A Theory of Thrills, Sublime and Epiphany in Literature

Auteur

Author or co-author of eleven books on literature and linguistics.

Texte du rabat

A psychological explanation of goosebumps and tears, of the epiphanic experience of seeing something ordinary in a profoundly new way, and of the overwhelming perception of the sublime. These experiences found in life and literature involve a feeling of coming to know something deeply important but impossible to describe.

Contenu

Acknowledgements; Dedication; 1. Introduction: Strong experiences and what causes them; 2. The study of strong experiences; 3. Epistemic feelings and knowledge; 4. Arousal, emotion and strong experiences; 5. The psychological background; 6. How literature triggers strong experiences; 7. Conclusions; Bibliography; Index