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extend access to New Literary History
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Five French Critics
Philippe Roger
* * *
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206 NEW LITERARY HISTORY
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INTRODUCTION 207
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208 NEW LITERARY HISTORY
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INTRODUCTION 209
of literature as a categ
relationship to them.
Although clearly criti
concerned, in his own
different direction.
feminist, postcolonial
stituting their own "f
yore, end up reaffirmi
appeal as possible ans
unsolved the epistem
Once the distinction
tion and promotion o
cognitive function of
become possible, if no
of cultural relativism
descriptive approach
legitimate target of i
blueprint for signific
ing the longer cognit
(and even longer in t
the importance of an
delayed by the pedagog
synthesis. Slow is goo
his advocacy of "slow
wishing it could beco
answers in his own
cal approach as a "lon
ultimately desocializin
"cultural function" of
the importance taken
his or her individuality
and among us," as "a si
in all societies" (282).
Gestures are at the core of the final essay, written by Wes Citton:
"Reading Literature and the Political Ecology of Gestures in the Age
of Semiocapitalism." But in spite of an occasional reference to Macé's
description of literature as "conducting our conduct," there is little in
common between Macé's concept of "stylization of life" and the analysis
developed by the Geneva-born philosopher and literary scholar. Closer
to him, at least in terms of a political critique of the uses of literature,
would be François Cusset, who prefaced Lire, interpréter, actualiser: Pourquoi
les études littéraires ? (2007), probably Citton's best-known book, along
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210 NEW LITERARY HISTORY
Editor of Critique
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INTRODUCTION 211
NOTES
1 "Pas d'autorité de l'auteur." Paul Valéry, "Au sujet du Cimetière marin," Œuvres, ed
Hytier (Paris: Gallimard, 1957), 1:1507.
2 Valéry, Cahiers, ed.J. Robinson (Paris, Gallimard, 1974), 2:1183.
3 "Le droit de se contredire et le droit de s'en aller1' (italics in original). Charles Ba
laire, "Études sur Poe," Œurnes complètes, ed. C. Pichois (Paris: Gallimard, 1976), 2:30
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