Skip to main content
eScholarship
Open Access Publications from the University of California

Department of English

UCLA

What is so Ordinary about Literary Studies?

Abstract

This thesis investigates ordinary language philosophy as it pertains to literary studies following what has been called the post-critical turn. I analyze Toril Moi’s book Revolution of the Ordinary, wherein she argues that ordinary language philosophy fundamentally alters the way language is understood. According to Moi, ordinary language philosophy has the potential to drastically change how literary studies are conducted. Accepting Moi’s challenge, I examine how this reimagining of language actually functions in the context of literary studies. I begin by analyzing Moi’s own account of Wittgenstein before evaluating what “ordinary” literary scholarship looks like in practice against critical theory. Finally, I assess how incorporating the values of ordinary language practitioners into undergraduate pedagogy would affect students, and ask what the post-critical turn means for the undergraduate experience. This thesis responds to Moi’s provocation that ordinary language philosophy will revolutionize literary studies, and in so doing, considers the effects upon undergraduate students’ education.

Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Current View