Modernismpostmodernism Brooker

8/12/2019 Modernismpostmodernism Brooker

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NISM/

POSTMODERNISM.4 0 F N 0 R,;T;jj~ ~c

Edited and Introduced by

PETER BROOKERIP-010.

0000 MORN

!ON"M#N!ONDON #NT$NE% &ORK

General Editors' Preface Acknowlede!ents Editor's Preface

!on'(an "rou) *K !i(ited+!on'(an ,oue+ Burnt Mi+ ,aro+ Ee M20 23E+ En'and and Associated "o!#anies t$ro%$o%t t$e world.

P%&lis$ed in t$e nited (tates of A!erica &) *on!an P%&lis$in, New +ork

0 !on'(an "rou) *K !i(ited 1442

ontent

Introduction5 RecontructionMa6in' it od5 7traditionait (oderni(77,a8e a nice day+ M. Derrida+ M. Baudriard7Inider )ot(oderni(5 3a(eon and To(orroandBac6 to a Ne 9uturi(

P#RT ONE

1 "EOR" !u6ac+ :ro( T$e -eanin of "onte!#orar) Realis!2 %#!TER BEN3#MIN+ :ro( 7T;e %or6 o: #rt in t;e #'e o: Mec;anica Re)roduction7< T,EODOR #DORNO+ 7!etter to %ater Ben=a(in7 PETER B>R"ER+ 7#8ant-"arde and En'a'e(ent7? M#RS,#!! BERM#N+ 7T;e Tentiet; entury5 t;e ,ao and t;e ,i';ay7

@ R#&MOND %I!!I#MS+ 7T;e Metro)oi and t;e E(er'ence o: Moderni(7A 3E#N R#D9ORD+ :ro( 7o(in' to ter(5 Dorot;y Ric;ardon+ Moderni( and %o(en7 ,O*STON #. B#KER 3nr+ :ro(-odernis! and t$e arle! Renaissance4 !#!EEN 3#M#NNE+ "EET# K#P*R and &CONNE R#INER+ :ro( 7Dicuin' Modernity+ T;ird %ord and T$e -an /$o

Enied /o!en'

BERTO!T BRE,T :ro( 7T;e Po)uar and t;e Reaitic7

P#RT T%O 12R"EN ,#BERM#S+ 7Modernity - an Inco()ete Pro=ect711 3IE#N-9R#NFoi !&OT#RD+ 7#nerin' t;e Guetion5 %;at i Pot(oderni(H7


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12 3E#N B#*DRI!!#RD+ :ro( 7Si(uacra and Si(uation71< 9REDRI 3#MESON+ 7Pot(oderni( and onu(er Society71 D#CID ,#RCE&+ :ro( T$e "ondition of Post!odernit). An En1%ir) into t$e 2riins of (ocial "$ane1? I#IN ,#MBERS+ 7onta(ination+ oincidence and ouion Po) Muic+ *rban uture and t;e #8ant-"arde71@ 3*!I# KRISTEC#+ 7Pot(oderni(H71A !#*R# KiPNIS+ :ro( 79e(ini(5 t;e Poitica oncience o: Pot(oderni(H71 ORNE! %EST :ro( 7#n Inter8ie it; orne %et Anders(te#$anson'14 *MBERTO Eco+ 7Pot(oderni(+ Irony+ t;e En=oyabe720 !IND# ,uT,EON+ 7Tein' Storie5 9iction and ,itory7

21 #R!OS 9*ENTES+ 7%ord #)art7

"enera Editor7 Pre:ace

T;e outine o: conte()orary critica t;eory are no o:ten tau';t a a tandard :eature o: a de'ree in iterary tudie. T;e de8eo)(ent o:)articuar t;eorie ;a een a t;orou'; tran:or(ation o: iterary critici(. 9or ea()e+ Marit and 9oucaudian t;eorie ;a8ere8outionied S;a6e)eare tudie+ and 7decontruction7 ;a ed to a co()ete reae(ent o: Ro(antic )oetry. 9e(init critici( ;ae:t carcey any )eriod o: iterature una::ected by it earc;in' critiue. Teac;er o: iterary tudie can no on'er :a bac6 on atandardied+ recei8ed+ (et;odoo'y.

!ecture and teac;er are no ur'enty oo6in' :or 'uidance in a ra)idy c;an'in' critica en8iron(ent. T;ey need ;e) inundertandin' t;e atet re8iion in iterary t;eory+ and e)eciay in 'ra)in' t;e )ractica e::ect o: t;e ne t;eorie in t;e :or( o:t;eorteticay enitiJed ne readin'. # nu(ber o: 8ou(e in t;e erie ant;oo'ie i()ortant eay on )articuar t;eorie. ,oe8er+in order to 'ra) t;e :un i()ication and )oibe ue o: )articuar t;eorie it i eentia to ee t;e( )ut to or6. T;i erie )ro8ide

ubtantia 8ou(e o: ne readin'+ )reented in an acceibe :or( and it; a i'ni:icant a(ount o: editoria 'uidance.Eac; 8ou(e incude a ubtantia introduction ;ic; e)ore t;e t;eoretica iue and con:ict e(bodied in t;e eay eected and

ocate area o: dia'ree(ent beteen )oition. T;e )urai( o: t;eorie ;a to be )ut on t;e a'enda o: iterary tudie. %e can noon'er )retend t;at e a tacity acce)t t;e a(e )ractice in iterary tudie. Neit;er i a laisse3faire attitude any on'er tenabe.!iterature de)art(ent need to 'o beyond t;e (ere toeration o: t;eoretica di::erence5 it i not enou'; (erey to a'ree to di::erF t;eyneed actuay to 7ta'e7 t;e di::erence o)eny. T;e 8ou(e in t;i erie a atte()t to dra(atie t;e di::erence+ not neceariy it; a8ie to reo8in' t;e( but in order to :ore'round t;e c;oice )reented by di::erent t;eorie or to ar'ue :or a )articuar route t;rou'; t;ei()ae t;e di::erence )reent.

T;e t;eory 7re8oution7 ;a ;ad rea e::ect. It ;a ooened t;e 'ri) o: traditiona e()iricit and ro(antic au()tion aboutan'ua'e and iterature. It i not aay cear ;at i bein' )ro)oed a t;e ne a'enda :or iterary tudie+ and indeed t;e 8ery notion o:7iterature7 i uetioned by t;e )ot-tructurait train in t;eory. ,oe8er+ t;e uncertaintie and obcuritie o: conte()orary t;eoriea))ear (uc; e orryin' ;en e ee ;at t;e bet critic ;a8e been abe to do it; t;e( in )ractice. T;i erie ai( to die(inatet;e bet o: recent8iCii

re)reent t;e (any-ided cutura ;itory in ;ic; t;ee reation;i) ;a8e been acted out. T;e cro-current in iterary and cuturacritici( aone+ to ;ic; in t;e (ain t;i Reader con:ine ite:+ t;e(e8e run ide and dee). I ;a8e au(ed t;at (ot reader ia))reciate ;a8in' e-6non eay on )ot(oderni( (ade a8aiabe+ and ;a8e 'i8en (ore )ace to t;ee. On (oderni(+ ;ere t;eearier (ain debate in #n'o-#(erican and "er(an Marit critici( are o: coniderabe interet but too eteni8e :or eua incuion;ere+ (y oution ;a been to 'i8e t;e :irt (ore attention in t;e Introduction and to )reent t;e econd+ it; co((entary+ in t;e boo67content. T;e Introduction continue t;i e();ai in reation to )ot(oderni(F baicay becaue I ee )ot(oderni( a coeyaociated it; de8eo)(ent in )ot.-%ar %etern ca)itait ocietie and becaue t;e *nited State re(ain t;e )aradi'( cae :ort;ee.

It i true too+ I beie8e+ t;at bot; (oderni( and )ot(oderni( ;a8e been inter)reted accordin' to %etern inteectua+ ideoo'icaand aet;etic (ode. T;ou'; it ;a beco(e eaier to ac6noed'e t;i it; re)ect to (oderni( - indeed t;i (i';t co()rie a

)ot(odern )er)ecti8e u)on (oderni( - )ot(odernit debate+ :or a it cai( to a ne )urai(+ ;a ao eercied a ;e'e(onic)u toard eecti8e to)ic and (ode o: enuiry. I ;a8e anted to )reent t;ee 7tradition7+ a t;ey (i';t be ter(ed+ in bot;(o8e(ent+ in t;e co((entary and content ;ic; :oo. But I ;a8e anted ao to et t;e( it; eay ;ic; broaden+ rede:ine and

c;aen'e t;eir au()tion+ :ro( )oition it;in :e(ini(+ or :ro( bac6 or T;ird %ord )er)ecti8e. T;i dua )ur)oe+)reentationa and )oe(ica+ ;a deter(ined t;e eection o: etract and t;e o8era ;a)e o: t;e 8ou(e.

9or T;e %a6er - a band :or a i(.iiIntroduction5 Recontruction

7So(ebody7 aid 9ran6 Ker(ode in t;e (id-itie+ 7;oud rite t;e ;itory o: t;e ord (odern7. I ,e u''et it ;a i()ied 7a erioureation;i) it; t;e )at ... t;at reuire critici( and indeed radica re-i(a'inin'7 ). 2A$+ and a uc; i a ei';tier ter( t;an 7t;e ne7or

e conte()orary7. Ste);en S)ender ;ad ued t;i econd ter( in T$e (tr%le of t$e -odern in 14@< to ditin'ui; one 'rou) o:7(odernit7 riter+ co((itted to t;e ne and a brea6 it; t;e )at+ :ro( anot;er+ t;e 7(odern7 o: ;i tite. Ker(ode ter( t;i


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7traditionait (oderni(7 but arn t;at it i o)en to ideoo'ica ditortion and can ee( acadernicit and out o: date in a ord ;ere;o) abe )o)uar ine in :urniture and curtain 7conte()orary7. T;i 7(odern7+ ;e )oint out (oreo8er+ i not t;e a(e a t;e7a8ant-'arde7+ and ;e end t;e eay+ 7But o(ebody ;oud rite a ;itory o: t;at ord+ too7 ).


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)roduced in t;e )reent )ot(odern )eriodH I it )ot(ode(it in it au()tion+ a))roac; and toneH 9redric 3a(eon ;a ar'ued t;ate cannot 8ie )ot(oderni( a an ;itorica ituation and )reent a critiue o: it :ro( a )oition on t;e outide - :or ;o can e beoutide ;itoryH It :oo t;at e cannot 8ie (oderni( :ro( outide )ot(oderni( eit;er. In ;ic; cae t;i dicuion+ i6e e8eryot;er+ i on t;e inide oo6in' in.

-odernis!5Post!odernis!

But doe t;i (ean it i tra))ed t;ere+ a re)icant under a orde(bracin' 'eodeic do(e o: )ot(oderni(. ;ic; ony ound i6e ort;in6 ite: a :ree a'entH I t;ere not;in' outide+ be:ore or a:ter+ t;e )ot(odern bubbeH #nd i: t;ere i+ i it (odernity and(oderni(H My ar'u(ent i initiay t;at t;ere are )ot(oderni( a e a (oderni(+ t;at beteen t;e( t;ere i t;e diao'ic tra::ic

o: coa'e and ar'u(ent+ t;e buidin' and unbuidin' o: ort;odoie. T;ere i no aboute in'uar cutura entity or aboute ;itoricabrea6+ t;ere:ore+ and no aboute inide or outide )art :ro( t;e ideoo'ica contruction reuirin' t;e(.

#ready to )ut t;in' t;i ay i to co(bine a (odernit dicoure o: 7coa'e7+ do(inant and e(er'ent tendencie and o on$ it; anantieentiai(+ a ce)tici( toard :ied )oition and (eanin' aociated it; )ot(oderni(. #t t;e a(e ti(e it i()ie t;ere=ection o: a econd )ot(odern )er)ecti8e in ;ic; di::erence i ende and unto))abe+ t;e e8er-ne con:ir(in' t;e e8er-a(e. 9or(y )ur)oe a better )er;a) (odernit$ i(a'e t;an t;i recurrin' 8iion o: t;e )ot(odern ord a a bounti:u ;e o: unreie8ed+un;a()ered :atne t;e deert+ t;e )rairie+ t;e ;i';ay+ t;e ;o))in' (an$ i o: di::erent (a)+ ;oin' di::erenty arran'ed ea andiand and continent ;ic; )ur)ort to be true re)reentation o: t;e a(e ord. # (a) ;ic; ;o t;e Sout; o: En'and+ t;e Eaterneaboard o: Nort; #(erica+ and ;ic; (ar6 in Pari+ Triete+ )er;a) Berin and Cienna but not Moco+ Petro'rad or Mian i not anacce)tabe (a) o: 7t;e7 ord+ but (i';t be t;e (a) o: a certain cutura (entaity+ and i+ a it turn out+ t;e 7(a)7 o: an #n'o-#(ericancontruction o: (oderni(. T;e a(e 'enera )oint a))ie to )ot(oderni(. ,oe8er internay di::erent it (ain 8erion+ t;eirco((on 'eo'ra);y tretc;e to t;e #(erican %et+ anada and #utraia+ and unti recenty oud ;o itte ee+ e8en o: Euro)e+

beyond Pari and 9ran6:urt.T;ee (a) ;ic; 7ditort7 t;e ord+ centrin' )ortion o: it t;rou'; t;e :iter o: aet;etic 8aue and t;e :orce o: ;eer cutura

do(inance+ ao :ocu on )articuar )eriod or year. T;e boo6-end o: 1410 and 14


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ite: in t;e round - ;ic; oud ;a8e o(et;in' to do+ ay+ it; t;e deat; o: ibera En'and+ it; u::ra'e+ ,o(e Rue+ trade union(iitancy+ a e a c;an'in' do(etic reation in t;e (idde-ca ;oue;od - t;an o: t;e :irt Pot-I()reionit e;ibition o: t;atyear at t;e "ra:ton "aery. # inter)reted by Ro'er 9ry t;i e;ibition+ ;oin' or6 by Picao+ Matie+ Braue and Derain+ i'naednot o (uc; a ne direct addre to t;e (ode( ord a an aertion o: artitic autono(y. To co()icate (atter it re8eaed 7a (ar6edycaic )irit7+ and caici( a 7co()etey :ree and )ure7F it recorded 7a )oiti8e and diinteretedy )aionate tate o: (ind7 .@ T;ereere cro-re:erence :or t;i ne caici( in iterature+ in ,u(e+ Eiot+ 3oyce+ a e a Cir'inia %oo:+ but a'ain t;e cai( andtendencie t;ey )urued :or non-re)reentationai(+ i()eronaity o: :or( and dei'n+ anao'ie acro t;e art or beteen art andcience$ ere not in t;eir on ter( 7(ode(i: . T;e caicit te()er o: t;i (oderni( a directy o))oed+ (oreo8er+ to t;e traditiono: 7(odernit7 ibera or radica )oitica t;ou';t. Eiot+ :or ea()e+ reco((ended T.E. ,u(e a 7caica+ reactionary and

re8outionary ... t;e anti)ode o: t;e ecectic+ toerant and de(ocratic (ind o: t;e at century7 .A T;e )ectru( o: reactionary ideaoccu)ied by Pound+ !ei+ Eiot+ &eat and !arence i e 6non and a on'-ti(e e(barra(ent to (oderni(7 ibera de:ender.%;at t;ee 7(odernit7 ca(e to )recribe a a 7(odern7 art ;ic; oud ad(initer to and correct 7t;e (ode( ord7+ not coaborateit; it. T;i i t;e u''etion in Eiot7 :a(ou re(ar6 on 3oyce7 7(yt;ica (et;od7+ a noda )oint in dicuion o: iterary (oderni(57It i i()y a ay o: controin'+ o: orderin'+ o: 'i8in' a ;a)e and a i'ni:icance to t;e i((ene )anora(a o: :utiity and anarc;y;ic; i conte()orary ;itory . . . It i+ I eriouy beie8e+ a te) toard (a6in' t;e (odern ord )oibe :or art.7 9ooin' S)ender+9au6ner rite o: ;o (odernit art re:ected a ra)idy c;an'in' ocia ord+ but ;ere Eiot+ a e can ee+ a (odern art and t;econte()orary ord a draticay at oddF reated a ea6 ter( but e ea6 t;an t;e erroneou 7re:ect7 or 7e)ree7$ a order i toanarc;y.

