Progress through Spatial Conflicts. An Application of Henri Lefebvre's "The Production of Space" to Paul Auster's "Moon Palace"

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.

Details

• College: Ruhr-University of Bochum (American Studies)
• Grade: 1,0
• Author: Hans Niehues (Author)
• Publication Year: 2015
• Pages: 43
• Catalog Number: V323870
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668229327
• ISBN (Book): 9783668229334
• Language: English