Knowing Subjects

Cognitive Cultural Studies and Early Modern Spanish

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, European, Spanish & Portuguese, Women Authors, Theory
Cover of the book Knowing Subjects by Barbara Simerka, Purdue University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Barbara Simerka ISBN: 9781612492681
Publisher: Purdue University Press Publication: April 15, 2013
Imprint: Purdue University Press Language: English
Author: Barbara Simerka
ISBN: 9781612492681
Publisher: Purdue University Press
Publication: April 15, 2013
Imprint: Purdue University Press
Language: English

In Knowing Subjects, Barbara Simerka uses an emergent field of literary study-cognitive cultural studies-to delineate new ways of looking at early modern Spanish literature and to analyze cognition and social identity in Spain at the time. Simerka analyzes works by Cervantes and Gracían, as well as picaresque novels and comedias. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, she brings together several strands of cognitive theory and details the synergies among neurological, anthropological, and psychological discoveries that provide new insights into human cognition. Her analysis draws on Theory of Mind, the cognitive activity that enables humans to predict what others will do, feel, think, and believe. Theory of Mind looks at how primates, including humans, conceptualize the thoughts and rationales behind other people's actions and use those insights to negotiate social relationships. This capacity is a necessary precursor to a wide variety of human interactions-both positive and negative-from projecting and empathizing to lying and cheating. Simerka applies this theory to texts involving courtship or social advancement, activities in which deception is most prevalent-and productive. In the process, she uncovers new insights into the comedia (especially the courtship drama) and several other genres of literature (including the honor narrative, the picaresque novel, and the courtesy manual). She studies the construction of gendered identity and patriarchal norms of cognition-contrasting the perspectives of canonical male writers with those of recently recovered female authors such as María de Zayas and Ana Caro. She examines the construction of social class, intellect, and honesty, and in a chapter on Don Quixote, cultural norms for leisure reading at the time. She shows how early modern Spanish literary forms reveal the relationship between an urbanizing culture, unstable subject positions and hierarchies, and social anxieties about cognition and cultural transformation.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Knowing Subjects, Barbara Simerka uses an emergent field of literary study-cognitive cultural studies-to delineate new ways of looking at early modern Spanish literature and to analyze cognition and social identity in Spain at the time. Simerka analyzes works by Cervantes and Gracían, as well as picaresque novels and comedias. Employing an interdisciplinary approach, she brings together several strands of cognitive theory and details the synergies among neurological, anthropological, and psychological discoveries that provide new insights into human cognition. Her analysis draws on Theory of Mind, the cognitive activity that enables humans to predict what others will do, feel, think, and believe. Theory of Mind looks at how primates, including humans, conceptualize the thoughts and rationales behind other people's actions and use those insights to negotiate social relationships. This capacity is a necessary precursor to a wide variety of human interactions-both positive and negative-from projecting and empathizing to lying and cheating. Simerka applies this theory to texts involving courtship or social advancement, activities in which deception is most prevalent-and productive. In the process, she uncovers new insights into the comedia (especially the courtship drama) and several other genres of literature (including the honor narrative, the picaresque novel, and the courtesy manual). She studies the construction of gendered identity and patriarchal norms of cognition-contrasting the perspectives of canonical male writers with those of recently recovered female authors such as María de Zayas and Ana Caro. She examines the construction of social class, intellect, and honesty, and in a chapter on Don Quixote, cultural norms for leisure reading at the time. She shows how early modern Spanish literary forms reveal the relationship between an urbanizing culture, unstable subject positions and hierarchies, and social anxieties about cognition and cultural transformation.

More books from Purdue University Press

Cover of the book Analyzing Design Review Conversations by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book A Life Constructed by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Project and Program Management by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Found in Translation by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Perspectives in Bioethics, Science, and Public Policy by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Reimagining Reference in the 21st Century by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Academic E-Books by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Comparative Cultural Studies and the New Weltliteratur by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Become the CEO of You, Inc. by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Manufacturing Facilities Design & Material Handling by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Little Else Than a Memory by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Comparative Hungarian Cultural Studies by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Confronting the Yugoslav Controversies by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Project and Program Management by Barbara Simerka
Cover of the book Where Do We Go From Here? by Barbara Simerka
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy