for Hegel, a man\'s experience that disrupts the pre-modern experience. It remains, however, for Lukács, characterized by the fragmentation, by the isolation of man in relation to social structures. The totality of novel is then understood by him as the expression of the formal character in a search to overcome the fragmentation of the isolated subject of modernity.

For my thesis, I plan to research the sexuality and the process of courtship, and the differences between 19th century Vienna and modern America, specifically as to how it relates to my characters in Romance, Romance. My interest in the topic springs directly from the script. What I mean is, my initial idea of sexuality of the 19th century is very Victorian and straight-laced, where as I think of modern day as very sexually liberated. However, in the script, the first act, set in Vienna, is much more sexually explicit and active. In fact, the second act is all building up to an affair that does not even occur. Working as these characters, I believe that a historical view of what sexuality was actually like outside of Victorian England will lead me to a much better understanding of my character, and his particular past and desires for both sexual partners and potential mates. I also believe this research will assist me in constructing the modern character of Sam who can all at once love his wife, desperately want an affair, and cower away from said affair when the opportunity finally arises. Another interesting impact this research will create for my work is the juxtaposition of these two time periods and their individual codes of etiquette for behavior in this play. While the play is divided into two separate one-acts, they are presented together as one collective work, so the combination of each piece clearly leads to comparisons and further understanding of the other play. I believe this research will not only enlighten me about these two eras but also enlighten my performance, and assist me in effectively carrying out this complex pair of roles with a richer character developed. It also will provide me with a better understanding of the juxtaposition of these two plays, why they are paired together in the way they have been, and how this juxtaposition is effective in this particular work of musical theatre.

This study aims to explore gender norms within the romance genre when they are no longer applied on a romantic relationship between a man and a woman. Through a close reading of the novel Power Plays & Straight A’s by Eden Finley and Saxon James, the study examines the main characters, Foster Grant and Zach Sawyer, to observe how they fit into the roles of a traditional romance hero and heroine. The main source for this observation comes from Janice Radway’s study Reading the Romance: Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature (1991) which exemplifies the differences between the genders with the use of contrasting traits. The characters are also analysed in a societal context to observe how they abide by traditional masculinity and how their sexuality plays a part in it. There is also an overview of the novel through the perspective of both a traditional romance as well as a queer romance novel, in which terms like escapism, happy endings and coming outs are explored. Finally, there is a section specifically focused on desire and how it has changed within the genre, which is applied because the novel in question is an erotic novel as well as a romance novel. The conclusion showcases how the characters cannot be assigned to a typical female nor male role, as they both possess the traits traditionally assigned to both genders. As for their role in society, traditional masculinity is questioned, seeing as the character of Foster specifically embodies the rules of masculinity through his athletic pursuits and place within the jock culture – but would still get shunned because of his bisexuality. Furthermore, the novel possesses several traits of a traditional romance novel, most importantly the happy ending, while also including typical queer romance traits – such as a coming out scene. Desire also takes a prominent role since both main characters have an equal craving for the other. The overall conclusion of this study showcases the changing tides of the romance genre and how, despite its formulaic layout, it doesn’t render the ability for change of a genre that once seemed predictable. / Denna uppsats utforskar könsnormer i romancegenren när det inte längre tillämpas på en romantisk relation mellan en man och en kvinna. Genom en närläsning av romanen Power Plays & Straight A’s av Eden Finley och Saxon James, undersöker studien huvudkaraktärerna, Foster Grant och Zach Sawyer, för att observera hur de passar in i rollen som hjälte och hjältinna utifrån en traditionell romance-roman. Den primära forskning som uppsatsen bygger på är Janice Radways studie Reading the Romance: Women, Patriarchy, and Popular Literature (1991) som exemplifierar skillnaderna mellan könen med användning av motsatta egenskaper. Karaktärerna analyseras också i ett samhälleligt sammanhang för att observera hur de förhåller sig till traditionell maskulinitet och den påverkan som karaktärernas sexualitet har i förhållande till den maskulina kulturen. I uppsatsen görs även en översiktlig studie av romanen genom perspektivet av både en traditionell romance och en queer romance, där jag utforskar begrepp som eskapism, lyckliga slut och att komma ut. Slutligen finns det ett avsnitt som fokuserar på begär och hur det har förändrats inom genren, vilket tillämpas eftersom romanen i fråga är en erotisk roman såväl som en romance-roman. Slutsatsen visar hur karaktärerna inte kan tilldelas en typisk kvinnlig eller manlig roll, eftersom de båda har egenskaper som traditionellt tilldelas båda könen. När det gäller deras roll i samhället ifrågasätts traditionell maskulinitet, eftersom karaktären av Foster specifikt förkroppsligar maskulinitetens regler genom hans plats inom sportkulturen - men ändå skulle bli avvisad från machokulturen på grund av sin bisexualitet. Romanen innehåller flera drag av en traditionell romance-roman, viktigast av allt det lyckliga slutet, samtidigt som den innehåller typiska queerromance drag – som en komma ut-scen. Begär tar också en framträdande roll eftersom båda huvudkaraktärerna likgiltigt får sukta efter den andre. Den övergripande slutsatsen av den här studien visar romancegenrens föränderliga tidvatten och hur den, trots dess typiska formler, inte hindrar möjligheten till förändring av en genre som en gång framstått som förutsägbar.

