# Perceptions, cartographies, and ‘cartographies of time’ in the political novel

## TL;DR

The paper explores how political novels interact with perceptions of space and time, and how they can either support or challenge power structures.

## Contribution

It introduces a three-fold analysis of political novels in relation to perceptions and cartographic activities.

## Key findings

- Political novels can reflect the perceptions of the ruling power.
- They can also train readers to critically question those perceptions.
- The most impactful novels create new spaces and times for democratic engagement.

## Abstract

The paper examines the relation of the form of political novel to perceptions. Three possibilities are analysed. First, when the political novel shares perceptions of the hegemonic power. Second, when the novel trains how to suspiciously and critically reveal hegemonic manipulations of perceptions. Third, where the form of the novel enhances and emancipates perceptive faculties of readers and allows them to project new democratic activities. This three-fold relation is also referred to cartographic activities (including cartographies of time) as depicted in political novels.

The article describes how those in power influence citizens’ perceptions of space and time, and shows how political novels can support the ‘eye in the sky’ perspective of the regime, or criticise and undermine it. The most interesting occurs to be the third option, when political novels invent space and time for the new and free democratic activities.