%;at t;i ;itory ao te u i t;at t;e ter( 7(odernit7 a a contruction a:ter t;e e8ent. It :irt utained but ioated ua'e inEn'i; a))eared in "ra8e and Ridin'7 A (%re) of -odernist Poetr) in 142A. ,ere (oderni( i'ni:ied an i()erona attention to arta co()oition 7in t;e interet o: t;e )oe( ite:7$+ a ue o: an'ua'e and e8e o: obcurity e in ad8ance o: t;e e)ectation andenibiitie o: )ain reader.4 7"enuine (oderni(7 - contrated it; t;e co((erciay (anu:actured nene+ t;e 7(erey (oderniJedad8ertie(ent7 o: uc; 7dead (o8e(ent7 a I(a'i( and "eor'iani( ). 11@$ - coud a))ear euay at any a'e+ t;e 8e;ice o: creati8e

in8ention and ini';t not

@5ntrod%ction6 Reconstr%ctions

to)icaity. E8identy a'ain+ t;i ;ad itte to do it; t;e ne or (odern a'e ot;er t;an in a neo-#(odian ene t;at it (i';t unette andu)i:t it. ,ere a a 7(odernit7 )oetry not o (uc; of t;e (ode( a'e afor t;at a'e and a ti(e+ an e();aticay creati8e endea8our'i8en to !akin it ne rat;er t;an (a6in' it new.

Eiot a :airy ceary an in:uence on "ra8e and Ridin'7 a8ant'ardit :or(uation+ t;ou'; t;ey a ;i( too a an ea()e o:(oderni(7 ine8itabe :ate. 7#ready it (ot correct riter uc; a T.S. Eiot7 t;ey ay+ 7;a8e beco(e caic o8er t;e ;ead o: t;e

)ain reader7 ). 2@$. Eiot co(e to re)reent (oderni(7 teeco)ed ;i'; )oint and end+ it e: -creation and auto-detructionF)re(aturey intitutionaied and out o: reac;. In :act+ ;oe8er+ t;ee ere t;e 8ery ter( o: t;i (oderni(7 eecti8e abor)tion andcontinued i:e a an un-)o)uar7 !ite tradition+ a )roce to ;ic; Eiot7 ra)id ee8ation a uite crucia. In t;e tentie and t;irtie+I.#. Ric;ard+ 9.R. !ea8i+ and t;en t;rou'; t;e :ortie t;e #(erican Ne ritic+ Rano(+ Tate and Broo6 intaed an E;otic aet;etico: e:-re:ei8e diocation+ auion and i()eronaity at t;e centre o: etabi;ed iterary tate. 9or De(ore Sc;artJ in 14?+ Eiot

a an internationa 7cuture ;ero7+ ;oe )oetry 7;a a direct reation;i) to (ode( i:e ... concerned it; t;e ;oe ord and a;itory7. 10 T;i+ ;en ar'uaby+ 3oyce7 indi)enabe 7(yt;ic (et;od7 ;ad ed Eiot e8en :urt;er aay :ro( conte()orary ;itory+toard notion o: t;e eterna in art and rei'ion. %;at Sc;artJ7 7direct reation;i)7 and ;itorica ree8ance entaied t;en+ a+c;aracteriticay+ a reaction a'aint (odernityF )oetic teti(ony o: it crie and tribuation and o: t;eir trancendence.

Eiot7 (ature )ro=ect o: cutura and rei'iou rede()tion :urt;er uited t;e anti-indutriai( and coner8ati8e ;ritianity o: t;eSout;ern Ne ritic+ i: it did not uit a ;i En'i; ad(irer. T;e e::ect+ a 9.R. !ea8i+ one eary c;a()ion ince )eruaded to tran:er;i ae'iance to D. ,. !arence+ co((ented in 14?0+ a to (a6e Eiot 7a )ubic intitution+ a )art o: t;e etabi;(ent. T;u t;e

)articuar )oty(boit tra=ectory Eiot ;ad dico8ered :or ;i(e: ca(e to re)reent 7(odernit7+ and i(utaneouy 7(odern7 )oetry+)uin' a carria'e o: critica and )eda'o'ic )rotoco a:ter it.

!eie 9ieder a a(on't t;e :irt to decide t;at t;i 7#'e o: Eiot7 ;ad coed it; t;e end o: t;e Second %ord %ar. It a in t;e)otar year a:ter a t;at t;e Beat riter (et and be'an ritin' i: t;ey ere not )ubi;ed unti t;e eary and (id -:i:tie$ and in t;i)eriod too t;at ;are Oon a rector at Bac6 Mountain oe'e+ a:ter t;e year o: it direction under t;e (odernit eye o: 3oe:#ber. Oon be'an to re:er to t;e )ot(odern a'e 7)ot t;e (odern7 a ;e )ut it$ in eay :ro( t;e eary :i::ie+ ;en tudent and ta::co()ried a ro-ca o: t;e :irt )ot-ar #(erican a8ant-'arde 3o;n a'e+ Merce unnin';a(+

A-odernis!lPost!odernis!

Robert Rauc;enber'+ Robert reeey+ Ed Do($. Oon7 eay+ 7Pro=ecti8e 8ere7+ a )ubi;ed in 14?0 and )ioneered a ne aet;etictradition inA!erican)oetry+ et no aon' t;e ai o: EJra Pound -%iia( aro %iia( - !oui u6o:6y+ rat;er t;an o: Eiot -Pound -#en Tate. In #(erican ritin'+ t;ere:ore+ 7)ot(oderni(7 a :irt o: a a nati8it rede:inition and re -routin' o: (oderni(+one ;ic;+ a Da8id #ntin ar'ue+ e)ored a:re; iue and )oibiitie o)ened by o(e o:$ t;e eary (odernit. 1< T;u )oet;i:ted+ ;e ay+ :ro( uetion o: )erona e)reion to (atter o: contruction and co()oition+ rein8entin' t;e tec;niue o: coa'ecentra to Euro)ean (oderni(F returnin' at t;e a(e ti(e+ a Oon ay+ to t;e ea()e o: Pound7 incor)oration o: 7non -)oetic7narrati8e (ateria in t;e (a6in' o: t;e on' )oe(. # t;e a(e+ an endurin' (odernit ort;odoy (eant t;at (uc; o: t;i entunnoticed. In 14?+ De(ore Sc;artJ+ once a'ain :or ea()e+ )o6e ti o: t;e )oetic re8oution in)ired by t;e critici( o: Eiot a;a8in' uc; aut;ority 7t;at it i ta6en :or 'ranted not ony in )oetry and t;e critici( o: )oetry+ but in t;e teac;in' o: iterature7.


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In En'and (ean;ie+ in 14?2+ Donad Da8ie ;ad )ubi;ed P%rit) of 7iction in Enlis$ 8erse, a tet ;e t;ou';t o: a a co((on(ani:eto :or t;e En'i; Mo8e(ent )oet. In t;i roe+ eadin' t;e )ot-ar En'i; reaction to (oderni( a (oderni( incudin'&eat and # 7 uden$ Da8ie ou';t in t;e ate #u'utan a (ode o: 7aut;entic7 )roe ynta to et a'aint t;e )ot -y(boitynta-a-(uic o: Eiot and co()any. T;e Mo8e(ent )oet (ay not ;a8e a reco'nied t;i )ro'ra((e a t;eir on+ ;oe8er+ and it io: coure P;ii) !ar6in ;o i t;ou';t o: a t;e (ore re)reentati8e :i'ure+ t;e uno::icia aureate indeed o: t;e un)aionate 'rey toneo: a tadry e:are-tate En'and. To re(e(ber t;at !ar6in and Oon+ #(i and Kerouac+ ere conte()orarie ;oud )ut )aid to anyene t;at t;ere a a co((on #n'o-#(erican re)one to 7traditionait (oderni(7 or any in'e road ta6en :ro( it. T;e En'i;reaction entaied a contruction o: (oderni( a (uc; a t;e #(erican did+ but in t;i cae it a (ore co((ony+ or (ore+re)reentati8ey7 a i()i:ication and re=ection t;an eit;er a de:ence or re-e)oration. 9or Da8ie+ ;o a certainy aare o: 7)ro=ecti8e

8ere7+ 7(ode(7 ;ad i()y 7ta6en o8er t;e :unction o: t;e no out(oded ad=ecti8e (odernit7+ 1? ;erea :or !ar6in 7(odernit7or7(ode(7 ;e aner a uetion on t;e :irt a i: it i about t;e econd$ i 7a 6ind o: tec;niue ord7. T;e 7(ode(7 )oet Eiot andPound+ ;e ay ;a(eey+ ere i6e #(erican tourit around 1410 a'ain 1410$ doin' Euro)e+ ;o t;ou';t you coud 7order cuture;oe+ t;at it i a e)arate ite( on t;e (enu7 .1@

I: iterary (oderni( a t;ere:ore a )articuar #n'o-#(erican contruction+ it a cut to di::erent en't; and idt; in t;eecuture+ e)eciay in t;e )eriod o: it i(utaneou decine and de:inition in t;e

5ntrod%ction6 Reconstr%ctions

)ot-ar year. In En'and 7(oderni(7 ;ad itte (ore t;an a a6-on )art a a critica ter(+ and coud be ritten into t;e cate'ory7(ode(7+ or din-ded by !ar6in7 6ind o: nobbi; )ro8inciai(. T;e Euro)ean aternati8e to 7traditionait (oderni(7 e)ored in9uturi(+ Dada+ Surreai(+ and ubi( ;ad itte to no i:e in En'i; cuture+ ;ere e8en Cortici( and I(a'i( ;ad been ;ort-i8ed.

# t;i u''et+ t;e di::erenty in:ected tendencie and tone o: iterary cuture )artici)ated in t;e broader (a6in' and un(a6in' o:

)otar nationa identitie. %;ere En'and returned to an inuar reai(+ #(erica ao6e in t;e )ot-ar )eriod to :ind ite: a ord)oer+ uncertain o: it nationa and internationa roe. It ubeuenty ayed+ e)eri(entay+ t;rou'; t;e trau(a o: t;e od %ar+itin' toard conu(eri(+ con:or(ity+ cor)orate bureaucracy and anti-co((unit )aranoia on one ide+ to 7un-#(erican7 dient and7=u8enie deinuency7 on t;e ot;er. In t;e itie and e8entie it urc;ed on t;rou'; t;e contradiction o: ad8anced ca)itait ocietie+'i8in' t;e ead to t;e ci8i ri';t+ 'ay and :e(init )rotet and iberation (o8e(ent a e a to t;e ri';t -in' bac6a; a'aint t;ee.ritici( and a ne 'eneration o: ocioo'it$ recorded a it enacted t;i e)oc;a o o: conenu+ and did o+ a En'i; iterary andocia critici( did not+ 8ia deiberation u)on (oderni(. # ate a 14A@ #:red KaJin+ :or ea()e+ oo6ed to (oderni( a 7our onyrea tradition7+ conciou t;at t;i cuture te((ed :ro( a tec;nica+ coner8ati8e+ and 7u))er-ca re8oution7+ ;ic; a no neit;er

)o)uary beie8ed in nor acceibe. ,e a it conte()orary )oitica reaiation in t;e ordered 7(odernit7 re8oution o: !enin andMao7 7totaitarian ociai(7 at a ti(e ee;ere o: tec;noo'ica do(ination+ diru)tion+ and uncontainabe (a ocietie. Neit;er adeirabe and yet t;e (odernit aternati8e ;oe8er in'rained+ ent un;eeded. #(erica a adri:t and at ri6.

T;i )er)eed and aniou ibera nota'ia ;ad a))eared earier+ notaby in ,arry !e8in7 (uc;-cited and aready retro)ecti8e eay7%;at %a Moderni(H7 in 14@0. T;e ter( o: !e8in7 on and ot;er ar'u(ent antici)ated (uc; t;at a to co(e and to be t;ou';tne ater+ and ;ie )ace )re8ent t;e incuion o: #(erican critica debate :ro( t;i )eriod in t;e content ;ic; :oo+ t;eeco((entarie are ort; o(e attention ;ere. !e8in ee 7t;e (odernitic (o8e(ent7+ co()riin' 7one o: t;e (ot re(ar6abe

conteation o: 'eniu in t;e ;itory o: t;e %et+ recedin' be:ore a tide o: unreaon ;e aociate it; t;e )ot(ode(. T;e in8ention+7ee) and ric;ne7 o: (oderni( ;ad been bot; enc;ained in t;e acade(y and co()ro(ied in a ociety o: tec;nica re)roduction and(ateria conu()tion. 9or !e8in 7t;e (ode(7 e(itted a 7'o o: et;ica ini';t7F t;ey 7created a concience :or a cienti:ic a'e7. #nd a(odern t;e(e8e+ 7t;e c;idren o: ,u(ani( and Eni';ten(ent7+ iterary critic re(ained t;e 'uardian o:

4-odernis!lPost!odernis!

t;at concience. 1 T;ere i a uite etraordinary contri8ance to t;i ordinary-een-tin' decri)tion. 9or ;ere an idea o: (oderni( - aEuro)ean-baed (o8e(ent in t;e ter( in ;ic; it i 8aued+ ;itoricay o))oed in it 7caicit7 8ein to t;e )ro'rei8e Eni';ten(enttradition and to it on 7(odern a'e7 - i (obiied a a tabe artitic and inteectua 7(ode(7 tradition to counter a ater 7)ot(odern7

);ae o: #(erican ocia and cutura de8eo)(ent.T;ee contortion coud )roduce t;e near-co(edy o: E(ann and 9eideon7 7untraditiona tradition7 o: (odernit ;o+ ;oe8er

ori'ina+ ere 7caicit+ cutodian o: an'ua'e+ co((unicator+ traditionait in t;eir :a;ion7+14 but ao t;e a'onie o: Ir8in' ,oe7co((it(ent to an unco()ro(iin' (oderni( ioated in an uncon'enia )ot(odern ord. ,oe7 7T;e Idea o: t;e Mode(7+ ;ic;

introduced t;e 8ou(e*iterar) -odernis! 9:


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re)ond in a co((on aet;eticiin' (o8e to re)re t;e ideoo'ica entai(ent o: art. 9or ony t;u+ a a narroy undertoodre8oution in art ;i tite 7iterary (oderni(7 co(e to carry a )ecia cuttin' ed'e$ coud t;i (oderni( be etee(ed.

