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> Usually the "I found and translated this old work" gimmick is presented within the text, not outside it. This was such a common trope in 18th century fiction
by empath-nirvana 3y ago
> Usually the "I found and translated this old work" gimmick is presented within the text, not outside it.
This was such a common trope in 18th century fiction that I'm surprised anyone took it at face value.
- billfruit 3y agoI think in mediaeval and earlier times, there was a tendency for authours to pass of their own original works as newly found previously unknown works from antiquity so that it would be taken much more seriously.
- bazoom42 3y agoIt is similar to what folklorists like the Grimm brothers did, or the publisher of the Arabian Nights, Antoine Galland, so not necessarily suspect.