Genres in Discourse

“Genres in Discourse” by Tzvetan Todorov, published by Cambridge University Press in August 1990, is a collection of essays that delves into the concept of genre within literature. This edition, comprising 136 pages, presents Todorov’s insights on fundamental questions such as the nature of literature and the defining characteristics of various literary genres. The essays are translated works that reflect Todorov’s status as a prominent literary critic, focusing on the distinctions between fiction and poetry while exploring the broader implications of genre.

Readers will find a thorough examination of literary discourse, with Todorov proposing definitions for literature, discourse, and genre. The collection includes discussions on major literary genres and features case studies of notable authors, including Poe, Dostoyevsky, Baudelaire, Conrad, and James. This scholarly work engages with topics in linguistics, semantics, and literary criticism, making it a valuable resource for those interested in the theoretical frameworks that underpin literary analysis.