This paper explores narratology with a focus on metaphorical and physical voice in Don DeLillo’s 1982 novel, The Names. Beginning with an overview of previous criticism on the novel and an exploration of its post-modern qualities, I progress into a discussion of meaning, and how it can be found in the narratological voice. The concepts of semantic and vocal form of meaning are taken into consideration. Moreover, it is demonstrated how language in The Names is both representational and experiential.Analysing the novel both in print and in audiobook format, I study voice from the perspective of post-classical narratology. With the use of audionarratological theory, I illustrate how voice in The Names is transformed into an explicit and amplified presence when encountered in its audiobook form. In this context, ideological characteristics of the voice are explored, and I look at how they are semiotically communicated.Finally, since criticism of post-modern fiction usually focuses on representational and metafictional qualities of language, this paper advocates for future research on the experiential qualities of language and asks for this mindset to be applied when analysing post-modern fiction. It is illustrated how the experience of listening to an audiobook version can add to the interpretation of a printed work.

This master thesis provides an extensive definition of transmedia storytelling systems and the fantasy genre, besides a short overview of publishing management, technology, and marketing. The focus of this master thesis is the practical relevance of transmedia storytelling systems for fantasy franchises, such as Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, or The Lord of the Rings. This thesis results in the perceptions that potential customers indeed consume storylines across different media types. Most of them only through media types with a low degree of participation. A smaller but significant amount of the customer consumes media types with a high degree of participation. These results are findings from a survey of more than 600 consumers surveyed of selected fantasy franchises.:1 Introduction 9 2 Overview of Publishing Technologies 11 2.1 Principles of publisher’s organization 11 2.2 Cross-media publishing 12 2.2.1 Setup and Integration of a cross-media publishing system 14 2.3 Publisher’s marketing 17 2.3.1 Publishing trademarks 20 2.3.2 Selection of marketing measures 21 3 Principles of Transmedia Storytelling 23 3.1 Transmediality 23 3.2 Transmedia Storytelling 25 3.3 Storyworlds 27 3.4 Transfictionality 29 3.5 Transmedia story systems 30 3.6 Summary 32 4 Examination of the Fantasy Genre 35 4.1 Definition of Fantasy 35 4.1.1 The secondary world 36 4.1.2 Metaphysical power 38 4.1.3 The heroic element 39 4.1.4 Demarcating Fantasy from related terms and genres 40 4.1.5 Summary 42 4.2 The German Fantasy market 43 4.2.1 Fantasy in TV, films, and series 43 4.2.2 Fantasy in books 45 4.2.3 Fantasy in computer games 46 4.2.4 In conclusion 49 5 Implementation of a Survey: Consumption of the Same Fantasy Narrative in Different Media Types 51 5.1 Methods and systematic 51 5.1.1 Description of the examples 53 5.1.2 Justification and classification 56 5.1.3 Gathering of personal data 58 5.2 Results of the survey 60 Inhaltsverzeichnis VII 6 Discussion of the Perceptions 67 6.1 Interpretation and discussion of the survey’s results 67 6.1.1 Interpretation and discussion concerning the target audience 67 6.1.2 Interpretation and discussion in terms of further media consumption 71 6.1.3 Interpretation and discussion in terms of the media type’s potential 79 6.1.4 Interpretation and discussion in terms of further results and perceptions 86 6.2 Strategic Theses for Publishing Houses and Media Agencies 88 6.2.1 Acquiring the right content 89 6.2.2 How to design a transmedia storytelling system? 