Topics in French Literature: The Voyage of Self-Discovery

To what extent can experimental literature contribute to scientific knowledge? How can literature bypass the medium of the book? How does technology facilitate the emergence of new writings? These are some of the questions that will guide our exploration of experimental literature defined by its radical stance, its refusal of established genres and hierarchies. Descended from pioneers who claimed to uncover new forms of knowledge (Rimbaud, "Alchemy of the Word") and associated with the avant-gardes of the early twentieth century that sought to investigate the limits of the subconscious (surrealism, DADA), experimental writing is often announced through manifestos that carry a revolutionary political appeal. Experimenting with language modifies the representation of the world in order to dwell in it differently. We will investigate experimental writings up to the most contemporary practices: from automatic writing (Breton) to performance poetry (Heidsieck, Tarkos), from constrained to "work in progress" writing (Perec and Ponge), exploring "negative" poetry (Albiach), the literal inquest (Gleize), the deconstruction of language (Cadiot), and montage (Hanna, Joseph). The course will feature invited writers and a visit to the Kemper Museum. Prereq: Fr 325, 326, Thinking-It-Through, or In-Depth. One-hour preceptorial required for undergraduates.
Course Attributes: BU IS; FA HUM; AR HUM

Topics in French Literature: The Voyage of Self-Discovery

FRENCH 4221

Section A

Section 01