Paratexte der Theorie

Theory-historical reflection seems to begin in prefaces and epilogues. The aim is often to introduce one’s own or another work into new contexts, to prevent misunderstandings or ‘misinterpretations’ and to undertake self-historicization. The same applies to other paratexts such as titles, blurbs, dedications and mottos, as well as accompanying and supplementary texts such as interviews, reviews and the like. They, too, are intended to guide reception and develop different effects in new contexts. The peculiarities of such pre- and post-imposed texts have not yet been systematically examined by researchers, but they play a decisive role in understanding the transfer, circulation, global effectiveness and ‘connectivity’ of theory. This volume examines these paratexts of theory, their general affordances and concrete effects on the circulation of theory on the basis of exemplary questions, constellations, authors, genres and texts, and always asks about the various ways in which theory is transferred and unfolds significance for literature and the humanities.