Ran'ed a'aint t;i co(bined anst and nota'ia+ critic and cutura co((entator uc; a %iia( ,a(iton+ Suan Sonta'+ !eie9ieder+ Nor(an 0. Bron+ ,erbert Marcue and Mar;a Mc!u;an ar'ued in di::erent ay :or a )oiti8e acce)tance o: t;e ener'ie o:(a cuture+ :or an aet;etic o: 6itc;+ ;a))enin'+ and rando( co()oition+ :or

10

Ro(antici(/Sy(boi(

9or( con=uncti8e+ coed$Pur)oeDei'n,ierarc;yMatery/!o'o#rt Ob=ect/9ini;ed %or6Ditancereation/TotaiJation/Synt;eiPreenceenterin'"enre/Boundary


)o)uar #(erican iterature to re)ace t;e coitra (ode(it canon and :or t;e triba ;edoni( o: t;e ne 7under'round7. !eadin' eay:ooed t;rou'; t;e itie in ra)id ucceionF Sonta'7 7Note on a()7 9:4=, Aainst 5nter#retation 9:= and 7ro t;e Border+ oe t;e "a)7 9::=. 9or Sonta' t;e )eriod introduced a ne

)an-cutura enibiity+ ai8e euay to t;e beauty o: a (ac;ine or a (at;e(atica oution+ to 3a)er 3o;n+ =ean -!uc "odard and t;eBeate.22 ,er a a o);iticated co(o)oitani(. 9ieder (ean;ie it out :or a 'uty )ri(iti8i( ;etered by a beni'n tec;noo'yand cience indebted to Mc!u;an and Buc6(inter 9uer. ,i ne a'e )o)uated by 7i(a'inary #(erican7 a to be 7)ot-;u(anit+

)ot-(ae+ )ot-;ite+ )ot-;eroic ... )ot-3ei;7 .2< Eit;er ay ;u(an c;aracter ee(ed c;an'ed once (ore.I: Sonta'7 a t;e )robe and 9ieder7 t;e cout ;i)+ t;en I;ab ,aan7 a t;e Star 9eet Pot(oderni(. In a erie o: tudie

t;rou'; t;e e8entie and ei';tie ,aan intaed )ot(oderni(. a a ne e#iste!e and ay o: critici(. #(oeba-i6e+ ;i)ot(oderni( ca(e to aborb Ba6e and de Sade+ ate Pound and ate 3oyce+ Dada+ Surreai(+ t;e 9renc; ne no8e+ "enet+ t;e Beat+)o)uar iterature and t;e Ne =ournai(+ a e a a tea( o: )roto- and )ottructurait t;in6er. Inter(ittenty ,aan ;a aoado)ted a (et;od o: )ot(odernit coa'e o: 7(onta'e and :ra(e7+ 7)er)ecti8e and counter)oint7+ 7cene+ tet and e)itet7$ croin'

border and coin' 'a) in a tradition :ro( %ide to Derrida ;ic; (a6e 'ood t;e cai( in 9ieder7 ord t;at 7critici( i iterature+or it i not;in'7.2 On a nu(ber o: occaion ,aan ;a )reented a tabe o: :eature contratin' (oderni( and )ot(oderni(. In t;eartice 7T;e cuture o: Pot(oderni(7 in 14?+ t;i ran a :oo%S52?

Moderni(.

Pot(oderni(

Pata);yic/Dadai(#nti:or( di=uncti8e+ o)en$

Pay;ance#narc;yE;aution/Sience

Proce/Per:or(ance/,a))enin'Partici)ation

Decreation/Decontruction/#ntit;ei#bence

Di)eraTet/Intertet

11Moderni(IPot(oderni(

Se(antic R;etoricParadi'( Synta'(,y)otai ParataiMeta);or Metony(ySeection o(binationRoot/De)t; R;iJo(e/Sur:ace


8/112

Inter)retation/Readin' #'aint Inter)retation/Mireadin'Si'ni:ied Si'ni:ier !iibe Readery$ Scri)tibe %ritery$

Narrati8e/"rande ,itoire #n:i-narra:i8e/Petite ,itoireMater ode IdioectSy()to( DeireTy)e Mutant"enita/P;aic Poy(or);ou/#ndro'ynouParanoia Sc;iJo);renia

Ori'in/aue Di::erence - Di::@rance/Trace"od t;e 9at;er T;e ,oy ";otMeta);yic IronyDeter(inacy Indeter(inacyTrancendence I((anence

T;i c;e(e ;a been criticied+ notaby by ;ritine Broo6e-Roe and Suan Rubin Suei(an :or it cate'oria and oca inconitencie:or ea()e t;e o))oition o: (eta);or and (etony(y i not conitent it; t;e o))oition o: narrati8e and anti-narrati8e+ nor t;e a(e6ind o: o))oition a i'ni:ier/i'ni:ied or iibecri)tibe$.2@ ,aan re(ain co((itted a t;e a(e to t;e 8ie o: (oderni( a7centred7 and o: )ot(oderni( a c;aracteried by ;at ;e ter( 7indeter(inacy7 and 7i((anence7. Bot; tendencie are co()ried o:ub-tendencie+ e8o6ed in t;e :irt+ :or ea()e+ by uc; ter( a 7;eterodoy7+ 7)urai(7+ +ecectici(7+ 7de:or(ation7+ 7di::erence7+ and oon. T;ee are aid to denote a dee) and ide)read o o: o'ica and ontoo'ica certainty+ ;ie t;e econd ter( 7i((anence7 ,aandecribe a 7t;e ca)acity o: t;e (ind to 'eneraie ite: in t;e ord ... and o beco(e (ore and (ore+ i(-(ediatey+ it onen8iron(ent7 .2A T;u a :irt tendency o: un(a6in' i inter:ued it; a econd o: y(boic (a6in' and re(a6in'.

T;ere are )robe( ty)ica o: )ot(odernit co((entary ;ere. Mot ob8iouy+ ,aan7 c;e(e i :ounded on an i: anyt;in'tructurait$ binary anayi ;ic; a )ottructurait )ot(oderni( ;oud ;a8e(ade oboete. #o+ ;et;er t;i et o: contrat (ean )ot(oderni( di)oe o: or radicaie (oderni( i uncertain. #t :irt i';tt;e 7indeter(inacy7 o: )ot(oderni( ound coe couin to t;e ende inno8atory dri8e and )robe(atiin' ;ic; Ir8in' ,oeidenti:ied a

12Introduction5 Recontruction

(odernit. %e (i';t t;in6 ,oe a ta6in' about t;e a(e a8ant'arde ,aan corra :or )ot(oderni(+ but a ,aan )oint out+)eriodiin' t;ee conce)t entai 7rein8entin'7 our ancetor+2 and ;e and ,oe in8ent or contruct$ bot; t;e )at and )reentdi::erenty. ,oe i t;ron beteen a )ure and batardied (oderni( ;i )ot(oderni($+ beteen ainty ioation and de'radeddi::uion+ ;ie ,aan eco(e di::uion a )ot(odern )urai(. Poiticay bot; 6ind o: critic are in t;e end ao curiouytranded. %;erea t;oe ;o a t;e(e8e and (oderni( a t;e i'nored o::)rin' o: Eni';ten(ent reaon+ t;e concience o: aociety ;ic; c;ea)ened t;eir 8aue+ coud ony turn to t;e )at or to art7 ient inte'rity+ ,aan o))oed t;e Eni';ten(ent ;erita'e in

t;e na(e o: a bra8e ne ord :ree o: 7t;e tyranny o: ;oe7. Decontruction7 c;aen'e to t;e 7traditiona :u ub=ect t;e co'ito o:%etern );ioo);y7 i()ie a 7corre)ondin' ideoo'ica co((it(ent to (inoritie in )oitic+ e and an'ua'e7+ and t;i brin' ,aanto an a)iration :or cutura+ and not ony e)ite(oo'ica re8oution+ 7)er;a) e8en to baic )oitica c;an'e7.24 #on' t;ee ine+;oe8er+ )ot(oderni(+ t;e ene(y o: totaiin' 8iion+ contradictoray )ro(ie a 'oba onene+ t;e 7one ;u(an uni8ere7+trancendin' )ot(odern ;eterodoy.


9/112

)aradi'(. To'et;er t;ey are een a eerciin' a =oint critiue o: idea o: order and unity in an'ua'e+ art and ub=ecti8ity+ a u)endin'od ;ierarc;ie and rattin' )oitica con8iction. Bot; are aid to ;are 7a )ro:ound ene o: ontoloical %ncertaint)' 7


10/112

)ottructurai(+ t;ou'; a ,uyen note+ t;e 7interea8in' and interectin' o: )ottructurai( it; )ot(oderni( i$ a);eno(enon t;at i (uc; (ore ree8ant in t;e *S t;an in 9rance7. E8en o+ t;e (ot )ubicied :or( o: Nort; #(erican)ottructurait or decontructionit critici( )ay itte or no attention to eit;er 7(odernit7 or 7)ot(odernit+ ritin'. T;oe (ot(ani:ety in:uenced by Derrida ince t;e (iditie - 7t;e &ae critic7+ Pau de Man+ "eo::rey ,art(an+ ,arod Boo( and 3. ,iiMier - ca(e to )ottructurai( it; ditin'ui;ed re)utation a c;oar and critic o: Ro(antic and Cictorian iterature.

#n attention to )ot-ar art and cuture doe not (a6e a )ot(odernit critic o: coure. Moreo8er+ t;e ditin'ui;in' :eature o:decontruction i not an ob=ect o: tudy but a 'eture o: i(utaneou incri)tion and eraure+ t;e (ar6 o: )reence and it diru)tion+ t;ede:erra rat;er t;an t;e a::ir(ation or denia o: (eanin'. # De::ida rite 7t;e )aa'e beyond );ioo);y doe not conit in turnin't;e )a'e o: );ioo);y ... but in continuin' to read );ioo);er in a certain wa)'.@ It i t;i attitude and a))roac; ;ic; (a6e 9renc;

)ottructurai(+ at eat+ a critiue+ a re-enact(ent in t;eory and a ne8er-to-be-reaied )ot)one(ent+ rat;er t;an a canceation o:ar'ey 9renc;$ (oderni(. #nd it i t;i too ;ic; ao #(erican

1@5ntrod%ction6 Reconstr%ctions

decontructionit to continue to read )re-(odernit iterature in a certain ne ay+ o a in de Man7 or6+ :or ea()e+ to de(ontratet;e e:-decontructi8e inner or6in' o: t;at iterature. # iterature i t;ereby rendered eentiay (odernit. Or+ one (i';t a eay+ eentiay Ro(antic. &et ;ie uc; readin' a))arenty e8er #(erican decontruction aay :ro( t;e Ne ritica )aradi'(+ itin;erent :or(ai(+ a (any ;a8e ober8ed+ ;a (eant t;at decontructi8e critici( in :act etend and dee)en rat;er t;an de)art :ro(t;i (et;od. To ado)t t;e ter(inoo'y o: ,arod Boo(+ t;e er8e :ro( t;e aut;ority o: t;e canonic :at;er in act o: (ireadin' and7(i)riion7 etend rat;er t;an ;a6e t;e :a(iy :oundation. #(erican decontruction t;ere:ore enit t;e decentrin'+ detabiiin'e::ect o: t;e 9renc; ea()e+ but doe t;i in a ay t;at enar'e t;e do(ain o: tetuaity+ encounterin' );ioo);y and ;itory not at;e Ot;er but a t;e a(eF tranatin' t;e(+ a it tranate critici(+ into t;e co((on ton'ue o: iterature. T;e 'eture t;at enar'e ao

dei(it+ ;oe8er+ :or t;e tradition o: Ro(antic and (odernit e:-re:ei8ity i ;orn o: it (o(ent o: re8outionary brio andrede()ti8e idea o: beauty and cuture. ,uyen concude t;at t;e 7aet;eticit trend it;in )ottructurai( ite: ;a :aciitated t;e)ecuiar #(erican rece)tion7. @: In o :ar a )ottructurai(+ t;e re)eat o: a Euro)ean trand o: +(oderni(7 in t;eory+ i a )roduct o:t;e )ot(odern (o(ent+ t;en 9ranco-#(erican )ot(oderni( can be aid to :oo t;i a(e aet;eticit trend.

T;i i()ication i :uy de8eo)ed in t;e )ot(oderni( o: 3ean Baudriard ee )). 1?1-@2$. Baudriard7 ar'u(ent i t;at t;e neuo: conu()tion ;a o8erta6en t;e e();ai on )roduction in caica Mari(+ t;at co((unication tec;noo'ie ;a8e eraed are:erence to t;e 7rea7 in any ene o: it bein' anterior to or underyin' t;e i(a'e. T;e i'ni:ier a() t;e Sauurean i'ni:ied+di::erence i e8ery;ere and i a t;e a(e5 tye i a. It (i';t be t;ou';t t;at Mar;a Mc!u;an and t;e anti -critici( o: 9ieder andSonta' ;ad )re:i'ured t;i trend. 7a()7+ :or ea()e+ (ot ob8iouy+ a a Sonta' decribed it+ 7;oy aet;etic7F it a 7Dandyi( int;e a'e o: (a cuture7+ 0 e didain:u t;an it nineteent;-century ori'ina+ but ecui8e none t;e e. T;i tate :or 7bad art7+ :oretra8a'ant tyiation+ :or t;e o8er-a(bitiou and nai8e :aiure+ i urey reu(ed in co((entarie on #(erican ;y)erreaity+ t;econu((ate e)reion o: Baudriard7 )ot(oderni(.

One coud dico8er t;e be'innin'+ and an intructi8e contrat it; t;i )ot(oderni(+ e8en earier+ ;oe8er+ in Scott 9itJ'erad7T$e Great Gats&). T;ere i a ay too o: eein' 3ay "atby+ t;e 'auc;e o8erreac;er+ a 7ca()7+ t;ou'; it a not 9itJ'erad7 )er)ecti8e.9or 9itJ'erad and ;i narrator Nic6 arraay+ t;e tric6 and 'eture ;ic; co()oe t;e e:-created indi8idua "atby re(ain

(eretriciou :abrication+ ;oe8er

1-odernis!5Post!odernis!