91 6.2.3 After obtaining the right stories 93 6.2.4 The right publishing system 96 6.3 In conclusion 98 Bibliography 100 Source materials 102 Statistics 105 Attachement A1 107 Total Results 108 Attachement A2 117 Survey’s structure and results in Detail 118 / Diese Masterarbeit bietet neben einem kurzen Einblick in das Verlagsmanagement, allgemeine Produktionstechniken und Marketing-Strategien eine ausführliche Definition von transmedialen Storytelling-Systemen und des Fantasy-Genres. Der Schwerpunkt dieser Masterarbeit liegt auf der praktischen Relevanz von transmedialen Storytelling-Systemen für Fantasy-Franchises, wie Harry Potter, Game of Thrones oder Der Herr der Ringe. Das Ergebnis dieser Arbeit ist die Erkenntnis, dass potenzielle Kunden tatsächlich medienübergreifend Storylines konsumieren. Die meisten von ihnen jedoch nur über Medientypen mit einem geringen Partizipationsgrad. Ein kleinerer, aber wesentlicher Teil der Rezipienten konsumiert Medientypen mit einem hohen Partizipationsgrad. Diese Ergebnisse sind Erkenntnisse aus einer Befragung von mehr als 600 Rezipienten ausgewählter Fantasy-Franchises.:1 Introduction 9 2 Overview of Publishing Technologies 11 2.1 Principles of publisher’s organization 11 2.2 Cross-media publishing 12 2.2.1 Setup and Integration of a cross-media publishing system 14 2.3 Publisher’s marketing 17 2.3.1 Publishing trademarks 20 2.3.2 Selection of marketing measures 21 3 Principles of Transmedia Storytelling 23 3.1 Transmediality 23 3.2 Transmedia Storytelling 25 3.3 Storyworlds 27 3.4 Transfictionality 29 3.5 Transmedia story systems 30 3.6 Summary 32 4 Examination of the Fantasy Genre 35 4.1 Definition of Fantasy 35 4.1.1 The secondary world 36 4.1.2 Metaphysical power 38 4.1.3 The heroic element 39 4.1.4 Demarcating Fantasy from related terms and genres 40 4.1.5 Summary 42 4.2 The German Fantasy market 43 4.2.1 Fantasy in TV, films, and series 43 4.2.2 Fantasy in books 45 4.2.3 Fantasy in computer games 46 4.2.4 In conclusion 49 5 Implementation of a Survey: Consumption of the Same Fantasy Narrative in Different Media Types 51 5.1 Methods and systematic 51 5.1.1 Description of the examples 53 5.1.2 Justification and classification 56 5.1.3 Gathering of personal data 58 5.2 Results of the survey 60 Inhaltsverzeichnis VII 6 Discussion of the Perceptions 67 6.1 Interpretation and discussion of the survey’s results 67 6.1.1 Interpretation and discussion concerning the target audience 67 6.1.2 Interpretation and discussion in terms of further media consumption 71 6.1.3 Interpretation and discussion in terms of the media type’s potential 79 6.1.4 Interpretation and discussion in terms of further results and perceptions 86 6.2 Strategic Theses for Publishing Houses and Media Agencies 88 6.2.1 Acquiring the right content 89 6.2.2 How to design a transmedia storytelling system? 91 6.2.3 After obtaining the right stories 93 6.2.4 The right publishing system 96 6.3 In conclusion 98 Bibliography 100 Source materials 102 Statistics 105 Attachement A1 107 Total Results 108 Attachement A2 117 Survey’s structure and results in Detail 118

Continuant notre réflexion sur la transmédialité et la transculturalité, nous voulons donner quelques exemples issus de la littérature qui soient capables d’illustrer pars pro toto ce que nous avons élaboré dans la première partie, dans L’Éducation sentimentale de Flaubert par exemple, dans les nouvelles de Borges : "L’Aleph" et "Le jardin aux sentiers qui bifurquent", dans l’oeuvre de Frida Kahlo, mais aussi dans d’autres oeuvres qui ne seront pas traitées ici, telles que les romans de Robbe-Grillet Le Voyeur, La jalousie, La Maison des Rendez-vous, Pour une révolution à New York ou d’Italo Calvino, Se una notte d’inverno un viaggiatore ; dans les travaux des années 90 de Robert Wilson que j’ai appelés "spectacularité", tels que Cosmopolitan greetings, Parzival auf der anderen Seite des Sees ou Black Rider. Mais aussi dans Carlos W. Saénz (1956- ) (2003) d’Alejandro Tantanián ou les "présentations- pseudo-prothèse" de Periférico de Objetos comme Variaciones sobre B... (1991), El hombre de arena (1992), Cámara Gesell (1993), Máquina Hamlet (1995), Zooedipo (1998) ou Monteverdi método bélico (2000).:L’Éducation sentimentale de Flaubert ou l’anticipation du film. - "L''aleph et "Le jardin aux sentiers qui bifurquent" de Borges : de la représentation a la "présence" ou la création des médias ; de l''"hypermonde" et des "mondes multiples". - Stratégies transmédiales hybrides et transculturelles dans l’oeuvre de Frida Kahlo. - Architecture, art, installations lumineuses et performatives, internet, virtualité. - Alejandro Tantanián : "installation-performance", virtualité et hyperréalisme : Carlos W. Saenz. - Conclusion

