Beckett and Cioran

This Element discusses the association between Samuel Beckett, and the Romanian-born philosopher, E. M. Cioran. It draws upon the known biographical detail, but, more substantially, upon the terms of Beckett's engagement with Cioran's writings, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Certain of Cioran's key conceptualisations, such as that of the 'meteque', and his version of philosophical scepticism, resonate with aspects of Beckett's writing as it evolved beyond the 'siege in the room'. More particularly, aspects of Cioran's conclusion about the formal nature that philosophy must assume chime with some of the formal decisions taken by Beckett in the mid-late prose. Through close reading of some of Beckett's key works such as Texts for Nothing and How It Is, and through consideration of Beckett's choices when translating between English and French, the issues of identity and understanding shared by these two settlers in Paris are mutually illuminated.

List of contents

1. Introduction; 2. 'Great stuff here and there' – Beckett and Cioran Together; 3. Not Forgiving Life – Pessimism and Scepticism; 4. Form as Violence; Bibliography.

Summary

This Element discusses the link between Samuel Beckett and E. M. Cioran, drawing upon the terms of Beckett's engagement with Cioran's writings, from the 1950s to the 1970s. Aspects of Cioran's conclusion about the formal nature that philosophy must assume chime with some of the formal decisions taken by Beckett in the mid-late prose.

Foreword

This Element provides the links between Beckett and a living philosopher through their life and writings.

Product details

• Authors: Steven Matthews, Matthews Steven
• Publisher: Cambridge Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 31.05.2024
• EAN: 9781009494724
• ISBN: 978-1-00-949472-4
• Dimensions: 159 mm x 235 mm x 10 mm
• Weight: 260 g
• Illustrations: Worked examples or Exercises
• Series: Elements in Beckett Studies
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > English linguistics / literary studies; History of Ideas, Europe, 20th Century, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Philosophy: aesthetics, Western philosophy from c 1800, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Philosophical traditions and schools of thought, Philosophy: epistemology & theory of knowledge, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, Philosophy: epistemology and theory of knowledge