Frank Kermode Books
Frank Kermode (1919–2010) was a British literary critic and scholar, known for his profound contributions to the study of modern literature and theory. He taught at several leading universities, including Cambridge and Harvard, and was knighted for his services to literature.
Known for: The Sense of an Ending: Studies in the Theory of Fiction
Books by Frank Kermode
The Sense of an Ending: Studies in the Theory of Fiction
In this influential work of literary criticism, Frank Kermode explores how humans impose patterns of meaning on the chaos of existence through narrative. He examines how writers and readers construct 'endings' to make sense of time, history, and mortality, drawing on examples from the Bible to modern literature. The book argues that our need for coherent stories reflects a deep psychological and cultural desire to find order in the passage of time.
Read SummaryKey Insights from Frank Kermode
The Apocalyptic Imagination
Let us start with the idea of apocalypse, for it shapes the very structure of how humans conceive time. Apocalyptic narratives offer not only visions of destruction but also the comfort of order. They map existence onto a framework of beginning, middle, and end, transforming chaotic experience into ...
From The Sense of an Ending: Studies in the Theory of Fiction
The Role of Fiction
Fiction, as I see it, performs a function much like religion or historical narrative: it supplies shape to life’s duration. Even when the author does not consciously imitate sacred or historical forms, the structure of fiction echoes them. A novel begins by establishing a world, introduces conflict,...
From The Sense of an Ending: Studies in the Theory of Fiction
About Frank Kermode
Frank Kermode (1919–2010) was a British literary critic and scholar, known for his profound contributions to the study of modern literature and theory. He taught at several leading universities, including Cambridge and Harvard, and was knighted for his services to literature. His works often explore...
Read more
Frank Kermode (1919–2010) was a British literary critic and scholar, known for his profound contributions to the study of modern literature and theory. He taught at several leading universities, including Cambridge and Harvard, and was knighted for his services to literature. His works often explore...
Frank Kermode (1919–2010) was a British literary critic and scholar, known for his profound contributions to the study of modern literature and theory. He taught at several leading universities, including Cambridge and Harvard, and was knighted for his services to literature. His works often explore the relationship between fiction, interpretation, and the human search for meaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frank Kermode (1919–2010) was a British literary critic and scholar, known for his profound contributions to the study of modern literature and theory. He taught at several leading universities, including Cambridge and Harvard, and was knighted for his services to literature.
Read Frank Kermode's books in 15 minutes
Get AI-powered summaries with key insights from 1 book by Frank Kermode.