Short Abstract

In narratology, whose frameworks have primarily been based on Western literature, narration and subjectivity have consistently been central themes. This panel attempts to reconsider such frameworks by analysing various texts, both literary and non-literary, in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific Region.

Long Abstract

Since narratology flourished in academia in European languages from the late 20th century onwards, narration and subjectivity have consistently been central themes among those interested in the study of the narrative. Similar studies have also developed in East Asia since around the turn of the century, which brought alternative approaches to literary texts to local academia.

Narratological concepts and frameworks, however, have primarily been created based on European and Anglophone literary texts. In what way, then, have narration and subjectivity manifested themselves in texts, both literary and non-literary, in East Asian countries such as Korea and Japan, which have linguistically, culturally, and socially followed different paths among them and from Euro-America? How about texts produced in-between East Asia and North America? Through analysing diverse media such as novels, productions in performing arts and journalism in East Asia and Asia-Pacific Region, this panel will reconsider issues centering on narration and subjectivity and explore possibilities to refine narratological concepts and frameworks.

The panel consists of four papers. "The Discovery of the Inner Self: Comparative Study of the Establishment of Narrative Style in Modern Japanese and Korean Novels" will examine how pioneering writers in Japan and Korea established the fundamental style for a confessional novel, handling the issues of subjectivity and objectivity. Taking up another modern practice, i.e., news reporting, "Changing Expression of ‘Reality’ in Modern Japanese Journalistic Reporting” will shed light on the way in which narrative techniques to report current affairs changed in Japan from the late 19th century until the interwar period, which led to transitions in perceptions of orality, subjectivity, and reality. “The Narratology of Popular Songs: The Function of Perspective in Enka and Trot” will also examine popular texts. The analysis of perspectives and subjectivity in lyrics in post-war Korea and Japan will reveal the cultural implications of these two interrelated genres. Undertaking close reading of a Japanese novel by a migrant Japanese American and its English translation with a special attention to subjectivity and perspectives, "Provisional Self in Kibei Literature: Reexamining Minoru Kiyota's War Narratives" will explore what their different narrative styles may convey and concurrently occlude.