Je commencerai par la question de savoir s’il est oui ou non souhaitable, nécessaire ou même possible d’élaborer une théorie unifiée d’intermédialité ou de transmédialité. J’aimerais pour l’instant laisser cette question en suspens et rappeler que nous avons assisté à des tentatives remarquables ces dernières années, ou du moins depuis les années 1980. Passer en revue les publications les plus réussies des vingt dernières années nous montre, qu’à cause des interrelations complexes et du chevauchement d’une grande variété et diversité de stratégies médiatiques et de formes de production, la tentative voulant présenter de façon claire les différenciations et les fonctions des relations intermédiales et transmédiales, a conduit dans certains cas à des définitions similaires, certains termes ayant des constituants similaires voire même identiques. Ces tentatives incluent tous types de définitions d’intermédialité et de transmédialité (ou dans une certaine mesure des termes comme "références aux médias" ("Medienbezüge"), "combinaison de médias" ("Medienkombination") et "changement de médias" ("Medienwechsel") (Rajewsky 2002 : 18 sqq.) ou le mélange de termes issus de la critique littéraire, comme l''intertextualité ou la "dialoguicité" avec des termes de la théorie médiatique.

Denna uppsats undersöker hur den materiella spelvärlden i The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt konstrueras och presenteras, med fokus på medialiserade figurationer, rumslighet och transmediala berättelseelement. Med utgångspunkt i posthumanistisk teori och materiell semiotik kartlägger studien hur den virtuella miljön i spelet också fungerar som en aktiv deltagare i spelupplevelsen, snarare än en passiv bakgrund till huvudberättelsen. Genom att tillämpa Espen Aarseths variabla modell analyserar studien hur spelets design och interaktiva objekt fungerar som semiotiska agenter. Resultaten visar att spelvärldens rumsliga element, såsom väder, topologi och arkitektur, spelar en avgörande roll i att forma spelvärldens rumsliga upplevelse och narrativ. Vidare visar analysen att interaktiva objekt och sidokaraktärer, trots olika begränsningar avinteraktionsmöjligheter, erbjuder visuella och audiella ledtrådar som bidrar till spelvärldens tillblivande. Studien visar att spelvärlden i The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt är ömsesidigt konstituerad med spelarens handlingar, där varje interaktion formar och omformas av den dynamiska och performativa spelvärlden. / This thesis explores how the material game world in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is constructed and presented, focusing on mediatized figurations, spatiality, and transmedia narrative elements. Grounded in posthumanist theory and material semiotics, the study maps how the virtual environment also functions as an active participant in the gameplay experience, rather than just a passive backdrop to the game story. Utilizing Espen Aarseth’s variable model the analysis investigates how the game’s design and interactive objects act as semiotic agents. The findings reveal that the spatial elements of the game world, such as weather, topology, and architecture, play a crucial role in shaping the spatial experience and narrative of the game world. Furthermore, the analysis shows that interactive objects and side characters, despite varying levels of interaction possibilities, provide visual and auditory cues that contribute to the coming into being of the game world. The study demonstrates that the game world in The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is mutually constituted with the player’s actions, where each interaction shapes and is shaped by the dynamic and performative game environment.

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This diploma thesis deals with the fantasy saga A Song of Ice and Fire written by American author G. R. R. Martin and the analysis of its fictional world. It explores saga's genre classification and focuses on elements that depart from its genre and which enrich it. Through the narratological analysis of the work, it focuses on the main principles of the construction of the fictional world and its specific characteristics. The basic theoretical framework for the analysis of the saga consists of contemporary fictional worlds that are not called fictional in the sense that they would form a fictional narrative but create a new narrative universe. It is designed to help construct further sequels or narrative turns. The diploma thesis also refers to the phenomenon of transmediality, thanks to which the narrative universe continues to expand and the fictional world becomes more realistic.

Ma thèse propose une analyse attentive de la ré-écriture de l'histoire articulée dans trois romans du collectif d'écrivains italiens publiant sous le pseudonyme Wu Ming: "Q", "54" et "Manituana". Partant du pamphlet publié par les Wu Ming en 2008 sur leur conception du roman historique et de l’écriture romanesque en général, the New Italian Epic (NIE), je propose deux angles d’approche pour mettre en évidence la relecture de l’histoire se dessinant dans les romans cités ci-dessus: la notion du regard oblique (qui est mentionnée dans le NIE); et le concept de multitude. La technique du regard oblique implique une réflexivité de la narration, une mise en abîme du processus narratif qui est effectuéé par le biais d’un point de vue insolite. Ce dernier peut provenir d'un animal, d’un objet animé, ou même d’un objet mystérieux comme le flux immatériel. Cette technique a déjà des précédents littéraires dans l’oeuvre d’écrivains tels que Italo Calvino ou Thomas Pynchon, mais dans la nouvelle forme qu’elle acquiert dans les textes des Wu Ming, elle permet l’articulation d’une relecture transversale de l’histoire. Cette relecture transversale émergeant dans les romans des Wu Ming est analysée dans la première partie de la thèse. La conceptualisation du regard oblique que je développe dans cette partie se base sur la théorie de l'anamorphose de Jacques Lacan, ainsi que sur le concept de la "troisième personne" proposé récemment par le philosophe Roberto Esposito. La seconde partie de la thèse aborde la problématique de la confrontation de l'écriture des Wu Ming à la situation socio-politique internationale contemporaine, soit comment leur ré-écriture de l'histoire s'insère dans la situation biopolitique globale. Dans les romans des Wu Ming on voit surgir une interprétation de cette situation globale qui dépasse les notions classiques de l'État et du citoyen. Le concept du biopolitique se prête à diverses interprétations: dans ses écrits des années 1970, Michel Foucault, qui est un des théoriciens majeurs du biopouvoir et de la biopolitique, ne parvient pas à proposer une interprétation unique et précise de ce dernier concept. Plusieurs philosophes italiens ont repris ce discours en le développant chacun à sa manière. Certains, comme Paolo Virno et, un peu plus tard Toni Negri, voient dans la notion de la Multitude une possibilité pour équilibrer le rapport pouvoir/personne et par conséquent pour développer de nouvelles possibilités révolutionnaires pour la déconstruction du biopouvoir. Les Wu Ming semblent suivre la voie positive de la multitude, qui selon leur conception correspond plus à une interprétation néo-marxiste de l’histoire. / My thesis presents an attentive analysis of the rewriting of history, articulated in three novels of the group of Italian authors publishing under the pseudonym Wu Ming: "Q", "54" and "Manituana". Starting from the pamphlet published by the Wu Ming in 2008, on their conception of the historical novel and the romantic writing in general, the New Italian Epic (NIE), I propose two ways to put in evidence the review of History that emerges from the novels mentioned above: the notion of the oblique gaze (mentioned in the NIE); and the concept of the multitude. The technique of the oblique gaze implies a reflexion on the narration, a "mise en abyme" of the narrative process which is made by the way of an unusual point of view. This technique already has some litterary precedents in the works of writers such as Italo Calvino or Thomas