How Literature Creates Atmosphere: A Michel Henry's Material Phenomenology Approach

Liangying Li

doi:10.54097/pxx7cs77

Authors

Liangying Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/pxx7cs77

Keywords:

Michel Henry, Literary Atmosphere, Affective Materials, Mnemonic Apparatus

Abstract

"Atmosphere" constitutes a distinctive emotional space crafted by authors within artistic works—it inheres in specific material substrates while manifesting through corporeal perception. As one of the core elements of literary aesthetic experience, atmosphere profoundly influences readers' emotional resonance and the manifestation of textual significance. Regrettably, Gernot Böhme, a pivotal figure in facilitating the "atmospheric turn" in contemporary aesthetics, fails to provide explicit methodological guidance for atmosphere creation. Drawing upon Michel Henry's material phenomenology, this study systematically elucidates the internal logic and generative mechanisms of literary atmosphere. By examining how writers strategically deploy diverse material presences in literature—including perceptual materials, affective transmitters, and mnemonic devices—this paper reveals the techniques for constructing immersive atmospheres that deliver unforgettable emotional experiences to readers.

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