The Sandman is a feature-length screenplay adaptation of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s short story "Der Sandmann." The screenplay re-imagines the story as a contemporary horror film with surrealist underpinnings. The script draws heavily on the gothic tradition. It also draws on the German Romantic tradition out of which Hoffmann writes. The theoretical structure of the screenplay owes a great deal to Sigmund Freud’s ideas about the "uncanny" and concerning the Oedipus complex, the repetition-compulsion, and the death-drive. I do not hold slavishly to these theories so much as use them as points of departure. The story: the young Nathan discovers one day that the Sandman is not a fairytale but a very real creature seemingly bent on his destruction. After abusing Nathan and causing the death of his Father, the Sandman disappears, only to return as Nathan moves away from home to begin his studies at university. Nathan, already haunted by the events of his childhood, spirals further and further into madness. The screenplay is followed by two informal essays concerning the approach taken to the construction of the text. / May 2005

The Sandman is a feature-length screenplay adaptation of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s short story "Der Sandmann." The screenplay re-imagines the story as a contemporary horror film with surrealist underpinnings. The script draws heavily on the gothic tradition. It also draws on the German Romantic tradition out of which Hoffmann writes. The theoretical structure of the screenplay owes a great deal to Sigmund Freud’s ideas about the "uncanny" and concerning the Oedipus complex, the repetition-compulsion, and the death-drive. I do not hold slavishly to these theories so much as use them as points of departure. The story: the young Nathan discovers one day that the Sandman is not a fairytale but a very real creature seemingly bent on his destruction. After abusing Nathan and causing the death of his Father, the Sandman disappears, only to return as Nathan moves away from home to begin his studies at university. Nathan, already haunted by the events of his childhood, spirals further and further into madness. The screenplay is followed by two informal essays concerning the approach taken to the construction of the text.

The Sandman is a feature-length screenplay adaptation of E. T. A. Hoffmann’s short story "Der Sandmann." The screenplay re-imagines the story as a contemporary horror film with surrealist underpinnings. The script draws heavily on the gothic tradition. It also draws on the German Romantic tradition out of which Hoffmann writes. The theoretical structure of the screenplay owes a great deal to Sigmund Freud’s ideas about the "uncanny" and concerning the Oedipus complex, the repetition-compulsion, and the death-drive. I do not hold slavishly to these theories so much as use them as points of departure. The story: the young Nathan discovers one day that the Sandman is not a fairytale but a very real creature seemingly bent on his destruction. After abusing Nathan and causing the death of his Father, the Sandman disappears, only to return as Nathan moves away from home to begin his studies at university. Nathan, already haunted by the events of his childhood, spirals further and further into madness. The screenplay is followed by two informal essays concerning the approach taken to the construction of the text.

This thesis will explore the proposal that Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman is, as Gaiman describes it in its epilogue, a “story about stories” (The Wake, epilogue). Its particular focus will be on Gaiman’s conception of humans as essentially narrative beings, who use narratives to interact with the world around them, to impose order on information, to provide interpretive paradigms, and as models for their behaviour. Gaiman has not only explored this idea, but used the fantastic mode to create a universe in which these types of ‘interpretive narratives’ directly affect physical reality. Gaiman’s ideas about the way narratives work have been heavily influenced by both postmodern and Jungian legacies. The thesis will propose that the dynamic between postmodern intertextuality and the Jungian idea of the archetypes is a driving force in The Sandman. While Gaiman embraces a playful, bricoleur intertextuality, he also retains a belief that humans can invoke the archetypes to access profound meanings, which transcend the particularities of their expression in any individual instances. Under these influences, Gaiman concieves of a postmodern, Jungian approach to mythology. We will see that Gaiman’s interactions with narrative, postmodernism and Jungianism eventually lead him to formulate an ethic for the contemporary world, and that he encodes it in his own mythology. This ethic both empowers individuals and demands that they take responsibility for their power. It also focuses on how the individual can productively and tolerantly interact with a heteroglossic world. Instead of a fact to be sought out, meaning becomes a process of active creation.

This comparative project investigates different representations of the sandman between the 19th century and the 20th century. My discussion focuses on Romantic texts, in particular E.T.A. Hoffmann's 1816 literary tale "Der Sandmann." While the traditional scholarship on Hoffmann uses both psychoanalytical and feminist approaches, I show how Friedrich Schlegel's concept of chaos and Jean-François Lyotard's concept of the postmodern sublime help us to understand Hoffmann's complex narrative structure. I argue that in Hoffmann's tale there is no unified sandman figure. However, different storytellers in the tale shape the sandman's various depictions. In a way, the sandman figure becomes a fluid character whose enigma the narrative's structure sustains. Paul Berry's 1991 stop-motion animation "The Sandman" visualizes Hoffmann's narrative. However, the film also reintroduces a unified sandman figure that is characterized by uncanny strangeness. My analyses both of Hoffmann's literary and Berry's cinematographic narrative show that their complex structures allow for ceaseless interpretations. This leads me to conclude that fantastic narratives lend themselves to insightful and critical ponderings.

