Revolution in Poetic Revolution in Poetic LanguageLanguage

by Julia Kristevaby Julia Kristeva

OutlineOutline

I. IntroductionI. Introduction

II. The Semiotic and the Symbolic II. The Semiotic and the Symbolic 2. The Semiotic Chora Ordering the Drive2. The Semiotic Chora Ordering the Drive 5. The Thetic: Rupture and/or Boundary 5. The Thetic: Rupture and/or Boundary 12. Genotext and Phenotext 12. Genotext and Phenotext

III. Examples for Practice III. Examples for Practice

IntroductionIntroduction

Her focus: the workings of “poetic language” as a Her focus: the workings of “poetic language” as a signifying practice, that is, as a semiotic system signifying practice, that is, as a semiotic system generated by a speaking subject within a social generated by a speaking subject within a social historical field (intro. 1) historical field (intro. 1)

– – the infinite possibilities of language the infinite possibilities of language Revolution: question the traditional epistemological Revolution: question the traditional epistemological

subject and patriarchal language subject and patriarchal language ““subject in process”-- brings the body back into signifying subject in process”-- brings the body back into signifying

practicepractice focus on the maternal and pre-Oedipal in the constitution of focus on the maternal and pre-Oedipal in the constitution of

subjectivitysubjectivity

QuestionsQuestions

How does Kristeva construct subjectivity?How does Kristeva construct subjectivity? How does she combine psychoanalytic concepHow does she combine psychoanalytic concep

t of divided subject with structuralist concept ot of divided subject with structuralist concept of language (as signification)? f language (as signification)?

Semiotic Process and “chora”Semiotic Process and “chora” The operation of semiotic drive -- as signifying process (p.21The operation of semiotic drive -- as signifying process (p.21

69-72) – 69-72) –

1.1. The facilitation and the structuring disposition of drivesThe facilitation and the structuring disposition of drives

2.2. Displacement and condensation of energies and their inscriptiDisplacement and condensation of energies and their inscription (69) on (69)

semiotic “chora” – rupture and articulation (rhythm) semiotic “chora” – rupture and articulation (rhythm) – – a nonexpressive totality formed by the drives and their stases in a motilita nonexpressive totality formed by the drives and their stases in a motilit

y(y( 運動性 運動性 ) that is as full of movement as it is regulated. ) that is as full of movement as it is regulated. From Plato’s “chora” –mobile and uncertain articulation (different frFrom Plato’s “chora” –mobile and uncertain articulation (different fr

om disposition) om disposition)

Our discourse—all discourse—moves with and against the chOur discourse—all discourse—moves with and against the chora in the sense that it simultaneously depends upon and refusora in the sense that it simultaneously depends upon and refuses it. es it.

Chora Chora

(2170-71)(2170-71) NotNot

A sign, a position, nor A sign, a position, nor a signfier a signfier

A model or copy A model or copy

Is Is Generated in order to attain to this signifying poGenerated in order to attain to this signifying po

sition sition Precedes and underlines figuration and thus spePrecedes and underlines figuration and thus spe

cularization cularization Vocal and kinetic rhythm Vocal and kinetic rhythm A receptacle, nourishing and maternal (2171) A receptacle, nourishing and maternal (2171) [physical [physical social] Its Vocal and gestural organ social] Its Vocal and gestural organ

ization is subject to …an objective ordering, whization is subject to …an objective ordering, which is dictated by natural or socio-historical conich is dictated by natural or socio-historical constraints (2171) straints (2171)

Semiotic vs. SymbolicSemiotic vs. Symbolic Chora as the Chora as the pre-symbolicpre-symbolic: -- “a modality of signifiance in whi: -- “a modality of signifiance in whi

ch the linguistic sign is not yet articulated as the absence of the ch the linguistic sign is not yet articulated as the absence of the object and as the distinction between the real and the symbolicobject and as the distinction between the real and the symbolic” (2171).” (2171). (p.2172) Pre-Oedipal drives—which are “both destructive and assimil(p.2172) Pre-Oedipal drives—which are “both destructive and assimil

ating,” i.e. including displacement and condensation, absorption and reating,” i.e. including displacement and condensation, absorption and repulsionpulsion

(p. 2173) drive – attack against stasis, chora– a place where the subject (p. 2173) drive – attack against stasis, chora– a place where the subject is both generated and negated. is both generated and negated.

The process of charges and stasis – negativity The process of charges and stasis – negativity The The symbolicsymbolic: social language social effects constituted throug: social language social effects constituted throug

h objective constraints of biological difference and historical ch objective constraints of biological difference and historical considerations (p.2171) onsiderations (p.2171) organize the chora through an ‘order organize the chora through an ‘ordering’ (mediation) but not according to a law.ing’ (mediation) but not according to a law.