7'or'eou7 or )re:erabe t;ey ee( to a canceed rea )at. No in t;e a'e o: t;e 7aut;entic :a6e7 - t;e 'oa o: *(berto Eco7 eaon in;y)errea #(erica - "atby7 ;irt+ )urc;aed at a ditance :ro( !ondon+ "atby7 uncut boo6 in a ibrary (odeed a:ter Mertonoe'e !ibrary+ O:ord+ "atby7 ;oue+ a 7:actua i(itation o: o(e $otel de ille in Nor(andy7 beco(e t;e order o: t;e day. It i a i:a t;e tenion beteen art and (oney+ :a(e and :a;ion ;ic; dro8e a tyit i6e 9itJ'erad+ a t;e tru''e in t;e (odernit narrati8eo: e:-:or(ation+ ;ad ac6ened. I: one i to beie8e Baudriard+ t;e #(erican drea( o: (ateria ad8ance(ent and ro(antice:-:u:i(ent+ o: 7tartin' o8er7+ o: a )ubic :aade buit :ro( t;e bet o: e8eryt;in'+ :ro( e8ery;ere+ out o: not;in'+ ;a been ac;ie8ed;ere and no in t;e ubi(e banaity o: a (edia-directed cuture. It ee()ary :or( i Dineyand+ ;ere re'uar #(erican can re)eatt;e )at "atby a ri';t$ in anitied eae. "atby triu(); o8er ;i narrator e (i';t ayF but ony to be tru()ed in t;e )ot(odernera by t;e o);iticated+ caree ur8i8or Daiy+ ;o dri:t beyond ;i nai8e uet :or a :uy uni:ied e:. 9or no+ in )ot(oderni(+t;ere can be no uni:ied e:+ no narrati8e )er)ecti8e+ and no ;itory. To (iread Eiot in a ditortion true to t;i cenario+ 7,itory i no+

and in #(erica7+ at t;e end o: t;e ord.It oud be :ooi; to u''et t;at a )ot-ar #(erican iterature ;a =oined t;i trend ;en in :act it ;a reor6ed t;e )robe(atic

o: tye and ociety+ o: autono(y and tran:or(ation in art and ub=ecti8ity in di::erent and co()e ay. %e can ne8ert;ee identi:yto )ot(odern 8ariant corre)ondin' to t;e a(bi'uitie o: )ottructurai( and a Baudriardian )ot(oderni(. In Bac6 Mountainand Beat )oetic+ :or ea()e+ t;e ort;odo unitie o: e: and )oe( ere countered bot; by a ne centrin' at 'reater de)t;+ a Ro(anticreaertion in Robert Duncan+ 3o;n %einer+ #en "inber'$ o: )erona tye a:ter decade o: Ne ritica 7i()eronaity7+ but ao+it;in t;e tenet o: o)en :ied )oetry in Oon and Ed Dorn$ by a ney (obiied+ 7decontructed7 ene o: e: a de:ined by t;ecoordinate o: an'ua'e+ )ace+ and ;itory. %or6 in t;i econd 8ein i 7)ot7 (odernit in t;e ene o: bein' ne+ or ate (odernit. In;at i t;en )arty a continuation and )arty a reaction to t;i tradition t;e (ore recent 7!#N"*#"E )oet7 ;a8e undercoredt;e arbitrary reation o: ord and ord to )roduce an aet;etic o: t;e 7ne entence7 :ree o: cuto(ary re:erence .1 9or a it a))endedMarit ca anayi+ indeed becaue o: t;e e)arated eitence o: t;i+ !#N"*#"E )oetry co(e+ in it (ore etre(e:or(+ to ec;o Baudriard7 t;eoriation o: t;e 'roin' autono(y o: t;e i'ni:ier.


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Tendencie in )ot-ar Nort; #(erican :iction ;a8e con:ir(ed t;i doube tra=ectory. In an eary+ in:uentia tate(ent+ 3o;n Bart;)o6e in 7T;e iterature o: e;aution7 14@A$ o: t;e 7ued-u)ne7 o: t;e


con8ention o: :ictiona reai(. T;e od :or( ;e aid coud ony be e()oyed ironicay+ in bureue or )atic;e+ an ar'u(ent o)enyde(ontrated in ;i on tory 7!ot in t;e 9un;oue7. So :ar t;i ec;oe a 3anu-:aced )ottructurai( in ;ic; od :or( andau()tion are ;ed 7under eraure7+ i(utaneouy ritten in and ritten t;rou';. 9or (any it ao decribe t;e do(inant tone o:

)arody and )atic;e c;aracteritic o: )ot(oderni(+ )enned beteen tetuai( and re:erence+ icened )ay and ub8erion. T;ere(ay be o(e reaon+ a'ain+ ;oe8er+ :or decribin' t;i iterary (ode and )ottructurai($ a 7ate (odernit+ 'i8en t;eir tie it;(oderni( 3o;n Bart;7 e)icit (ode i Bor'e$+ t;eir ar'u(ent it; reai(+ and 'i8en ot;er de8eo)(ent ta6in' #(erican :iction 7i6e o(e o: t;e !#N"*#"E )oet+ beyond t;e t;ra o: (i(ei. 3ero(e Kin6oitJ7 :or ea()e+ in one o: t;e eariettudie o: t;i tendency+ rote o: t;e 7)ot-conte()orary7 a a ney in8i'orated :iction 7beyond t;e deat; o: t;e deat; o: t;e no8e7. ,ea a decii8e brea6+ coincidin' it; t;e ocia and cutura diru)tion o: 14@A-@+ :ro( t;e 7e;auted :iction7 o: Bart; and Pync;oninto t;e 7i(a'inati8ey tran:or(ed7 :iction o: Robert oo8er+ Ric;ard Brauti'an+ Ste8e KatJ and+ (ore decii8ey+ Cor(e'ut+ Bart;e(e+Koin6i and ot;er. T;i i t;e :iction o: 7a )uraitic+ reati8itic+ )ot-(odern ord+ ;ere So(eti(e it7 o ;ard to te ;at ;areay ;a))ened.72 So t;i :iction te 7unteabe7 torie+ torie co(binin' ;at 7reay7 ;a))ened and a t;at (i';t )oiby ;a))en7a in oo8er7 7T;e Babyitter7$+ u''etin' a in Brauti'an7 Trout Fis$in in #(erica$ 7;o an'ua'e can eit )urey a ite: 7 it;no re:erence at a to content7 .< Ray(ond 9eder(an+ ;o i one o: Kin6oitJ7 ea()e+ antici)ate aon' i(iar ine t;at

... :iction i no on'er be re'arded a a (irror o: i:e+ a a )eudoreaitic docu(ent t;at in:or( u about i:e+ nor i it be =ud'ed ont;e bai o: it ocia+ (ora+ )yc;oo'ica+ (eta);yica+ co((ercia 8aue or ;ate8er+ but on t;e bai o: ;at it i and ;at it doe

a an autono(ou art :or( in it on ri';t.

# credo o: t;i 6ind ee( once (ore to :oo t;e o'ic o: a Baudriardian )ot(oderni( beyond re:erence+ od -:a;ioned (oraityand )oitic. #t t;e a(e ti(e t;ere i not;in' reay ne+ or ine8itabe+ about t;i. Protetation o: artitic autono(y ;a8e been de)oyed:ro( t;e turn o: t;e century to o::et bour'eoi utiitariani( and t;e ec;an'e 8aue o: t;e (ar6et )ace. %;erea under (oderni(+;oe8er+ a retreat+ at it etre(e+ into t;e ubi(e indi::erence o: art coeited it; a contratin' a8ant -'arde de:iance o: t;e )reent int;e interet o: a tran:or(ed :uture+ a Baudriardian )ot(oderni(. 6no no uc; contrat. In a

14-odernis!5Post!odernis!

ord ;ere Surreait tec;niue e ci'arette and conu(er durabe+ ;ere art i :a;ion+ t;e ori'ina )oitica )ro=ect o: t;e;itorica a8ant'arde a))ear to ;a8e ot a credibiity. T;e :irt o)tion aone re(ain a))arenty+ a retreat into aet;etici( ;ic;recyce t;e at century7 decadence+ and ;ic; can ony deny t;i c;ar'e on t;e 'round t;at it or t;e )ot(odern ord$ ;a doneaay it; od ditinction i6e 7art and i:e7 or i'ni:ier and i'ni:ied$. # e ;a8e een+ ;oe8er+ not an )ottructurai( or

)ot(oderni( need ta6e t;e Baudriardian ;i'; road. # econd decontructi8e+ ate (odernit$ o)tion (i';t ti e)ore t;e 8erytenion o: tet and ord in ;ic; it i ;ed+ o)enin' and recontructin' t;e )at rat;er t;an :attenin' it. I: e a6 about t;e )oitic o:t;i )ro=ect e are ed+ in )articuar+ to t;e debate on )ot(oderni( and Mari(.

Inider Pot(oderni(5 3a(eon and To(orroandBaudriard7 re:ection+ tendin' (ore and (ore to a (andarin a8ant 'ardi( o: no bod+ no 8a)orou a#er1%s, ;a8e co()ried a(a=or )ro)oition o: ;at )ot(oderni(. (ean. T;at t;i :ind it ;o(e in t;e 7ac;ie8ed uto)ia7 o: Nort; #(erica+ t;e cutureeandca)e ;ere e8eryt;in' drea(ed in Euro)e 7;a a c;ance o: bein' reaied 1? i not a:ter a ur)riin'. T;e =aded :orei'n )ro:eori at once ent;raed and a))aed by t;e #(erican !oita. T;e a))earance o: t;i 9ranco #(erican )ot(oderni( traiin' a (ireadin'7o: )ottructurai($ u''et a :urt;er ad=ut(ent to any con=unctura anayi. 9or i: t;e :eature o: )ot(oderni(+ a o: (oderni($are ;itoricay and cuturay )eci:ic+ t;ey are not cuturay ;er(etic. Indeed one o: t;e (ot con8incin' decri)tion o: )ot(oderni(i o: a ;i:t+ )ro()ted and enabed by ocia+ econo(ic and tec;noo'ica c;an'e+ into t;e ;etero'oia. o: inter-cutura ec;an'e+ aidio(+ dicoure acro t;e art and acade(y+ and acro t;ee and )o)uar or (a :or(+ are (onta'ed+ bended or burred to'et;er.7Pot(oderni(7 beco(e it on bet y()to( o: die(ination and di::erence. In ;at can ound i6e a con:uin'Babe o: t;e ne+ t;ee (any 8oice are =oined diao'icay+ in conenu and dia'ree(ent. One uc; debate+ acro inteectua cuture+

beteen t;e 7%etern Mari(7 o: t;e 9ran6:urt Sc;oo+ re)reented by 3*r'en ,aber(a+ and 9renc; )ottructurait )ot(oderni(+e(er'ed a )ottructurai(7 debt to NietJc;e :irt i'naed by DeeuJe7 Niet3sc$e and P$iloso#$) in 14@2$ beca(e cearer.Pottructurai(. ca(e t;en to )reent a c;aen'e not ony to t;e tructurait an'ua'e )aradi'( and to a ran'e o: oaded ;ierarc;iede)endent on a 7(eta);yic o: )reence7 o: )eec; o8er

120

5ntrod%ction6 Reconstr%ctionsritin'+ t;e aut;or o8er ;i tet+ o: t;e );au o8er t;e :e(inine+ o: nature o8er cuture+ eence o8er a))earance+ "od o8er a$ but a

)oitica c;aen'e to t;e cai( o: Reaon and eni';tened )ro're. T;i ;i:t :ro( uetion o: e)ite(oo'y ay o: 6noin'$ touetion o: ontoo'y ay o: bein' and actin' in t;e ord$ beco(e t;en an e)reion o: ;at o(e ee a :unda(enta in t;e 8ery


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tranition to )ot(oderni(. T;i doube articuation and critiue a a))arent notaby in !yotard7 T$e Post!odern "ondition 9:0=, !yotard borro t;e conce)t o: t;e 7an'ua'e 'a(e7 :ro(

%itt'entein to ar'ue in )ottructurait and NietJc;ean :a;ion a'aint any uni:yin' an'ua'e yte( or underyin' trut;. ,e eecienti:ic 6noed'e a a (ode o: inno8atory an'ua'e 'a(e+ a trate'y be ter( 7)arao'i(7. Moreo8er+ ;e etend ;i critiue to

)ro)oe in a contradictoriy 'oba account$ t;at t;e c;aracteriticay untabe and di)ered ocia reaity o: t;e )reent cannot beca)tured in a totaiin' 7'rand narrati8e7 ;ic; )ot an ;itorica teeoo'y toard euaity and =utice. ,i tar'et ;ere i )rinci)ayMari( and t;e Eni';ten(ent ;erita'e - u))oedy dar6ened by t;e )oioned :ruit o: Staini(.+ t;e "ua' and #uc;itJ credited toit - and in )articuar ,aber(a7 atte()t to re:or(uate ;itorica (ateriai( a a t;eory o: ocia )ro're in ;i critici( o:

)ottructurai(. ,aber(a ;ad decribed t;e )ottructurait Derrida and 9oucaut a 7youn' coner8ati8e7 ;o in enitin' t;e

iberatin' a8ant'ardit tre on e)eri(ent+ intenity and deire a'aint t;e trait=ac6et o: ad(initrati8e reaon+ ;ad contradictoraye()oyed 7(odernitic attitude to$ =uti:y an irreconciabe anti(oderni(7 ee ). 1


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i 7E8eryt;in' t;at ca(e be:ore i a t;e a(e.7 Danie7 on ater anayi+ ;oe8er+ i'ni:icanty o: t;e ;y)er)ace o: Dineyand+ ione ;ic; e)oe t;e eecti8e+ co((erciaied cutura (e(ory o: (idde #(erica+ a e a it acti8e )rinci)e o: ecuion nouna8oury ;i))ie+ :e )oor bac6 or Meican in Dineyand$. Danie 7 7readin'7 i a (ode o: a ne )ot(odern ideoo'y -critiue+ o: a6ind 3a(eon a))ear to ay+ and ot;er certainy do ay+ i i()oibe. Danie7 de(yt;oo'iin' inter)retation o: t;e #(erican Drea(de)end+ o: coure+ on an au(ed ditinction beteen ideoo'ica ur:ace and trut;:u de)t; i'ni:ier and i'ni:ied+ tet and ord$ eare tod ;a deerted u. But yet 3a(eon+ :or one+ )ea6 o: t;e 7dee)er e8e7 o: t;e econo(y and t;eorie t;e eitence o: a 7)oiticaunconciou7+ in a dicoure t;at i :u o: :or t;i reader+ briiant$ inter)retati8e ini';t.

# :urt;er )robe( concern t;e uetion o: )eriodiation. # Mi6e Da8i and ainico ;a8e )ointed out+ 3a(eon ee)ot(oderni( a occurrin' 7in t;e ate :i:tie and eary itie7+ ;erea Ernet Mande+ ;oe t;eory o: t;e de8eo)(ent o: ca)ita ;e

dra u)on+ aociate ate+ (utinationa ca)itai( it; t;e on'er )ot-ar )eriod+ and ee a decii8e brea6 in 14A-A?.4 ainicoee t;i );ae a brin'in' an inteni:ication in ca)itai( a doe 3a(eon$ but not a radica brea6

29=, ;ic; i t;e reut o: ;ritianity. S)irit no on'er i((ere ite: in t;eenuou a in caica art but return to ite: and t;u )oit 7eterna reaity a an eitence inadeuate to it7 ibid.$. ,e'e ee aconnection beteen t;e de8eo)(ent o: t;e autono(ou ub=ecti8ity and t;e contin'ency o: eterna eitence. 9or t;at reaon+ ro(anticart i bot; an art o: ub=ecti8e inardne and one t;at )ortray t;e ord o: );eno(ena in t;eir contin'ency5

Eterna a))earance cannot any on'er e)re t;e inner i:e+ and i: it i ti caed to do o+ it (erey ;a t;e ta6 o: )ro8in' t;at t;eeterna i an unati:yin' eitence and (ut )oint bac6 to t;e inner+ to t;e (ind and :eein' a t;e eentia ee(ent. But =ut :or t;ireaon ro(antic art ea8e eternaity to 'o it on ay a'ain :or it )art :reey and inde)endenty+ and in t;i re)ect ao any ande8ery (ateria don to :oer+ tree+ and t;e co((onet ;oue;od 'ear+ to enter t;e re)reentation it;out ;indrance e8en in itcontin'ent natura condition 8o.1+ ).?2A$.

