The Object of Literature [Paperback]

A new theory of the relationship between literature and philosophy in the context of the French tradition, first published in 1995.This interpretation of classical texts in French literature and philosophy, from the late eighteenth century through the 1970s, explores the historically variable but thematically similar ways in which literary texts represent philosophical ideas.This interpretation of classical texts in French literature and philosophy, from the late eighteenth century through the 1970s, explores the historically variable but thematically similar ways in which literary texts represent philosophical ideas.At once a theoretical meditation of great originality and a historical work of scrupulous scholarship, this new book by Pierre Macherey is his first dealing with literature and theory since his seminal A Theory of Literary Production. Continuing the project of Althusserian theory, Macherey engages in a series of close exegeses of classical texts in French literature and philosophy, from the late eighteenth century down to the 1970s, that explore the historically variable but thematically similar ways in which literary texts represent philosophical ideas. Throughout the book, Macherey shows the conceptual sophistication--and broad intellectual influence--that literary art has displayed in the modern period.Foreword; 1. What is literature thinking about?; Part I. Roads to History: 2. A cosmopolitan imaginary: the literary thought of Mme. de Sta?l; 3. George Sand's Spiridion: a pantheist novel; 4. The Hegelian musings of Raymond Queneau; Part II. Into the Depths: 5. On Victor Hugo: figures of the man from below; 6. Georges Bataille: materialism inverted; 7. A rhetoric of the abyss: C?line's magic metro; Part III. All Must Pass Away: 8. Sade and the order of disorder; 9. Flaubert's non-realism; 10. Foucault reads Roussel: literature as philosophy; 11. Towards a literary philosophy. ...Macherey's formidable critical intelligence runs through its pages all thlƒ"