Theory Web

My diagram is in essence a flowchart visualizing the movement of important ideas between theorists and their predecessors. I have cataloged all the concepts that I represent on my diagram for clarity's sake as the visual itself  displays the complexity of theoretical lineage making labeling impractical. The clutter that formed in the visual reveals the permeating nature of ideas as Literary Theory progressed. The arrows while not very informative in themselves serve to demonstrate the connective currents in our studies. Naturally, I did not include every concept shared between theorists, but I included as many as I thought plausible for the space and time I had.

 

As Plato and Aristotle began the course they are at the top of the diagram. Interactions between the two are not represented because the focus of the diagram is the imparted theory from the start of the class to its currents place, which, including all intricacies, would render the diagram even more convoluted. Aside from Plato and Aristotle, only Maimonides is represented as foundational (no arrow leading to him) because the Norton did not cover, or I did not find, any major influences on him from another theorist already covered. This visualization of theoretical lineage accurately displays the complex, interwoven nature of Literary theory. The chronological progression through theorists exhibits increasing connections between new and previous thinkers. Ultimately, the continuation of such a  diagram would become quite muddled as the pool of knowledge theorists draw upon increases through the years.