Neste trabalho, as histórias em quadrinhos são compreendidas como uma linguagem que, através da justaposição de imagens, transmitem informações que produzem uma resposta no leitor. A proposta é observar as possibilidades de apropriação do conhecimento e da informação cultural presentes em um artefato que se mostra amplo no sentido de interpretação e significação: as histórias em quadrinhos. A metodologia de pesquisa adotada compreende uma abordagem interpretativa e qualitativa que envolve tanto texto verbal como visual. No objeto empírico desta pesquisa, na história em quadrinhos Sandman, de Neil Gaiman, foram percebidas diversas referências culturais, históricas e literárias no conteúdo narrativo. Desta forma, refletiu-se sobre as apropriações culturais, estéticas, cinematográficas, entre outras, que fazem parte da composição da série, observando seus aspectos intertextuais e semióticos. Assim, ao nos debruçarmos sobre a análise da intertextualidade em Sandman, procuramos entender como as informações culturais se articulam na constituição de um campo de conhecimento específico, reunindo referências as mais diversas. Esta análise almejou contribuir para a Ciência da Informação por meio de uma reflexão acerca de como se constituem as mediações da leitura por meio da identificação das camadas intertextuais presentes na obra, os processos sociais de construção de conhecimento e a montagem de \"enciclopédias\" dos leitores na atual sociedade da informação / In this work, comics are understood as a language that, through the juxtaposition of images, transmit information that produces an answer in the reader. The proposal is to observe the possibilities of appropriation of knowledge and cultural information present in an artifact that shows itself broad in the sense of interpretation and meaning: comic books. The adopted research methodology comprises an interpretative and qualitative approach that involves both verbal and visual text. In the empirical object of this research, The Sandman, of Neil Gaiman, diverse cultural, historical and literary references in the narrative content were perceived. In this way, the cultural appropriations, aesthetic, cinematographic, among others, that are part of the composition of the series, were considerate, observing its intertextual and semiotic aspects. Thus, when we look at the analysis of intertextuality in Sandman, we try to understand how cultural information is articulated in the constitution of a specific field of knowledge, bringing together the most diverse references. This case study aimed to contribute to the Information Science through a reflection on how the mediations of reading are constituted through the identification of the intertextual layers present in the work, the social processes of knowledge construction and the assembly of \"encyclopedias\" Of readers in today\'s information society.

