postmodernity ethics and novel a. gibson

8/13/2019 Postmodernity Ethics and Novel a. Gibson

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POSTMODERNITY ETHICS AND NOVEL: FROM LEVIS TO LEVINASAndrew Gibson Ro!"#ed$e %&&&

CONTENTSA'(now#ed$e)en"s Abbre*i+"ions *ii

i,In"rod!'"ion %PART IDisso#!"ions -.% N+rr+"i*e +nd +#"eri"/ N+rr+"in$ s!b0e'" +nd n+rr+"ed ob0e'" 1+)es C+"2er +nd "2e 3wis'2enE,'end+n'e Crossin$ "2e 4resen": so)e 4os")odern 5i'"ion -6-6-&.78%- E"2i's +nd !nre4resen"+bi#i"/ Fro) Le+*is "o Le*in+s He+r" o5 D+r(ness +nd "2e #i)i"s o5re4resen"+"ion E"2i's +nd "2e 4os")odern s!b#i)e Ne$+"i*i"/ +nd )e#+n'2o#i+ 6868697797. E"2i's +nd "2e disso#!"ion o5 "2e no*e#; M!#"i4#i'i"/ +nd 5ission T2e 'ir'!i"


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7 Sensibi#i"/ A brie5 2is"or/ o5 )odern sensibi#i"/ Le*in+s =+"+i##e: sensibi#i"/ +nd e,4endi"!reS!55erin$ +nd s"+$in$; in R2/s Corne## Nin +nd 5iss!res in re+#i"/; %7%%7%%78%79

%9.9 Re'e4"ion +nd re'e4"i*i"/ P2eno)eno#o$/ +nd "2e e$o =#+n'2o" +nd "2e inno'en'e o5 re+din$;T2e s4#i"


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iden"i5i'+"ion wi"2 +n En$#is2 in"e##e'"!+# +nd 'ri"i'+# "r+di"ion i" is +#)os"!ni !e in "2is s"!d/ "2o!$2 none"2e#ess i)4or"+n" "o i"? =!" I +#so s"ress i"

be'+!se I w+n" "o re+55ir) #i"er+r/ e"2i's in "2e 5+'e o5 "2e "wo de*e#o4)en"s%

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ %-

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O Nin "2e s!b0e'" "2+" +" #e+s" in En$#+nd 2+*e been )os" res4onsib#e 5or "2e re'en"ne$#e'" o5 e"2i's "2e new 4osi"i*is) +nd "2e 4o#i"i's o5 En$#is2;? M/ in"eres" isin w2+" 5o##owin$ Rober" E+$#es"one I '+## e"2i'+# 'ri"i'is) +nd e"2i'+# 'ri"i'is)+s(s !es"ions o5 bo"2 "2ese de*e#o4)en"s? . Posi"i*is) is + 'o)4+r+"i*e#/s"r+i$2"5orw+rd iss!e: in En$#+nd in "2e %&& s "2ere 2+*e been '2+n$es "o "2e

4riori"ies in rese+r'2 5!ndin$ new 4ossibi#i"ies +re bein$ )+de +*+i#+b#e b/ +r+4id#/ i)4ro*in$ new "e'2no#o$/ +nd rese+r'2 +$end+s +re in're+sin$#/ de"er)ined

b/ 'ri"eri+ i)4or"ed 5ro) o"2er dis'i4#ines? Co)bined wi"2 + 4r+$)+"i' e"2os"2ese 5+'"ors 2+*e been )+(in$ i" s"e+di#/ )ore +d*+n"+$eo!s "o en$+$e in "endin$+nd de*e#o4in$ "2e +r'2i*e or in "2e 4rod!'"ion o5 4osi"i*e (now#ed$e? I;) no"$oin$ "o dis)iss "2is wor(? T2e re5ine)en" o5 "2e +44+r+"!s is e,"re)e#/ !se5!#+nd "2e 4ress!res in !es"ion +re in +n/ '+se 5or)id+b#e? T2e e"2i'+# 'ri"i' isnone"2e#ess bo!nd "o wonder w2e"2er "2ere )+/ no" be 'er"+in ironies "o "2issi"!+"ion? Isn;" + 5!"!re i)+$in+b#e in w2i'2 "2e '#+ssi's; +nd re#+"ed "e,"s +" #e+s"wi## be +*+i#+b#e in )ore or #ess 4er5e'" 5or) in )!#"i4#e or 2/4er"e,"J edi"ions

4rod!'ed "o "2e *er/ 2i$2es" s'2o#+r#/ s"+nd+rds b!" + 5!"!re in w2i'2 "2ere is +s"e+di#/ di)inis2in$ sense o5 w2o is "o re+d "2ese "e,"s #e" +#one "2eir o4!#en"5oo"no"es +nd +''o!n"s o5 *+ri+n"sJ +nd w2/ I5 "2e e,4er"s; (now#ed$e +nde#+bor+"ion o5 +n e*er


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4o#i"i'+# o*er e"2i'+# 'ri"i'is)? M/ !es"ion is 4+r"#/ + 5+)i#i+r 4os")odern one:-

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 -?

2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ %.Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O Nw+sn;" "2e s!44osed e"2i'+# s!4eriori"/ o5 4o#i"i'+# wor( "oo 2e+*i#/ )or"$+$ed"o $r+nd n+rr+"i*es; "o be s!s"+in+b#e in "2e #on$ r!n =!" +#so )ore 'r!'i+##/:w2i#s" "2e 4o#i"i's o5 En$#is2; needs no 0!s"i5i'+"ion in "er)s o5 'on"rib!"ions)+de "o (now#ed$e s!'2 'on"rib!"ions 2+*e se#5


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Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 .?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ %8

I N T R O D C T I O N

+s "2e n+i*e"/ re+##/ +## on "2e side o5 "2e 'ri"i's w2o '#+i)ed "2+" "2e #+r$es"e55e'"s "2+" #i"er+r/ 'ri"i'is) 'o!#d 2o4e "o 2+*e were e"2i'+# +nd "2ere5ore )odes"In +ddi"ion "o re"2in(in$ "2e !es"ion o5 "2eir s'o4e I wonder w2e"2er "2eor/+nd 'ri"i'is) )i$2" no" +#so !se5!##/ re"2in( "2e "e)4or+#i"/ o5 "2eir (now#ed$e+nd "2e #+""er;s 4ossib#e e55e'"s re"2in( "2e) "2+" is in "er)s no" o5 dire'"re#e*+n'e +nd i))edi+"e e55i'+'/ b!" )ore +!s"ere#/ +nd 4+"ien"#/ in "2e s4iri" o5 Derrid+;s #+"er wri"in$s in re#+"ion "o +n !nde'id+b#e 5!"!re or + !"o4i+n 2o4ew2i'2 '+nno" (now e,+'"#/ w2+" i" )i$2" +n"i'i4+"e? T2+" 2o4e wo!#d no" be"e#eo#o$i'+# +nd wo!#d no" 4ro'eed on "2e +ss!)4"ion o5 + de"er)in+"e #o$i'

bindin$ w2+" is "o 'o)e "o o!r 4resen";? T2is dis"in'"ion be"ween "wo "e)4or+#i"iesis +#so "2e dis"in'"ion be"ween 4o#i"i'+# 'ri"i'is) +nd "2e e"2i'+# +nd e"2i'o


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Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N'on"rib!"ion "o (now#ed$e; i" +r$!+b#/ 2+s "o be +''ordin$ "o + di55eren" "e)4or+#i"/"o "2+" o5 "2e i))edi+"e#/ 4o#i"i'+# wor#d +n e"2i'+# or e"2i'o


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I N T R O D C T I O N2is"ori'+##/ 'on"in$en" +nd '!#"!r+##/ re#+"i*e *+#!es +s "i)e#ess +nd !ni*ers+#ones;?% None"2e#ess 2e +r$!es "2+" "2e *iew o5 e"2i'+# *+#!e do)in+n" sin'e "2erise o5 "2eor/ #e+*es "2e re+der !n'ons"r+ined b/ +n/ s!bs"+n"i*e +''o!n" o5 "e,"$!idedness;in e"2i'+# 0!d$)en" ETN 4? -&J? T2e +d*en" o5 "2eor/ +nd w2+"

P+r(er '+##s i"s neo


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w2i'2 "2e 4r+'"i'e o5 "2e *ir"!es is +b#e "o 'on"in!e; A5V 4? -.&J? S2e !ni"esC2ris"i+n +nd Aris"o"e#e+n "2e)es in + de"er)in+"e so'i+# 'on"e,"? S2e "!rns +w+/5ro) "2e e)4"i#/ 'o)4e"in$ )odern '+"+#o$!es o5 "2e *ir"!es in "2e ei$2"een"2'en"!r/ +nd res"ores + "e#eo#o$i'+# 4ers4e'"i*e? S2e "2ereb/ be'o)es "2e #+s"$re+" e55e'"i*e i)+$in+"i*e *oi'e; o5 "2e Aris"o"e#e+n "r+di"ion A5V 4? -8 J?

2+" is re)+r(+b#e 2ere is 4re'ise#/ 2ow 5+r M+'In"/re re+ds +nd 4ri esA!s"en +s + )or+#is" wi"2 + *+#!e o5 + s4e'i5i' (ind "2+" 2+s been so #+r$e#/ne$#e'"ed b/ #i"er+r/ 'ri"i'is) 5or )ore "2+n "2ree de'+des? Li(e M+'In"/re Ror"/+nd N!ssb+!) 2+*e bo"2 been 'on'erned wi"2 "2e e"2i'+# 4ower o5 5i'"ion K e*en+s o44osed "o "2e e"2i'+# 4ower o5 )odern 42i#oso42/ K w2i#s" no"in$ w2+" "2e/"+(e "o be +n +bsen'e o5 e"2i'+# 'on'ern in )!'2 'on"e)4or+r/ #i"er+r/ 'ri"i'is)?T2!s Ror"/ +r$!es 5or ins"+n'e "2+" Pro!s";s 5in+# e"2i'+# s!4eriori"/ "o Nie"s '2e+nd Heide$$er 2+s "o do wi"2 $enre in "2+" no*e#s +re + s+5er )edi!) "2+n "2eor/5or e,4ressin$ one;s re'o$ni"ion o5 "2e re#+"i*i"/ +nd 'on"in$en'/ o5 +!"2ori"/5i$!res;:For no*e#s +re !s!+##/ +bo!" 4eo4#e K "2in$s w2i'2 +re !n#i(e $ener+#ide+s +nd 5in+# *o'+b!#+ries !i"e e*iden"#/ "i)e

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N

2+" 2e 5inds )os" 2eroi' is no" "2e +bi#i"/ s"ern#/ "o re0e'" +##des'ri4"ions s+*e one b!" r+"2er "2e +bi#i"/ "o )o*e b+'( +nd 5or"2

be"ween "2e)? %8T2e no*e#is" 4resen"s !s wi"2 indi*id!+#i"/ +nd di*ersi"/ +#i(e wi"2o!" +n/+""e)4" "o red!'e ei"2er "o "2e "er)s o5 + sin$!#+r s'2e)e or "o"+#i"/? T2e no*e#"2ereb/ be'o)es "2e 5or) 5or +nd e,4ression o5 +n e"2i's o5 5ree de)o'r+"i'

4#!r+#is)?


