Introduction: Ingo Berensmeyer’s article “Female Authorship in Modern Fiction: Stevie Smith’s Novel on Yellow Paper (1936) and the History of Fictional Women Writers” and Camilla Ulleland Hoel’s article “The Final Problem: Constructing Coherence in the Holmesian Canon” both delve into the exploration of authorship and its representation in literature. While Berensmeyer focuses on the portrayal of women writers in fiction, Ulleland Hoel examines the construction of coherence in the Holmesian Canon. This comparative review will discuss the content and methodological approaches employed by each author, as well as their contributions to the existing research literature.
Content and Methodology of Berensmeyer’s Article: Berensmeyer’s article centers on Stevie Smith’s novel, “Novel on Yellow Paper,” published in 1936, and its significance in the history of fictional women writers. He analyzes Smith’s work as a metafictional exploration of female authorship, employing a feminist lens to interpret the protagonist’s struggles as representative of broader challenges faced by women writers during the time. Berensmeyer draws from textual analysis, historical context, and feminist literary theory to elucidate the themes and narrative techniques employed by Smith. By situating “Novel on Yellow Paper” within the context of other works by fictional women writers, Berensmeyer highlights the novel’s contribution to the portrayal of female authorship.
Content and Methodology of Ulleland Hoel’s Article: Ulleland Hoel’s article focuses on the construction of coherence within the Holmesian Canon, particularly in relation to Arthur Conan Doyle’s “The Final Problem.” She explores how Doyle’s decision to kill off Sherlock Holmes in this story challenged readers’ expectations and influenced the subsequent development of the detective genre. Ulleland Hoel adopts a comparative and intertextual approach, analyzing various stories within the Holmesian Canon and examining the narrative techniques used by Doyle. Drawing from textual analysis, literary theory, and reception studies, she explores the reception of “The Final Problem” and its impact on the coherence and evolution of the Sherlock Holmes stories.
Contributions to Research Literature: Both articles make valuable contributions to the existing research literature in their respective fields. Berensmeyer’s exploration of female authorship in fiction sheds light on the historical and social context surrounding women writers, offering a fresh perspective on their struggles and achievements. By analyzing Smith’s “Novel on Yellow Paper” and its place within the history of fictional women writers, Berensmeyer expands the understanding of female authorship as a subject of literary inquiry.
Ulleland Hoel’s study contributes to the understanding of the Holmesian Canon and its coherence. By examining the significance of “The Final Problem” and its impact on subsequent narratives, she provides insights into the evolution of detective fiction and the role of reader expectations. Ulleland Hoel’s research invites further analysis and discussion on the construction of coherence in literary canons, particularly in the detective genre.
Preference and Conclusion: While both articles offer compelling insights and engage with the respective topics effectively, my preference lies with Ingo Berensmeyer’s article on female authorship in modern fiction. Berensmeyer’s meticulous analysis of Stevie Smith’s “Novel on Yellow Paper” presents a rich examination of the challenges faced by women writers and their representation in literature. Furthermore, his incorporation of feminist literary theory adds depth and nuance to the discussion, highlighting the significance of gender in the analysis of authorship.
In conclusion, the articles by Ingo Berensmeyer and Camilla Ulleland Hoel provide valuable perspectives on female authorship and coherence in literature. Berensmeyer looks at Smith’s Novel on Yellow Paper, discussing how Smith portrays female authorship and the absence of a “female literary canon”. Additionally, Hoel examines the Holmesian Canon and its construction of coherence in classic literature. These authors provide an analysis of the complexities and nuances of literature, uncovering the various conventions that have shaped the literary canon. By discussing important works such as Stevie Smith’s novel and the Holmesian Canon, the authors highlight the importance of studying representation of female authorship and construction of coherence in literature. Therefore, their works represent a crucial contribution to the field of literary studies and will remain invaluable in the future.