WALTER BENJAMIN Illuminations TRANSLATED BY HARRY ZOHN Edited and with an introduction by HANNAH ARENDT PREFACE BY LEON WIESELTIER

SCHOCKEN BOOKS . NEW YORK

Eng i!h tran! ation co"yright # $%&' by Harcourt Brace (o)ano)ich* +nc. +ntroduction co"yright # $%&' by Hannah Arendt ,re-ace co"yright # .//0 by 1eon Wie!e tier A right! re!er)ed. ,ub i!hed in the 2nited State! by Schoc3en Boo3!* a di)i!ion oRando4 Hou!e* +nc.* New Yor3. Origina y "ub i!hed in 5er4any by Suhr3a4" 6er ag* 7ran3-urt a.8. co"yright # $%99 by Suhr3a4" 6er ag* 7ran3-urt a.8. ,ub i!hed by arrange4ent with Harcourt Brace (o)ano)ich* +nc. :A He en and Kurt Wo -- Boo3; Thi! re"rint o4it! "age! $<$=$<< o- die origina Harcourt* Brace > Wor d edition. The introduction to thi! boo3* by Dr. Hannah Arendt* a""eared origina y a! an artic e in The Netv Yorker, Ac3now edg4ent i! 4ade -or "er4i!!ion to ?uote -ro4 the -o owing@ 7ro4 The Trial, by 7ranA Ka-3a* tran!* by Edwin and Wi a 8uir. Co"yright # $%B0 and renewed $%&9 by A -red A Kno"-* +nc. 7ro4 The Castle, by 7ranA Ka-3a. Co"yright # $%B/* $%9< and renewed $%9' by A -red A. Kno"-* +nc. Re"rinted by "er4i!!ion o- die "ub i!her. 1ibrary o- Congre!! Cata oging=in=,ub ication Data BenCa4in* Wa ter* $'%.= $%</* + u4ination!. Tran! ation o-@ + u4inadonen. Re"rint. Origina y "ub i!hed@ New Yor3@ Harcourt* Brace > Wor d* $%&'. DA He en and Kurt Wo -- boo3EF6er!o t". +nc uded bib iogra"hica re-erence! and indeG* +. 1iteratureFAddre!!e!* e!!ay!* ecture!. +. Arendt* Hannah. ++. Tit e. ,NB0.B<<$B $%'9 '/% '9=.0'&9 +SBN %0'=/='/9.=/.<$=/ ,rinted in die 2nited State! o- A4erica 7ir!t Schoc3en "a"erbac3 edition "ub i!hed in $%&% HOgI %'0&9<B.

Contents ,RE7ACE BY 1EON W+ESE1T+ER +NTROD2CT+ON Walter Benjamin: 18^2-1^40, by Hannah Arendt UNPACKING MY LIBRARY A Talk a o!t Book Colle"tin#$% THE TASK OF THE TRANSLATOR An &ntro'!"tion to the Translation o( Ba!'elaire)s Tab eauG "ari!ien! &% THE STORYTELLER *e(le"tions on the Works o( Nikolai +eskov 8, FRANZ KAFKA -n the Tenth Anniversar. o( /is 0eath SO8E RE71ECT+ONS ON KA7KA WHAT +S E,+C THEATERJ ON SO8E 8OT+7S +N BA2DE1A+RE THE +8A5E O7 ,RO2ST 6 $

$$$ $<$ $<0 $99 ./$

THE WORK O7 ART +N THE A5E O7 8ECHAN+CA1 RE,ROD2CT+ON . $0 THESES ON THE ,H+1OSO,HY O7 H+STORY ED+TORKS NOTE +NDEL O7 NA8ES .9B .&9 .&%