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For N!ssb+!) "oo #i"er+"!re is + 4ri)+r/ *e2i'#e 5or e"2i's in + 4os"42i#oso42i'+#+$e? T2ere +re 'er"+in "r!"2s +bo!" 2!)+n #i5e; "2+" '+n on#/ be5i""in$#/ +nd +''!r+"e#/ s"+"ed in "2e #+n$!+$e +nd 5or)s '2+r+'"eris"i' o5 "2en+rr+"i*e +r"is";?%6 I" is #i"er+"!re +nd "2e no*e# 5or e,+)4#e r+"2er "2+n 42i#oso42/"2+" bes" e,4ress 'on"r+di'"ions be"ween si$ni5i'+n" *+#!es or s/s"e)s o5 *+#!e

"2e e,is"en'e o5 'on5#i'"s +)on$ o!r 'o))i")en"s;J?%7 T2e/ +#so bes" '+4"!re"2e e"2i'+# i)4or"+n'e o5 'on"in$en'/ +nd "2e 4+ssions +nd +d)i" "2e 4riori"/ o5 "2e 4+r"i'!#+r o*er "2e $ener+#? P2i#oso42/ #+'(s "2is 5o'!s on "2e 'on're"es+'ri5i'in$ i" "o s/s"e)+"i' 'onsider+"ions; FG 4? %.J? %9 For "2+" *er/ re+son "2eno*e# is 5+i"25!# "o di55i'!#"/ bo"2 in"e##e'"!+##/ +nd e"2i'+##/ #+/in$ o4en "o *iew

"2e 'o)4#e,i"/ "2e s2eer di55i'!#"/ o5 2!)+n de#iber+"ion; ibid?J? Abo*e +##2owe*er i" +d*+n'es "2e 'on*ers+"ion +)on$ re+ders "2+" is ne'ess+r/ "o "2eAris"o"e#e+n 4ro0e'" w2ose +i)s +re !#"i)+"e#/ de5ined in "er)s o5 + we; o5

4eo4#e w2o wis2 "o 'o)e "o$e"2er +nd s2+re + 'on'e4"ion o5 *+#!e; FG 4? %8J? O5 'o!rse Ror"/ +nd N!ssb+!) )i$2" +r$!+b#/ be seen +s de#i*erin$ 42i#oso42/o*er in"o "2e 2+nds o5 #i"er+"!re? Indeed P!"n+) sees "2eir +r$!)en"s +s + si$n "2+"

"2e $re+" 4re"ensions o5 42i#oso42/ 2+*e 'o##+4sed;?%> =!" 5or )/ 4!r4oses i"is )ore in"eres"in$ "o no"e 2ow )+n/ o5 Ror"/ +nd N!ssb+!);s insis"en'es +rere)inis'en" o5 "2e #iber+# 2!)+nis" "r+di"ion o5 no*e# 'ri"i'is)? T2e e)42+sis on'on're"ion or 4+r"i'!#+ri"/ in "2e no*e# is *er/ '#ose "o bein$ Le+*isi"e? T2ee)42+sis on 'o)4#e,i"/ +nd di*ersi"/ o5 or 'on"r+di'"ions in *+#!e re'+##s so)e o5 "2e '#+ssi' #iber+# '+ses 5or "2e no*e# "2+" were )+de in "2e %&7 s #i(e =+rb+r+H+rd/;s +nd ? 1? H+r*e/;s? Ror"/ +nd N!ssb+!) +re b/ no )e+ns i$nor+n" o5 'on"e)4or+r/ de*e#o4)en"s in #i"er+r/ "2eor/? T2e re*erse: "2e/ )+/ 2+*e re+dno" 0!s" "2eir Derrid+ +nd de M+n b!" "2eir =roo(s 1+)eson +nd Ri'oe!r?

None"2e#ess in "2eir own +''o!n"s o5 "2e no*e# "2e/ +44e+r "o "!rn +w+/ 5ro)#+"er "2eor/ "o +n e+r#ier "r+di"ion +s e,4#i'i"#/ ins"+n'ed b/ Ror"/ in "2e n+)es o5

Le+*is E#io" Ed)!nd i#son Lione# Tri##in$ Fr+n( @er)ode H+ro#d =#oo);>

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 >?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ %&

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N

CIS 4? > J? In o"2er words 5or +## "2eir (now#ed$e o5 4os"


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"2+" +n e"2i'+# 5o!nd+"ion+#is) is no #on$er 4ossib#e +nd e"2i'+# !ni*ers+#s no#on$er "2in(+b#e? For "2is is 4re'ise#/ "2e (ind o5 do!b#eJ?T2is )e+ns in'iden"+##/ "2+" 2e does no" w+n" +n/one 'od!'in$; w2o is no"+#re+d/ +w+re o5 w2+" "2e ri$2" *+#!es )!s" in "2e 5irs" ins"+n'e be? So "oo P+r(erw2i#s" +$reein$ "2+" "2ere is no w+/ b+'( 5ro) w2+" "2eor/ 2+s "+!$2" !s +#sowis2es "o +sser" "2+" "2ere is no es'+4e ro!"e 5ro) 'er"+in o#d "2o!$2"s ei"2er;

ETN 4? .J? For P+r(er "2ere is no re"!rn "o "2e re#+"i*e "2eore"i'+# inno'en'e o5 "2e %&6 s +nd %&7 s; ibid?J? Ye" 2is en"2!si+s) 5or "2in(ers #i(e Ror"/ +nd

N!ssb+!) re#ies 4re'ise#/ on "2e 5+'" "2+" "2e 4ossibi#i"/ o5 s!'2 + re"!rn; is w2+""2e/ +44e+r "o o55er? T2is 4+r+do, K "2e re"!rn "2+" is no" + re"!rn K is e*iden""2ro!$2o!" P+r(er;s boo(? On "2e one 2+nd 2e re5!ses +n/ nos"+#$i' re#+4se in"o

essen"i+#is" or !ni*ers+#is"; no"ions o5 'ons'ien'e; 2!)+n n+"!re; or )or+# *+#!eETN 4? 86J? On "2e o"2er 2+nd #i(e =oo"2 2e 'onne'"s "2e ide+ o5 e"2i's "o +n

&

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 &?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ -

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O Nessen"i+#is" 'on'e4"ion o5 e"2os +nd 'on'en"r+"es 4re'ise#/ on "e,"s 5+*o!red b/"2e Le+*isi"e "r+di"ion Midd#e)+r'2 Ann+ @+renin+ L+wren'e;s )+0or 5i'"ionJ?He '#+i)s no" "o "2in( in "er)s o5 )or+# 'odes; or s/s"e)s; b!" 'ons"+n"#/des'ribes no*e#s in s!'2 + )+nner? For "2e '2+r+'"ers in +n/ $i*en no*e# +#w+/sei"2er re4resen" or +re '2+r+'"eri ed b/ so)e !+#i"/ or !+#i"ies +nd s!'2 !+#i"ies)+/ !#"i)+"e#/ be dr+wn in"o re#+"ion "o e+'2 o"2er di+$r+))ed +s i" were

4re'ise#/ +s "2e 5o!nd+"ion 5or "2e b!i#din$ i"se#5?O5 'o!rse no" +## "2e 2!)+nis" 'ri"i's w2o 2+*e re'en"#/ en$+$ed wi"2 "2e

42i#oso42ers 2+*e been !i"e so en"2!si+s"i' 5or "2e)? Go#dber$ 5or ins"+n'e 2+s+r$!ed 2is )ore '#+ssi'+##/ Le+*isi"e '+se on "2e b+sis o5 "2e +r$!)en" "2+" #i"er+"!re+nd #i"er+r/ 'ri"i'is) 5or) + dis"in'"i*e +nd irre4#+'e+b#e w+/ o5 "2in(in$; 4? ,iiiJw2i'2 )or+# 42i#oso42/ '+nno" )+"'2 '+!$2" +s i" is in + "2eor/ "2o!$2" o!" in"2e +bs"r+'" +nd "2en +44#ied 5ro) +bo*e; 4? ,*iiJ? He "2!s "+(es M+'In"/re;s+''o!n" o5 M+ns5ie#d P+r( "o "+s( 5or re+din$ "2e no*e# +s si)4#/ e,e)4#i5/in$ or


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ins"+n"i+"in$ "2e 4rior )or+# ide+s 1+ne A!s"en is s!44osed "o s2+re wi"2 Aris"o"#e+nd M+'In"/re; 4? ->%J? T2e "ro!b#e is "2+" +s so o5"en wi"2 Go#dber$;s (ind o5 )or+# 'ri"i'is) 2is 'on*i'"ion "2+" Ed)!nd is 5+"!o!s; or "2+" A!s"en obser*es

"2e s2odd/ se#5.J see)s +s )!'2 "2e 4rod!'" o5 4rior ide+s; or

+ 4rior dis'o!rseJ +s M+'In"/re;s si)4#/ ide+s; or + dis'o!rse "2+" +re 5+r #essob*io!s#/ )edi"+"ed? Here in + n!"s2e## I "2in( is + 'r!'i+# #i)i"+"ion o5 "2e o#der )or+# 'ri"i'is) one "2+" '+nno" be s!r)o!n"ed 5ro) wi"2in i"? A" so)e s"+$e or o"2er i" )!s" re*er" "o +n +4odi'"i' wisdo); "2+" +s + )ode o5 (now#ed$e '+rriesne$#i$ib#e 'on*i'"ion? In "2e end i" is +" #e+s" +n !nwi##in$ness "o 2e+r "2eir owndis'o!rse se#5


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di55eren" 4#+ne "o i"s ob0e'"? T2+" is e,+'"#/ w2+" is in*o#*ed K "o $i*e + sin$#eins"+n'e K in L!(Q's;s Gir+rd;s +nd Go#d)+nn;s *iew o5 + s!4ersession; o5 "2eno*e#is"i' wor#d +s +es"2e"i'+##/ 'ons"i"!"i*e o5 5i'"ion+# 're+"ion;?- In "2+" res4e'""2e '#+ssi'+# +nd 'o))on4#+'e 'on'e4"ion o5 w2+" no*e#s +re +nd 2ow "2e/ wor(e"2i'+##/ )+/ be "2o!$2" o5 +s *er/ s4e'i5i'+##/ )odern +nd 2+*in$ 4re'ise#/

s!'2 2o#d on !s "od+/ +s )oderni"/ 'on"in!es "o 2+*e?=!" "2e )os" 'r!'i+# 4rob#e) wi"2 "2e 'ri"i'is) I 2+*e been dis'!ssin$ is "2ee,"en" "o w2i'2 i" i$nored +## "2e *+rio!s 4rob#e)+"i +"ions o5 n+rr+"i*e +nd n+rr+"i*e

