Enhanced Conceptual Model for Spatial References in Works of Fiction: Mapping Vilnius Literature

摘要

This paper presents a data model developed during the project of mapping the literature of Vilnius, capital of Lithuania. The city has for centuries been an important place for Lithuanian, Polish, Jewish and Russian culture. Various literary texts reflect different spatial conceptualizations. The diversity of spatial references in the literature of Vilnius calls for a comprehensive literary database that would store the different types of spatial references: locations, zones, routes, spatial links and events, related both to literary spaces and to authors' biographies. For this purpose, a data model proposed by previous researchers has been modified and enhanced. A Web GIS application was designed for the input of geographic data. The elaborated conceptual model is not limited to Vilnius literature. It can readily be applied to any work of fiction or biography depending on the academic interests of the researcher.