A bakhtinian analysis of Madeline Miller's Circe and Jennifer saint's Ariadne: Heteroglossia, polyphony and dialogism in the novels

This thesis aims to explore two contemporary novels, Circe by Madeline Miller and Ariadne by Jennifer Saint, through the perspective of Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of heteroglossia, polyphony, and dialogism. Therefore, the method of analysis embodies a close study of Miller's Circe and Saint's Ariadne with a detailed examination of Bakhtin's ideas. The theoretical framework presented in the first chapter draws from Bakhtin's Discourse in the Novel and incorporates the perspectives of revisionist authors and literary critics. The concept of heteroglossia is examined in relation to revisionist mythmaking theory, and Bakhtin's Epic and Novel provides additional insights. Subsequent chapters analyze Circe and Ariadne, which offer alternative perspectives on the mythical characters, highlighting their agency and experiences. The structure of these rewritings is examined, emphasizing the utilization of multiple narrative voices and the deconstruction and reconstruction of the original myth. The thesis seeks to illuminate the dynamic interactions between tradition and modernity, showcasing how these contemporary novels generate new utterances and reshape established narratives. Through this analysis, the study provides a deeper understanding of the role of heteroglossia and polyphony in revisionist mythmaking and its significance in contemporary literature.