[1] From: RJOHARA@iris.uncg.edu (23)
Subject: "Iter <something>" -- "Journey to where we are"
I have a typical scholar's problem that I hope some HUMANISTs might be able
to help me with. Several months ago I came across an interesting paper in
the library and said to myself, "Hmm, I'll have to come back and copy this
sometime. No need to write it down; I'll remember the citation." And of
course I did not. I don't really expect anyone to actually come up with
the citation, so fragmentary is my recollection, but perhaps someone can
identify the concept that was being discussed.
The paper was about a narrative genre which was termed, in Latin, "Iter
<something>", meaning "Journey to where we are", or "How we got to where we
are now." The concept wasn't necessarily construed geographically; it might
refer to a history that tells how "we" got to where we are at this point
in time. The important point was that the narrative wasn't a comprehensive
history or geography, but rather just a point-to-point story from where
we were to where we are.
Does this particular concept ring any bells with anyone? Is the particular
term "Iter <something>" known as a distinctive label for this genre? I will
welcome any suggestions.
Bob O'Hara
Robert J. O'Hara (rjohara@iris.uncg.edu) |
Cornelia Strong College, 100 Foust Building | http://rjohara.uncg.edu
University of North Carolina at Greensboro | http://strong.uncg.edu
Greensboro, North Carolina 27412 U.S.A. |