9or ,e'e+ ro(antic art i t;e )roduct o: t;e dioution o: t;e inter)enetration o: )irit and enuoune eterna a))earance$c;aracteritic o: caica art. But beyond t;at+ ;e concei8e o: a :urt;er ta'e ;ere ro(antic art ao dio8e. T;i i brou';t about byt;e radicaiJation o: t;e o))oite o: inardne and eterna reaity t;at

@A-odernist Positions

de:ine ro(antic art. #rt diinte'rate into 7t;e ub=ecti8e i(itation o: t;e 'i8en7 reai( o: detai$ and 7ub=ecti8e ;u(or7. ,e'e7

aet;etic t;eory t;u ead o'icay to t;e idea o: t;e end o: art ;ere art i undertood to be ;at ,e'e (eant by caici(+ t;e )er:ectinter)enetration o: :or( and content.

But outide ;i yte(+ ,e'e at eat 6etc;ed t;e conce)t o: a )otro(antic art .21 *in' Dutc; 'enre )aintin' a ;i ea()e+ ;erite t;at ;ere t;e interet in t;e ob=ect turn into interet in t;e 6i o: )reentation5 7%;at ;oud enc;ant u i not t;e ub=ect o: t;e

)aintin' and it i:ei6ene+ but t;e )ure a))earance interesseloses (c$einen= ;ic; i ;oy it;out t;e ort o: interet t;at t;e ub=ect;a. T;e one t;in' certain about beauty i+ a it ere+ a))earance e(bance (c$einen=I :or it on a6e+ and art i (atery in t;e

)ortraya o: a t;e ecret o: t;i e8er )ro:ounder )ure a))earance (c$einen= o: eterna reaitie7 8o.I+).?4$. %;at ,e'e aude to;ere i not;in' ot;er t;an ;at e caed t;e de8eo)in' autono(y o: t;e aet;etic. ,e ay e)rey 7t;at t;e artit7 ub=ecti8e 6i and;i a))ication o: t;e (ean o: artitic )roduction are raied to t;e tatu o: an ob=ecti8e (atter in or6 o: art7 8o.1+ ).?44$. T;iannounce t;e ;i:t o: t;e :or(-content diaectic in :a8or o: :or(+ a de8eo)(ent t;at c;aracteriJe t;e :urt;er coure o: art.

%;at e deduced :or )ot a8ant-'ardite art :ro( t;e :aiure o: a8ant'ardite intention+ t;e e'iti(ate ide-by-ide eitence o: tyeand :or( o: ;ic; none can any on'er cai( to be t;e (ot ad8anced+ i aready ober8ed by ,e'e it; re:erence to t;e art o: ;iti(e. 7,ereit; e ;a8e arri8ed at t;e end o: ro(antic art+ at t;e tand)oint o: (ot recent ti(e+ t;e )ecuiarity o: ;ic; e (ay :ind int;e :act t;at t;e artit7 ub=ecti8e 6i ur(ount ;i (ateria and it )roduction becaue ;e i no on'er do(inated by t;e 'i8encondition o: a ran'e o: content and :or( aready in;erenty deter(ined in ad8ance+ but retain entirey it;in ;i on )oer and c;oice

bot; t;e ub=ect-(atter and t;e ay o: )reentin' it7 8o. 1+ ). @02$. ,e'e 'ra) t;e de8eo)(ent o: art it; t;e )air o: conce)t7ub=ecti8ity5eterna ord7 or )irit5enuoune$. T;e anayi ;ere )reented+ on t;e ot;er ;and+ i baed on t;e crytaiJation o:ocia ubyte( and t;u arri8e at t;e antit;ei beteen art and t;e )rai o: i:e. T;at a eary a t;e 120 ,e'e ;oud ;a8e beenabe to :oreee ;at did not de:initi8ey occur unti a:ter t;e :aiure o: t;e ;itorica a8ant-'arde (o8e(ent de(ontrate t;at)ecuation i a (ode o: co'nition.

T;e tandard :or any conte()orary t;eory o: aet;etic i #dorno7+ ;oe ;itoricane ;a beco(e reco'niJabe. No t;at t;ede8eo)(ent o: art ;a )aed beyond t;e ;itorica a8ant-'arde (o8e(ent+ an aet;etic t;eory baed on t;e( uc; a #dorno7$ i a;itorica a !u6ac7+ ;ic; reco'niJe ony or'anic or6 a or6 o: art. T;e tota a8aiabiity o: (ateria and :or( c;aracteritic o:t;e )ot a8ant-'ardite art o: bour'eoi ociety i ;a8e to be in8eti'ated bot;

@


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Peter Bfirer

:or it in;erent )oibiitie and t;e di::icutie it create+ and t;i concretey+ by t;e anayi o: indi8idua or6.%;et;er t;i condition o: t;e a8aiabiity o: a tradition ti )er(it an aet;etic t;eory at a+ in t;e ene in ;ic; aet;etic t;eory

eited :ro( Kant to #dorno+ i uetionabe+ becaue a :ied (ut ;a8e a tructure i: it i to be t;e ub=ect o: c;oary or cienti:icundertandin'. %;ere t;e :or(a )oibiitie ;a8e beco(e in:inite+ not ony aut;entic creation but ao it c;oary anayi beco(ecorre)ondin'y di::icut. #corno7 notion t;at ate-ca)itait ociety ;a beco(e o irrationa22 t;at it (ay e be t;at no t;eory canany on'er )u(b it a))ie )er;a) it;7e8en 'reater :orce to )ot a8ant-'ardite art.

Note

1. See "EoR" !uK#c+ T$e !eanin of "onte!#orar) Realis! !ondon5 Merin Pre+14@2$.

2. See T,. %. #DORNO+ 7Er)rete Cer@;nun'+ u "eor' !u6dc5 %ider den n-d8ertandenen Reai(u7+ in #do(o+Noten 3%r*iterat%r II 9ran6:urt5 Su;r6a()+ 14@


32/112

1@. T;e nonor'anic or6 (a6e it )oibe to re);rae t;e uetion concernin' t;e )oibiity o: en'a'e(ent. T;e critici( t;at ;ao:ten been e8eed a'aint en'a'ed art did not reco'niJe t;i. It ti treat t;e )robe( a i: it ere a uetion o: deter(inin' t;e

)ace o: )oitica content in t;e or'anic or6. In ot;er ord5 ritici( ;a i'nored t;e c;an'e in t;e )robe( due to t;e ;itoricaa8ant-'arde (o8e(ent.

A0

Peter Bfirer

1A. B. BRE,T+Ar&eitsjo%rnal, ed. %. ,ec;t 9ran6:urt+ 14A


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co()eity and dioution. T;e ad8anta'e o: Ber(an7 )er)ecti8e i t;at it :ree (oderni( :ro( a narroy de:ined iterary enca8eand in)ire a dyna(ic and ori'ina readin' o: aut;or+ tet and en8iron(ent. T;e e8an'eica Marit ;u(ani(+ (oreo8er+ ;ic;ead ;i( to ur'e a conte()orary coecti8e renea o: (oderni(7 ub(er'ed creati8e ener'ie+ tand in ;ar) contrat to t;e )ei-(i( o: ot;er )oition+ notaby o: 9ran6:urt Sc;oo 7critica t;eory7.

T;e re:erence to 7t;e ;ao7 in t;e etract ;ic; :oo aude i(utaneouy to Mar7 beie: in T$e "o!!%nist -anifesto t;atbour'eoi ociety ;a tri))ed :or(ery ;onoured )ro:eion t;e doctor+ ayer+ )riet+ )oet$ o: t;eir ;ao in (a6in' t;e( a'e -abourer and to ;are Baudeaire7 )roe )oe( 7!o o: a ;ao7+ ;ic; de)ict t;e 7)ri(a (ode( cene7 o: t;e )oet7 o o: ;i ;ao.Ber(an dicue bot; i(a'e and )oe( ee;ere in ;i tudy )). 11?-20+ 1??- @$. T;i centra co((on t;e(e o: 7deancti:ication7ao ceary reate to %ater Ben=a(in7 ar'u(ent on t;e autono(ou or6 o: art7 o o: it 7aura7 ee abo8e+ )). ?-4$.

See Perry #nderon7 7Modernity and Re8oution7 and Ber(an7

Re)rinted :ro(All t$at is (olid -elts into Air. T$e EC#erience of -odernit) !ondon5 Cero+ 14


34/112

One i eiJed+ :ied it; ent;uia(+ it; =oy ... t;e =oy o: )oer. T;e i()e and nai8e )eaure o: bein' in t;e (idt o: )oer+ o:tren't;. One )artici)ate in it. One ta6e )art in t;i ociety t;at i =ut danin'. One ;a con:idence in t;i ne ociety5 it i :ind a(a'ni:icent e)reion o: it )oer. One beie8e in it.

A@

-ars$all Ber!an

T;i Oreian ea) o: :ait; i o :at and o daJJin' =ut i6e t;at tra::ic$ t;at !e orbuier ;ardy ee( to notice t;at ;e ;a (ade it.One (o(ent ;e i t;e :a(iiar Baudeairean (an in t;e treet+ dod'in' and :i';tin' t;e tra::icF a (o(ent ater ;i )oint o: 8ie ;a

;i:ted radicay+ o t;at no ;e i8e and (o8e and )ea6 :ro( inside t;e tra::ic. One (o(ent ;e i )ea6in' about ;i(e:+ about ;ion i:e and e)erience -7I t;in6 bac6 tenty year ... t;e road beon'ed to u t;en7F t;e net (o(ent t;e )erona 8oice utterydia))ear+ dio8ed in a :ood o: ord-;itorica )roceeF t;e ne ub=ect i t;e abtract and i()erona on, 7one7+ ;o i :ied it;i:e by t;e ne ord )oer. No+ intead o: bein' (enaced by it+ ;e can be in t;e (idt o: it+ a beie8er in it+ a )art o: it. Intead o: t;e!o%e!ents &r%s1%es andso%&resa%ts t;at Baudeaire a a t;e eence o: e8eryday (odern i:e+ !e orbuier7 (ode( (an i (a6eone bi' (o8e t;at i (a6e :urt;er (o8e unneceary+ one 'reat ea) t;at i be t;e at. T;e (an in t;e treet i incor)orate ;i(e:into t;e ne )oer by becon-tin' t;e (an in t;e car.

T;e )er)ecti8e o: t;e ne (an in t;e car i 'enerate t;e )aradi'( o: tentiet;-century (odernit urban )annin' and dei'n. T;ene (an+ !e orbuier ay+ need 7a ne ty)e o: treet7 t;at i be 7a (ac;ine :or tra::ic7+ or+ to 8ary t;e baic (eta);or+ 7a :actory :or

)roducin' tra::ic7. # truy (odern treet (ut be 7a e eui))ed a a :act ry7. In t;i treet+ a in t;e (odern :actory+ t;e bet -eui))ed(ode i t;e (ot t;orou';y auto(ated5 no )eo)e+ ece)t :or )eo)e o)eratin' (ac;ineF no unar(oured and un(ec;aniJed )edetrianto o t;e :o. 7a:@ and )ace o: recreation i no on'er be t;e :un'u t;at eat u) t;e )a8e(ent o: Pari.7 In t;e city o: t;e :uture+t;e (acada( i beon' to t;e tra::ic aone.

9ro( !e orbuier7 (a'ic (o(ent on t;e ;a() Ey@e+ a 8iion o: a ne ord i bo(5 a :uy inte'rated ord o: ;i'; -rie

toer urrounded by 8at e)ane o: 'ra and o)en )ace -7T;e toer in t;e )ar67 - in6ed by aeria u)er;i';ay+ er8iced byubterranean 'ara'e and ;o))in' arcade. T;i 8iion ;ad a cear )oitica )oint+ tated a t;e at ord o: Toard a NewArc$itect%re6 7#rc;itecture or Re8oution. Re8oution can be a8oided.7

T;e )oitica connection ere not :uy 'ra)ed at t;e ti(e - it i not cear ;et;er !e orbuier entirey 'ra)ed t;e( ;i(e: - bute ;oud be abe to undertand t;e( no. T$esis, a t;ei aerted by urban )eo)e tartin' in 1A4+ a t;rou'; t;e nineteent; century+and in t;e 'reat re8outionary u)riin' at t;e end o: %ord %ar One5 t;e treet beon' to t;e )eo)e. Antit$esis, and ;ere i !eorbuier7 'reat contribution5 no treet+ no Peo)e. In t;e )ot-,au(ann city treet+ t;e :unda(enta ocia and )yc;ic contradictiono: (odern i:e con8er'ed and )er)etuay t;reatened to eru)t. But i: t;i treet coud ony be i)ed o:: t;e (a) - !e orbuier aid it8ery ceary in 14245 7%e

AARe#ositionin -odernis!

(ut 6i t;e treetL7 - t;en (aybe t;ee contradiction need ne8er co(e to a ;ead. T;u (odernit arc;itecture and )annin' created a(oderniJed 8erion o: )atora5 a )atiay and ociay e'(ented ord - )eo)e ;ere+ tra::ic t;ereF or6 ;ere+ ;o(e t;ereF ric; ;ere+

)oor t;ereF barrier o: 'ra and concrete in beteen+ ;ere ;aoe coud be'in to 'ro around )eo)e7 ;ead once a'ain.7T;i :or( o: (oderni( ;a e:t dee) (ar6 on a our i8e. T;e city de8eo)(ent o: t;e at :orty year+ in ca)itait and ociait

countrie ai6e+ ;a yte(aticay attac6ed+ and o:ten ucce:uy obiterated+ t;e +(o8in' c;ao7 o: nineteent;-century urban i:e. In t;ene urban en8iron(ent - :ro( !e:ra6 ity to entury ity+ :ro( #tanta7 Peac;tree PaJa to Detroit7 Renaiance enter - t;e od(odern treet+ it; it 8oatie (iture o: )eo)e and tra::ic+ buinee and ;o(e+ ric; and )oor+ i orted out and )it u) into e)arateco()art(ent+ it; entrance and eit tricty (onitored and controed+ oadin' and unoadin' be;ind t;e cene+ )ar6in' ot andunder'round 'ara'e t;e ony (ediation.

# t;ee )ace+ and a t;e )eo)e ;o :i t;e(+ are :ar (ore ordered and )rotected t;an any )ace or anybody in Baudeaire7 citycoud be. T;e anarc;ic+ e)oi8e :orce t;at urban (oderniJation once brou';t to'et;er+ a ne a8e o: (oderniJation+ bac6ed by anideoo'y o: de8eo)in' (oderni(+ ;a )ued a)art. Ne &or6 i no one o: t;e 8ery :e #(erican citie in ;ic; Baudeaire7 )ri(acene can ti ta6e )ace. #nd t;ee od citie or e'(ent o: citie are under )reure :ar (ore t;reatenin' t;an t;e one t;at 'ri))edt;e( in Baudeaire7 day. T;ey are econo(icay and )oiticay conde(ned a oboete+ beet by c;ronic bi';t+ a))ed bydiin8et(ent+ cut o:: :ro( o))ortunitie :or 'rot;+ contanty oin' 'round in co()etion it; area t;at are conidered (ore7(ode(7. T;e tra'ic irony o: (odernit urbani( i t;at it triu(); ;a ;e)ed to detroy t;e 8ery urban i:e it ;o)ed to et :ree .2

orTe)ondin' in a (ot curiou ay to t;i :attenin' out o: t;e urban andca)e+ t;e tentiet; century ;a ao )roduced a di(a

:attenin' out o: ocia t;ou';t. Seriou t;in6in' about (odern i:e ;a )oariJed ite: into to terie antit;ee+ ;ic; (ay be caed+ aI u''eted earier+ 7(odernoatry7 and 7cutura de)air7. 9or (odernoator+ :ro( Marinetti and Maya6o86y and !e orbuier toBuc6(inter 9uer and t;e ater Mar;a Mc!u;an and ,er(an Ka;n+ a t;e )erona and ocia dionance o: (ode( i:e can bereo8ed by tec;noo'ica and ad(initrati8e (eanF t;e (ean are a at ;and+ and t;e ony t;in' need:u i eader it; t;e i to uet;e(. 9or t;e 8iionarie o: cutura de)air+ :ro( T.E. ,u(e+ and EJra Pound and Eiot and Orte'a+ onard to Eu and 9oucaut+#rendt and Marcue+ a o: (ode( i:e ee( uni:or(y ;oo+ terie+ :at+ 7one-di(eniona7+ e()ty o: ;u(an )oibiitie5 anyt;in't;at oo6 or :ee i6e :reedo( or

A-ars$all Ber!an

beauty i reay ony a creen :or (ore )ro:ound ena8e(ent and ;orror. %e ;oud note+ :irt o: a+ t;at bot; t;ee (ode o: t;ou';t


35/112

cut acro t;e )oitica di8iion o: e:t and ri';tF econd+ t;at (any )eo)e ;a8e cun' to bot; t;ee )oe at di::erent )oint in t;eiri8e+ and o(e ;a8e e8en tried to cin' to bot; at once. %e can :ind bot; )oaritie in Baudeaire+ ;o+ indeed (i';t ay cai( to ;a8in'in8ented bot;. But e can ao :ind in Baudeaire o(et;in' t;at i (iin' in (ot o: ;i ucceor5 a i to rete to t;e end o: ;iener'y it; (ode( i:e7 co()eitie and contradiction+ to :ind and create ;i(e: in t;e (idt o: t;e an'ui; and beauty o: it (o8in'c;ao.

