The Riddle of Literary Quality: A Computational Approach

Literature is a complex and subjective field that can be measured through computational analysis of texts. The Riddle of Literary Quality project analyzed thousands of Dutch and translated novels to uncover unconscious biases and shed new light on prejudices. The results may change the future of Literary Studies.

Format: Hardback
Length: 232 pages
Publication date: 26 June 2023
Publisher: Amsterdam University Press

Literature is a complex and multifaceted field that has been the subject of study for centuries. It encompasses a wide range of written works, including novels, poems, plays, and essays, and is characterized by its artistic expression, cultural significance, and ability to evoke emotions and thoughts. While literature can be appreciated on its own, it can also be analyzed and studied using various methods, including literary criticism, literary theory, and computational analysis.

One of the most recent and innovative projects in the field of Computational Humanities is The Riddle of Literary Quality, which was conducted by Dr. Marleen Van Dalen-Oskam and her team. The project aimed to explore the question of whether it is possible to measure "literariness" in texts themselves. To achieve this, the researchers asked thousands of Dutch readers for their opinions about contemporary Dutch and translated novels. The readers shared which novels they had read, what they really thought of them, and how they judged their quality.

The researchers then compared the judgments of the same novels with the results of computational analysis of the books. Using evidence from almost 14,000 readers and building on more textual data than ever before, Van Dalen-Oskam and her team uncovered unconscious biases that shed new light on prejudices many people assumed no longer existed. For example, they found that readers were more likely to judge a novel negatively if it was written by a woman or if it had a female protagonist. They also found that readers were more likely to judge a novel positively if it was written by a male author or if it had a male protagonist.

This monograph explains in an accessible way how the project unfolded, which methods were used, and how the results may change the future of Literary Studies. The authors argue that the findings of the project have important implications for the way that literature is taught and studied. They suggest that teachers should be aware of these biases and should work to create a more inclusive and equitable classroom environment. They also suggest that researchers should use computational analysis to explore new aspects of literature and to challenge existing assumptions about the field.

In addition to its academic significance, The Riddle of Literary Quality has also had a significant impact on the public. The project has been widely reported in the media, and it has sparked a debate about the role of literature in society. Some people have argued that literature is becoming less relevant in the modern world, while others have argued that it is more important than ever. The project has also helped to promote the work of Dutch authors and to increase their visibility in the international literary community.

Despite its many successes, The Riddle of Literary Quality has also faced some challenges. One of the main challenges is the lack of access to large amounts of textual data. Many of the novels that were analyzed in the project were not available in digital format, which made it difficult for the researchers to analyze them. The researchers also faced challenges in interpreting the results of the computational analysis, as there are many different ways to measure "literariness."

Despite these challenges, The Riddle of Literary Quality has continued to grow and evolve. The researchers have published several papers and articles based on the project, and they have continued to work with other researchers and institutions to explore new aspects of literature. They have also developed new tools and techniques for analyzing textual data, which have the potential to revolutionize the field of Literary Studies.

In conclusion, literature is a complex and multifaceted field that has been the subject of study for centuries. The Riddle of Literary Quality is a recent and innovative project that has uncovered unconscious biases that shed new light on prejudices many people assumed no longer existed. The project has had a significant impact on the academic community and the public, and it has the potential to revolutionize the field of Literary Studies. While there are still some challenges to be faced, the researchers are committed to continuing to work on the project and to promoting the work of Dutch authors and to increasing their visibility in the international literary community.

Dimension: 240 x 170 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789048558148