5or); K 4rob#e)+"i +"ions "2+" 2+*e been *er/ 4re'ise#/ 4os")odernis" "2+"'o!#d no" 2+*e e)er$ed wi"2o!" "2e )odern no*e# K in no*e# "2eor/ 5ro) "2e%&7 s onw+rds? -% T+(e M+'In"/re 5or e,+)4#e: 2e s!''eeds in re+din$ A!s"en +se"2i'+##/ + 4+r+di$)+"i' Aris"o"e#e+n on#/ b/ i$norin$ 2ow 5+r +n Aris"o"e#e+n+es"2e"i's 2+s see)ed so r+di'+##/ o4en "o !es"ion "o 'on"e)4or+r/ no*e# "2eoris"s+nd #i"er+r/ 'ri"i's? -- Si)i#+r#/ i5 5or Ror"/ "2e no*e# is in essen'e + 4#!r+#is"#iber+# de)o'r+"i' #i"er+r/ 5or) "2is is 4+r"#/ be'+!se no sin$#e bein$ or S!4re)e1!d$e s"+nds 5or or 2o#ds "2e "r!"2 in i"? =!" +s I 2+*e +r$!ed e#sew2ere "2is is'r!'i+##/ "o i$nore !es"ions o5 n+rr+"ion: o5 o)nis'ien'e; 5or e,+)4#e in one o5 Ror"/;s 5+*o!ri"es Di'(ens? -. A#)os" in*+ri+b#/ "2e )or+# 42i#oso42er;s $r+s4o5 n+rr+"i*e "2eor/ is 4re


13/37

s2+re Connor +nd Cri"'2#e/;s #i(in$ 5or T2e E"2i's o5 Re+din$? =!" +s Connor 4oin"s o!" i" is odd "o 5ind Mi##er so do$)+"i' +nd 4or"en"o!s in 2is +sser"ion o5 "2e 'o)4e##in$ e"2i'+# 5or'e o5 de'ons"r!'"ion "i)e +nd +$+in "2e s(/ d+r(enswi"2 "2e e*o'+"ion o5 i)4#+'+b#e #+ws !n'ondi"ioned +bso#!"es +nd irresis"ib#ene'essi"ies; TCV 4? -%J? T2is does no" s!$$es" "o )e nor I +ss!)e "o ConnorJ

"2+" Mi##er de'isi*e#/ 5+i#s; in 2is 4ro0e'" b!" r+"2er "2+" Mi##er;s s"r!$$#e '+n be K 4er2+4s needs "o be K !nder"+(en +$+in in + di55eren" )ode wi"2 di55eren"reso!r'es? In #+r$e )e+s!re "2e 4rob#e) +s Cri"'2#e/ 4oin"s o!" is "2+" Mi##er !nders"+nds e"2i's in i"s "r+di"ion+# de"er)in+"ion +s + re$ion o5 42i#oso42i'+#in !ir/ +nd no" in "2e )ore r+di'+# Le*in+si+n sense; ED 4? 89J? I s2+## s2or"#/s"+r" "o '#+ri5/ "2is sense; o5 e"2i's +nd )e+n i" "o be +b!nd+n"#/ e*iden" "2ro!$2o!""2is boo(? To so)e e,"en" New"on;s boo( is *+#!+b#e in s2i5"in$ "2e e"2i's o5 "2e'ri"i'is) o5 5i'"ion in 4re'ise#/ "2is dire'"ion? 2i#s" 2e is ri$2"#/ 'ri"i'+# o5 s"r!'"!r+#is" n+rr+"o#o$/ 2owe*er New"on +#so w+n"s de'isi*e#/ "o )+in"+in +dis"in'"ion be"ween e"2i's +nd de'ons"r!'"ion +""e)4"in$ r+"2er "o br+id; Le*in+s"o$e"2er wi"2 =+(2"in +nd C+*e## "o 4rod!'e + di+#o$i'+# 'on'e4"ion o5 e"2i's?Inso5+r +s 2is s"!d/ is Le*in+si+n i" re#ies '2ie5#/ on Le*in+s;s 'on'e4" o5 "2e%-

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %-?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ -.

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O NS+/in$ +nd S+id +nd "wo 4rin'i4+# "e,"s we## (nown in "r+ns#+"ion To"+#i"/ +ndIn5ini"/ +nd O"2erwise "2+n =ein$? =/ 'on"r+s" "2is s"!d/ does no" 4ri*i#e$e w2+"Cri"'2#e/ 2+s '+##ed "2e #in$!is"i' "!rn in Le*in+s;s e"2i'+# "2o!$2"? T2e 'on'e4" o5 "2e S+/in$ +nd S+id is i)4or"+n" on#/ in "2e 5i5"2 '2+4"er? I see( r+"2er "o r+n$ewide#/ "2ro!$2 Le*in+s;s wor( ende+*o!rin$ "o de4#o/ + n!)ber o5 di55eren"+s4e'"s o5 i" +s )e+ns "o 4rod!'in$ w2+" 5o##owin$ =+!)+n /s'2o$rod +ndo"2ers I '+## + 4os")odern e"2i's w2i#s" +#so '+##in$ Le*in+s in"o !es"ion 5ro) +n!)ber o5 di55eren" +n$#es? . Mos" i)4or"+n"#/ o5 +## 2owe*er New"on is )!'2'on'erned "o e#+bor+"e + 42eno)eno#o$/ o5 re+din$ re#/in$ on w2+" 2e '+##s +

42eno)eno#o$i'+# )ode# o5 n+rr+"i*e e,i$en'ies +nd e55e'"s;?.% I wo!#d 2o4er+di'+##/ "o de4+r" 5ro) s!'2 + )ode# 5or re+sons "2+" wi## be'o)e '#e+r in )/ #+s"'2+4"er w2ere I de+# s4e'i5i'+##/ wi"2 re'e4"ion "2eor/ +s + 42eno)eno#o$/?=!" w2/ + 4os")odern e"2i's; +nd w2/ Le*in+s A'"!+##/ in "2is ins"+n'e I"+(e )/ des'ri4"ion o5 "2e 4os")odern 'ondi"ion 5ro) M+'In"/re w2o no do!b"wo!#d no" +44re'i+"e )/ "er)sJ? 1o2n Gr+/ is s!re#/ ri$2" "o +sser" "2+"M+'In"/re;s +r$!)en" 5or + re"!rn "o 4re


14/37

+n inde4enden" r+"ion+# 0!s"i5i'+"ion o5 )or+#i"/ be'o)es '!#"!r+##/ 'en"r+#? T2isEn#i$2"en)en" 4ro0e'" 5inds + 5or) 5or e,+)4#e in "2e @+n"i+n dre+) o5 +n

essen'e o5 re+son; +s #+/in$ down 4rin'i4#es w2i'2 +re !ni*ers+# '+"e$ori'+# +ndin"ern+##/ 'onsis"en"; r!#es o5 )or+#i"/ w2i'2 +re bindin$ on +## bein$s A5V 44?88K 86J? Ye" "2e En#i$2"en)en" 4ro0e'" +#so en"+i#s bo"2 + se'!#+r re0e'"ion o5

C+"2o#i' +nd Pro"es"+n" "2eo#o$/ +nd + 42i#oso42i'+# re0e'"ion o5 Aris"o"e#e+n"e#eo#o$/? I" "2!s '!"s +w+/ "2e *er/ b+ses on w2i'2 "2e !ni*ers+#i"/ o5 )or+#i"/2+d "2i"2er"o de4ended? Mor+# 0!d$)en"s be'o)e )ere #in$!is"i' s!r*i*+#s 5ro)"2e 4r+'"i'es o5 '#+ssi'+# "2eis) w2i'2 2+*e #os" "2e 'on"e," 4ro*ided b/ "2ese

4r+'"i'es; A5V 4? 7 J? F!r"2er)ore on'e "2e +!"2ori"/ o5 )or+# 4re'e4"s be'o)es+ !es"ion o5 re+son K + !es"ion "2+" '+n be re+soned +bo!" K "2e 4re'e4"s '+n no#on$er 2+*e +n/ 5in+# +!"2ori"/? T2!s "2e En#i$2"en)en" "2in(ers in2eri" in'o2eren"5r+$)en"s o5 + on'e 'o2eren" s'2e)e o5 "2o!$2" +nd +'"ion; +nd 'o))i" "2e)se#*es"o +n i)4ossib#e !i,o"i' "+s( A5V 4? 66J? In 5+'" "2e En#i$2"en)en" 4ro0e'"

4rod!'es + )or+# '!#"!re "2+" is sn+red in + 4ro5o!nd iron/: "2e !ni*ers+#is) o5 %.

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %.?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ -8

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N"2+" '!#"!re;s )or+#i"ies is 'ons"+n"#/ be#ied or se" +" iss!e b/ "2eir *er/

4ro#i5er+"ion? T2en'e deri*es w2+" is 5or M+'In"/re o!r dis+s"ro!s )or+# si"!+"ion"od+/? e in2+bi" + '!#"!re in w2i'2 )or+# deb+"es +re 'on5ron"+"ions be"weenin'o)4+"ib#e +nd in'o))ens!r+b#e )or+# 4re)ises; +nd )or+# 'o))i")en" is "2ee,4ression o5 + 'ri"erion#ess '2oi'e be"ween s!'2 4re)ises; A5V 4? .&J? E !+##/)or+# deb+"es +re '2+r+'"eri ed b/ "2eir s2ri##ness indi$n+"ion or "o !se + )ore

42i#oso42i'+# "er) b/ e)o"i*is);? Mor+# dis'o!rse "+(es on +n insis"en'e w2i'2is + 5!n'"ion o5 "2e *er/ +bsen'e o5 +n/ r+"ion+# 'o))ens!r+b#e $ro!nds 5or +$ree)en"? T2e insis"en'e in !es"ion is +#so dire'"#/ 4ro4or"ion+# "o "2e )or+#is";s+w+reness o5 "2e i)4ossibi#i"/ o5 winnin$ !ni*ers+# +nd !n !+#i5ied +ssen"? In1o2n Gr+/;s 42r+se we +re #e5" wi"2 + 5r+$)en"ed )or+# *o'+b!#+r/ e)bod/in$no 'o2eren" 'on'e4"ion o5 "2e 2!)+n $ood; E 4? 9J? As Gr+/ 4!"s i" +$+in5o##owin$ Nie" s'2e "2ere is on#/ in'o))ens!r+bi#i"/ +nd !nde'id+bi#i"/ +)on$+ 4#!r+#i"/ o5 )or+# +nd o"2er 4ers4e'"i*es; E 4? %6%J? T2e )os" s"ri(in$5e+"!re o5 )or+# deb+"es is "2!s "2eir in"er)in+b#e '2+r+'"er in"er)in+b#e no" 0!s"in "2+" s!'2 deb+"es $o on +nd on K +#"2o!$2 "2e/ do; b!" +#so in "2+" "2e/+44+ren"#/ '+n 5ind no "er)in!s; A5V 4? 7J? In T2ree Ri*+# Versions o5 Mor+#In !ir/ M+'In"/re +'"!+##/ s4e'i5ies "2is +s + 'ons4i'!o!s 5e+"!re o5 'on"e)4or+r/+'+de)i' 4r+'"i'e? Con"e)4or+r/ )or+#i"/ re !ires + 'on'#!si*e "er)in+"ion o5 r+"ion+# deb+"e; "2+" +44e+#s "o + s"+nd+rd or se" o5 s"+nd+rds s!'2 "2+" no+de !+"e#/ r+"ion+# 4erson 'o!#d 5+i# "o +'(now#ed$e i"s +!"2ori"/;? =!" "od+/;s+'+de)/ )!s" #e+d "o "2e 'on'#!sion "2+" "2ere is no s!'2 s"+nd+rd "2+" "2ere isno "2eore"i'+##/ ne!"r+# 4re


15/37

Pos")oderni"/ wo!#d "2!s be "2e no" ne'ess+ri#/ 'on"e)4or+r/J 'ondi"ion inw2i'2 we +rri*e +" K +nd )!s" wor( wi"2 +nd "2ro!$2 K + )ore +nd )ore de*e#o4ed+w+reness o5 )or+#i"ies +s )/ri+d $ro!nd#ess in'o))ens!r+b#e +nd in"er)in+b#e?

i"2in 4os")oderni"/ "2e +'+de)/ be'o)es "2e *er/ 4+r+di$) o5 "2is 4redi'+)en"?T2e 4rob#e) wi"2 M+'In"/re;s 4osi"ion K +s o44osed "o 2is di+$nosis K is "2+" 2e

+44e+rs s"i## "o 'redi" w2+" wi"2 re5eren'e "o Aris"o"#e Derrid+ '+##s "2e re#i+bi#i"/o5 "2e s"+b#e b b+iosJ "2+" on w2i'2 *ir"!e de4ends;?.8 =!" '+n Aris"o"#e or Aris"o"e#e+nis) re+##/ o55er !s + 4ri*i#e$ed 4oin" o5 *+n"+$e +! dess!s de #+ ) # eC+n M+r, C+n +n/ sin$#e "2in(er or "2o!$2" Is "2is no" "o 'on"in!e wi"2 +5+n"+s/ o5 r+di'+# s!r4+ssin$; One res4onse "o "2e si"!+"ion in !es"ion is "2+"'2osen b/ Leon+ To(er +nd "2e 'on"rib!"ors "o "2e *o#!)e o5 ess+/s on #i"er+"!re+nd e"2i's '+##ed Co))i")en" in Re5#e'"ion: 'ri"i'is) +s + 4#!r+#is" b!" non


16/37

denied? e +re )or+# +s we +re 4o#i"i'+# be'+!se we +re 2is"ori'+# bein$s +nd no)o*e)en" be/ond )or+#i"/; is 4ro4er#/ 'on'ei*+b#e +s "2ese o4enin$ 4+$es wi##2+*e +#re+d/ s2ownJ? E"2i's none"2e#ess o4er+"es + (ind o5 4#+/ wi"2in )or+#i"/2o#ds i" o4en 2o4es "o res"r+in i" 5ro) *io#en'e or "2e wi## "o do)in+"ion s!b0e'"si" "o + (ind o5 +!"oJ? In "2e "er)s o5 Derrid+;s en$+$e)en" wi"2@ier(e$++rd in T2e Gi5" o5 De+"2 K +n en$+$e)en" 'ond!'"ed 4+r"#/ *i+ Le*in+s K "2e e"2i'+# re'o$ni"ion is no" o5 "2e @ier(e$++rdi+n ei"2erB or b!" o5 "2e 4+r+do, o5 Abr+2+);?8 T2!s e"2i'+# wor( re)+ins dis"in'" 5ro) ei"2er 4o#i"i'+# or )or+#wor( e*en +s i" 'on"in!es "o in5or) "2e)? So "oo Corne## +sso'i+"es e"2i's +s%6

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %6?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ -7

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N+r"i'!#+"ed b/ Adorno +nd Le*in+sJ wi"2 "2e !nde"er)ined +nd )or+#i"/ wi"2deon"o#o$/ wi"2 "2e de"er)in+"ion o5 "2e !nde"er)ined +s d!"ies ob#i$+"ionss/s"e)s r!#es nor)s + ri$2" w+/ "o be2+*e;?8% E"2i's is "2e e,'ess "2+" '+nno"

be (nown 4osi"i*e#/ wi"2in +n/ $i*en s/s"e) o5 )or+#i"/ "2e +4ori+ "2+" #i)i"s+n/ +""e)4" "o 'o##+4se "2e $ood in"o 4osi"i*e (now#ed$e? 2+" is )os" re)+r(+b#e+bo!" Corne##;s '+se is "2e 5+'" "2+" e"2i's "2ereb/ be'o)es inse4+r+b#e 5ro) "2e5!## disr!4"i*e 4ower o5 "2e i)+$in+"ion; PL 4? .6J? In Corne##;s "2o!$2" "2ei)+$in+"ion re$+ins i"s s"+"!s +s + 'r!'i+# e"2i'+# 4ower + s"+"!s "2+" I in"end i" "o2+*e in "2is s"!d/ "oo? T2e 4ower in !es"ion 2owe*er is no" "2e )or+# 4ower o5 "2e i)+$in+"ion +s !nders"ood b/ 2!)+nis)? I" is no" + 4ower o5 dee4'o)4re2ension; o5 w2+" is +#re+d/ "2ere b!" r+"2er one o5 s4e'!#+"ion +nd+d!)br+"ion + 4ower "o bre+( !4 "2e $i*en "o +d)i" +nd e#+bor+"e "2e 4ossib#e?T2e i)+$in+"ion is 'r!'i+# in 4rod!'in$ w2+" wi"2 Adorno in )ind Corne## '+##s"2e rede)4"i*e 4ers4e'"i*es; "2+" dis4#+'e +nd es"r+n$e "2e wor#d; so "2+" we+re )+de +w+re "2+" we +re in e,i#e; PL 4? %7J?As I 2+*e +#re+d/ indi'+"ed i" is "o "2e wor( o5 E))+n!e# Le*in+s "2+" "2iss"!d/ "!rns 5or + re#e*+n" so42is"i'+"ed )+n/


17/37

4rior "o "2e e"2i'+# re#+"ion 4rior "o "2e i))edi+"e en'o!n"er wi"2 w2+" is o!"side!s? T2ird Le*in+s;s e"2i's is non


18/37

+55e'" wi"2 re5eren'e "o "wo (e/ re#+"ed 'on'e4"s sensibi#i"/ +nd re'e4"i*i"/?T2e no*e#s "2+" I !se +s e,+)4#es "2ro!$2o!" "2e boo( +re )odern +nd

4os")odern? T2e re+sons 5or "2+" s2o!#d be ob*io!s? For + "r+di"ion+# )or+#'ri"i'is) o5 "2e no*e# +s e,e)4#i5ied in Le+*is "2e (e/ "e,"s were #+r$e#/ nine"een"2'en"!r/?=/ +nd #+r$e s!'2 'ri"i'is) ei"2er +*oided )odern 5i'"ion 4resen"ed i"s

'r!'i+# 'on'erns +s o"2er "2+n )or+# or 4+ssed )ore or #ess ne$+"i*e 'o))en" oni"s )or+# i)4#i'+"ions? =/ 'on"r+s" "2e '+se i)4#i'i" in )/ boo( is "2+" 5or "2e%9

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %9?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ ->

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O Ne"2i'+# 'ri"i' i" is "wen"ie"2


19/37

M+'In"/re;s Pro0e'"; Ger+#d L? =r!nsT2e P2i#oso42/ o5 "2e Li)i" Dr!'i##+ Corne##

Per5or)+"i*e S+/in$ +nd "2e E"2i's o5 Re+din$: Ad+) 3+'2+r/ New"on;s N+rr+"i*e E"2i's; D+nie# R? S'2w+rSi"!+"in$ "2e Se#5: Gender Co))!ni"/ +nd Pos")odernis) in

Con"e)4or+r/ E"2i's Se/#+ =en2+bibT2eor/ +nd C!#"!r+# V+#!e S"e*en Connor %>

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %>?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ -&

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N%? F? R? Le+*is T2e Li*in$ Prin'i4#e: En$#is2; +s + Dis'i4#ine o5 T2o!$2" London: C2+""o +nd

ind!s %&99J 4? 6%?-? See A#+sd+ir M+'In"/re A5"er Vir"!e: A S"!d/ in Mor+# T2eor/ %&>% se'ond edi"ionLondon: D!'(wor"2 %&&7J 2ere+5"er A5V 4+ssi)?.? Rober" E+$#es"one E"2i'+# Cri"i'is): Re+din$ A5"er Le*in+s Edinb!r$2: Edinb!r$2

ni*ersi"/ Press %&&9J 2ere+5"er EC?8? D+nie# S'2w+r $i*es di55eren" re+sons 5or + si)i#+r e'#i4se in "2e S"+"es? See D+nie#R? S'2w+r Per5or)+"i*e S+/in$ +nd "2e E"2i's o5 Re+din$: Ad+) 3+'2+r/ New"on;s

N+rr+"i*e E"2i's; N+rr+"i*e Vo#? 6 No? - M+/ %&&9J 44? %>>K - 7 2ere+5"er PS 4? %&8?6? Terr/ E+$#e"on C+4i"+#is) Modernis) +nd Pos")odernis); in A$+ins" "2e Gr+in

London: Verso %&>7J 44? %.%K 89 4? %.8 +nd T2e I##!sions o5 Pos")odernis) O,5ord:=#+'(we## %&&7J 4? 9%?7? For o"2er re'en" e55or"s "o )+in"+in "2e e"2i'+# +s we## +s "2e e4is"e)o#o$i'+#s!4eriori"/ o5 M+r,is) s4e'i5i'+##/ "o 4os")odernis) see 5or ins"+n'e "2e wor( o5 M+r( Co#e +nd D+*e Hi## in 4+r"i'!#+r Resis"+n'e Pos")odernis): E)+n'i4+"or/Po#i"i's 5or + New Er+ or A'+de)i' C2i' 5or + De5e+"is" In"e##i$en"si+ ; in @+r+)0i" S?Gi## ed?J In5or)+"ion So'ie"/: New Medi+ E"2i's +nd Pos")odernis) London:S4rin$erVer#+$%&&7J 44? .. K 8%? No"e 5or e,+)4#e "2e +""+'( on Derrid+ 4? ..9?9? S"e*en Connor T2eor/ +nd C!#"!r+# V+#!e O,5ord: =#+'(we## %&&-J 2ere+5"er TCV 4?%7?>? Co#in M'Ginn E"2i's E*i# +nd Fi'"ion O,5ord: C#+rendon Press %&&9J 44? *i %9.K 98Fr+n( P+#)er Li"er+r/ +nd Mor+# nders"+ndin$: A P2i#oso42i'+# Ess+/ on E"2i's Aes"2e"i'sEd!'+"ion +nd C!#"!re O,5ord: C#+rendon Press %&&-J 44? *iii > +nd S? L? Go#dber$A$en"s +nd Li*es: Mor+# T2in(in$ in Li"er+"!re C+)brid$e: C+)brid$e ni*ersi"/ Press%&&.J 2ere+5"er AL 4? %? For 1? 1? Mooi0 "2e re*ersion is r+"2er 5ro) +es"2e"i'is); "o"2e (ind o5 )or+# 'on'ern e,e)4#i5ied in I+n Gre$or +nd =ri+n Ni'2o#+s;s T2e Mor+#+nd "2e S"or/ %&7-J? See 1? 1? Mooi0 Li"er+"!re +nd Mor+#i"/: "2e Pri)+'/ o5 E"2i's; in=0 rn T/sd+2# ed?J Li"er+"!re +nd E"2i's Os#o: ni*ersi"/ o5 Os#o %&&-J 44? &&K %%8?&? +/ne C? =oo"2 T2e Co)4+n/ e @ee4: An E"2i's o5 Fi'"ion =er(e#e/ +nd London:

ni*ersi"/ o5 C+#i5orni+ Press %&>>J 2ere+5"er C@ 4? -6?% ? D+*id P+r(er E"2i's T2eor/ +nd "2e No*e# C+)brid$e: C+)brid$e ni*ersi"/ Press