Preface by 1eon Wie!e tier +t i! hard to i4agine a ti4e when Wa ter BenCa4in wa! not a god :or an ido ; ocritici!4* but + can re4e4ber when* in 4y own !tudent day!* not !o ong ago* he wa! on y an eGciting ru4or. +t wa! the "ub ication o- &ll!minations, and then a -ew year! ater o- *e(le"tions, the!e o)ing y a!!e4b ed and beauti-u y tran! ated )o u4e!* that con-ir4ed the ru4or. The!e were the boo3! that brought the new!. + can re"ort that in the boo3!ho"! around Co u4bia in it! roi ed year!* be-ore Broadway beca4e a bou e)ard o- theory* they were !natched u" i44ediate y and read with a hu!hed -a!cination. No !ooner wa! BenCa4in 3nown than he wa! re)ered. + encountered BenCa4inK! na4e -or the -ir!t ti4e in the ornate dedication to 1ajor Tren's in 2e3ish 1.sti"ism, the 4a!terwor3 :ta 3 about bringing the new!M; o- hi! de)oted and di!a""ointed -riend 5er!ho4 Scho e4* which wa! "ub i!hed a year a-ter BenCa4inK! re-ugee !uicideN DTo the 4e4ory o- Wa ter BenCa4in :i '%.=$%</;* the -riend o- a i-eti4e* who!e geniu! united the in!ight o- the 8eta"hy!ician* the inter"retati)e "ower o- the Critic* and the erudition othe Scho arFdied at ,ort Bou :S"ain; on hi! way into -reedo4.E Thi! i! !ti the 4o!t e e4entary characteriAation o- BenCa4inK! den!e and e u!i)e 4ind. +t "re"ared 4e -or the 4o!t !igni-icant ?ua ity o- BenCa4inK! acco4" i!h4ent* and a !o o)tt

4 5re(a"e hi! !"irit@ a4ong the great 4odern inte ectua !* he wa! the one who ea!t added u". BenCa4inK! great di!"er!a * enacted -ir!t by hi! 4enta ity and then by hi! hi!tory 4ade hi4 e!"ecia y attracti)e. He wa! a natura y un!y!te4atic 4an* a hero o- -rag4entation in the ine o- No)a i! and Sch ege and NietA!che. And yet he wa! not an ene4y o- o d "hi o!o"hy* not at a . To a degree that i! !ti not ade?uate y a""reciated* BenCa4in wa! ha""i y !tee"ed in 5er4an "hi o!o"hy* and regarded hi! critica ta!3 a! the "hi o!o"hica ana y!i! o- iterature and cu ture. +n hi! re!t e!! and !cattered way* he wa! carrying on the wor3 o- Hege K! Aestheti"s, a -oundationa and unCu!t y di!carded wor3 that 4ay be "re"o!terou! in it! co!4ic idea! but i! 4agni-icent in it! oca idea!. BenCa4in had a !i4i ar gi-t -or a"" ying ab!traction! to " ea!ure!. And to hi! eG" anatory -er)or he added a -er)or -or ob!er)ationN he !aw 4ore* in boo3! and in " ace!* than other "eo" e did* and he !aw di--erendy. The !trangene!! that you encounter u"on reading BenCa4in -or the -ir!t ti4e i! a 4o!t a cogniti)e !trangene!!@ he 4a3e! e)erything no onger -a4i iar. Hi! inco4"etence at ordinary i)ing a owed hi4 to !ee it 4ore !har" y. 1i3e 4any o- the in!urgent chi dren o- the 5er4an (ewi!h bourgeoi!ie* he be ie)ed that bana ity wa! the ene4y o- i-eN but hi! anti= bana iAing energy* the -erocity with which he 4ined the 4o!t co44on" ace obCect! and e)ent! -or eG" o!i)e 4eaning!* wa! a 4o!t diabo ica . :DThe e)eryday a! i4"enetrab e* the i4"enetrab e a! e)erydayE; +n hi! 4e4oir! a! in hi! e!!ay!* he !ee4ed to re?uire o- e)ery "erce"tion that it be a re)o ution. +t wa! hi! "re4i!e that nothing i! what it a""ear! to be* and thi! 4ade hi4 into a !cho ar o- a""earance!. He had an una""ea!ab e a""etite -or the 4argina and the idio!yncratic* becau!e de)iance oo3ed to hi4 i3e an e"i!te4o ogica ad)antage. Nothing that wa! not neg ected cou d be true. A thi! ed BenCa4in into the underground o- e!oteric inter"retation. +n hi! te4"era4ent and in hi! 4ethod* BenCa4in wa! an e!oteri=ci!t. He wa! 4odernityK! 3abba i!t. +n hi! turgid y enchanted wor d there were on y 4y!terie!* oc3ed and un oc3ed. Hi! in-atuation with 8arGi!4* the 4o!t e4barra!!ing e"i!ode o- hi! 4enta wandering!* the on y ti4e that he ac?uie!ced in the regi4entation o- hi! own 4ind* 4ay be under!tood a! 4ere y the 4o!t de!"erate o- hi! eGerci!e! in arcane reading. The teGt* thi! ti4e* wa! hi!toryN but there wa! )ia