Pynchon,*but in the new form that it aquires in the texts of the Wu MIng, it allows the articulation of a transversal review of history. This transversal review emerging from the novels of the Wu Ming is analysed in the first part of the thesis. The conceptualization of the oblique gaze that I develop in this section is based on the theory of the Anamorphosis of Jacques Lacan, in addition to the concept of the "Third person" suggested recently by the philosopher Roberto Esposito. The second part of the thesis focuses on Wu Ming’s analysis and interpretation of the contemporary socio-political situation, namely how their re-writing of history is inserted in the global biopolitical situation. In the novels of the Wu Ming we observe the emergence of an interpretation of this global situation which subverts the classical notions of the State and the citizen. The concept of biopolitics lends itself to different interpretations: in his writings of the 1970's, Michel Foucault, who is one of the major theorists of biopower and biopolitics, does not succeed in suggesting a unique and precise interpretation of this concept. Many Italian philosophers have worked on this notion, each one of them developping it in her own way. Some, such as Paolo Virno and, some time later Toni Negri, see in the concept of the multitude a possibility to balance the rapport power/people and therefore to develop new revolutionary possibilities for the deconstruction of the biopower. The Wu MIng seem to follow the positive reading of the multitude, which according to their conception, corresponds more to a neo-marxist interpretation of History. / Nella mia tesi esamino l’emergenza di una riscrittura della Storia proposta dai tre romanzi: Q, 54 e Manituana, del collettivo di scrittori italiani che pubblicano sotto lo pseudonimo Wu Ming, i quali, attraverso una nuova proposta di romanzo storico e lo sguardo della Moltitudine, rimettono in questione la struttura del biopotere. Da un’attenta analisi dei testi sopracitati fuoriescono le peculiarità di un nuovo modo di concepire il romanzo storico in cui, fra le varie caratteristiche emerge quella dello “sguardo obliquo”, tecnica basata nell’esporre al lettore la narrazione facendola provenire da un punto di vista che non è quello che solitamente ci si attende, ma piuttosto un punto di vista insolito che può provenire da animali, oggetti animati, o addirittura da oggetti misteriosi come flussi immateriali. Questa tecnica ha già visto alcuni illustri precedenti letterari nelle sperimentazioni di scrittori quali Italo Calvino o Thomas Pynchon, ma nella nuova forma che fuoriesce dalla scrittura dei Wu Ming acquista la particolare capacità di leggere la storia in un contesto che si accosta in modo accentuato alle problematiche del contemporaneo. L’analisi di questa lettura trasversale, che copre la prima parte della tesi, è stata effettuata con l’aiuto di alcune teorie come quelle dell’Anamorfosi di Jacques Lacan, ma è attraverso il concetto della “terza persona”, riproposto recentemente da Roberto Esposito, che ho inquadrato lo sguardo obliquo come essenza estranea al rapporto dialogico io/tu. Nella seconda parte della tesi affronto la problematica dell’allineamento della scrittura dei Wu Ming alla situazione socio-politica internazionale contemporanea; detta in altre parole cerco di far emergere come la loro riscrittura della storia si inserisca nella situazione biopolitica globale. Nei romanzi dei Wu Ming, infatti, si scorge un’interpretazione del contemporaneo che sorpassa le categorie classiche di Stato e cittadino in favore di un’idea di egemonia universale esercitante un bio-potere globale. Il concetto di biopolitica si apre a varie interpretazioni. Già dalle prime iniziative negli anni Settanta Michel Foucault si era trovato in una situazione di ambigua difficoltà nel poter dare un’interpretazione unica e precisa dei concetti da lui stesso proposti. Vari filosofi italiani hanno ripreso questo discorso incompiuto sviluppandogli intorno una parte importante del proprio pensiero, ognuno però scegliendo una propria strada. Alcuni di loro come Paolo Virno e, successivamente, Toni Negri vedono nella categoria della “Moltitudine” una possibile via per equilibrare il rapporto Potere/persona e quindi ottenere nuove possibilità rivoluzionarie per poter decostruire il biopotere. I Wu Ming sembrano seguire la strada positivista della moltitudine, la quale si allinea alla loro natura marxiana.