The mother’s body as mediation –between the symbolic order The mother’s body as mediation –between the symbolic order and the semiotic chora and the semiotic chora

Semiotic Drives Semiotic Drives symbolization symbolization

The semiotic rhythm: “text” is the terrain of operating The semiotic rhythm: “text” is the terrain of operating signifying process (p.2172)signifying process (p.2172)

Checked by biological and social constraints (or the Checked by biological and social constraints (or the symbolic) symbolic)

Semiotic marks: voice, gesture, color; a Semiotic marks: voice, gesture, color; a psychosomatic modality connecting the physical and psychosomatic modality connecting the physical and the social (2173) the social (2173)

symbolization through connection and functions symbolization through connection and functions (e.g. metonymy and metaphor; condensation and (e.g. metonymy and metaphor; condensation and displacement; 2174 syntax) displacement; 2174 syntax)

Summary: Body and the semioticSummary: Body and the semiotic

Chora -- The space of the drives; Chora -- The space of the drives; The semiotic -- the bodily drive as it is discharged in The semiotic -- the bodily drive as it is discharged in

signification (signifiance). The semiotic is associated signification (signifiance). The semiotic is associated with the with the rhythms, tones, and movement of signifying rhythms, tones, and movement of signifying practices.practices. As the discharge of drives, it is also associa As the discharge of drives, it is also associated with (and mediated by) ted with (and mediated by) the maternal bodythe maternal body, the firs, the first source of rhythms, tones, and movements for every t source of rhythms, tones, and movements for every human being since we all have resided in that body. human being since we all have resided in that body.

The Symbolic & the SemioticThe Symbolic & the Semiotic element of signification is associated with the element of signification is associated with the

grammar and structure of signification. The grammar and structure of signification. The symbolic element is what makes reference possible. symbolic element is what makes reference possible.

Without the symbolic, all signification would be Without the symbolic, all signification would be babble or delirium. But, without the semiotic, all babble or delirium. But, without the semiotic, all signification would be empty and have no signification would be empty and have no importance for our lives. Ultimately, signification importance for our lives. Ultimately, signification requires both the semiotic and symbolic; there is no requires both the semiotic and symbolic; there is no signification without some combination of both.signification without some combination of both.

source

The Thetic as Rupture The Thetic as Rupture

Signification as proposition or judgment, a realm of pSignification as proposition or judgment, a realm of positions. ositions. structured as a break in the signifying pr structured as a break in the signifying processocess

The break is thetic; it produces the positing of significThe break is thetic; it produces the positing of signification. (Meaning is produced through rupture and breation. (Meaning is produced through rupture and break.) ak.)

Thetic signification—the threshhold of language: a stThetic signification—the threshhold of language: a stage arrived at during the signifying process; it constitage arrived at during the signifying process; it constitutes the subject, but the subject is not reduced to such utes the subject, but the subject is not reduced to such stage; nor to the transcendental ego. stage; nor to the transcendental ego.

Genotext and PhenotextGenotext and Phenotext genotext: the body of transferring process that is not rgenotext: the body of transferring process that is not r

estricted to univocal information (“includes drives, thestricted to univocal information (“includes drives, their disposition, and their division of the body, plus eceir disposition, and their division of the body, plus ecological and social system surrounding the body”) (p.ological and social system surrounding the body”) (p.2176)2176) 2177 a process; forming structure out of ephemeral and no2177 a process; forming structure out of ephemeral and no

n-signifying structures n-signifying structures a) instinctual dyads, b. corporeal-ecological continuum, c. ta) instinctual dyads, b. corporeal-ecological continuum, c. t

he social organism and family structure. d. matrices of signhe social organism and family structure. d. matrices of signification. ification.

phenotext: a structure follows rules of communicationphenotext: a structure follows rules of communications and denotes language for representation (“the emergs and denotes language for representation (“the emergence of object and subject, and the constitution of nucence of object and subject, and the constitution of nuclei of meaning involving categories”) (p.2177)lei of meaning involving categories”) (p.2177)

Genotext and PhenotextGenotext and Phenotext

Genotext as topography (spaces of connections) vs. PGenotext as topography (spaces of connections) vs. Phenotext as algebra (forms of relations) (2178) henotext as algebra (forms of relations) (2178)

Signification: “stopping the signifying process at one Signification: “stopping the signifying process at one or another theses that it traverses; they knot it and locor another theses that it traverses; they knot it and lock it into a given surface or structure.” k it into a given surface or structure.”

Phenotext –conveys these obliteration of the infiinity Phenotext –conveys these obliteration of the infiinity of language. of language.

A “new” semiotics: the genotext exists within the pheA “new” semiotics: the genotext exists within the phenotext, which is the perceivable signifying systemnotext, which is the perceivable signifying system

The semiotic dispositionThe semiotic disposition

Those with the semiotic disposition allow the eThose with the semiotic disposition allow the emergence of the semiotic in the symbolic, or thmergence of the semiotic in the symbolic, or the genotext in the phenotext. e genotext in the phenotext.

