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Possible Worlds Theory: History, Approaches, and Its Relevance to Counterfactual Historical Fiction

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Possible Worlds Theory and Counterfactual Historical Fiction

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Abstract

In this chapter, I present my methodology—Possible Worlds Theory—which I argue is the most suitable methodology with which to analyse counterfactual historical fiction. I begin by explaining the theory in detail. For this purpose, I trace the development of Possible Worlds Theory from its foundation in philosophical logic to its application in narratology. The chapter will suggest ways in which Possible Worlds Theory is highly relevant for the analysis of counterfactual historical fiction, but also indicate that it requires modification and supplementation for it to be entirely successful.

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  1. New College of the Humanities, London, UK

    Riyukta Raghunath

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  1. Riyukta Raghunath
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Raghunath, R. (2020). Possible Worlds Theory: History, Approaches, and Its Relevance to Counterfactual Historical Fiction. In: Possible Worlds Theory and Counterfactual Historical Fiction. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53452-3_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53452-3_2

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-53451-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-53452-3

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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