Book 1, Rabelais & His World : Chapter 1, Foreward Summary and Analysis

The forward introduces readers to primary concepts of Mikhail's thinking and working. These include an interest in the folk culture—the culture of the lower social classes, rather than the high culture of the upper classes. He participates in a cultural tradition that might not make sense to North American contemporary readers because there is not something like it in our society. The tradition involves humor and special ways that it is used in Russia—more so by some classes than others. A key concept is artistic communication; all novels, and all art are forms of communication. All art is communication. The irony of language is that the individual learns to express himself or herself through a medium which consists of composites of the words of others. Due to...