Fanficforum Frankfurt

Birgit Haupt. “Zur Analyse des Raums.”

• each setting can be seen as a visual space, action space, and atmospheric space
• this model was taken from philosophy and transferred to literary studies
• these types of space are overlapping and cannot be easily/fully separated
• but: the same action space (e.g., a church) can differ in visual and atmospheric space (e.g., if the service is a wedding or a funeral)
• The (less) detailed description of a space and its objects can reflect the zeitgeist, target audience, and cultural context: it shows which general knowledge is expected.
• The perception of space is therefore also always dependent on the reader’s knowledge, understanding and interpretation.
• those spaces are affectively charged

Space in fanfictions

• Since fanfiction readers are usually familiar with the source text, fanfic authors can abstain from detailed descriptions of spaces (e.g., readers of Harry Potter fanfiction are familiar with the Great Hall).
• Fanfiction uses established spaces to promote the plot (e.g., Coffe Shop AU).
  

Die Wilden Hühner (The Wild Chicks) fanfic

• The fanfic deals with the relationship of Sprotte and Fred a few years after their break-up.
• many recurring spaces: garden centre, henhouse, Sprotte’s rooms
• By letting Fred into her room, Sprotte lets him back into her life.
• Sprotte’s childhood room is not described further: suggests the story’s focus on the relationship
• spaces awake specific feelings: the henhouse raises nostalgia and safety; this is for all henhouses, not a specific one
• Sprotte doesn’t want Fred to call her by her nicknames when they are at Sprotte’s new home: different identities in different spaces; reflects character development