It i ironic t;at bot; in t;eory and in )ractice t;e (yti:ication o: (ode( i:e and t;e detruction o: o(e o: it (ot ecitin')oibiitie ;a8e 'one on in t;e na(e o: )ro'rei8e (oderni( ite:. #nd yet in )ite o: e8eryt;in'+ t;at od (o8in' c;ao ;a 6e)t -or )er;a) ;a reneed - it ;od on a 'reat (any o: u. T;e urbani( o: t;e )at to decade ;a conce)tuaiJed and conoidated t;i;od. 3ane 3acob rote t;e )ro);etic boo6 o: t;i ne urbani(5 T$e 7eat$ and *ife of Great A!erican "ities, )ubi;ed in 14@1.

3acob ar'ued briianty+ :irt+ t;at t;e urban )ace created by (oderni( ere );yicay cean and ordery+ but ociay and )irituaydeadF econd+ t;at it a ony t;e 8eti'e o: nineteent;-century con'etion+ noie and 'enera dionance t;at 6e)t conte()orary urbani:e ai8e+ t;ird+ t;at t;e od urban 7(o8in' c;ao7 a in :act a (ar8eouy ric; and co()e ;u(an order+ unnoticed by (oderni( ony

becaue it )aradi'( o: order ere (ec;anica+ reducti8e and ;aoF and :inay+ t;at ;at ti )aed :or (oderni( in 14@0 (i';tturn out to be e8anecent and aready oboete .< In t;e at to decade+ t;i )er)ecti8e ;a 'at;ered ide)read and ent;uiaticaent+ and (ae o: #(erican ;a8e or6ed tead:aty to a8e t;eir nei';bor;ood and citie :ro( t;e ra8a'e o: (otoriJed(oderniJation. E8ery (o8e(ent to to) t;e contruction o: a ;i';ay i a (o8e(ent to 'i8e t;e od (o8in' c;ao a ne eae on i:e.De)ite )oradic oca uccee+ no one ;a ;ad t;e )oer to brea6 t;e accu(uated )oer o: t;e ;ao and t;e ;i';ay. But t;ere ;a8e

been enou'; )eo)e it; enou'; )aion and dedication to create a tron' underto+ to 'i8e city i:e a ne tenion and ecite(ent and)oi'nancy ;ie it at. #nd t;ere are i'n t;at it (ay at on'er t;an anyone - e8en t;oe ;o o8ed it (ot - oud ;a8e t;ou';t.#(id t;e :ear and anietie o: t;e conte()orary ener'y crii+ t;e (otoriJed )atora a))ear to be brea6in' don. # it doe+ t;e(o8in' c;ao o: our nineteent;-century (ode( citie oo6 (ore ordery and (ore u)-to-date e8ery day. T;u Baudeaire7 (oderni(+a I ;a8e )ortrayed it ;ere+ (ay turn out to be e8en (ore ree8ant in our ti(e t;an it a in ;i onF t;e urban (en and o(en o: today(ay be t;e one to ;o( ;e a truy+ in ;i i(a'e+ @)ou@.

Re#ositionin -odernis!# t;i u''et t;at (oderni( contain it on inner contradiction and diaectF t;at :or( o: (odernit t;ou';t and 8iion (aycon'ea into do'(atic ort;odoie and beco(e arc;aicF t;at ot;er (ode o: (oderni( (ay be ub(er'ed :or 'eneration+ it;out e8er

bein' u)erededF and t;at t;e dee)et ocia and )yc;ic ound o: (odernity (ay be re)eatedy eaed+ it;out e8er bein' reay;eaed. T;e conte()orary deire :or a city t;at is o)eny troubed but inteney ai8e is a deire to o)en u) od but ditincti8ey (odernound once (ore. It is a deire to i8e o)eny it; t;e )it and unreconcied c;aracter o: our i8e+ and to dra ener'y :ro( our innertru''e+ ;ere8er t;ey (ay ead %s in t;e end. I: e earned t;rou'; one (oderni( to contruct ;aoe around our )ace andoure8e+ e can earn :ro( anot;er (oderni( - one o: t;e odet but ao+ e can ee no+ one o: t;e neet - to oe our ;aoe and:ind oure8e ane.

Note?.01. !e orbuier a ne8er abe to (a6e (uc; ;eaday in ;i unde:ati'abe c;e(e :or detroyin' Pari. But (any o: ;i (ot'roteue 8iion ere reaiJed in t;e Po()idou era+ ;en ee8ated ;i';ay ce:t t;e Ri';t Ban6+ t;e 'reat (ar6et o: !e ,ae erede(oi;ed+ doJen o: t;ri8in' treet ere raJed and ubtantia and 8enerabe nei';bor;ood ere turned o8er to 'les #ro!ote%rs' and

obiterated it;out a trace. See Nor(a E8enon+ Paris6 A "ent%r) of "$ane, 9


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@ Ray(ond %iia(+ 7T;e Metro)oi and t;eE(er'ence o: Moderni(

Ray(ond %iia( u''et t;at t;e 6ey ocia bai o: (oderni( ie in t;e e)erience o: i((i'ration :ro( t;e )ro8ince to t;e(etro)oi. T;i centra and tartin' ini';t (ean t;at ;e can bot; )oint to continuitie it; an earier e)erience o: urban indutriacuture and ituate ;at a ditincti8e+ ociay and artiticay+ in t;e eary tentiet;-century (etro)oi. 9or i((i'ration+ %iia(

ar'ue+ inteni:ied and ;i:ted t;e t;e(e o: t;e crod and aienation+ o: unity and di8erity c;aracteriin' )erce)tion o: t;e urban orindutria centre durin' t;e nineteent; century. In ieu o: an in;erited ene o: co((unity+ t;i e)erience )roduced t;e (odern itattention to t;e artitic (ediu( ite:. T;e (uc; ober8ed 7autono(y7 and 7e:-concioune7 o: (odernit art i t;ere:ore :re;y;itoricied. #ny uni8eraiin' cai( :or (oderni( beco(e untenabe+ ince it )articuar condition and :or( are een no to

beon' in t;e eary tentiet; century+ to 7t;e i()eria and ca)itait (etro)oi7.Moderni(7 ;itorica )ara(eter ead %iia( brie:y to conider t;e 7de)ri8ed ;interand7 and 7)oor ord7 outide t;e (etro)oi.

%e (i';t re:ect too on t;oe ;o e)erienced t;e (ode( city di::erenty+ t;ou'; on t;e inide5 o(en (odernit+ :or ea()e+ or#(erican (odernit co((itted in t;eir on ter( to a tron' ene o: urban idio( and ocae. #nd e (i';t a6 ;o t;i accountoud ater in reation to t;e e)erience o: en:orced eie in t;e t;irtie+ o(eti(e :or t;e a(e 'eneration o: deracinated+ but (ore:reey (obie+ artit o: t;e 1410 and tentie.

# :urt;er uetion ine8itaby arie. %iia( rite :ro( a iteray )ot(odernit )oition+ beyond (oderni(7 ;itorica (o(entand

Re)rinted :ro( nreal "it). r&an EC#erience in -odern E%ro#ean *iterat%re and Art, ed. Edard Ti(( and Da8id Keey

Manc;eter5 Manc;eter *ni8erity Pre and Ne &or65 St Martin7 Pre 14?$+ )). 1


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it i not e8ery 8at urban a''re'ation+ or e8en 're;a t;i cutura (etro)oitan c;aracter. T;e e::ecti8e (etro)oi - a i ;on in t;e borroin' o: t;e ord to indicate reation beteennation+ in t;e neo-coon=ai ord - i no t;e (odern tran(ittin'

c;nicay ad8anced and do(inant econo(ie.(etro)oi o: t;e te 'orie a 7(odern~ and 7(oderni(7 to decribe a)ect o: t;e art and t;ou century ord i no at

bet anac;ronitic+ at ort arc;aic. %;atT;u t;e retention o: uc; cate ';t o: an undi::erentiated tentiet;-

eritence i a (atter :or co()e anayi+ but t;ree

account :or t;e 7~();aied. 9irt+ t;ere i a :actua )eritence+ in t;eee(ent can be e it; eected etenion to o(e o: t;eOd tec;noo'ie and :or( but rity art and (etro)oitanne+ o: t;e )eci:ic reation beteen (ino . a )eritent inteectua

)ri8ie'e and o))ortunitie. Secondy+ t;ere i;e'e(ony o: t;e (etro)oi+ in it co((an . d o: t;e (ot eriou

ubi;in' ;oue+ ne)a)er and (a'aJine+ and inteectua) :or(a and e)eciay in:or(a. Ironicay+ in a (a=ority O:intitution+ re)ect reidua5 t;ecae+ t;ee :or(ation are in o(e i()ortantinteectua and artitic :or( in ;ic; t;ey ;a8e t;eir (ain ro I ot are :orocia reaon - e)eciay in t;eir u))ortin' :or(uation o: (inority7 and 7(a7+ 7uaity7 and 7)o)uar7 - o: t;at oder+ earytentiet;-century )eriod+ ;ic; :or t;e( i t;e )erenniay 7(odern7. T;irdy+ and (ot :unda(entay+ t;e centra )roduct o: t;at

earier )eriod+ :or reaon ;ic; (ut be e)ored+ a a ne et o: uni8era7+ aet;etic+ inteectua and )yc;oo'ica+ ;ic; canbe ;ar)y contrated it; t;e der 7uni8era I or )eci:ic cuture+ )eriod and :ait;+ but ;ic; in 01 + o:;itorica c;an'e or o: iut t;at uaity reit a :urt;er )eci:icitie 5 in t;e con8iction o: ;at i beyond uetion cutura and ociadi8erity + (odern aboute7+ t;e de:ined uni8eraity and :or a e::ecti8e ti(e t;e o: a ;u(an condition ;ic; i e::ecti8ey

)er(anent.T;ere are e8era )oibe ay out o: t;i inteectua deadoc6+ ;ic; no ;a o (uc; )oer o8er a ;oe ran'e o:

);ioo);ica+ aet;etic and )oitica t;in6in'- T;e (ot e::ecti8e in8o8e conte()orary anayidy c;an'in' ord. But it i ao ue:u+ ;en :aced by t;i in a ti ra)i

- curiou becaue it i a tai ;ic; icuriou condition o: cutura tai entiay )recariou ter( - tocontinuay de:ined in dyna(ic and e)en on5 eein' a )reent beyondidenti:y o(e o: t;e )rocee o: it :or(ati

7t;e (odern7 by eein' ;o+ in t;e )at+ t;at )eci:icay aboute +(odern7 a :or(ed. 9or t;i indenti:ication+ t;e :act o: t;ede8eo)(ent o: t;e city into t;e (etro)oi are baic. %e can ee ;o certain t;e(e in art and t;ou';t de8eo)ed a )eci:ic re)oneto t;e ne and e)andin' 6ind o: nineteent;-century city and t;en+ a t;e centra )oint o: anayi+ ee ;o t;ee ent t;rou'; a 8arietyo: actua artitic tran:or(ation+ u))orted by ney o::ered and co()etiti8e$ aet;etic uni8era+ in certain (etro)oitan condition o:t;e eary tentiet; century5 t;e (o(ent o: 7(odern art7.

Nineteent;-century antecedent to t;e t;e(e o: urban aienation

It i i()ortant to e();aie ;o reati8ey od o(e o: t;ee a))arenty (ode( t;e(e are. 9or t;at i t;e in;erent ;itory o: t;e(e at:irt contained it;in 7)re-(odern7 :or( o: art ;ic; t;en in certain condition ed to actua and radica c;an'e o: :or(. It i t;e ar'ey;idden ;itory o: t;e condition o: t;ee )ro:ound interna c;an'e ;ic; e ;a8e to e)ore+ o:ten a'aint t;e ca(our o: t;e 7uni8era7t;e(e8e.

9or con8enience I i ta6e ea()e o: t;e t;e(e :ro( En'i; iterature+ ;ic; i )articuary ric; in t;e(. Britain ent t;rou'; t;e:irt ta'e o: indutria and (etro)oitan de8eo)(ent 8ery eary+ and a(ot at once certain )eritent t;e(e ere arri8ed at. T;u t;ee::ect o: t;e (odern city a a crod o: tran'er a identi:ied+ in a ay t;at a to at+ by %ordort;5

0 9riendL one :eein' a t;ere ;ic; beon'ed to t;i 'reat city+ by ecui8e ri';tF ,o o:ten+ in t;e o8er:oin' treet+ ,a8e I 'one:orard it; t;e crod and aid *nto (ye:+ 7T;e :ace o: e8ery one T;at )ae by (e i a (yteryL7

T;u ;a8e I oo6ed+ nor ceaed to oo6+ o))reed By t;ou';t o: ;at and ;it;er+ ;en and ;o+ *nti t;e ;a)e be:ore (y eyebeca(e # econd-i';t )roceion+ uc; a 'ide O8er ti (ountain+ or a))ear in drea(. #nd a t;e baat o: :a(iiar i:e+ T;e)reent+ and t;e )atF ;o)e and :earF a tay # a o: actin'+ t;in6in'+ )ea6in' (an %ent :ro( (e+ neit;er 6noin' (e+ nor 6non.7

?Re#ositionin -odernis!

