Self-reference

[Paul Mackin]

Judging by the discussions, self-reference seems to be fairly
pervasive in novel writing--going way back. Admittedly this is
using the term broadly--any explicit reference to the fact a story
was being told. Thackeray's "Dear Reader" would qualify, for example.

Here is a question from a nonprofessional: Was there some point in
history when it was felt necessary to attempt to _exclude_ self-reference?
Why? Was the attempt ever at all successful? (I doubt if it could be.) 

Was it the point at which novel writing began to aspire to being
"Art"?

The relevence to the p-list is that the more post-type writers seem
compelled to violate this high-tone dictum (if there was one) and even
make fun of it. "You will want cause and effect." 

					P.