"Narrative Complexity in the Talking-Dog Stories of Cervantes, Hoffmann, Gogol, Bulgakov, and Kafka"

A Thesis in the Field of Foreign Literature, Language, and Culture for the Degree of Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, Harvard University, March 2012

With the intent of developing a method for classifying talking-dog stories of critical interest, this thesis evaluates the extent, degree, and type of narrative complexity within the talking-dog stories of five canonical authors in world literature: “The Dogs’ Colloquy” by Miguel de Cervantes, “A Report on the Latest Adventures of the Dog Berganza” by E.T.A. Hoffmann, “Diary of a Madman” by Nikolai Gogol, Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov, and “Researches of a Dog” by Franz Kafka.

Read the thesis.

Ivan Schneider writes case studies, whitepapers, and company newsletters for global technology firms.

Before forming his own Seattle-based writing practice in 2007, Ivan was an editor with TechWeb's Bank Systems and Technology. Prior to that, he was a programmer/analyst, developing RDBMS-based business solutions for an advertising services firm and other clients.

Ivan received a BS in Information and Decision Systems from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA in Finance and Accounting from Vanderbilt University. He also studied Japanese at Cornell University’s intensive one-year program, and in early 2012 will complete the Master of Liberal Arts Program at Harvard Extension School.