%;at i e8ident ;ere i t;e ra)id tranition :ro( t;e (undane :act t;at t;e )eo)e in t;e croded treet are un6non to t;e ober8er -


38/112

t;ou'; e no :or'et ;at a no8e e)erience t;at (ut in any cae ;a8e been to )eo)e ued to cuto(ary (a ette(ent - to t;eno c;aracteritic inter)retation o: tran'ene a 7(ytery7. Ordinary (ode o: )ercei8in' ot;er are een a o8erborne by t;e coa)eo: nor(a reation;i) and t;eir a5 a o o: 7t;e baat o: :a(iiar i:e7. Ot;er )eo)e are t;en een a i: in 7econd i';t7 or+ cruciay+a in drea(5 a (a=or )oint o: re:erence :or (any ubeuent (odern artitic tec;niue.

oey reated to t;i :irt t;e(e o: t;e crod o: tran'er i a econd (a=or t;e(e+ o: an indi8idua oney and ioated it;in t;ecrod. %e can note o(e continuity in eac; t;e(e :ro( (ore 'enera Ro(antic (oti:5 t;e 'enera a))re;enion o: (ytery and o:etre(e and )recariou :or( o: conciouneF t;e intenity o: a )aradoica e:reaiation in ioation. But ;at ;a ;a))ened+ in eac;cae+ i t;at an a))arenty ob=ecti8e (iieu+ :or eac; o: t;ee condition+ ;a been identi:ied in t;e ney e)andin' and o8ercroded(ode( city. T;ere are a ;undred cae+ :ro( 3a(e T;o(on to "eor'e "iin' and beyond+ o: t;e reati8ey i()e tranition :ro(

earier :or( o: ioation and aienation to t;eir )eci:ic ocation in t;e city. T;o(on7 )oe(+ 7T;e Doo( o: a ity7 1?A$+ addree t;et;e(e e)icity+ a 7Soitude in t;e (idt o: a 'reat ity75

T;e cord o: y()at;y ;ic; ;oud ;a8e bound (e In eet co((unication it; eart;7 brot;er;ood I dre in ti';t and ti';ter tiaround (e+ Stran'in' (y ot eitence :or a (ood.7

#'ain+ in t;e better-6non 7ity o: Dread:u Ni';t7 1A0$+ a direct reation;i) i )ro)oed beteen t;e city and a :or( o: a'oniedconcioune5

T;e ity o: Ni';t+ but not o: See)F T;ere eet ee) i not :or t;e eary brainF T;e )itie ;our i6e year and a'e cree)+ # ni';tee( ter(e ;e. T;i dread:u train O: t;ou';t and concioune ;ic; ne8er ceae+ O: ;ic; o(e (o(ent7 tu)or butincreae+ T;i+ ore t;an oe+ (a6e retc;e t;ere inane.7

T;ere i direct in:uence :ro( T;o(on in Eiot7' eary city )oe(. But (ore 'eneray i()ortant i t;e etenion o: t;e aociation

beteen ioation and t;e city to aienation in it (ot ub=ecti8e ene5 a ran'e :ro( drea( or ni';t(are t;e :or(a 8ector o: 7Doo( o:a ity7$+ t;rou';

@

Ra)!ond /illia!s

t;e ditortion o: o)iu( or aco;o+ to actua inanity. T;ee tate are bein' 'i8en a )eruai8e and uti(atey con8entiona ociaocation. On t;e ot;er ;and+ aienation in t;e city coud be 'i8en a ocia rat;er t;an a )yc;oo'ica e();ai. T;i i e8ident inEiJabet; "a6e7 inter)retation o: t;e treet o: Manc;eter in -ar) Barton, in (uc; o: Dic6en+ e)eciay in7o!&e) and (on, andt;ou'; ;ere it; (ore e();ai on t;e ioated and cru;ed ober8er$ in "iin'7 7e!os and T$e Net$er /orld. It i an e();aidran out and :or(ay ar'ued by En'e5

T;ey crod by one anot;er a t;ou'; t;ey ;ad not;in' in co((on+ not;in' to do it; one anot;er ... T;e bruta indi::erence+ t;eun:eein' ioation o: eac; in ;i )ri8ate interet beco(e t;e (ore re)eent and o::eni8e+ t;e (ore t;ee indi8idua are crodedto'et;er+ it;in a i(ited )ace. #nd+ ;oe8er (uc; one (ay be aare t;at t;i ioation o: t;e indi8idua+ t;i narro e: -ee6in' i

t;e :unda(enta )rinci)e o: our ociety e8ery;ere+ it i no;ere o ;a(eey bare:aced+ o e:-conciou a =ut ;ere in t;ecrodin' o:t;e 'reat city. T;e dioution o: (an6ind into (onad ... i ;ere carried out to it ut(ot etre(e .

T;ee aternati8e e();ae o: aienation+ )ri(ariy ub=ecti8e or ocia+are o:ten :ued or con:ued it;in t;e 'enera de8eo)(ent o: t;e t;e(e. In a ay t;eir doube ocation it;in t;e (odern city ;a;e)ed to o8erride ;at i ot;erie a ;ar) di::erence o: e();ai. &et bot; t;e aternati8e and t;eir :uion or con:uion )oint a;ead toober8abetendencie in tentiet;-century a8ant-'arde art+ it; it at ti(e :ued+ at ti(e di8idin'+ orientation toard etre(e ub=ecti8ityincudin' ub=ecti8ity a rede()tion or ur8i8a$ and ocia or ocia/cutura re8oution. T;ere i ao a t;ird t;e(e+ o::erin' a 8erydi::erent inter)retation o: t;e tran'ene and crodin' and t;u t;e 7i()enetrabiity7 o: t;e city. #ready in 1A?1 9iedin' ;ad ober8ed5

%;oe8er conider t;e itie o: !ondon and %et(inter+ it; t;e ate 8at increae o: t;eir uburb+ t;e 'reat irre'uarity o: t;eirbuidin'+ t;e i((ene nu(ber o: ane+ aey+ court and bye-)ace+ (ut t;in6 t;at ;ad t;ey been intended :or t;e 8ery )ur)oe o: concea(ent t;ey coud not ;a8e been better contri8ed. -I

T;i a a direct concern it; t;e :act o: urban cri(e+ and t;e e();ai )erited. T;e 7dar6 !ondon7 o: t;e ate nineteent; century+ and)articuary t;e Eat End+ ere o:ten een a arren o: cri(e+ and one i()ortant iterary re)one to t;i a t;e ne :i'ure o: t;e urban

ARe#ositionin -odernis!

detecti8e. In onan Doye7 ($erlock ol!es torie t;ere i a recurTent i(a'e o: t;e )enetration by an ioated rationa intei'ence o: adar6 area o: cri(e ;ic; i to be :ound in t;e ot;erie :or )eci:ic );yica reaon+ a in t;e !ondon :o'+ but ao :or ocia reaon+in t;at tee(in'+ (aJe-i6e+ o:ten aien area$ i()enetrabe city. T;i :i'ure ;a )erited in t;e urban 7)ri8ate eye7 a it ;a))en+ an eactidio( :or t;e baic )oition in concioune$ in citie it;out t;e :o'.

On t;e ot;er ;and+ t;e idea o: 7dar6et !ondon7 coud be 'i8en a ocia e();ai. It i aready i'ni:icant t;at t;e ue o: tatitic to


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undertand an ot;erie too co()e and too nu(erou ociety ;ad been )ioneered in Manc;eter :ro( t;e 1


40/112

u))ortin' :or(uation o: 7(inority7 and 7(a7+ 7uaity7 and 7)o)uar7 - o: t;at oder+ eary tentiet;-century )eriod+ ;ic; :or t;e( it;e )erenniay 7(odern7. T;irdy+ and (ot :unda(entay+ t;e centra )roduct o: t;at earier )eriod+ :or reaon ;ic; (ut be e)ored+a a ne et o: 7uni8era7+ aet;etic+ inteectua and )yc;oo'ica+ ;ic; can be ;ar)y contrated it; t;e oder 7uni8era7 or)eci:ic cuture+ )eriod and :ait;+ but ;ic; in =ut t;at uaity reit a :urt;er )eci:icitie+ o: ;itorica c;an'e or o: cutura andocia di8erity5 in t;e con8iction o: ;at i beyond uetion and :or a e::ecti8e ti(e t;e 7(ode( aboute7+ t;e de:ined uni8eraity o: a;u(an condition ;ic; i e::ecti8ey )er(anent.

T;ere are e8era )oibe ay out o: t;i inteectua deadoc6+ ;ic; no ;a o (uc; )oer o8er a ;oe ran'e o: );ioo);ica+aet;etic and )oitica t;in6in'. T;e (ot e::ecti8e in8o8e conte()orary anayi in a ti ra)idy c;an'in' ord. But it i ao ue:u+;en :aced by t;i curiou condition o: cutura tai - curiou becaue it i a tai ;ic; i continuay de:ined in dyna(ic and

e)erientiay )recariou ter( - to identi:y o(e o: t;e )rocee o: it :or(ation5 eein' a )reent beyond

Ra)!ond /illia!s

7t;e (odern7 by eein' ;o+ in t;e )at+ t;at )eci:icay aboute +(odern7 a :or(ed. 9or t;i indenti:ication+ t;e :act o: t;ede8eo)(ent o: t;e city into t;e (etro)oi are baic. %e can ee ;o certain t;e(e in art and t;ou';t de8eo)ed a )eci:ic re)oneto t;e ne and e)andin' 6ind o: nineteent;-century city and t;en+ a t;e centra )oint o: anayi+ ee ;o t;ee ent t;rou'; a 8arietyo: actua artitic tran:or(ation+ u))orted by ney o::ered and co()etiti8e$ aet;etic uni8era+ in certain (etro)oitan condition o:t;e eary tentiet; century5 t;e (o(ent o: 7(odern art7.

Nineteent;-century antecedent to t;e t;e(e o: urban aienation

It i i()ortant to e();aie ;o reati8ey od o(e o: t;ee a))arenty (ode( t;e(e are. 9or t;at i t;e in;erent ;itory o: t;e(e at:irt contained it;in 7)re-(odern7 :or( o: art ;ic; t;en in certain condition ed to actua and radica c;an'e o: :or(. It i t;e ar'ey

;idden ;itory o: t;e condition o: t;ee )ro:ound interna c;an'e ;ic; e ;a8e to e)ore+ o:ten a'aint t;e ca(our o: t;e 7uni8era7t;e(e8e.9or con8enience I i ta6e ea()e o: t;e t;e(e :ro( En'i; iterature+ ;ic; i )articuary ric; in t;e(. Britain ent t;rou'; t;e

:irt ta'e o: indutria and (etro)oitan de8eo)(ent 8ery eary+ and a(ot at once certain )eritent t;e(e ere arri8ed at. T;u t;ee::ect o: t;e (odern city a a crod o: tran'er a identi:ied+ in a ay t;at a to at+ by %ordort;5

0 9riendL one :eein' a t;ere ;ic; beon'ed to t;i 'reat city+ by ecui8e ri';tF ,o o:ten+ in t;e o8er:oin' treet+ ,a8e I 'one:orard it; t;e crod and aid *nto (ye:+ 7T;e :ace o: e8ery one T;at )ae by (e i a (yteryL7

T;u ;a8e I oo6ed+ nor ceaed to oo6+ o))reed By t;ou';t o: ;at and ;it;er+ ;en and ;o+ *nti t;e ;a)e be:ore (y eyebeca(e # econd-i';t )roceion+ uc; a 'ide O8er ti (ountain+ or a))ear in drea(. #nd a t;e baat o: :a(iiar i:e+ T;e)reent+ and t;e )atF ;o)e and :earF a tay # a o: actin'+ t;in6in'+ )ea6in' (an %ent :ro( (e+ neit;er 6noin' (e+ nor 6non.7

?Re#ositionin -odernis!

o)tion :or )at or eotic cuture+ a ource or at eat a :ra'(ent aainst t;e (odern ord.Many ee(ent o: t;i di8erity ;a8e to be reated to t;e )eci:ic cuture and ituation it;in ;ic; di::erent 6ind o: or6 and

)oition ere to be de8eo)ed+ t;ou'; it;in t;e i()er ideoo'y o: (oderni( t;i i o:ten reited5 t;e inno8ation bein' directyreated ony to t;e(e8e a t;e reated critica )rocedure o: :or(ai( and tructurai( ca(e to init$. But t;e di8erity o: )oitionand (et;od ;a - anot;er 6ind o: i'ni:icance. T;e t;e(e+ in t;eir 8ariety+ incudin' a e ;a8e een dia(etricay o))oite a e adi8ere attitude to t;e city and it (odernity+ ;ad :or(ery been incuded it;in reati8ey traditiona :or( o: art. %;at t;en tand outa ne+ and i in t;i de:inin' ene 7(odern7+ i t;e erie incudin' t;e co()etiti8e euence$ o: brea6 in :or(. &et i: e ay ony t;ie are carried bac6 inide t;e ideoo'y+ i'norin' t;e continuity o: t;e(e :ro( t;e nineteent; century and ioatin' t;e brea6 o: :or(+ orore+ a o:ten in ubeuent )eudo-;itorie+ reatin' t;e :or(a brea6 to t;e t;e(e a i: bot; ere co()araby inno8ati8e. 9or it inot t;e 'enera t;e(e o: re)one to t;e city and it (odernity ;ic; co()oe anyt;in' t;at can be )ro)ery caed (oderni(. It irat;er t;e ne and )eci:ic ocation o: t;e artit and inteectua o: t;i (o8e(ent it;in t;e c;an'in' cutura (iieu o: t;e (etro)oi.

9or a nu(ber o: ocia and ;itorica reaon t;e (etro)oi o: t;e econd ;a: o: t;e nineteent; century and o: t;e :irt ;a: o: t;etentiet; century (o8ed into a uiet ne cutura di(enion. It a no (uc; (ore t;an t;e 8ery ar'e city+ or e8en t;e ca)ita city o:an i()ortant nation. It a t;e )ace ;ere ne ocia and econo(ic and cutura reation+ beyond bot; city and nation in t;eir oder

ene+ ere be'innin' to be :or(ed5 a ditinct ;itorica );ae ;ic; a in :act to be etended+ in t;e econd ;a: o: t;e tentiet;century+ at eat )otentiay+ to t;e ;oe ord.

In t;e eariet );ae t;i de8eo)(ent ;ad (uc; to do it; i()eriai(5 it; t;e (a'netic concentration o: eat; and )oer ini()eria ca)ita and t;e i(utaneou co(o)oitan acce to a ide 8ariety o: ubordinate cuture. But it a aay (ore t;an t;eort;odo coonia yte(. %it;in Euro)e ite: t;ere a a 8ery (ar6ed une8enne o: de8eo)(ent+ bot; it;in )articuar countrie+;ere t;e ditance beteen ca)ita and )ro8ince idened+ ociay and cuturay+ in t;e une8en de8eo)(ent -o: indutry anda'ricuture+ and o: a (onetary econo(y and i()e ubitence o: (ar6et :or(. E8en (ore crucia di::erence e(er'ed beteenindi8idua countrie+ ;ic; ca(e to co()oe a ne 6ind o: ;ierarc;y not i()y+ a in t;e od ter(+ o: (iitary )oer+ but in ter( o:de8eo)(ent and t;ence o: )ercei8ed eni';ten(ent and (odernity.

40Ra)!ond /illia!s


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Moreo8er+ bot; it;in (any ca)ita citie+ and e)eciay it;in t;e (a=or (etro)oie+ t;ere a at once a co()eity and ao);itication o: ocia reation+ u))e(ented in t;e (ot i()ortant cae - Pari+ abo8e a - by ece)tiona ibertie o: e)reion. T;ico()e and o)en (iieu contrated 8ery ;ar)y it; t;e )eritence o: traditiona ocia+ cutura and inteectua :or( in t;e )ro8inceand in t;e e de8eo)ed countrie. #'ain+ in ;at a not ony t;e co()eity but t;e (iceaneity o: t;e (etro)oi+ o di::erent int;ee re)ect :ro( traditiona cuture and ocietie beyond it+ t;e ;oe ran'e o: cutura acti8ity coud be acco((odated.