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar e discutir os romances-ensaios O Dia da Coruja e A Cada um o Seu, de Leonardo Sciascia, em perspectiva comparada com as narrativas policiais A Forma da Água e O Ladrão de Merendas, de Andrea Camilleri, no que diz respeito aos traços estilísticos, históricos e temáticos das obras em foco. Na pesquisa, refletiu-se sobre a utilização da estrutura do romance policial como estratégia de composição empregada pelos dois autores sicilianos, a fim de criticarem a realidade sociopolítica italiana dos últimos 50 anos. Ao final, apontam-se diferenças e identidades existentes entre os citados títulos e se conclui que, L.Sciascia, em tom amargo e incisivo, deu à matéria de seus romances um perfil tanto de narrativa ficcional quanto de ensaio político-filosófico, com o objetivo de denunciar, em seus pseudo-gialli, não apenas crimes, mas, principalmente, a falta de ética no seio da justiça de seu país. Já A.Camilleri eternizou seu perfil de escritor giallista, criando a figura do inspetor Salvo Montalbano e ao lançar mão do recurso do riso sério. Tal artifício não invalidou, ao contrário, sublinhou ironicamente a denúncia a toda forma de criminalidade, de corrupção e de abuso do poder, na fictícia Vigata, espaço imaginário representativo da Sicilia e da Itália / Esta disertación tiene como objetivo analizar y discutir las novelas- ensayos O dia da coruja y A cada um o seu, de Leonardo Sciascia, en perspectiva comparada con las narrativas policíacas A forma da água y O ladrão de merendas, de Andrea Camilleri, en lo que se refiere a los rasgos estilísticos, históricos y temáticos de las obras en enfoque. En la investigación, se reflexionó sobre la utilización de la estructura del romance policíaco como estrategia de composición empleada por los dos autores sicilianos, a fin de criticar la realidad sociopolítica italiana de los últimos 50 anos. Al final, se señalan diferencias e identidades existentes entre los citados títulos y se concluye que, L.Sciascia, en tono amargo y vehemente, dio al contenido de sus romances un perfil tanto de narrativa ficcional como de ensayo político- filosófico, con el objetivo de denunciar, en sus pseudo-gialli, no solo crimines, sino, principalmente, la falta de ética en el seno de la justicia de su país. Ya A.Camilleri eternizó su perfil de escritor giallista, creando la figura del inspector Salvo Montalbano y al usar el recurso de la risa seria. Tal estratagema no invalidó, al revés, señaló irónicamente la denuncia a toda forma de criminalidad, de corrupción y de abuso de autoridad, en la ficticia Vigata, espacio imaginario representativo de Sicilia e Italia

Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar e discutir os romances-ensaios O Dia da Coruja e A Cada um o Seu, de Leonardo Sciascia, em perspectiva comparada com as narrativas policiais A Forma da Água e O Ladrão de Merendas, de Andrea Camilleri, no que diz respeito aos traços estilísticos, históricos e temáticos das obras em foco. Na pesquisa, refletiu-se sobre a utilização da estrutura do romance policial como estratégia de composição empregada pelos dois autores sicilianos, a fim de criticarem a realidade sociopolítica italiana dos últimos 50 anos. Ao final, apontam-se diferenças e identidades existentes entre os citados títulos e se conclui que, L.Sciascia, em tom amargo e incisivo, deu à matéria de seus romances um perfil tanto de narrativa ficcional quanto de ensaio político-filosófico, com o objetivo de denunciar, em seus pseudo-gialli, não apenas crimes, mas, principalmente, a falta de ética no seio da justiça de seu país. Já A.Camilleri eternizou seu perfil de escritor giallista, criando a figura do inspetor Salvo Montalbano e ao lançar mão do recurso do riso sério. Tal artifício não invalidou, ao contrário, sublinhou ironicamente a denúncia a toda forma de criminalidade, de corrupção e de abuso do poder, na fictícia Vigata, espaço imaginário representativo da Sicilia e da Itália / Esta disertación tiene como objetivo analizar y discutir las novelas- ensayos O dia da coruja y A cada um o seu, de Leonardo Sciascia, en perspectiva comparada con las narrativas policíacas A forma da água y O ladrão de merendas, de Andrea Camilleri, en lo que se refiere a los rasgos estilísticos, históricos y temáticos de las obras en enfoque. En la investigación, se reflexionó sobre la utilización de la estructura del romance policíaco como estrategia de composición empleada por los dos autores sicilianos, a fin de criticar la realidad sociopolítica italiana de los últimos 50 anos. Al final, se señalan diferencias e identidades existentes entre los citados títulos y se concluye que, L.Sciascia, en tono amargo y vehemente, dio al contenido de sus romances un perfil tanto de narrativa ficcional como de ensayo político- filosófico, con el objetivo de denunciar, en sus pseudo-gialli, no solo crimines, sino, principalmente, la falta de ética en el seno de la justicia de su país. Ya A.Camilleri eternizó su perfil de escritor giallista, creando la figura del inspector Salvo Montalbano y al usar el recurso de la risa seria. Tal estratagema no invalidó, al revés, señaló irónicamente la denuncia a toda forma de criminalidad, de corrupción y de abuso de autoridad, en la ficticia Vigata, espacio imaginario representativo de Sicilia e Italia

Critics and readers often consider Nicholas Sparks’ novel The Notebook to be a romance novel, while Sparks himself considers it a love story. Sparks claims that there are no similarities between the two genres. Therefore, this paper investigates the differences and similarities between the romance genre and the love story genre, while simultaneously exploring The Notebook’s storyline, the characterization, and the marketing surrounding the book in order to understand the novel’s classification. The purpose is to discover if The Notebook can be identified as a romance even if it never was Sparks’ intention. The only aspect that differs between the genres is how the ending is written, other than that there are no remarkable differences. There are also several elements that validates that The Notebook has romantic features. Both of the protagonists have romance characteristics, the cover of the novel is a characteristic romance cover, and the storyline itself is based on a romance structure and it follows all of the essential romance elements. The conclusion of this paper is that The Notebook has romance elements and therefore can be placed in the romance genre even if that never was Sparks’ intention.

This thesis elaborates upon Charles Baudelaire and T. S. Eliot's poetic negotiation of the erosion of the essentialist cognitive and moral foundations that hypothetically monitor human praxis and cement a stable subjectivity on the basis of the human subjects' co-inhering in a common horizon of understanding. I contend that Baudelaire's work consciously belaboured the collapse of vaulting cognitive frameworks and testimonial accountability in a way that reveals both the historical and trans-historical dimensions of the non-integratability of experience within a modem economy of existence. His work eschews the trappings of both aestheticism (history being one of its explicit and pervasive concerns) and historicism, since it reveals parameters of the reification of organic experience that are intrinsic to language and specific to the mnemonic abridgement of the subject's experiential trajectory. Moreover, Baudelaire's poetry compels the critique of the aesthetic abstraction from the social being of man, and solicits scepticism vis-a-vis straight historicism's teleological infrastructures and collateral crypto-transcendentalist angles. The examined poetry exposes the inner complicity of the two perspectives in question latent beneath their surface mutual closure. I examine T. S. Eliot's work in order to address the anti-essentialist motifs of his poetry in counterpoint to his literary criticism, and reveal the dialectic of cultural determinism (mostly materialising in the latter) and radical impersonality that resumes modernity's aporetic necessity to deploy egological categories within an agenda that has invalidated any notion of essence fundaments sustaining human experience. His poetry's homeopathic re-enactment of the experiential fragmentation that it thematically laments constitutes the privileged terrain whereupon essentialist construals of human subjectivity and history can be revealed to be inherently ideological. I have throughout drawn on Walter Benjamin's understanding of allegory and memory, along with Paul de Man's enhancement of the antagonism of the material and transcendental axes endemic in language and cognitive anchoring. This thesis explores the problematisation of essentialist configurations of subjectivity and history in the poetry of the archetypal poet of modernity, and the mutations they submitted to when they were inscribed within an aesthetic and political agenda that was far more reluctant to relinquish egological paradigms of communication and subjectivity. The underlying concern has been to elucidate Baudelaire's 'inexhaustible wealth of responsiveness vis-a-vis the collapse of organic experience, and his resistance to both historicist and reductively aesthetic appropriations. This thesis has aimed to analyse his treatment of experiential disintegration as an effect of historical juncture along with his welcoming address of cognitive and experiential reification as the outcome of the differential and semiotic character of language and memory.