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%&&8J 2ere+5"er ETN 4? -&?%%? Se/#+ =en2+bib Si"!+"in$ "2e Se#5: Gender Co))!ni"/ +nd Pos")odernis) inCon"e)4or+r/E"2i's O,5ord: Po#i"/ %&&-J 2ere+5"er SiS 4? -?%-? In"eres"in$#/ inso5+r +s "2e 0oin" 'on'ern 2ere is +n indi*id!+#is" e"2i's bo"2 Gr+bes

+nd =rede##+ wo!#d w+n" "o +dd Fo!'+!#";s n+)e "o "2e #is"? See Herber" Gr+besE"2i's Aes"2e"i's +nd A#"eri"/; 2ere+5"er EAA in Ger2+rd Ho55)+nn +nd A#5redHorn!n$ edsJ E"2i's +nd Aes"2e"i's: "2e Mor+# T!rn o5 Pos")odernis) Heide#ber$:

ni*ersi"U"s*er#+$ C? in"er %&&7J 2ere+5"er EA 44? %.K -> 44? - K -% +nd Lo"2+r =rede##+ Aes"2e"i's +nd E"2i's: In'o))ens!r+b#e Iden"i'+# or Con5#i'"in$ ; in EA

44? -&K 6% 44? ..K .8?%.? Ri'2+rd Ror"/ Con"in$en'/ Iron/ +nd So#id+ri"/ C+)brid$e: C+)brid$e ni*ersi"/Press %&>&J 2ere+5"er CIS 44? % 9K >?%8? Ror"/ Heide$$er @!nder+ +nd Di'(ens; in Ess+/s on Heide$$er +nd O"2ers: P2i#oso42i'+#P+4ers Vo#!)e - C+)brid$e: C+)brid$e ni*ersi"/ Press %&&%J 44? 77K >8 4? 98?%&

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 %&?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ .

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.I N T R O D C T I O N%6? M+r"2+ N!ssb+!) Lo*e;s @now#ed$e: Ess+/s on P2i#oso42/ +nd Li"er+"!re O,5ord: O,5ord

ni*ersi"/ Press %&& J 2ere+5"er L@ 4? 6?%7? N!ssb+!) T2e Fr+$i#i"/ o5 Goodness: L!'( +nd E"2i's in Gree( Tr+$ed/ +nd P2i#oso42/

C+)brid$e: C+)brid$e ni*ersi"/ Press %&>7J 2ere+5"er FG 4? %.?%9? For +n e+r#/ e,+)4#e o5 "2e in're+sin$#/ 'o))onJ +r$!)en" 5or "2e 'on're"e )or+#

4+r"i'!#+rs o5 #i"er+"!re +s o44osed "o +bs"r+'" 42i#oso42i'+# "2eories; +s "2+"+r$!)en" e)er$es s4e'i5i'+##/ in )or+# 42i#oso42/ see R? ? =e+rds)ore Li"er+r/E,+)4#es +nd P2i#oso42i'+# Con5!sion; in A? P2i##i4s Gri55i"2s ed?J P2i#oso42/ +ndLi"er+"!re C+)brid$e: C+)brid$e ni*ersi"/ Press %&>8J 44? 6&K 9. 4? 9-?%>? See P+r(er ETN .6?%&? A#bre'2" e##)er T2e Persis"en'e o5 Moderni"/: Ess+/s on Aes"2e"i's E"2i's +ndPos")odernis)

O,5ord: Po#i"/ %&&%J 4? *ii?- ? See L!'ien Go#d)+nn Tow+rds + So'io#o$/ o5 "2e No*e# "r? A#+n S2erid+n London:Ro!"#ed$e +nd @e$+n P+!# %&96J 4? 8?-%? Gr+bes 4oin"s o!" 5or ins"+n'e 2ow 5+r M+'In"/re +nd N!ssb+!);s +''o!n" o5 n+rr+"i*e +s + renderin$ o5 "2e !ni"/ o5 indi*id!+# #i*es in*o#*es + re*ersion "o + 4re)odern+es"2e"i's o5 2+r)on/; +nd 2ow 5+r "oo Ror"/ is ob#i$ed "o resor" "o +n+n"i !+"ed In2+#"sUs"2e"i(;? See Gr+bes EAA 44? %6 %9? One )or+# 42i#oso42er w2o

4ro*ides +n in"eres"in$ e,'e4"ion "o "2e r!#e o5 42i#oso42i'+# indi55eren'e "os"r!'"!r+#is" +nd 4os"


21/37

--? Ger+#d L? =r!ns +r$!es "2+" n+rr+"i*e is +'"!+##/ "2e #in'24in o5 M+'In"/re;s )or+#"2eor/; +nd "2+" M+'In"/re;s *iew o5 i" is '2ie5#/ Aris"o"e#e+n +nd 4re 4? -68?-.? See )/ Tow+rds + Pos")odern T2eor/ o5 N+rr+"i*e Edinb!r$2: Edinb!r$2 ni*ersi"/Press %&&7J 44? %&-K &.?-8? A si)i#+r 4oin" )i$2" be )+de +bo!" + s"!d/ w2i'2 'onsiders "2e re#+"ions2i4

be"ween 42i#oso42/ +nd n+rr+"i*e in + r+"2er di55eren" w+/ 1on+"2+n R e;s P2i#oso42i'+#T+#es: An Ess+/ on P2i#oso42/ +nd Li"er+"!re London: Me"2!en %&>9J?-6? Geo55re/ G+#" H+r42+) 4oin"s o!" in 4+r"i'!#+r 2ow 5+r N!ssb+!) +nd M+'In"/re;sAris"o"e#e+nis) #e+ds "2e) "o see n+rr+"i*e !ni"/ +s 4ro*idin$ "2e (e/ "o se#59J +ndAd+) 3+'2+r/ New"on N+rr+"i*e E"2i's C+)brid$e M+ss?: H+r*+rd ni*ersi"/Press %&&6J? See +#so i##i+) 1? Ei#os N+rr+"i*e E"2i's A*eb!r/ S"!dies in P2i#oso42/A#ders2o": A*eb!r/ %&&8J?. ? 3/$)!n" =+!)+n Pos")odern E"2i's O,5ord: =#+'(we## %&&.J +nd Edi"2 /s'2o$rod

Tow+rds + Pos")odern E"2i's: Cor4ore+#i"/ +nd A#"eri"/; in Ho55)+nn +nd Horn!n$edsJ EA 44? 6.K 7>?

.%? New"on H!)+nis) wi"2 + Pos"J So'i+# F+'e: A Re4#/ "o D+nie# S'2w+r ; N+rr+"i*eVo#? 6 No? - M+/ %&&9J 44? - 9K -% 4? -%%?.-? See 1o2n Gr+/ En#i$2"en)en";s +(e: Po#i"i's +nd C!#"!re +" "2e C#ose o5 "2e Modern A$e

London: Ro!"#ed$e %&&6J 2ere+5"er E 44? %89 %6-?..? M+'In"/re T2ree Ri*+# Versions o5 Mor+# In !ir/: En'/'#o4+edi+ Gene+#o$/ +nd Tr+di"ion

London: D!'(wor"2 %&& J 44? %9-K 9.?.8? 1+' !es Derrid+ Po#i"i's o5 Friends2i4 "r? Geor$e Co##ins London: Verso %&&9J 4? --?.6? I wo!#d e,'e4" =r!ns;s ess+/ 5ro) "2e reser*+"ions I 2+*e +bo!" To(er;s *o#!)e? In


22/37

"2e end =r!ns;s =+(2"ini+n +r$!)en" 'on"r+ M+'In"/re is "2+" "2e no*e# does no"o55er + reso#!"ion "o "2e 'risis o5 r+"ion+#i"/; b!" 4rod!'es s!'2 + 'risis i"se#5 no"+4o'+#/4"i'+##/ 2owe*er +s in M+'In"/re b!" 're+"i*e#/ +s + w+/ o5 (ee4in$ 'on'e4"!+#s'2e)es #oose 4oro!s irred!'ib#e !nserio!s +nd res4onsi*e "o sin$!#+ri"/? SeeLLMP 4? -9.?

.7? In 2is re'en" Li5e in Fr+$)en"s w2i'2 "+(es + r+"2er di55eren" dire'"ion "o Pos")odernE"2i's K +nd "o H+r42+) Corne## +nd )/se#5 K =+!)+n +#so dis"in$!is2es be"weene"2i's +nd )or+#i"/? =!" 2e 4resen"s e"2i's +s #e$is#+"i*e r!#e


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O"2ers C2i'+$o +nd London: ni*ersi"/ o5 C2i'+$o Press %&&>J?

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 --?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ ..

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.

P+r" I < Disso#!"ions

NARRATIVE AND ALTERITY N+rr+"in$ s!b0e'" +nd n+rr+"ed ob0e'"T2e en'o!n"er wi"2 +#"eri"/ is 'en"r+# "o Le*in+s;s "2o!$2"? To be$in si)4#/: "2eo"2er w2o) I en'o!n"er is +#w+/s r+di'+##/ in e,'ess o5 w2+" )/ e$o 'o$ni"i*e

4owers 'ons'io!sness or in"!i"ions wo!#d )+(e o5 2er or 2i)? T2e o"2er +#w+/s+nd de5ini"i*e#/ o*er5#ows "2e 5r+)e in w2i'2 I wo!#d see( "o en'#ose "2e o"2er?=!" "2+" )e+ns "2+" "2e 5r+)e i"se#5 is bro(en or disin"e$r+"es? Le*in+s o5"en wri"eso5 "2e de#!sion o5 "2e 4ossibi#i"/ o5 4ossession o5 "2e o"2er? As I 5+i# "o '+4"!re;or 4ossess; "2e o"2er so "2e )e'2+nis)s b/ w2i'2 I 2+*e so!$2" 4ossession'o)e in"o !es"ion? T2e/ re*e+# "2e)se#*es "o be +#w+/s )odes o5 red!'"ion? T2e)ore or #ess s"+b#e s"r!'"!re o5 )/ 5r+)es 5or "2e wor#d +44e+rs +s + 5!n'"ion o5 )/ wi## "o iden"i"/ o5 )/ wi## "o 4ersis" in )/ bein$ or in + 42r+se o5 P+s'+#;s "2+"Le*in+s is 5ond o5 !sin$ )/ 'on*i'"ion o5 )/ ri$2" "o + 4#+'e in "2e s!n? M/ se#5+sser"i*eness

K )/ 'on5iden" "r!s" in )/ "er)s o5 re5eren'e K +)o!n"s "o +ni)4osi"ion o5 5or'e +nd +s s!'2 is !ne"2i'+#? 2+" #ies o!"side )e nei"2er +s(s5or re !ires nor 0!s"i5ies s!'2 +n i)4osi"ion? As I 5+i# "o '+4"!re; "2e o"2er "oo"2e en'o!n"er wi"2 "2e o"2er be'o)es +n o''+sion "o w2i'2 I )!s" rise +$+in? In"2is ins"+n'e 2owe*er I no #on$er see( "o brin$ "2e o"2er "o "er)s? R+"2er I o55er )/se#5 "o "2e o"2er wi"2 + $es"!re "2+" Le*in+s e,4resses in "2e 42r+se Here IA);? T2e wi## "o (now "2e o"2er or "o +44ro+'2 "2e o"2er in "er)s o5 (now#ed$e

be'o)es res4onsi*eness "o +nd res4onsibi#i"/ 5or "2e o"2er? T2e e$o is de4osed$i*es !4 i"s dri*e "o so*erei$n"/ +nd en"ers in"o e"2i's in"o so'i+# re#+"ions2i4di+#o$!e disin"eres"edness? E"2i's is 'ons"i"!"ed +s w2+" Le*in+s re5ers "o +s +n

in'ess+n" d $rise)en" disen'2+n")en" d! M )e eni*r de soi; MT 4? -6J? =!"-6

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 -6?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ .7

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.DISSOL TIONSw2+" 'on'erns 2i) is no" + disen'2+n")en" wi"2 + wor#d "2+" 5+i#s "o 'orres4ond"o "2e s!b0e'";s e,4e'"+"ions b!" + disen'2+n")en" o5 "2e se#5 "2+" see(s "o 'on"+in"2e wor#d wi"2in i"s 4ers4e'"i*es? Le*in+s;s e"2i's )i$2" 4+r"#/ be des'ribed +s +disen'2+n")en" o5 s!b0e'"i*i"/?


