As a theoretical framework for the analysis of the politics of space in Auster's novel "Moon Palace", Henri Lefebvre's concept of the production of space, which is ...
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction
- Henri Lefebvre's Concept of the Production of Space and the Spatial Triad
- Social Spaces in Contemporary America
- An Escape from the Urban: The Streets of New York City
- A Futile Spatial Revolution: Central Park
- Spatial Ignorance as Bliss: Chinatown
- Finding One's Space in the World: The Desert in Utah and the Pacific Shore in California
- Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This essay aims to analyze Paul Auster's novel Moon Palace through the lens of Henri Lefebvre's concept of the production of space. The essay explores how Auster's representation of different spaces in the novel reveals the complex socio-political realities of contemporary American society. The main objective is to demonstrate how Lefebvre's theory of the production of space can be applied to literary criticism, offering a deeper understanding of the novel's themes and messages.
- The production of space as a social process
- The spatial triad of perceived, conceived, and lived space
- The relationship between space and power dynamics
- The role of the urban and rural spaces in shaping individual experiences
- The critique of dominant spatial ideologies and politics in contemporary America
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The essay begins by outlining Lefebvre's concept of the production of space and its key elements, particularly the spatial triad. It then analyzes Auster's representation of three distinct spaces in Manhattan: the streets, Central Park, and Chinatown. Each of these spaces is presented as a product of specific social, political, and economic forces, highlighting the dynamic and often contradictory nature of urban spaces. The analysis then shifts to the non-urban spaces of the desert in Utah and the Pacific shore at Laguna Beach, California, exploring how these spaces reflect the broader societal forces at play.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The essay focuses on key terms like the production of space, Henri Lefebvre, spatial triad, urban space, rural space, social spaces, power dynamics, contemporary America, Paul Auster, Moon Palace, and the American Dream. These keywords provide a concise overview of the essay's main themes and research focus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Henri Lefebvre's concept of the "production of space"?
Lefebvre argues that space is not a vacuum but a social product created by political, economic, and social forces.
What is the "spatial triad"?
It consists of perceived space (spatial practice), conceived space (representations of space), and lived space (representational spaces).
How is this theory applied to Paul Auster's "Moon Palace"?
The essay analyzes how different locations in the novel, like New York City or the Utah desert, reflect the socio-political realities of contemporary America.
What is the significance of the desert and the Pacific shore in the novel?
These non-urban spaces represent a search for one's own space and identity outside of dominant urban spatial ideologies.
How do urban spaces like Central Park reflect power dynamics?
The essay explores how such spaces are "conceived" by planners and "perceived" by inhabitants, often revealing contradictions in the American Dream.
- Citation du texte
- Hans Niehues (Auteur), 2015, Progress through Spatial Conflicts. An Application of Henri Lefebvre's "The Production of Space" to Paul Auster's "Moon Palace", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/323870