Neste trabalho, as histórias em quadrinhos são compreendidas como uma linguagem que, através da justaposição de imagens, transmitem informações que produzem uma resposta no leitor. A proposta é observar as possibilidades de apropriação do conhecimento e da informação cultural presentes em um artefato que se mostra amplo no sentido de interpretação e significação: as histórias em quadrinhos. A metodologia de pesquisa adotada compreende uma abordagem interpretativa e qualitativa que envolve tanto texto verbal como visual. No objeto empírico desta pesquisa, na história em quadrinhos Sandman, de Neil Gaiman, foram percebidas diversas referências culturais, históricas e literárias no conteúdo narrativo. Desta forma, refletiu-se sobre as apropriações culturais, estéticas, cinematográficas, entre outras, que fazem parte da composição da série, observando seus aspectos intertextuais e semióticos. Assim, ao nos debruçarmos sobre a análise da intertextualidade em Sandman, procuramos entender como as informações culturais se articulam na constituição de um campo de conhecimento específico, reunindo referências as mais diversas. Esta análise almejou contribuir para a Ciência da Informação por meio de uma reflexão acerca de como se constituem as mediações da leitura por meio da identificação das camadas intertextuais presentes na obra, os processos sociais de construção de conhecimento e a montagem de \"enciclopédias\" dos leitores na atual sociedade da informação / In this work, comics are understood as a language that, through the juxtaposition of images, transmit information that produces an answer in the reader. The proposal is to observe the possibilities of appropriation of knowledge and cultural information present in an artifact that shows itself broad in the sense of interpretation and meaning: comic books. The adopted research methodology comprises an interpretative and qualitative approach that involves both verbal and visual text. In the empirical object of this research, The Sandman, of Neil Gaiman, diverse cultural, historical and literary references in the narrative content were perceived. In this way, the cultural appropriations, aesthetic, cinematographic, among others, that are part of the composition of the series, were considerate, observing its intertextual and semiotic aspects. Thus, when we look at the analysis of intertextuality in Sandman, we try to understand how cultural information is articulated in the constitution of a specific field of knowledge, bringing together the most diverse references. This case study aimed to contribute to the Information Science through a reflection on how the mediations of reading are constituted through the identification of the intertextual layers present in the work, the social processes of knowledge construction and the assembly of \"encyclopedias\" Of readers in today\'s information society.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2016-03-02T15:38:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 maiaraalvimdealmeida.pdf: 5092033 bytes, checksum: 4923150e0f7eb5b14fecc03fdca22ce0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-04-24T01:37:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 maiaraalvimdealmeida.pdf: 5092033 bytes, checksum: 4923150e0f7eb5b14fecc03fdca22ce0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-04-24T01:37:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 maiaraalvimdealmeida.pdf: 5092033 bytes, checksum: 4923150e0f7eb5b14fecc03fdca22ce0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-24T01:37:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 maiaraalvimdealmeida.pdf: 5092033 bytes, checksum: 4923150e0f7eb5b14fecc03fdca22ce0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-05-03 / A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo analisar a situação das histórias em quadrinhos, em especial o subgênero romance gráfico, a partir do estudo do caso da obra Sandman, de Neil Gaiman. Investigaremos qual o papel desempenhado por esse obra nas alterações de status pelas quais vêm passando os quadrinhos, situando-a historicamente. Dissertaremos sobre características intrínsecas ao gênero quadrinhos, tais como o uso que faz de imagens e texto para construção de narrativas e discutiremos quais características diferenciariam os romances gráficos dos demais quadrinhos e quais aspectos desse subgênero contribuíram para a identificação dos quadrinhos como uma forma de literatura. Mostraremos como os quadrinhos, também, são um espaço profícuo para o diálogo com as teorias do hipertexto, tal qual colocadas por Landow (1997). Argumentaremos como um romance gráfico seria um hipertexto não eletrônico, ilustrando nosssas considerações com exemplos retirados de Sandman. Discorreremos, também, sobre como Sandman se insere no cânone da literatura internacional através da paródia de obras consagradas, apoiando-nos na teoria da paródia de Linda Hutcheon (1991). / This research intends to analyze the state of art in which comics are found nowadays, especially the subgenre known as graphic novel, being Sandman by Neil Gaiman our corpus. We shall investigate the role played by Gaiman‟s graphic novel in the changing of roles experienced by comics in general in the last few decades. We will highlight characteristics of the genre, such as the use of images and text together for the development of narratives, and also discuss which aspects make graphic novels different from other comics. It is also important to identify the aspects that helped to legitimate this subgenre as a literary form. In this study, comics are understood as a fruitful space for dialogue with the hypertext theories, as stated by Landow (1997).We believe that graphic novels can be seen as a non-electronic hypertext, using as an example an analysis of a chapter. Sandman is also seen in relation to its position in the literary canon and the parodies of other well established works, according to Linda Hutcheon‟s parody theory (1991).

Twentieth century American fiction assimilates archetypes of traditional mythologies, in particular the hero archetype, to create a contemporary mythology which relays social issues relevant to its age. This is first approached by creating a theoretical framework, which primarily consists of both Jungian theories of the collective unconscious and the model on which Joseph Campbell based his conception of the archetype in what is known as myth criticism. The theoretical framework also introduces and describes the graphic novel and its use of characterisation distinctive to post-modern fiction. The Sandman, which is the subject of this study, is then contextualised against the backdrop of the evolution of the American comic book, with its influence of folklore, mythology and visual presentation. Through an overview and analysis of The Sandman series as a whole, as well as a reading of its pivotal narrative, The Kindly Ones, this thesis explores the way in which The Sandman fulfils its purpose of integrating an archetypal hero into contemporary mythology. This is achieved by validating claims proposing the existence of a contemporary mythology through an analysis of Morpheus, The Sandman's protagonist and his unique heroic journey. The conclusion reached is that The Sandman indeed represents a contemporary mythology that contains a new form of social commentary, incorporating archetypes from traditional mythology and re-evaluating the role of the hero in this day and age. / Afrikaans & Theory of Literature / M. A. (Theory of Literature)

Twentieth century American fiction assimilates archetypes of traditional mythologies, in particular the hero archetype, to create a contemporary mythology which relays social issues relevant to its age. This is first approached by creating a theoretical framework, which primarily consists of both Jungian theories of the collective unconscious and the model on which Joseph Campbell based his conception of the archetype in what is known as myth criticism. The theoretical framework also introduces and describes the graphic novel and its use of characterisation distinctive to post-modern fiction. The Sandman, which is the subject of this study, is then contextualised against the backdrop of the evolution of the American comic book, with its influence of folklore, mythology and visual presentation. Through an overview and analysis of The Sandman series as a whole, as well as a reading of its pivotal narrative, The Kindly Ones, this thesis explores the way in which The Sandman fulfils its purpose of integrating an archetypal hero into contemporary mythology. This is achieved by validating claims proposing the existence of a contemporary mythology through an analysis of Morpheus, The Sandman's protagonist and his unique heroic journey. The conclusion reached is that The Sandman indeed represents a contemporary mythology that contains a new form of social commentary, incorporating archetypes from traditional mythology and re-evaluating the role of the hero in this day and age. / Afrikaans and Theory of Literature / M. A. (Theory of Literature)