5re(a"e nothing that wa! not a teGt* -or BenCa4in. He wa! the 4o!t boo3i!h o- the agitator=inte ectua !. :He oo3ed ridicu ou! in the +biAa !un.; He teGtua iAed the uni)er!e. Thi! wa! becau!e he wa! e!!entia y an eGegete* a g o!!ator. E)erything he wrote wa! co44entary. The ,ari! Arcade! "roCect i!* a4ong other thing!* a 4i e!tone in the hi!tory o- co44entary* an a!tounding reno)ation o- an o d "oint o- regard -or a new rea ity. 1i3e the great 4edie)a co44entator!* BenCa4in de4on!trated by eGa4" e that co44entary 4ay be an in!tru4ent o- origina ity. And in hi! ca!e* not on y o- origina ity* but a !o o- rede4"tion@ in BenCa4inK! )iew* inter"retation doe! not !o 4uch di!co)er 4eaning a! re ea!e it* and oo!e it u"on the wor d !o a! to iberate it. BenCa4in read 4e!!ianica y. +n!ight* -or hi4* wa! a )ariety o- intoGication. +ndeed* hi! ?ue!t -or de iriu4 in critici!4 4ade hi! "o itica writing! -ina y u!e e!! -or "o itic!. DThe rea iAation o- drea4 e e4ent! in wa3ing i! the teGtboo3 eGa4" e o- dia ectica thin3ingE@ no go)ern4ent e)er tre4b ed be-ore !uch a dia ectic. 7or a hi! "roc a4ation! o- "o itica !o idarity* BenCa4in -ina y re"re!ented on y hi4!e -* and hi! own intro)erted and ineGtingui!hab e hunger -or a !ecret 3now edge* an initiation* a re)e ation. He wa! a -ai ed 4y!tic i)ing a4id -ai ed !anctitie!* and !trugg ing again!t the -ai ure!. The!e )o u4e! 4ay be read a 4o!t a! a !"iritua diary. They gi)e a "ortrait o- a "i gri4. But thi! "i gri4 4a3e! no "rogre!!* and hi! !tory at !o4e "oint cea!e! to be !tirring* and beco4e! a ienating* and then cru!hing. +t i! not on y the e)i circu4!tance! o- BenCa4inK! death that ea)e one with a gathering "ity -or hi4. Hi! di!"er!a co4e! to !ee4 cunning* )ain* -rantic* !o4eti4e! di ettanti!h* !o4e= ti4e! ani4ated by an a!"iration to cu tura "owerFa daAA ing di!traction -ro4 the "o!!ibi ity that there 4ay ha)e been nothing a!ting at the core. BenCa4in can be at once o)er- owing and )acantN a !tudent o- hiddenne!! ner)ou! y in hidingN a "i gri4 without a !hrine. Scho e4 begged BenCa4in to 4a3e a choice and a co44it4ent :and to 4a3e the choice and the co44it4ent that he hi4!e - had 4ade;N and wherea! it i! true that Scho e4 wa! a 4o!t 4on!trou! in hi! con= !i!tency o- "ur"o!e o)er the year!* he wa! right to worry about the !"iritua i4" ication! o- BenCa4inK! indeci!i)ene!!. And thi! indeci=!i)ene!!* which 4ay ha)e co!t BenCa4in hi! i-e* wa! unattracti)e y Coined to a wea3ne!! -or dog4atic certitude. The uncertainty that iG

