Metaverse and virtual transformation of space in literary fiction within the context of space poetics

With the spatial turn, the poetics of literary space has transcended traditional understandings and perceptions of physical space, acquiring a new dimension. This dimension has taken on different forms through Gaston Bachelard's The Poetics of Space (phenomenological approach), Michel Foucault's concept of heterotopia, and Henri Lefebvre's spatial triad. In an era where the virtual and the real are increasingly converging, the boundaries and structures of literary space must be reconfigured and redefined, as they cannot remain static. As a result of the intersection between 'metaverse', a product of technological advancement, and the novel, space has evolved, transitioning from the physical to the virtual, augmented, and hybrid realms. The intersection of literature and technology has given rise to a new narrative paradigm, where the spatial dimensions of storytelling are no longer confined to the physical limitations of the page. The integration of 'metaverse' into the novel has transformed the magical power of virtual reality media into a gateway or portal that opens onto the boundless and infinite, much like how it metamorphoses urban or city space perception in architecture. Authors have leveraged the advantages of virtual reality, enriching the narrative dimension by drawing from its vast potential. This study examines the transformative dimensions of 'metaverse' on literary space within the novel genre, through the lenses of Bachelardian poetics of space, Foucauldian heterotopia, and Lefebvre's spatial triad. Given that virtual reality is a form of medium, its integration into the medium of literature serves as one of the supporting pillars of this intermediality-focused study. The aim of this research is to elucidate how these immersive technologies, whether the setting is realistic, fantastical, or imaginary, redefine the concept, genre, and dimensions of space within the narrative fabric of a novel. The comprehensive comparative analysis of the spatial transformation enabled by 'metaverse' and VR technologies in literary novels focuses on five works: Banu Akeloğlu's Metaverse Cinayetleri and Soner Aydoğan's The Metaverse of Turkish literature, as well as Kirsten Miller and Jason Segel's Otherworld and Ernest Cline's Ready Player One-Two of American literature. This analysis aims to illuminate the multifaceted dynamics of spatial representation and their impacts on narrative structure, character interaction, and thematic development within these texts. By comparing and contrasting depictions of virtual, augmented, and hybrid spaces, the study seeks to illuminate the evolving nature of literary space in response to technological advancements and the increasing integration of digital spaces into contemporary narratives. The discussions and findings derived from these analyses and comparative studies are expected to contribute to future classifications, analyses, and interpretations of literary space.