Proximity, distance, and literary interpretation: A case study of Munro’s story, Haven

Space and distance are both physical dimensions which mold human perception; they influence, and are influenced by, cognition and representation. Initially, they are elements of geography as well as geometry. The main objective of the present paper is to show the relativity and subjectivity of space and distance. In order to achieve this point, the paper gives a case analysis of Munro’s story, Haven , which is a narrative of space and distance. The study shows how notions of space and distance as neutral and impersonal are negotiated by Munro. The methodology adopted here is a mixed one of Discourse Space Theory and Marxist geography which attempts to find out how space and distance are represented and negotiated in Munro’s story, and how such representations and negotiations influence the literary interpretation of the story

Keywords:

space , proximity , Munro , Haven , Discourse Space Theory