Talk:Odysseus' Scar

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Merge?[edit]

If this chapter deserves an article of its own, rather than just being merged with the collection it's from, Mimesis: The Representation of Reality in Western Literature, please justify by improving the references. The Dancing Badger (talk) 21:14, 22 April 2023 (UTC)[reply]

Clarity[edit]

I am concerned that this entry does not accurately convey what Auerbach is saying in his essay either because the contributor did not write clearly enough in several instances or because he misunderstood Auerbach's thesis.

For example: The Wikipedia entry reads

"He [Auerbach] also points out how, with the careful insertion of a flashback "retarding element" (term coined by Goethe and Schiller) into the middle of the story, Homer creates a relaxing excursion to defer suspense."

Auerbach writes "Goethe and Schiller, who, though not referring to this particular episode, exchanged letters in April 1797 on the subject of “the retarding element” in the Homeric poems in general, put it in direct opposition to the element of suspense—the latter word is not used, but is clearly implied when the “retarding” procedure is opposed, as something proper to epic, to tragic procedure (letters of April 19, 21, and 22). The “retarding element,” the “going back and forth” by means of episodes, seems to me, too, in the Homeric poems, to be opposed to any tensional and suspensive striving toward a goal."

I don't know what the Wikipedia entry means by "a relaxing excursion to defer suspense." Auerbach is clear that the purpose of "the retarding element" is NOT suspense.

There are other examples like this. I would like to rewrite the entry. What do you think? Medusa123 02:30, 2 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]