5re(a"e Scho e4 de" ored wa! rea y a "etri-ication by certainty* or a !erie! o- !uch "etri-ication!. BenCa4inK! wor3 wa! !carred by a high ideo ogica na!tine!!* a! when he 4oc3ed Dthe !c erotic ibera =4ora =hu4ani!tie idea o- -reedo4E :a! iEuro"e in hi! day wa! !u--ering -ro4 a !ur-eit o- thi!;* and !"ecu ated acid y about the be ie- in Dthe !acredne!! o- i-eE :or -ro4 a !ur-eit o- thi!;* and re!"onded with "er-ect di--idence to the cen!or!hi" and the "er!ecution owriter! in the So)iet 2nion* which he co d y de!cribed a! Dthe tran!-er o- the 4enta 4ean! o- "roduction into "ub ic owner!hi".E The "ioneering eG" orer o4e4ory wor!hi""ed hi!tory too 4uch. He a !o wrote too 4uchN he ad)i!ed writer! to Dne)er !to" writing becau!e you ha)e run out o- idea!*E and o-ten he acted on hi! own ad)ice. + con-e!! that there are 4any "age! in BenCa4in that + do not under!tand* in which the di!cour!e !ee4! to be dictating it!e -* and no direction i! c ear. 1i3e 4any e!oterici!t!* he abu!e! the "ri)i ege o- ob!curity. And yet BenCa4inK! writing! are unco44on y rich with "enetrating and "re!cient notion!@ the i4"o)eri!h4ent o- eG"erience in 4odern i-eN the "ri4acy o- 4e4ory a! a 4ode o- con!ciou!ne!!N the aura o- the wor3 o- art* and it! ec i"!e in the age o- 4echanica :not to !"ea3 o- e ectronic; re"roductionN the ho"e -or D"ro-ane i u4inationEN the eterna entang e4ent o- barbari!4 with ci)i iAationN the critica uti ity o- the 4e!!ianic ideaFa the!e notion! are Cu!t y ce ebrated* a! are hi! u4inou! eGa4ination! o- 5oethe and Baude aire and Ka-3a and Krau!. BenCa4inK! wor3 i! e)idence o- the ight that a re igiou! !en!ibi ity 4ay !hine u"on !ecu ar eGi!tence. There are certain y )ery -ew critic! who can 4atch hi! "ower o- !ugge!ti)ene!!N hi! idea! and intuition! ha)e a way o- ingering "roducti)e y* e)en when you ?uarre with the4. +n the a"" ication o"hi o!o"hica conce"t! to cu tura and !ocia actua itie!* hi! decided y un4y!tica -riend Adorno wa! hi! on y "eer. ,hi o!o"hica thin3ing retained it! o d ro e* -or BenCa4in@ it wa! hi! be!t de-en!e again!t de!"air. There !ti i! no better one. O

Introduction Walter Benjamin: 89 !9"# I$ T%E %&NC%BAC' 7ar4* that 4uch=co)eted godde!!* ha! 4any -ace!P and -a4e co4e! in 4any !ort! and !iAe!F-ro4 the one=wee3 notoriety o- the co)er !tory to the !" endor o- an e)er a!ting na4e. ,o!thu4ou! -a4e i! one o- 7a4aK! rarer and ea!t de!ired artic e!* a though it i! e!! arbitrary and o-ten 4ore !o id than the other !ort!* !ince it i! on y !e do4 be!towed u"on 4ere 4erchandi!e. The one who !tood 4o!t to "ro-it i! dead and hence it i! not -or !a e. Such "o!thu4ou! -a4e* unco44ercia and un"ro-itab e* ha! now co4e in 5er4any to the na4e and wor3 o- Wa ter BenCa4in* a 5er4an=(ewi!h writer who wa! 3nown* but not -a4ou!* a! contributor to 4agaAine! and iterary !ection! o- new!"a"er! -or e!! than ten year! "rior to Hit erK! !eiAure o- "ower and hi! own e4igration. There were -ew who !ti 3new hi! na4e when he cho!e death in tho!e ear y -a day! o- $%</ which -or 4any o- hi! origin and generation 4ar3ed the dar3e!t 4o4ent o- the warFthe -a o- 7rance* the threat to Eng and* the !ti intact Hit er=Sta in "act who!e 4o!t -eared con!e?uence at that 4o4ent wa! the c o!e co=o"eration o- the two 4o!t "ower-u !ecret "o ice -orce! in Euro"e. 7i-teen year! ater a two= )o u4e edition o-

