Ionesco et le seuil de la théorie (de la littérature)
Ionesco and the threshold of theory (of literature)

Author(s): Iulian-Emil COȚOFANĂ
Subject(s): Cultural history, French Literature, Romanian Literature, Cultural Essay, Theory of Literature
Published by: Editura Junimea
Keywords: theory (of literature); reading; Esslin; Ionesco; discourse (text); threshold;
Summary/Abstract: This research tries to propose a different attempt to approach the writings of and the critique discourse on Eugène Ionesco. The basic guidelines consist of the means of reflecting derived from what could still be named theory of literature. The possibilities of questioning the functioning of literature and of literary criticism are, in principle, rendered visible and intelligible by the domain of theory. It is in this sense that we consider theory as a central threshold before the text, since theory comes before practice or, in other words, theories regulate the reading of a text. The text is preceded by the conventions of reading and by horizons of the reader. But theoretical discourse represents a chance to contribute to their exposure and it helps to question how the text is made (constrained) to signify. After sketching the theoretical sphere, we test certain hypotheses starting from the prefaces and the introduction to the English and French editions of “The Theater of the Absurd”. Moreover, we choose a short text included in “Présent passé, passé present” in order to illustrate a theoretical reading. Thus we bring to light a configuration of theoretical means related to the practices of the critique and literary discourses.

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