Without a proper grasp of its relevant theories, approaches, and technical language, an effective analysis and interpretation of literature can be a daunting task. The Literary Theory Toolkit offers readers a rich compendium of key terms, concepts, and arguments necessary for the study of literature in a critical-theoretical context.
The book offers an in-depth analysis of Jacques Derrida's early lectures from the Fantom of the Other series, emphasizing their significance in shaping his later work. Herman Rapaport meticulously examines all 13 parts of the lectures, highlighting their foundational role in Derrida's philosophical exploration over the next two decades. This comprehensive study brings to light a crucial yet underrepresented aspect of Derrida's thought, as the full series has not been previously published in English.
This book, first published in 2003, explores significant themes and concepts within its field, providing readers with valuable insights and comprehensive analysis. As part of the Routledge imprint, it reflects a commitment to academic excellence and is aimed at scholars and students alike. The content is designed to enhance understanding and provoke thought, making it a pertinent resource for those interested in the subject matter.
As the spell of Jacques Derrida grows stronger, with more translations and analyses appearing every season, it is possible--and necessary--to determine what in his work is truly new and what continues philosophical and literary traditions. Although Martin Heidegger ahs been mentioned before as a precursor of deconstruction, Herman Rapaport is the first to develop the connections between the writings of the German philosopher and Derrida. Heidegger and Derrida discusses the French philosopher's adoption of certain Heideggerean themes and his extension or overturning of them. But Rapaport does more than show how deconstruction builds on the philosophical foundations laid by Heidegger (and also by Hegel, Nietzsche, and Freud). In the most comprehensive study of Derrida's works to date, he tackles the problem of writing an intellectual history about a figure who has put into question the possibility of such a construction and acknowledges Derrida's concerns with Jewish history in relation to Western thought.