Illuminations hi! writing! wa! "ub i!hed in 5er4any and brought hi4 a 4o!t i44ediate y a s!""es '6estime that went -ar beyond the recognition a4ong the -ew which he had 3nown in hi! i-e. And !ince 4ere re"utation* howe)er high* a! it re!t! on the Cudg4ent o- the be!t* i! ne)er enough -or writer! and arti!t! to 4a3e a i)ing that on y -a4e* the te!ti4ony o- a 4u titude which need not be a!trono4ica in !iAe* can guarantee* one i! doub y te4"ted to !ay :with Cicero;* Si 3in vi"issent 7!i morte vi"er!nt8ho3 di--erent e)erything wou d ha)e been Di- they had been )ictoriou! in i-e who ha)e won )ictory in death*E ,o!thu4ou! -a4e i! too odd a thing to be b a4ed u"on the b indne!! o- the wor d or the corru"tion o- a iterary 4i ieu. Nor can it be !aid that it i! the bitter reward o- tho!e who were ahead o- their ti4eFa! though hi!tory were a race trac3 on which !o4e contender! run !o !wi-t y that they !i4" y di!a""ear -ro4 the !"ectatorK! range o- )i!ion. On the contrary* "o!thu4ou! -a4e i! u!ua y "receded by the highe!t recognition a4ong oneK! "eer!. When Ka-3a died in $%.<* hi! -ew "ub i!hed boo3! had not !o d 4ore than a cou" e o- hundred co"ie!* but hi! iterary -riend! and the -ew reader! who had a 4o!t accidenta y !tu4b ed on the !hort "ro!e ."iece! :none o- the no)e ! wa! a! yet "ub i!hed; 3new beyond doubt that he wa! one o- the 4a!ter! o- 4odern "ro!e. Wa ter BenCa4in had won !uch recognition ear y* and not on y a4ong tho!e who!e na4e! at that ti4e were !ti un3nown* !uch a! 5erhard Scho e4* the -riend ohi! youth* and Theodor Wie!engrund Adorno* hi! -ir!t and on y di!ci" e* who together are re!"on!ib e -or the "o!thu4ou! edition o- hi! wor3! and etter!.$ +44ediate* in!tincti)e* one i! te4"ted to !ay* recognition ca4e -ro4 Hugo )on Ho-4ann!tha * who "ub i!hed BenCa4inK! e!!ay on 5oetheK! 9le"tive A((inities in $%.<* and -ro4 Berto t Brecht* who u"on recei)ing the new! o- BenCa4inK! death i! re"orted to ha)e !aid that thi! wa! the -ir!t rea o!! Hit er had cau!ed to 5er4an iterature. We cannot 3now i- there i! !uch a thing a! a together una""reciated geniu!* or whether it i! the daydrea4 o- tho!e who are not geniu!e!N but we can be rea!onab y !ure that "o!thu4ou! -a4e wi not be their ot. 7a4e i! a !ocia "heno4enonN ad g oria4 non e!t !ati! uniu! .

&ntro'!"tion o:inio :a! Seneca re4ar3ed wi!e y and "edantica y;* D-or -a4e the o"inion oone i! not enough*E a though it i! enough -or -riend!hi" and o)e. And no !ociety can "ro"er y -unction without c a!!i-ication* without an arrange4ent o- thing! and 4en in c a!!e! and "re!cribed ty"e!. Thi! nece!!ary c a!!i-ication i! the ba!i! -or a !ocia di!cri4ination* and di!cri4ination* "re!ent o"inion to the contrary notwith!tanding* i! no e!! a con!tituent e e4ent o- the !ocia rea 4 than e?ua ity i! a con!tituent e e4ent o- the "o itica . The "oint i! that in !ociety e)erybody 4u!t an!wer the ?ue!tion o- 3hat he i!Fa! di!tinct -ro4 the ?ue!tion o- 3ho he i! Fwhich hi! ro e i! and hi! -unction* and the an!wer o- cour!e can ne)er be@ + a4 uni?ue* not becau!e o- the i4" icit arrogance but becau!e the an!wer wou d be 4eaning e!!. +n the ca!e o- BenCa4in the troub e :i- !uch it wa!; can be diagno!ed in retro!"ect with great "reci!ionN when Ho-4ann!tha had read the ong e!!ay on 5oethe by the co4" ete y un3nown author* he ca ed it ;s"hle"hthin !nver#lei"hli"h< :Dab!o ute y inco4"arab eE;* and the troub e wa! that he wa! itera y right* it cou d not be co4"ared with anything e !e in eGi!ting iterature. The troub e with e)erything BenCa4in wrote wa! that it a way! turned out to be s!i #eneris4 ,o!thu4ou! -a4e !ee4!* thenQ to be the ot o- the unc a!!i=-iab e one!* that i!* tho!e who!e wor3 neither -it! the eGi!ting order nor introduce! a new genre that end! it!e - to -uture c a!!i-ication. +nnu4erab e atte4"t! to write a* a Ka-3a* a o- the4 di!4a -ai ure!* ha)e on y !er)ed to e4"ha!iAe Ka-3aK! uni?uene!!* that ab!o ute origina ity which can be traced to no "rede=ce!!er and !u--er! no -o ower!. Thi! i! what !ociety can ea!t co4e to ter4! with and u"on which it wi a way! be )ery re uctant to be!tow it! !ea o- a""ro)a . To "ut it b unt y* it wou d be a! 4i! eading today to reco44end Wa ter BenCa4in a! a iterary critic and e!!ayi!t a! it wou d ha)e been 4i! eading to reco44end Ka-3a in $%.< a! a !hort=!tory writer and no)e i!t. To de!cribe ade?uate y hi! wor3 and hi4 a! an author within our u!ua -ra4ewor3 o- re-erence* one wou d ha)e to 4a3e a great 4any negati)e !tate4ent!* !uch a!@ hi! erudition wa! great* but he wa! no !cho arN hi! !ubCect 4atter co4"ri!ed teGt! and B