T;e (etro)oi ;oued t;e 'reat traditiona acade(ie and (ueu( and t;eir ort;odoieF t;eir 8ery )roi(ity and )oer o: controere bot; a tandard and a c;aen'e. But ao+ it;in t;e ne 6ind o: o)en+ co()e and (obie ociety+ (a 'rou) in any :or( o:di8er'ence or dient coud :ind o(e 6ind o: :oot;od+ in ay t;at oud not ;a8e been )oibe i: t;e artit and t;in6er co()oin'

t;e( ;ad been cattered in (ore traditiona+ coed ocietie. Moreo8er+ it;in bot; t;e (iceaneity o: t;e (etro)oi - ;ic; in t;ecoure o: ca)itait and i()eriait de8eo)(ent ;ad c;aracteriticay attracted a 8ery (ied )o)uation+ :ro( a 8ariety o: ocia andcutura ori'in - and it concentration o: eat; and t;u o))ortunitie o: )atrona'e+ uc; 'rou) coud ;o)e to attract+ indeed to :or(+ne 6ind o: audience. In t;e eary ta'e t;e :oot;od a uuay )recariou. T;ere i a radica contrat beteen t;ee o:ten tru''in'and uarrein' and co()etiti8e$ 'rou)+ ;o beteen t;e( (ade ;at i no 'eneray re:erred to a 7(odern art7+ and t;e :unded andtradin' intitution+ acade(ic and co((ercia+ ;ic; ere e8entuay to 'eneraie and dea in t;e(. T;e continuity i one o: underyin'ideoo'y+ but t;ere i ti a radica di::erence beteen t;e to 'eneration5 t;e tru''in' inno8ator and t;e (odernit etabi;(ent;ic; conoidated t;eir ac;ie8e(ent.

T;u t;e 6ey cutura :actor o: t;e (odernit ;i:t i t;e c;aracter o: t;e (etro)oi5 in t;ee 'enera condition but t;en+ e8en (oredecii8ey+ in it direct e::ect on :or(. T;e (ot i()ortant 'enera ee(ent o: t;e inno8ation in :or( i t;e :act o: i((i'ration to t;e(etro)oi+ and it cannot too o:ten be e();aied ;o (any o: t;e (a=or inno8ator ere+ in t;i )recie ene+ i((i'rant. #t t;e e8eo: t;e(e+ t;i underie+ in an ob8iou ay+ t;e ee(ent o: tran'ene and ditance+ indeed o: aienation+ ;ic; o re'uary :or( )arto: t;e re)ertory. But t;e decii8e aet;etic e::ect i at a dee)er e8e. !iberated or brea6in' :ro( t;eir nationa or )ro8incia cuture+

)aced in uite ne reation to t;oe ot;er nati8e an'ua'e or nati8e 8iua tradition+ encounterin' (ean;ie a no8e and dyna(ic

co((on en8iro(ent :ro( ;ic; (any o: t;e oder :or( ere ob8iouy ditant+ t;e artit and

41Re#ositionin -odernis!

riter and t;in6er o: t;i );ae :ound t;e ony co((unity a8aiabe to t;e(5 a co((unity o: t;e (ediu(F o: t;eir on )ractice.T;u an'ua'e a )ercei8ed uite di::erenty. It a no on'er+ in t;e od ene+ cuto(ary and naturaied+ but in (any ay

arbitrary and con8entiona. To t;e i((i'rant e)eciay+ it; t;eir ne econd co((on an'ua'e+ an'ua'e a (ore e8ident a a(ediu( - a (ediu( t;at coud be ;a)ed and re;a)ed - t;an a a ocia cuto(. E8en it;in a nati8e an'ua'e+ t;e ne reation;i) o:t;e (etro)oi+ and t;e ineca)abe ne ue in ne)a)er and ad8ertiin' attuned to it+ :orced certain )roducti8e 6ind o: tran'eneand ditance5 a ne concioune o: con8ention and t;u o: c;an'eabe+ becaue no o)en+ con8ention. T;ere ;ad on' been )reuretoard t;e or6 o: art a arte:act and co((odity+ but t;ee no 'reaty inteni:ied+ and t;eir co(bined )reure ere 8ery co()eindeed. T;e )reoccu)yin' 8iua i(a'e and tye o: )articuar cuture did not dia))ear+ any (ore t;an t;e nati8e an'ua'e+ nati8etae+ t;e nati8e tye o: (uic and dance+ but a ere no )aed t;rou'; t;i crucibe o: t;e (etro)oi+ ;ic; a in t;e i()ortantcae no (ere (etin'-)ot but an intene and 8iuay and in'uiticay ecitin' )roce in it on i';t+ :ro( ;ic; re(ar6abe ne

:or( e(er'ed.#t t;e a(e ti(e+ it;in t;e 8ery o)enne and co()eity o: t;e (etro)oi+ t;ere a no :or(ed and etted ociety to ;ic; t;e

ne 6ind o: or6 coud be reated. T;e reation;i) ere to t;e o)en and co()e and dyna(ic ocia )roce ite:+ and t;e onyacceibe :or( o: t;i )ractice a an e();ai on t;e (ediu(5 t;e (ediu( a t;at ;ic;+ in an un)recedented ay+ de:ined art. O8er aide and di8ere ran'e o: )ractice t;i e();ai on t;e (ediu(+ and on ;at can be done in t;e (ediu(+ beca(e do(inant. Moreo8er+aon'ide t;e )ractice+ t;eoretica )oition o: t;e a(e 6ind+ (ot notaby t;e ne in'uitic+ but ao t;e ne aet;etic o: i'ni:icant:or( and tructure+ roe to direct+ to u))ort+ to rein:orce and to reco((end. So neary co()ete a t;i 8at cutura re:or(ation t;at+at t;e e8e directy concerned - t;e ucceedin' (etro)oitan :or(ation o: earnin' and )ractice - ;at ;ad once been de:ianty (ar'inaand o))oitiona beca(e+ in it turn+ ort;odo+ at;ou'; t;e ditance o: bot; :ro( ot;er cuture and )eo)e re(ained ide. T;e 6ey tot;i )eritence i a'ain t;e ocia :or( o: t;e (etro)oi7 :or t;e :act o: increain' (obiity and ocia di8erity+ )ain' t;rou'; acontinuin' do(inance o: certain (etro)oitan centre and a reated une8enne o: a ot;er ocia and cutura de8eo)(ent+ ed to a(a=or e)anion o: (etro)oitan :or( o: )erce)tion+ bot; interna and i()oed. Many o: t;e direct :or( and (edia -)rocee o: t;e(inority );ae o: (ode( art t;u beca(e ;at coud be een a t;e co((on currency o: (a=ority co((unication+ e)eciay in :i(an art :or( created+ in a i()ortant re)ect+ by t;ee )erce)tion$ and in ad8ertiin'.

42Ra)!ond /illia!s

I

It i t;en neceary to e)ore+ in a it co()eity o: detai+ t;e (any 8ariation in t;i decii8e );ae o: (odern )ractice and t;eory.But it i ao ti(e to e)ore it it; o(et;in' o: it on ene o: tran'ene and ditance+ rat;er t;an it; t;e co(:ortabe and nointernay acco((odated :or( o: it incor)oration and naturai(. T;i (ean+ abo8e a+ eein' t;e i()eria and ca)itait (etro)oia a )eci:ic ;itorica :or(+ at di::erent ta'e5 Pari+ !ondon+ Berin+ Ne &or6. It in8o8e oo6in'+ :ro( ti(e to ti(e+ :ro( outide t;e(etro)oi5 :ro( t;e de)ri8ed ;interand+ ;ere di::erent :orce are (o8in'+ and :ro( t;e )oor ord ;ic; ;a aay been )eri);erato t;e (etro)oitan yte(. T;i need in8o8e no reduction o: t;e i()ortance o: t;e (a=or artitic and iterary or6 ;ic; ere ;a)edit;in (etro)oitan )erce)tion. But one e8e ;a certainy to be c;aen'ed5 t;e (etro)oitan inter)retation o: it on )rocee a


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uni8era.T;e )oer o: (etro)oitan de8eo)(ent i not to be denied. T;e ecite(ent and c;aen'e o: it intricate )rocee o: iberation and

aienation+ contact and tran'ene+ ti(uation and tandardiation+ are ti )oer:uy a8aiabe. But it ;oud no on'er be )oibe to)reent t;ee )eci:ic and traceabe )rocee a i: t;ey ere uni8era+ not ony in ;itory but a it ere abo8e and beyond it. T;e:or(uation o: t;e (odernit uni8era i in e8ery cae a )roducti8e but i()er:ect and in t;e end :aaciou re)one to )articuarcondition o: coure+ brea6don+ :aiure and :rutration. 9ro( t;e neceary ne'ation o: t;ee condition+ and :ro( t;e ti(uatin'tran'ene o: a ne and a it ee(ed$ unbonded ocia :or(+ t;e creati8e ea) to t;e ony a8aiabe uni8eraity - o: ra (ateria+ o:(ediu(+ o: )roce - a i()rei8ey and in:uentiay (ade.

#t t;i e8e a at ot;er - 7(oderniation7 :or ea()e - t;e u))oed uni8era beon' to a );ae o: ;itory ;ic; a bot; creati8ey

)receded and creati8ey ucceeded. %;ie t;e uni8era are ti acce)ted a tandard inteectua )rocedure+ t;e aner co(e out ai()rei8ey a t;e uetion deter(ine. But t;en it i c;aracteritic o: any (a=or cuture );ae t;at it ta6e it oca and traceabe

)oition a uni8era. T;i+ ;ic; (oderni( a o ceary in t;e )at ;ic; it a re=ectin'+ re(ain true :or ite:. %;at iucceedin' it i ti uncertain and )recariou+ a in it on initia );ae. But it can be :oreeen t;at t;e )eriod in ;ic; ociatran'ene and e)oure ioated art a ony a (ediu( i due to end+ e8en it;in t;e (etro)oi+ ea8in' :ro( it (ot acti8e );ae t;ene cutura (onu(ent and t;eir acade(ie ;ic; in t;eir turn are bein' c;aen'ed.

4.

@. Ibid.+ ). 90.4. 9RIEDRI, EN"E!S+ T$e "ondition of t$e /orkin "lass in Enland in 944, tran. 9.K. %ic;neetJ6y !ondon+ 9:@4=, #. ?4.>. ,ENR& 9IE!DIN"+5n1%ir) into t$e "a%se of t$e *ate 5ncrease of Ro&&ers 99=, #. @.

4?

Re#ositionin -odernis!

conider 'ender and (oderni( are Nao(i Se'a+ 7Seua Poitic and T;e #8ant-"arde7 in Ti(( and oier+ 8isions and Bl%e#rints


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14$+ )). 2


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initiati8e (ana'ed to ;i:t t;e )robe( o: t;e canon :ro( it centra )oition it;in iterary tudie. Di::erent but con8er'ent atte()t bybac6 critic and e:t cutura ;itorian at 7:irin' t;e canon7 ;a8e (et it; i(iar di::icutie. # Pierre Mac;erey noted o(e year a'o+ta6in' about t;e incuion o: co(ic tri) into cutura anayi5

9ar :ro( c;an'in' t;e initia contet by tudyin' di::erent (ateria+ t;ee di::erent (ateria ;a8e in :act co()etey rein:orced t;etraditiona cate'orie and yte( o: t;in6in'. In t;at ene not;in' ;a c;an'ed - on t;e contrary a u))e(entary yte( o:ca(ou:a'e ;a been )roduced.$ It i not i()y a uetion o: t;e (ec;anica introduction and conideration o: ne (ateria in iterarytudieF e (ut ao co()etey c;an'e t;e yte( in ;ic; t;e cate'orie o: iterary tudie are t;ou';t O*t.@

Since t;en+ it ;a beco(e e8en cearer t;at at;ou'; t;e (ateria t;e readin' it :or Moderni( coure+ :or ea()e$ ;a c;an'ed+ t;ecate'orie re(ain ar'ey in )ace. Ne t;eorie and ne (ateria i not in t$e!seles enabe u to c;an'e t;e cate'orie o: iterarytudie. Ret;in6in' 7Moderni(7 in8o8e ret;in6in' 7En'i;7 a a ub=ect+ ret;in6in' t;e ,u(anitie and ;at+ in t;e (idt o: ar'u(entabout (ar6et :orce and centre o: eceence+ t;eir roe in t;e Education o: t;e ninetie (i';t beco(e. Mo8in' bac6 :ro( t;ee t;ou';tto 7Dorot;y Ric;ardon7+ I ant t;en not to (a6e a cae :or ;er on t;e Moderni( tic6et+ but to a6 ;y at )reent Pilri!ae is notidey read and in ;at ay it (i';t be. 9or at )reent+ it ee( to (e+ Pilri!ae is not readF t;e :irt o: it :our 8ou(e re)rinted byCira'o in 14A4 i no out o: )rint+A butt;e ubeuent 8ou(e re(ain on t;e ;e8e. It re(ain one o: t;oe

4Dean Radford

boo6 7t;at cuturay iterate )eo)e ;a8e read about but ;a8en7t read7. T;e )robe(+ it i aid+ i it en't;5 t;e t;irteen eria no8e7c;a)ter7 a Ric;ardon caed t;e($ nu(ber o8er to t;ouand )a'e. T;e body o: t;i tet i too bi'+ too bu6y to be 'ood canon:odderF a ooe ba''y (onter+ it ea)erate it reader and critic by it ecei8e en't;+ it ;a)eene+ it naricii(. 79e(inine

it;out t;e c;ar(7+ a !ione Tri:in' caed it. It 'oe on and on+ )eonatic+ )ote+ i6e o(e inter(inabe anayi ;ic; re:ue toco(e to an end. T;e t;irteent; no8e+-arc$ -oonli$t, is indeed an un:ini;ed+ unre8ied dra:t+ ;ic; Dent incuded in t;e )ot;u(ou14@A edition. Ony Ric;ardon7 deat; and ;er )ubi;er$ brou';t it to a coe.

Ric;ardon7 re=ection o: inear tory-baed narrati8e and ;er diati:action it; current :or( i o: coure co((on to t;e )eriod. #;e tated in t;e Pre:ace to t;e 14


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(eanin' :or it. 7# (ania o: )reciion )roduce %ne t$!ati1%e ide.'Pilri!ae t;u brea6 it; t;e nineteent;-century contract a decribed by Bart;e and uer. It ue );yica decri)tion+ t;e

decri)ti8e reidue+ re)eatedy and at 'reat en't; - not to enure t;e +reaity e::ect7+ but a a (ean to i()e t;e reader onard toard t;ee8er-de:erred )oint ;ere it i'ni:icance i beco(e reco'niabe. It i a doube-ed'ed trate'y in t;at it ri6 oin' t;e readeruniin' to de:er ;i or ;er inter)reti8e )eaure. %it; t;i ty)e o: ritin' 3oyce i a 6ey ea()e$+ critici( i ued to )oint to t;einter)reti8e o)tion+ and t;e inter)reti8e )robe( i ;i:ted :ro( reader to critic. T;e to (o8e in uer7 cyce o: readin' are t;u )it

beteen t;e a(ateur reader and

100

Dean Radford

t;e )ro:eiona critic.Pilri!ae, ac6in' t;e 6ind o: inter)reti8e a))aratu ;ic; urround l)sses orFinneans /ake is

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