24/37

On "2is +''o!n" o5 "2e) "2e 'r!'i+# 5e+"!res o5 Le*in+s;s "2o!$2" 2+*e +si$ni5i'+n" be+rin$ on "2e e"2i's o5 n+rr+"ion? N+rr+"ion )i$2" see) 4rin'i4+##/ "o

be + )ode o5 +'"i*i"/ in w2i'2 + s!b0e'" "+(es +no"2er o"2ers "2e wor#d +s "2eob0e'" or ob0e'"s o5 (now#ed$e +nd '#+i)s 4ossession o5 "2e)? Howe*er + r+n$e o5 dis"in'"ions see)s ne'ess+r/? N+rr+"ion is no" one "2in$? I" is 4ossib#e "o "2in( o5

i" +s +n +rr+n$e)en" or 4#+/ o5 di55eren" #+n$!+$e $+)es in i""$ens"ein;s "er)sor $enres o5 dis'o!rse or 42r+se re$i)ens in L/o"+rd;s? Re4resen"+"ion is one)ode o5 n+rr+"i*e dis'o!rse +ndB or (now#ed$e +n+#/sis +no"2er 0!d$)en" s"i##+no"2er +nd so on? T2e e"2i'+# !es"ion r+ises i"se#5 in di55eren" "er)s in e+'2 '+se?A## "2e s+)e in + Le*in+si+n 'on"e," "2e n+rr+"ion o5 + s"or/ +44e+rs +s + 4+r"i'!#+r (ind o5 e"2i'+# 'on'ern? T2e i)4or"+n" 5or)+# dis"in'"ions be"ween n+rr+"i*es or )odes o5 n+rr+"i*e +re no" )ere#/ 5or)+#is"? T2e/ do no" des'ribe + $i*en n+rr+"i*e5or) +s si)4#/ + re5#e'"ion or e)bodi)en" o5 +n e"2i's 4ri)+ri#/ 5o!nd e#sew2erein "2e n+rr+"i*e "e," "2o!$2 "2is w+s 2ow + w2o#e An$#o


25/37

o5 "2e )ode in !es"ion 2+s "o do wi"2 w2+" i" )+(es o5 "2e s!b0e'"K ob0e'"re#+"ion 2ow 5+r i" 5or)!#+"es "2+" re#+"ion in + )+nner "2+" 'orres4onds "o i"s

4rob#e)+"i +"ion in 'on"e)4or+r/ "2o!$2"? T2e e,"en" o5 "2+" 4rob#e)+"i +"ion iswe## (nown: in No)s 4ro4res Le*in+s 2i)se#5 wri"es o5 "2e 2is"or/ o5 "2e "2eor/o5 (now#ed$e in 'on"e)4or+r/ 42i#oso42/ +s bein$ "2e 2is"or/ o5 "2e dis+44e+r+n'e

o5 "2e s!b0e'"K ob0e'" re#+"ion? T2e s!b0e'" '+n no #on$er be 'on'ei*ed o5 +s '#osed!4 in i"se#5 se" in + s"r!'"!r+# o44osi"ion "o + wor#d on"o w2i'2 i" 4eers o!" +nd o5 w2i'2 i" 'ons"r!'"s + (now#ed$e or re4resen"+"ions? S!'2 + 'on'e4"ion o5 "2es!b0e'" is now o!")oded +n +bs"r+'"ion or i##!sion? T2e s!b0e'" )!s" r+"2er be!nders"ood +s +#w+/s in re#+"ion in "2e 5irs" ins"+n'e 5ro) "2e s"+r"? 2e"2er wi"2H!sser# +nd in"en"ion+#i"/ Heide$$er +nd bein$


26/37

5ires "2e i)+$in+"ion 'o!#d s"i## s"o4 one;s bre+"2 5or + )o)en" b/ +#oo( or + $es"!re "2+" so)e2ow re*e+#ed "2e )e+nin$ in 'o))on "2in$sI" w+s no wonder "2+" 2er sons s"ood "+## +nd s"r+i$2"? S2e w+s + ri'2)ine o5 #i5e #i(e "2e 5o!nders o5 e+r#/ r+'es? -O5 'o!rse i" is 4ossib#e "o re+d "2is 4+ss+$e +s +n +'" o5 $enerosi"/ )+"'2in$

n"oni+;s + $enerosi"/ 1i);sJ in s"ri(in$ 'on"r+s" "o Nie# Herber";s #+'( o5 i" in"2e #+"er no*e#? =!" "2e 5+'" "2+" "2e 4+ss+$e ends wi"2 "2+" #+s" s)+## 4+r+$r+42 +s"2e 5inis2in$ "o!'2; is si$ni5i'+n"? I" is "2e $es"!re o5 'o)4#e"ion w2ereb/ n"oni+is 5in+##/ en'#osed +nd )+de 1i);s own? M/ n"oni+: 1i);s n+rr+"i*e is "2e )e+ns

b/ w2i'2 2e +rri*es +" + 'o)4re2ensi*e 4ossession o5 n"oni+? In A Los" L+d/ b/'on"r+s" 4re'ise#/ "2e 4oin" +bo!" M+ri+n Forres"er is "2+" s2e is #os"; "o Nie#? A""2e end o5 "2e no*e# "2is is #i"er+##/ "r!e: s2e 2+s $one es" K 4eo4#e s!44osed "oC+#i5orni+; +nd "2!s be'o)e + s2+de;?. =!" Mrs Forres"er 2+s +#w+/s es'+4ed

Nie#;s 5r+)es o5 re5eren'e no"+b#/ in 2er se,!+# +nd 4+ssion+# #i5e w2i'2 "2e no*e#indi'+"es is be/ond Nie#;s 4owers o5 re4resen"+"ion +nd 'o)4re2ension? C+"2er )+(es "2is $#+rin$#/ ob*io!s in "2e +''o!n" o5 Mrs Forres"er;s +d!#"ero!s e,'!rsionwi"2 Fr+n( E##in$er LL 44? 6&K 78J? Here "2ere is + )+0or bre+( in "2e 5o'+#i +"ion;o5 "2e n+rr+"i*e w2i'2 is o"2erwise en"ire#/ "2ro!$2 Nie#? Indeed +" "2is 4oin" "2eno*e# is re5o'+#i ed; "wi'e on'e "2ro!$2 +n i)4erson+# "2ird 4erson n+rr+"or +nd+ se'ond "i)e "2ro!$2 +n o"2erwise ne$#i$ib#e '2+r+'"er '+##ed Ado#42 =#!)? To'o)4#+in +bo!" "2is se !en'e +s + 5#+w in "2e no*e#;s se+)#ess se#58J?T2e )ode o5 e"2i'+# re+din$ I 2+*e 0!s" e)4#o/ed 2+s +" #e+s" one +d*+n"+$eo*er + )ore 5+)i#i+r one: i" does no" need "o resor" "o +n/ +''o!n" o5 C+"2er;ss!44osed +""i"!des; or s2ow "2e e,is"en'e or non


27/37

in n+rr+"i*e "e,"s #i(e A Los" L+d/ is +'"!+##/ !nde'id+b#e? No" so wi"2 "2ee4is"e)o#o$i'+# iss!e in C+"2er;s no*e# 2owe*er nor wi"2 "2e e"2i'+# !es"ion"2+" is inse4+r+b#e 5ro) i"? Ye" "2e )ode# I 2+*e !sed "2!s 5+r is none"2e#ess #i)i"edin +" #e+s" "wo 4rin'i4+# res4e'"s? In "2e 5irs" ins"+n'e w2i#s" i" +'"!+##/

4rob#e)+"i es or 4resen"s C+"2er +s 4rob#e)+"i in$ "2e s!b0e'"K ob0e'" re#+"ion i"

does no" +'"!+##/ )+(e "2e #+""er dis+44e+r +s Le*in+s s+/s i" 2+s dis+44e+red 5or 'on"e)4or+r/ 42i#oso42/? To so)e e,"en" "2is is '#e+r#/ + 4rob#e) wi"2 Le*in+s;s"2o!$2" +s I 2+*e so 5+r des'ribed i"? T2e e"2i'+# en'o!n"er wi"2 +#"eri"/ "+(es 4#+'e+s "2e s!b0e'"K ob0e'" re#+"ion 5o!nders? Ye" "2e si"!+"ion in w2i'2 "2is 2+44ens isnone"2e#ess one in w2i'2 + s!b0e'" 'on5ron"s +n en"i"/ "2+" i" wo!#d see( "o "+(e+s i"s ob0e'"? F!r"2er)ore wi"2 re$+rd "o $ender "2ere is + 4rob#e) in "2+" +s5e)inis" 'ri"i's o5 Le*in+s 2+*e 4oin"ed o!" inso5+r +s "2e en'o!n"er be"ween se#5 +nd o"2er is $endered in Le*in+s "2e s!b0e'" is )+#e +nd "2e ob0e'" 5e)+#e? 2e"2er or no" "2e s!b0e'" s!''eeds in 4ossessin$ "2e ob0e'" "2e s"r!'"!re o5 "2e re#+"ionse4+r+"es + )+#e 5ro) + 5e)+#e 4rin'i4#e +nd s!$$es"s "2+" "2e 'r!'i+# e"2i'+#e,4erien'e is "2+" o5 "2e )+#e s!b0e'"?

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 -&?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ 8

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.1+)es C+"2er +nd "2e 3wis'2enT2ere is 2owe*er +no"2er #ess 5+)i#i+r 4er2+4s r+"2er )+r$in+# s"r+nd "o Le*in+s;swor( K "o 2is +''o!n"s o5 'er"+in "2in(ers K w2i'2 i)+$ines "2e e"2i'+# en'o!n"er in s#i$2"#/ b!" si$ni5i'+n"#/ di55eren" "er)s? T2e di55eren'e ne'ess+ri#/ in*o#*es

!es"ions o5 $ender? T2is se'ond s"r+nd; is e*iden" 5or ins"+n'e in Le*in+s;sess+/s on L */


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4+r" "2e I de#i*ered o*er "o bein$ in "2is 5+s2ion is e0e'"ed 5ro) i"s2o)e wi"2in i"se#5 +nd in"o "2e re+#)s o5 +n e"ern+# e,i#e #oses i"s)+s"er/ o*er i"se#5 is o*er5#owed b/ i"s own *er/ bein$? I" is + 4re/ "oe*en"s w2i'2 2+*e +#re+d/ de"er)ined i" 5ro) "2e s"+r" en 4roie W des

* ne)en"s !i #;on" d;ores e" d 0W d "er)in ?