Ma thèse propose une analyse attentive de la ré-écriture de l'histoire articulée dans trois romans du collectif d'écrivains italiens publiant sous le pseudonyme Wu Ming: "Q", "54" et "Manituana". Partant du pamphlet publié par les Wu Ming en 2008 sur leur conception du roman historique et de l’écriture romanesque en général, the New Italian Epic (NIE), je propose deux angles d’approche pour mettre en évidence la relecture de l’histoire se dessinant dans les romans cités ci-dessus: la notion du regard oblique (qui est mentionnée dans le NIE); et le concept de multitude. La technique du regard oblique implique une réflexivité de la narration, une mise en abîme du processus narratif qui est effectuéé par le biais d’un point de vue insolite. Ce dernier peut provenir d'un animal, d’un objet animé, ou même d’un objet mystérieux comme le flux immatériel. Cette technique a déjà des précédents littéraires dans l’oeuvre d’écrivains tels que Italo Calvino ou Thomas Pynchon, mais dans la nouvelle forme qu’elle acquiert dans les textes des Wu Ming, elle permet l’articulation d’une relecture transversale de l’histoire. Cette relecture transversale émergeant dans les romans des Wu Ming est analysée dans la première partie de la thèse. La conceptualisation du regard oblique que je développe dans cette partie se base sur la théorie de l'anamorphose de Jacques Lacan, ainsi que sur le concept de la "troisième personne" proposé récemment par le philosophe Roberto Esposito. La seconde partie de la thèse aborde la problématique de la confrontation de l'écriture des Wu Ming à la situation socio-politique internationale contemporaine, soit comment leur ré-écriture de l'histoire s'insère dans la situation biopolitique globale. Dans les romans des Wu Ming on voit surgir une interprétation de cette situation globale qui dépasse les notions classiques de l'État et du citoyen. Le concept du biopolitique se prête à diverses interprétations: dans ses écrits des années 1970, Michel Foucault, qui est un des théoriciens majeurs du biopouvoir et de la biopolitique, ne parvient pas à proposer une interprétation unique et précise de ce dernier concept. Plusieurs philosophes italiens ont repris ce discours en le développant chacun à sa manière. Certains, comme Paolo Virno et, un peu plus tard Toni Negri, voient dans la notion de la Multitude une possibilité pour équilibrer le rapport pouvoir/personne et par conséquent pour développer de nouvelles possibilités révolutionnaires pour la déconstruction du biopouvoir. Les Wu Ming semblent suivre la voie positive de la multitude, qui selon leur conception correspond plus à une interprétation néo-marxiste de l’histoire. / My thesis presents an attentive analysis of the rewriting of history, articulated in three novels of the group of Italian authors publishing under the pseudonym Wu Ming: "Q", "54" and "Manituana". Starting from the pamphlet published by the Wu Ming in 2008, on their conception of the historical novel and the romantic writing in general, the New Italian Epic (NIE), I propose two ways to put in evidence the review of History that emerges from the novels mentioned above: the notion of the oblique gaze (mentioned in the NIE); and the concept of the multitude. The technique of the oblique gaze implies a reflexion on the narration, a "mise en abyme" of the narrative process which is made by the way of an unusual point of view. This technique already has some litterary precedents in the works of writers such as Italo Calvino or Thomas Pynchon,*but in the new form that it aquires in the texts of the Wu MIng, it allows the articulation of a transversal review of history. This transversal review emerging from the novels of the Wu Ming is analysed in the first part of the thesis. The conceptualization of the oblique gaze that I develop in this section is based on the theory of the Anamorphosis of Jacques Lacan, in addition to the concept of the "Third person" suggested recently by the philosopher Roberto Esposito. The second part of the thesis focuses on Wu Ming’s analysis and interpretation of the contemporary socio-political situation, namely how their re-writing of history is inserted in the global biopolitical situation. In the novels of the Wu Ming we observe the emergence of an interpretation of this global situation which subverts the classical notions of the State and the citizen. The concept of biopolitics lends itself to different interpretations: in his writings of the 1970's, Michel Foucault, who is one of the major theorists of biopower and biopolitics, does not succeed in suggesting a unique and precise interpretation of this concept. Many Italian philosophers have worked on this notion, each one of them developping it in her own way. Some, such as Paolo Virno