Deconstruction-Derrida

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by Julian Wolfreys

Palgrave

Due/Published August 1998, 256 pages, paper

ISBN 031221393X

In this introduction to the work of Jacques Derrida, Wolfreys challenges the notion that what Derrida does can be turned into a theory for literary interpretation. He questions the belief in a critical methodology called "deconstruction" that can be applied to literary texts in a programmatic fashion. Wolfreys introduces the reader to the range of Derrida's interests and concerns, while tendering readings informed by Derrida's thought of canonical and less well-known literary works. He works through considerations of what deconstruction might or might not be, while offering a critical appreciation of the reception of Derrida's work within the institution of literary criticism.

Table of Contents

Introduction: "Deconstruction, if such a thing exists . . . "

The Make-Believe of a Beginning

Another Introduction/Entamer: in media res or, is there something called "deconstruction?"

Preparatory to Anything Else: Derrida's Interests

Preparatory to Anything Else: Singular Examples or, Identity, Spectrality, Undecidability

Writing (of) Identities: Facing up to Derrida or, The Example of Paul ValŽry

The Hauntological Example: The City as the Haunt of Writing in the Texts of Iain Sinclair

Heart? Of Darkness? Reading in the Dark with J. Hillis Miller and Joseph Conrad

Some Supplementary Afterwords

Notes
Bibliography
IndexSeries: Transitions