EN 4? 6>JT2ere see) "o )e "o be +" #e+s" "wo i)4or"+n" di55eren'es be"ween "2e e)42+sesin "2is 4+ss+$e +nd "2ose "2+" +re )os" 'o))on e#sew2ere in Le*in+s;s wor(?Firs" 2ere Le*in+s s!$$es"s "2+" "2e 4ri)+r/ e,4erien'e o5 e,"eriori"/ is +55e'"i*e?T2is o5 'o!rse is o5 + 4ie'e wi"2 2is e)42+sis on "2e 4riori"/ o5 4re


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'o!rse see) "o be "2e '+rdin+# re#+"ion wi"2 +#"eri"/ +nd bein$ "2e IK T2+" re#+"ion"2e se'ond+r/ re#+"ion o5 ob0e'"i*e (now#ed$e? E,'e4" o5 'o!rse "2+" in =!ber"2e IK Yo! re#+"ion is no" + re#+"ion wi"2 bein$? T2e e*en"; o5 "2e IK Yo! en'o!n"er is bein$? T2ere is no )ore 5!nd+)en"+# on"o#o$/ "2+n "2+" en'o!n"er:T2e be"ween


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"2+" 4i"s "2e I +$+ins" "2e O"2er +nd on'e "2+" se4+r+"ion is e55e'"ed 're+"es+n +r"i5i'i+# se" o5 !es"ions +bo!" "2e (now+bi#i"/ +nd re'o*er+bi#i"/ o5 "2+"O"2er; GT 4? %88J? As re$+rds "2e 'on"in$en'/ o5 "2e e4is"e)o#o$i'+# )ode +nd"2e +r"i5i'i+#; se4+r+"ions "2+" i" ins"i"!"es: "2e '+"e$ories 4rod!'ed b/ '!rren""2o!$2" +bo!" n+rr+"i*e +re 4+r" o5 "2+" )ode;? S!44ose I "r/ "o "2in( +bo!"

n+rr+"i*e o!"side + #+n$!+$e o5 +44ro4ri+"ion ins"r!)en"+#i"/ +nd dis"+n'i+"ion;w2i'2 se"s +n +!"2or +" + dis"+n'e 5ro) + n+rr+"or + n+rr+"or +" + dis"+n'e 5ro) +'2+r+'"er +nd "2en 4resen"s "2e 5irs" +s +44ro4ri+"in$ "2e se'ond or !sin$ "2ese'ond 5or 'er"+in ends? Mi$2" no" "2e i##i)i"+b#e e" 'e"er+; "2e end#ess )obi#i"/o5 $ender iden"i"ies be )!'2 )ore in 4#+/ +nd +" s"+(e in n+rr+"i*e "2+n 2+s so 5+r

been +'(now#ed$edT+(e "2e 1+)esi+n re5#e'"or +s +n e,+)4#e? 2en 1+)es dis'!sses "2e !es"iono5 "2e re5#e'"or in "2e Pre5+'es 2e 'o)es b+'( re4e+"ed#/ "o w2+" in "2e 4re5+'e "oT2e Prin'ess C+s+)+ssi)+ 2e '+##s "2e !nre+#i"/ o5 "2e s2+r4 dis"in'"ion;?> In"2+" 4+r"i'!#+r 4re5+'e "2e +44ro4ri+"eness o5 "2e !se o5 "2e re5#e'"or is #in(ed

4re'ise#/ "o "2e need "o 4resen" w2+" 1+)es '+##s "2e 2!)+n )i,"!re; "2e +b/sso5 +)bi$!i"ies; +ri$2" "o $i*e + s!55i'ien" 4i'"!re o5 "2e e,4osed +nd en"+n$#eds"+"e; LiC 44? % & K &%J? T2ere is no +44re'i+"ion s+*e b/ in"i)+'/; or +s1+)es 4!"s i" + )e#"in$ "o$e"2er; LiC 4? % &%J? Indeed in 2is #+"e ess+/ T2e

New No*e#; re5#e'"in$ on Conr+d;s C2+n'e 1+)es wri"es +d)irin$#/ o5 "2e 5!sion;o5 or + re'i4ro'i"/; be"ween w2+" 2e 1+)esJ '+##s "2e 4ri)+r/ +!"2or; +nd "2e.-

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 .-?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ 8.

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved. NARRATIVE AND ALTERITYn+rr+"or? & O5 'o!rse 2e ne*er w2o##/ s!rrenders "o +n +55ir)+"ion o5 "2e +!"2orK re5#e'"or re#+"ion +s + 5!## 4+r"i'i4+"ion? E*en +s 2e "e##s !s "2+" 2e s2+(es o55; "2e

)!55#ed )+0es"/ o5 +!"2ors2i4; in T2e Go#den =ow# 2e +#so +sser"s "2+" "2e)+0es"/ o5 +!"2ors2i4 s"i## rei$ns LiC 4? %.-.J? E !+##/ 5or 1+)es "2e +b/ss o5 +)bi$!i"ies; wi"2 w2i'2 "2e !se o5 "2e re5#e'"or is +sso'i+"ed does no" in'#!de+)bi$!i"ies in $ender "2o!$2 "2ere +re )o)en"s in "2e Pre5+'es "2+" do see) "o

4oin" in "2+" dire'"ion? Ye" i" is none"2e#ess '#e+r "2+" "2e '+"e$or/ o5 "2e re5#e'"or is one w2i'2 des"+bi#i es "2e iden"i"/ 4rin'i4#e +nd i" is +#so s!re#/ "2e '+se K "2o!$2 1+)es '+nno" s+/ i" K "2+" re5#e'"or "ro!b#e )+/ )e+n $ender "ro!b#e "oo?T+(e 5or e,+)4#e + #o'!s '#+ssi'!s 5or "2o!$2" +bo!" "2e 1+)esi+n re5#e'"orM+$$ie Ver*er;s )ono#o$!e +" "2e be$innin$ o5 P+r" 8 o5 T2e Go#den =ow#:T2is si"!+"ion 2+d been o''!4/in$ 5or )on"2s +nd )on"2s "2e *er/'en"re o5 "2e $+rden o5 2er #i5e b!" i" 2+d re+red i"se#5 "2ere #i(e so)es"r+n$e "+## "ower o5 i*or/ or 4er2+4s so)e wonder5!# be+!"i5!# b!"o!"#+ndis2 4+$od+ + s"r!'"!re 4#+"ed wi"2 2+rd bri$2" 4or'e#+in 'o#o!red+nd 5i$!red +nd +dorned +" "2e o*er2+n$in$ e+*es wi"2 si#*er be##s "2+""in(#ed e*er so '2+r)in$#/ w2en s"irred b/ '2+n'e +irs? S2e 2+d w+#(edro!nd +nd ro!nd i" K "2+" w+s w2+" s2e 5e#"? %


31/37

1+)es b#ends w2+" D+*id S)i" '+##s N+rr+"i*e Re4or"; +nd Free Indire'"T2o!$2"; so 'o)4#e"e#/ "2+" i" is no" '#e+r w2e"2er "2e )e"+42or is M+$$ie;s "2e+!"2or;s or n+rr+"or;s? %% T2e )os" 'r!'i+# 4oin"s +re "2e 42r+se or 4er2+4s; +nd"2e 2/42en 5o##owed b/ "2+" w+s w2+" s2e 5e#";? =o"2 s!$$es" "2e )o*e)en" o5 de#iber+"i*e "2o!$2" o5 + (ind +sso'i+"ed wi"2 '2+r+'"er r+"2er "2+n +!"2or? =!"

need "2e/ Mi$2" "2e de#iber+"i*e )o)en"s no" be "2e +!"2or;s own +r"i'!#+"ed+#)os" se#5


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dis4#+'e)en"s; "2+" 4ro2ibi"ion 4rod!'es? T2ere is "2!s + (ind o5 irre$!#+r dis"!rb+n'e o5 "2e $ender '+"e$ories "o w2i'2 C+"2er;s no*e#s o55i'i+##/ +d2ere?=!"#er e)42+si es "2e i)4or"+n'e 5or e,+)4#e o5 "2e 5r+)in$ n+rr+"or in M/

n"oni+ w2o in"rod!'es 1i) =!rden;s s"or/ +nd "o w2o) 2e $i*es i" "o re+d? As "2e5r+)in$ n+rr+"or 'edes "2e n+rr+"i*e "o 1i) s+/s =!"#er + 5e)inine +!"2ors2i4

+44e+rs "o /ie#d in 5+*o!r o5 + )+s'!#ine one; +nd I +) "2!s +s(ed "o re'o$ni e"2+" + dis4#+'e)en" o5 iden"i5i'+"ion; is "2e *er/ 'ondi"ion 5or "2e 4ossibi#i"/; o5 C+"2er;s 5i'"ion =TM 44? %8>K 8&J? T2ere +re indeed si$ns "2+" "2e 5r+)in$n+rr+"or is 5e)+#e? =!" "2ere +re +#so indi'+"ions "2+" "2is n+rr+"or )+/ be )+#e? HeBs2e +nd 1i) +$ree 5or e,+)4#e "2+" $rowin$ !4 in + #i""#e 4r+irie "own !ni"es "2e)in + (ind o5 5ree)+sonr/;? T2e $ender o5 "2e 5r+)in$ n+rr+"or )!s" 5in+##/ beinde"er)in+"e +nd i" is inde"er)in+'/ r+"2er "2+n 5e)inini"/ "2+" is bein$ dis4#+'ed+" "2e o!"se" o5 "2e no*e# +s "2o!$2 C+"2er is indi'+"in$ "2e +r"i5i'e o5 "2e $ender '+"e$ories +''ordin$ "o w2i'2 "2+" no*e# wi## o"2erwise 4ro'eed?.8

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 .8?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ 86

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved. NARRATIVE AND ALTERITYT2e 5+'" "2+" i" does 4ro'eed +''ordin$ "o "2e) 2owe*er )e+ns "2+" M/

n"oni+ wi## on#/ ser*e =!"#er;s '+se in + #i)i"ed w+/? S2e '+nno" re+d i"s n+rr+"i*e)ode s!b*ersi*e#/ +nd 2+s "o resor" "o + s/)4"o)+"i' re+din$ +" "2e #e*e# o5 'on"en"? In "2e n+rr+"i*e o5 A Los" L+d/ $ender re#+"ions +re +r$!+b#/ 4!" in"o

!es"ion in )ore 'o)4#e, +nd !nse""#in$ w+/s? In "2e 5irs" ins"+n'e +''ordin$ "o=/+"" C+"2er 5irs" +""e)4"ed + )i,ed n+rr+"ion "2en "o "id/ "2e w2o#e "+#e in"o

Nie#;s 5irs" 4erson "2en )+de + de'ision "o re*er" "o 2er ori$in+# )ore +s/))e"ri'+#)e"2od; LL 4? ,iiJ? In o"2er words C+"2er 4+ins"+(in$#/ wor(ed 2er w+/ "2ro!$2"o + n+rr+"i*e )e"2od w2i'2 wo!#d +'"!+##/ )+(e 5or irre$!#+ri"/ +nd w2i'2 wo!#d5ree 2er 5ro) "2e 'o)4+r+"i*e#/ si)4#e s"r!'"!re o5 +n obser*in$ )+#e s!b0e'"