and, some time later Toni Negri, see in the concept of the multitude a possibility to balance the rapport power/people and therefore to develop new revolutionary possibilities for the deconstruction of the biopower. The Wu MIng seem to follow the positive reading of the multitude, which according to their conception, corresponds more to a neo-marxist interpretation of History. / Nella mia tesi esamino l’emergenza di una riscrittura della Storia proposta dai tre romanzi: Q, 54 e Manituana, del collettivo di scrittori italiani che pubblicano sotto lo pseudonimo Wu Ming, i quali, attraverso una nuova proposta di romanzo storico e lo sguardo della Moltitudine, rimettono in questione la struttura del biopotere. Da un’attenta analisi dei testi sopracitati fuoriescono le peculiarità di un nuovo modo di concepire il romanzo storico in cui, fra le varie caratteristiche emerge quella dello “sguardo obliquo”, tecnica basata nell’esporre al lettore la narrazione facendola provenire da un punto di vista che non è quello che solitamente ci si attende, ma piuttosto un punto di vista insolito che può provenire da animali, oggetti animati, o addirittura da oggetti misteriosi come flussi immateriali. Questa tecnica ha già visto alcuni illustri precedenti letterari nelle sperimentazioni di scrittori quali Italo Calvino o Thomas Pynchon, ma nella nuova forma che fuoriesce dalla scrittura dei Wu Ming acquista la particolare capacità di leggere la storia in un contesto che si accosta in modo accentuato alle problematiche del contemporaneo. L’analisi di questa lettura trasversale, che copre la prima parte della tesi, è stata effettuata con l’aiuto di alcune teorie come quelle dell’Anamorfosi di Jacques Lacan, ma è attraverso il concetto della “terza persona”, riproposto recentemente da Roberto Esposito, che ho inquadrato lo sguardo obliquo come essenza estranea al rapporto dialogico io/tu. Nella seconda parte della tesi affronto la problematica dell’allineamento della scrittura dei Wu Ming alla situazione socio-politica internazionale contemporanea; detta in altre parole cerco di far emergere come la loro riscrittura della storia si inserisca nella situazione biopolitica globale. Nei romanzi dei Wu Ming, infatti, si scorge un’interpretazione del contemporaneo che sorpassa le categorie classiche di Stato e cittadino in favore di un’idea di egemonia universale esercitante un bio-potere globale. Il concetto di biopolitica si apre a varie interpretazioni. Già dalle prime iniziative negli anni Settanta Michel Foucault si era trovato in una situazione di ambigua difficoltà nel poter dare un’interpretazione unica e precisa dei concetti da lui stesso proposti. Vari filosofi italiani hanno ripreso questo discorso incompiuto sviluppandogli intorno una parte importante del proprio pensiero, ognuno però scegliendo una propria strada. Alcuni di loro come Paolo Virno e, successivamente, Toni Negri vedono nella categoria della “Moltitudine” una possibile via per equilibrare il rapporto Potere/persona e quindi ottenere nuove possibilità rivoluzionarie per poter decostruire il biopotere. I Wu Ming sembrano seguire la strada positivista della moltitudine, la quale si allinea alla loro natura marxiana.

The following text is an excerpt from the book Narrative Instability: Destabilizing Identities, Realities, and Textualities in Contemporary American Popular Culture, which was originally published in 2019 with Universitätsverlag Winter as part of the series American Studies – A Monograph Series. The book introduces the concept of ‘narrative instability’ in order to make visible a new trend in contemporary US popular culture, to analyze this trend’s poetics, and to scrutinize its textual politics. It identifies those texts as narratively unstable that consciously frustrate and obfuscate the process of narrative understanding and comprehension, challenging their audiences to reconstruct what happened in a text’s plot, who its characters are, which of its diegetic worlds are real, or how narrative information is communicated in the first place. Despite—or rather, exactly because of—their confusing and destabilizing tendencies, such texts have attained mainstream commercial popularity in recent years across a variety of media, most prominently in films, video games, and television series. Focusing on three clusters of instability that form around identities, realities, and textualities, the book argues that narratively unstable texts encourage their audiences to engage with the narrative constructedness of their universes, that narrative instability embodies a new facet of popular culture, that it takes place and can only be understood transmedially, and that its textual politics particularly speak to white male middle-class Americans.