On The Openness Of Eco’s Novel The Prague Cemetery

The Prague Cemetery is another literary masterpiece by the world-renowned Italian scholar Umberto Eco,and is also a practical example of his theory of “Open Work”.Although the world of research achievements on Eco’s novels is increasingly broadening,The Prague Cemetery occupies only a small space,and there is no footprint of its openness research on this small space.Taking The Prague Cemetery as the research object,supported by Eco’s “Open Work” theory,this thesis studies the openness and the theme of The Prague Cemetery from three perspectives: “Unreliable Narration”,“Intertextuality” and “Paratext”.The full thesis consists of four parts: The introduction briefly introduces Eco’s life,a snapshot of The Prague Cemetery,the current research status of Eco’s novels at home and abroad,and the significance and framework of this thesis;The first chapter profiles the core idea of Eco’s “Open Work” theory and the openness presented in The Prague Cemetery;Chapter two to chapter four study the openness and the significance of The Prague Cemetery from three narrative dimensions: “Unreliable Narration”,“Intertextuality” and “Paratext”;The conclusion refines and summarizes the content of the thesis,and reveals the main theme of the novel on the basis of demonstrating the openness of it,which is the historical concern and earnest persuasion demonstrated by Eco through the novel.In The Prague Cemetery,the three narrative dimensions of “Unreliable Narration”,“Intertextuality” and “Paratext” help readers actively communicate with the author,participate in the interpretation of the novel,accurately grasp the intention of the text,and thus become the expected model readers.On the other hand,they limit the interpretation of the novel in combination with the intention of the novel and the relevant historical background.Under their comprehensive effect,the readers,the author and the text have achieved effective interaction.Therefore,the openness of The Prague Cemetery is a kind of openness with reasonable grounds and limits.In this openness,Eco guides readers to re-examine history with sober awareness and independent thinking ability,so as to approach the truth of history infinitely,and at the same time,take history as a mirror to meet the open future.