4redo)in+n"#/ o''!4ied wi"2 +n obser*ed 5e)+#e ob0e'"? T2is 4+r"#/ in*o#*es "2e!se o5 + n+rr+"or o!"side Nie# w2o be$ins "2e no*e# 5or ins"+n'e +nd in"rod!'es2i)? T2is n+rr+"or is no" '2+r+'"eri ed +nd '+n be iden"i5ied wi"2 C+"2er in "2esense "2+" "2e n+rr+"or in T2e Go#den =ow# '+n be iden"i5ied wi"2 1+)es? S2e is no"

0!s" "2e *oi'e "2+" "e##s +s Nie# 5o'+#i es; 2owe*er? A" )o)en"s +" #e+s" s2e +#sos4e+(s 5or + 'o))!ni"/ +nd +s i"s )e)ori+#is"? S2e s4e+(s no" 0!s" o5 +nd 5or Nie#+s 2e; b!" +#so o5 +nd 5or !s; /o!;? In o"2er words 2er +)4#e 5#!id *oi'edisso#*es +nd en#+r$es '+"e$ories w2ere Nie# "ends "o n+rrow +nd 5i, "2e)? Hen'e"2ere is +n e,"en" "o w2i'2 Nie#;s *oi'e )+/ b#!r in"o or be o*er"+(en b/ 2ers is+#w+/s 4o"en"i+##/ o4en "o in*+sion b/ + n+rr+"i*e +#"eri"/ w2i'2 )+(es !s !ns!re+s "o w2ere Nie# be$ins +nd #e+*es o55? T2e bo!nd+ries o5 Nie#;s $endered iden"i"/+s n+rr+"or +nd indeed +s '2+r+'"erJ +re !ns!re? T+(e "2is 4+ss+$e 5or ins"+n'e:

2ere Mrs Forres"er w+s d!##ness w+s i)4ossib#e Nie# be#ie*ed? T2e'2+r) o5 2er 'on*ers+"ion w+s no" so )!'2 in w2+" s2e s+id "2o!$2 s2ew+s o5"en wi""/ b!" in "2e !i'( re'o$ni"ion o5 2er e/es in "2e #i*in$


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!+#i"/ o5 2er *oi'e i"se#5? No"2in$ 4#e+sed one )ore "2+n "o 4ro*o(e2er #+!$2"er? T2en /o! 5e#" /o! were $e""in$ on wi"2 2er? I" w+s 2er 5or)o5 'o))en"in$ o5 +$reein$ wi"2 /o! +nd +44re'i+"in$ /o! w2en /o!s+id so)e"2in$ in"eres"in$ K +nd i" o5"en "o#d /o! + $re+" de+# "2+" w+s

bo"2 "oo dire'" +nd "oo e#!si*e 5or words?

LL 44? 77K 79JT2e #+s" "2ree sen"en'es wo!#d +44e+r "o be "2e 5e)+#e )e)ori+#is";s "2e 5irs""wo Nie#;s K e,'e4" 5or "2+" 42r+se in "2e #i*in$ !+#i"/ o5 2er *oi'e i"se#5; w2i'2+44e+rs "o 5+## be"ween "2e "wo +nd '+nno" wi"2 'er"+in"/ be '#+i)ed b/ ei"2er?.6

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 .6?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ 87

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.DISSOL TIONSHere +$+in I '+n on#/ re+d "2e n+rr+"i*e +s !n'er"+in#/ $endered or K be""er K +s+ we+*e w2i'2 insis"en"#/ i5 s4or+di'+##/ be#ies "2e *er/ '#+ri"/ +nd 5ir)ness o5 "2e $ender '+"e$ories on w2i'2 C+"2er;s '2+r+'"ers so o5"en +44e+r "o re#/?E,'end+n'eIn"er)i""en"#/ "2en no*e#is"s #i(e 1+)es +nd C+"2er 4rob#e)+"i e "2e re#+"ions2i4

be"ween n+rr+"in$ s!b0e'" +nd n+rr+"ed ob0e'"? T2+" re#+"ions2i4 re4e+"ed#/ r+isesor o*er#+4s wi"2 "2e !es"ion o5 $ender re#+"ions w2i'2 )e+ns "2+" "2e "wo +re

4rob#e)+"i ed "o$e"2er? I '+## "2is 4rob#e)+"i +"ion e"2i'+#? I" 'ons"i"!"es + re5!s+#"o 'on5or) "o + 'on'e4" o5 n+rr+"i*e +s "2e de'isi*e#/ seen; de'isi*e#/ s+id +s+4o42+nsis de#i*ered +4odi'"i'+##/? S!'2 + 'on'e4"ion o5 n+rr+"i*e 2+s'o)4re2ensi*e#/ do)in+"ed n+rr+"i*e "2eor/? Ye" so)e o5 1+)es;s +nd C+"2er;swor( s!$$es"s "2+" no*e#s )+/ o''!4/ + )ore #i)in+# one w2i'2 I s2+## #+"er des'ribe in Derride+n "er)s +s "2e s4e'"r+#;? 2+" is e"2i'+# 2ere is 4re'ise#/ "2ee,"en" "o w2i'2 n+rr+"i*e is 4!" in"o !es"ion +s + (ind o5 5r+)e o5 (now#ed$e;w2ose 'ondi"ions +re se4+r+"ion dis"+n'i+"ion s"r!'"!res o5 o44osi"ion? I" see)s

4ossib#e "o re


34/37


35/37

"r+ns'end+n'e no" e,'end+n'eJ b!" "ow+rds "2e o"2er? T2is is Le*in+s;s se'!#+rde)/s"i5i'+"or/ )+"eri+#is" )ess+$e? %&.9

Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.

F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 .9?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ 8>

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.DISSOL TIONSFor 1!d+i' +s o44osed "o C2ris"i+n "r+di"ion s2+)e is no" born o5 sin5!#ness?I" is r+"2er "2e ine*i"+b#e res4onse "o "2e )iser+b#e 5+'" "2+" one is onese#5 +ndno"2in$ e#se? =!" w2/ bo"2er wi"2 "2e 'on'e4" o5 e,'end+n'e 2ere =e'+!se i"+nni2i#+"es "2e 'on'e4"ion o5 "2e s!b0e'" +s i" 2+s 4re*+i#ed in so )+n/ o5 "2e

br+n'2es o5 o!r (now#ed$e in'#!din$ #i"er+r/ 'ri"i'is) +nd indeed e"2i's +s i" 2+s"r+di"ion+##/ been 'on'ei*ed? For in "2e "er)s o5 De #; *+sion e4is"e)o#o$i'+##/"2e s!b0e'" is ne*er +*+i#+b#e "o obser*+"ion? E,'end+n'e is "2e des'ri4"ion o5 "2e)in!"i+e o5 + $ene"i' 4ro'ess: "2ere is si)!#"+neo!s#/ !ne+se dis'o)5or" e*en +sens+"ion o5 e)b+rr+ss)en" in "2e )!#"i4#e senses o5 "2e word +nd + 5#i$2""ow+rds "2e o"2er? T2e s!b0e'" is +#w+/s +nd i))edi+"e#/ + 'o)4osi"ion wi"2e,"eriori"/? E,'end+n'e is 4re'ise#/ "2+" )o*e)en" "ow+rds or re+'2in$ o!" "o "2ee,"erior? T2ere is )ore in*o#*ed 2ere "2+n + 5+)i#i+r 'on'e4"ion o5 "2e disso#!"iono5 "2e s!b0e'"; "2e s!b0e'" in 4ro'ess "2e s!b0e'" +s + 4#+/ o5 4resen'e +nd+bsen'e or + )!#"i4#i'i"/? Here "2e s!b0e'" is no" so )!'2 )!#"i4#e +s i))edi+"e#/+nd '+"e$ori'+##/ )!#"i4#ied? I" is +#w+/s on i"s w+/ o!"w+rds )o*in$ "ow+rdsw2+" is o"2er +" on'e +nd de5ini"i*e#/ +s i5 5ro) +n !nend!r+b#e s2+)e5!# so#i"!de?Hen'e "oo e,'end+n'e is +#so +#w+/s +n+'2roni'? - For i5 i" )e+ns 'o)4osi"ionwi"2 "2e 'on"e)4or+r/ i" 2+s i"s ori$in in + si"!+"ion w2i'2 '+nno" e,+'"#/ be!nders"ood +s o5 "2e )o)en"? T2e 4resen" is no" e,+'"#/ + 'ir'!)s"+n'e wein2+bi" b!" one in"o w2i'2 we 'on"in!+##/ 'ross? Here e*+sion; is no" si)4#/ +res4onse "o "2e se#5 +s bein$ b!" "2e '2+r+'"er o5 "2e wor#d in i"s be'o)in$ AT 4?->J? S!b0e'"2ood '+n on#/ be 'on'ei*ed o5 no" )ere#/ +s r+di'+##/ +nd de5ini"i*e#/in'o)4#e"e b!" +s in"rinsi'+##/ + 4ro0e'"ion "ow+rds "2e 5!"!re !n s!0e"


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Gibson Andrew? Postmodernity, Ethics & Novel : From Levis to Levinas.F#oren'e @Y SA: Ro!"#ed$e %&&&? 4 .>?2""4:BBsi"e?ebr+r/?'o)B#ibBso5i+BDo' id 6 %8-% 44$ 8&

Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved. NARRATIVE AND ALTERITY be 5ro en in"o + 5r+)e +nd es'+4es e*+desJ +## 4ossibi#i"/ o5 re4resen"+"ion?Le*in+s $i*es +n +''o!n" o5 "2is non


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Copyright 1999. Routledge. All rights reserved.DISSOL TIONSAs !s!+# ideo#o$i'+# '+"e$ories 5+i# "o 'on"+in "2e 'on5!sions "2+" "2e/)!s" re#e+se in "2e +""e)4" "o +'2ie*e 'on"ro#? --

Ye" 2+sn;" )os" $ender +nd !eer "2eor/ K !i"e ri$2"#/ K been #ess 'on'ernedwi"2 + 42i#oso42i'+# in"erro$+"ion o5 "2e 'on'e4" o5 $ender "2+n wi"2 + 4o#i"i'+#'ri"i !e o5 4ower re#+"ions Does no" =!"#er insis" 5or ins"+n'e on "2e need 5or "2e iden"i"/ '+"e$ories I 2+*e '+##ed in !es"ion e*en w2i#s" +w+re o5 "2eir ris(s

=TM 4? -->JT2eoris"s #i(e =!"#er +nd Sin5ie#d +re +'"!+##/ '+!$2" in +n in"e##e'"!+# di#e))+?T2e iden"i"/ 4rin'i4#e is 'r!'i+# "o "2eir wor( +s 4o#i"i'+# 4r+'"i'e? =!" "2+" wor( wo!#d no" 2+*e been 4ossib#e 2+d "2ere no" been 5ier'e o44osi"ion no" 0!s" "o "2e'+"e$ories o5 iden"i"/ 4rod!'ed b/ "2e do)in+n" '!#"!re b!" "o "2e 4r+'"i'e o5 iden"i5i'+"ion i"se#5? Fro) "2is deri*e +## "2e deb+"es +ro!nd "2e re#+"i*e *+#!e o5 w2+" 1? @? Gibson

postmodernity ethics and novel a. gibson

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