Hypertext Fiction in the Digital Age
Assignment Brief
Instructions
Your task is to write a short critical paper on one of the following three topics. You may, if you wish, write your paper on some other aspect of hypermedia or web architecture, but you must agree this topic with Nick Gibbins by Tue 19 November 2019
Topic 1: Rich Hypermedia in the Age of the Web
The reaction of the hypertext community to the nascent Web of the early 1990s was mixed; although the Web swiftly outgrew its contemporaries, many in the community felt that the Web’s embedded links represented a backwards step when compared to the more sophisticated first-class links used by other systems. Critically compare the hypertext model of the Web with that of its contemporaries and discuss the effects that recent developments in Web technologies may have on the development of richer models of hypertext on the Web.
Topic 2: The Resistible Rise of Hypertext Fiction
Non-linear narratives existed before the term “hypertext” was coined in 1963, but the advent of digital technologies has changed the way in which these narratives are both produced and consumed. In the late 1980s, it was assumed that non-linear fiction would grow to become commonplace. However, despite the advent of affordable and capable e-book platforms, hypertext narratives have remained a niche activity. Briefly summarise the development of hypertext fiction as a literary form and analyse the reasons why it failed to take off as predicted, before considering whether recent technological developments now make hypertext fiction a more realistic proposition.
Topic 3: Is Hypertext Hype?
In his 1987 paper The Hype in Hypertext: A Critique, Jef Raskin identifies a number of areas where the rhetoric about hypertext did not measure up to the reality. Considering the contemporary state of the art in 1987, were these criticisms justified? Are they still relevant to the Web of 2019?
Relevant Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the history of hypertext, its relationship with the Web, and current research issues.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the technical architecture of the World Wide Web.
3. Critically evaluate Web information practices.
Sample Answer
The Resistible Rise of Hypertext Fiction: A Critical Examination
Introduction
Hypertext fiction, a form of digital literature that allows readers to navigate non-linear narratives via hyperlinks, was once expected to transform the literary landscape. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, theorists and technologists alike predicted that digital storytelling would flourish, driven by advances in hypermedia and personal computing. Yet, more than three decades later, hypertext fiction remains a niche form. This paper explores the development of hypertext fiction, examines the cultural and technical reasons behind its limited adoption, and considers whether modern web technologies now offer a more fertile ground for its resurgence.
The Emergence of Hypertext Fiction
Hypertext fiction evolved from earlier theories of non-linear storytelling, influenced by postmodernism and the idea of the “reader as co-author.” Influential early works such as Michael Joyce’s Afternoon: A Story (1987) and Shelley Jackson’s Patchwork Girl (1995), both built on platforms like Storyspace, represented key examples of the genre. These texts allowed readers to choose narrative paths by clicking on linked segments, giving rise to a fragmented, exploratory reading experience.
The excitement around hypertext fiction was grounded in both literary theory and technological optimism. Theorists such as George Landow and Jay David Bolter envisioned a literary revolution where hypertext would mirror the associative, multi-threaded nature of human thought. This vision aligned with emerging digital technologies, particularly the increasing accessibility of personal computers and the Internet, which seemed to offer the perfect platform for this kind of interactivity.
Why Hypertext Fiction Failed to Flourish
Despite early enthusiasm, hypertext fiction did not become the mainstream literary format that many predicted. Its limited reach can be attributed to several overlapping issues, technological, cultural, and psychological.
1. Technological Barriers
Early hypertext works were built on platforms like Storyspace, which required specific software or technical knowledge to access. Before the Web standardised content delivery, compatibility issues and software limitations made hypertext fiction difficult to distribute and consume. Even when web-based alternatives like HTML became dominant, the tools available for authors to create rich, interactive narratives remained limited and cumbersome.
Furthermore, user interfaces of early hypertext fiction were often confusing or aesthetically unappealing. The lack of fluid navigation, coupled with slow loading times and non-intuitive design, hampered reader engagement. In contrast, traditional printed books offered a more polished, immersive, and straightforward reading experience.
2. Reader Expectations and Cognitive Load
Another important factor in the marginalisation of hypertext fiction is the cognitive challenge it poses to readers. Unlike traditional narratives that guide the reader linearly from beginning to end, hypertext fiction often demands high levels of attention, memory, and decision-making. Readers must actively choose which link to follow, often without knowing the consequences of their choices or how much of the narrative they have missed.
This ambiguity, while theoretically empowering, can be frustrating in practice. Studies in human-computer interaction (e.g., Nielsen, 1995) have shown that users prefer clarity and consistency in digital environments. The freedom offered by hypertext fiction may paradoxically feel like a lack of structure, alienating readers accustomed to linear narratives.
Continued...