E.g. rhythm, ambiguity and over-symbolicity, tE.g. rhythm, ambiguity and over-symbolicity, the switches and multiplicity of locutionary poshe switches and multiplicity of locutionary positions. itions.

The Semiotic: Examples The Semiotic: Examples

Music -- Mallarme – “air and song beneath the Music -- Mallarme – “air and song beneath the text” (2174)text” (2174)

Giotto Giotto The Last JudgmentThe Last Judgment 130 130

66

Figure vs. ColorFigure vs. Color

http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/http://www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/g/giotto/padova/4lastjud/html/g/giotto/padova/4lastjud/

Fresco, 1000 x 840 cmFresco, 1000 x 840 cmCappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua Cappella Scrovegni (Arena Chapel), Padua

Giotto Last JudgmentGiotto Last Judgment 1306 –Detail 1306 –Detail

““Thus all colors, but blue in particular,Thus all colors, but blue in particular, would have a noncentered or decer would have a noncentered or decertering effect, lessening both object itering effect, lessening both object identification and phenomenal fixatidentification and phenomenal fixation. They thereby return the subject on. They thereby return the subject to the archaic moment of its dialectto the archaic moment of its dialectic, that is, before the fixed, specular ic, that is, before the fixed, specular “I”, but while in process of becomi“I”, but while in process of becoming this “I” by breaking away from ing this “I” by breaking away from instinctual, biological (and also matnstinctual, biological (and also maternal) dependence.” (Desire in Lanernal) dependence.” (Desire in Language 225)guage 225)

The Maternal BodyThe Maternal Body

Rejected by and split from the childRejected by and split from the child

““motherhood” as “a luminous spatializatiomotherhood” as “a luminous spatialization, the ultimate language of jouissance at n, the ultimate language of jouissance at the far limits of repression, where bodiethe far limits of repression, where bodies, identities, and signs are begotten” (Des, identities, and signs are begotten” (Desire in Language 269)sire in Language 269)

Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini “Madonna and Child” “Madonna and Child”

http://www.gfmer.ch/Art_for_Health/http://www.gfmer.ch/Art_for_Health/Giovanni_Bellini.htm Giovanni_Bellini.htm

1460-1464

1487

Giovanni BelliniGiovanni Bellini “Madonna and Child” “Madonna and Child”

http://www.gfmer.ch/Art_for_Health/Giovanni_Bellini.hthttp://www.gfmer.ch/Art_for_Health/Giovanni_Bellini.htm m

The final series The final series of motherhood pof motherhood paintings…carries on and perfects Belliaintings…carries on and perfects Bellini’s mastery of the style he created betni’s mastery of the style he created between 1480 and 1500. The mother’s fween 1480 and 1500. The mother’s face again falls into calmness/absence, ace again falls into calmness/absence, dreams of an unsignifiable experience.dreams of an unsignifiable experience. The infant…appears more easily sep The infant…appears more easily separable. The maternal figure increasinarable. The maternal figure increasing appears as a module, a process, presg appears as a module, a process, present only to justify this cleaved space.. .ent only to justify this cleaved space.. . .(263-64) .(263-64)

1510

PracticePractice

On “The Yellow Wallpaper”: “On “The Yellow Wallpaper”: “The official text The official text needs to be broken down and the writing seen needs to be broken down and the writing seen as both subjectivity and communication--writias both subjectivity and communication--writing where one reads the other (ng where one reads the other (Desire in LanguDesire in Languageage). Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a model of J). Charlotte Perkins Gilman is a model of Julia Kristeva’s theory.ulia Kristeva’s theory. ”( ”(sourcesource))

Georgia O'KeeffeGeorgia O'Keeffe Black IrisBlack Iris

Pollock, Jackson Blue Poles: Number 11, 1952

Pollock, Jackson Blue Poles: Number 11, 1952

Context:

1. existentialism ("existence precedes essence"); alone in the void (alienation);

2. the Cold War: post-Hiroshima; the Soviet Union gets the bomb in 1949;

3. the 50's beat generation (pushing to the edge of one's consciousness.)

4. Jungian analysis (the collective unconscious; the archetype; mythic structures embedded in everyone's unconscious).

5. Inspired by jazz improvisation; listened to records by Charlie Parker while he painted. Also influenced by Native American sand painting and the idea that painting could be ritualistic, a rites of passage. (source: http://www.csulb.edu/~karenk/20thcwebsite/439mid/ah439mid-Info.00011.html )

ConclusionConclusion

Retrieve subject from language: thetic significRetrieve subject from language: thetic significationation

the text, in the concept of intertextuality, explores the internal the text, in the concept of intertextuality, explores the internal conflicts in culture and serves as a new semiotics by ecriture fconflicts in culture and serves as a new semiotics by ecriture feminineeminine 陰性書寫 陰性書寫 (p.2175)(p.2175)

related website: The feminist Theory Website: related website: The feminist Theory Website: http://www.cddc.vt.edu/feminismhttp://www.cddc.vt.edu/feminism