Transforming Talk

The Problem with Gossip in Late Medieval England

Häftad, Engelska, 2012

517 kr

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Beskrivning

In recent decades, scholars have shown an increasing interest in gossip’s social, psychological, and literary functions. The first book-length study of medieval gossip, Transforming Talk shifts the current debate and argues that gossip functions primarily as a transformative discourse, influencing not only social interactions but also literary and religious practices. Known as “jangling” in Middle English, gossip was believed to corrupt parishioners, disturb the peace, and cause civil and spiritual unrest. But gossip was also a productive cultural force; it reconfigured pastoral practice, catalyzed narrative experimentation, and restructured social and familial relationships. Transforming Talk will appeal to a diverse audience, including scholars interested in late medieval culture, religion, and society; Chaucer; and women in the Middle Ages.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum:2012-08-15
Mått:152 x 229 x 18 mm
Vikt:386 g
Format:Häftad
Språk:Engelska
Antal sidor:248
Förlag:Pennsylvania State University Press
ISBN:9780271029955

Utforska kategorier

Mer om författaren

Susan E. Phillips is Associate Professor of English at Northwestern University.

Recensioner i media

“Transforming Talk is impressive both in what it accomplishes and what it manages to avoid. A topic like gossip might unwisely tempt a writer into pop or pretentious theoretical clichés, but instead Phillips has produced a study that is clearly written, well documented, solidly argued, and, above all, original in general concept and its specific readings. With confidence and subtlety, Phillips deals with a wide range of late medieval writing, from obscure works to Chaucerian masterpieces, exploring not only gossip’s transgressions but also, and especially, its protean abilities to generate new and surprising narratives.”—C. David Benson, University of Connecticut

Innehållsförteckning

ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroduction1.“Janglynge in cherche”: Pastoral Practice and Idle Talk2.Chaucerian Small Talk3.“Sisteris in schrift”: Gossip’s Confessional Kinship4.The Gospel According to Gossips, or How Gossip Got Its NameConclusionBibliographyIndex