Practising Hermeneutics : Interpreting the Figure of the (Shaman) in Maxine Hong Kingston’s the Woman Warrior (1976)

Zeineb Derbali

doi:10.12816/0052459

Article Details

Practising Hermeneutics : Interpreting the Figure of the (Shaman) in Maxine Hong Kingston’s the Woman Warrior (1976)

Authors:

Zeineb Derbali

Publisher:

al-Jamʻīyah al-Tūnisīyah lil-Dirāsāt al-Adabīyah wa-al-Insānīyah

Main Topics:

Recreational and performing arts | Literature

Journal:

Art and Humanities 2018 Vol. 5 Issue 5-6, pp.79-93

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2018

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

131148

Frequency:

Annual

pISSN:

22865705

DOI:

10.12816/0052459

Descriptors:

Keywords:

Abstract:

 The fact that there are different approaches to hermeneutics uncovers its aspect of permeability. It moves from being a tool to obtain knowledge to becoming a theory of knowledge. Central to it is the focus on the reader’s understanding of different types of texts. Philosophers like Frederick Schleiermacher, Wilhelm Dilthey among others develop their own understandings of texts shaping in a very strong way a theory of interpretation that is based on crucial notions as hermeneutic situation, fusion of horizons, hermeneutic circle etc. I refer to Deconstruction as a theory that makes the text the core of investigation. Both theoretical trends centralize notions like text, understanding and meaning. Yet, since the act of reading realizes the encounter of these three elements, a reference to Francis Bacon’s insight about reading modes proves to be paramount. In this paper, I endeavor to apply hermeneutic approach to Maxine Hong Kingston’s text The Woman Warrior (1976). The guiding objective is to refer back to hermeneutics and deconstruction to prove a certain dialogical dimension that taints the task of interpreting Kingston’s text and her mother’s one(s). This is to be examined while studying the figure of the shaman in Kingston’s book and contest its applicability to the mother, Brave Orchid and the daughter, Maxine Hong Kingston.

Article Details

Practising Hermeneutics : Interpreting the Figure of the (Shaman) in Maxine Hong Kingston’s the Woman Warrior (1976)

Authors:

Zeineb Derbali

Publisher:

al-Jamʻīyah al-Tūnisīyah lil-Dirāsāt al-Adabīyah wa-al-Insānīyah

Main Topics:

Recreational and performing arts | Literature

Journal:

Art and Humanities 2018 Vol. 5 Issue 5-6, pp.79-93

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2018

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

131148

Frequency:

Annual

pISSN:

22865705

DOI:

10.12816/0052459

Descriptors:

ART CRITICISM

FILMS

LITTERATEURS

POPULAR LITERATURE

Hermeneutics

Deconstruction

Différance

Performative Interpretation

Hermeneutic Circle

Understandings

Shaman

Hermes

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Zeineb Derbali

Publisher: al-Jamʻīyah al-Tūnisīyah lil-Dirāsāt al-Adabīyah wa-al-Insānīyah

Main Topics: Recreational and performing arts | Literature

Journal: Art and Humanities 2018 Vol. 5 Issue 5-6, pp.79-93

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 1/2018

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 131148

Frequency: Annual

pISSN: 22865705

DOI: 10.12816/0052459

Descriptors:

Issues

Authors:

Zeineb Derbali

Publisher:

al-Jamʻīyah al-Tūnisīyah lil-Dirāsāt al-Adabīyah wa-al-Insānīyah

Main Topics:

Recreational and performing arts | Literature

Journal:

Art and Humanities 2018 Vol. 5 Issue 5-6, pp.79-93

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

1/2018

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

131148

Frequency:

Annual

pISSN:

22865705

DOI:

10.12816/0052459