&ll!minations their inter"retation* but he wa! no "hi o ogi!tN he wa! great y=attracted not by re igion but by theo ogy and the theo ogica ty"e o- inter"retation -or which the teGt it!e - i! !acred* but he wa! no theo ogian and he wa! not "articu ar y intere!ted in the Bib eN he wa! a born writer* but hi! greate!t a4bition wa! to "roduce a wor3 con!i!ting entire y o- ?uotation!N he wa! the -ir!t 5er4an to tran! ate ,rou!t :together with 7ranA He!!e ; and St.=(ohn ,er!e* and be-ore that he had tran! ated Baude aireK! Ta lea!= :arisiens, but he wa! no tran! atorN he re)iewed boo3! and wrote a nu4ber o- e!!ay! on i)ing and dead writer!* but he wa! no iterary criticN he wrote a boo3 about the 5er4an baro?ue and e-t behind a huge un-ini!hed !tudy o- the 7rench nineteenth century* but he wa! no hi!torian* iterary or otherwi!eN & !ha try to !how that he thought "oetica y* but he wa! neither a "oet nor a "hi o!o"her. Sti * in the rare 4o4ent! when he cared to de-ine what he wa! doing* BenCa4in thought o- hi4!e - a! a iterary critic* and i- he can be !aid at a to ha)e a!"ired to a "o!ition in i-e it wou d ha)e been that o- Dthe on y true critic o- 5er4an iteratureE :a! Scho e4 "ut it in one o- the -ew* )ery beauti-u etter! ta the -riend that ha)e been "ub i!hed;* eGce"t that the )ery notion o- thu! beco4ing a u!e-u 4e4ber o- !ociety wou d ha)e re"e ed hi4. No doubt he agreed with Baude aire* ;>tre !n homme !tile 3Ca :ar! to!jo!rs 7!el7!e "hose 'e 1en hi'e!=< +n the introductory "aragra"h! to the e!!ay on 9le"tive A((inities, BenCa4in eG" ained what he under!tood to be the ta!3 o- the iterary critic. He begin! by di!tingui!hing between a co44entary and a criti?ue. :Without 4entioning it* "erha"! without e)en being aware o- it* he u!ed the ter4 ?ritik, which in nor4a u!age 4ean! critici!4* a! Kant u!ed it when he !"o3e o- a Criti7!e o( 5!re *eason4@ Criti?ue Hhe wroteI i! concerned with the truth content o- a wor3 o- art* the co44entary with it! !ubCect 4atter. The re ation!hi" between the two i! deter4ined by that ba!ic aw o- iterature according to which the wor3K! truth content i! the 4ore re e)ant the 4ore incon!"icuou! y and inti4ate y it i! bound u" with it! !ubCect 4atter. +- there-ore "reci!e y tho!e wor3! turn out to endure who!e truth i! <

&ntro'!"tion 4o!t dee" y e4bedded in their !ubCect 4atter* the beho der who conte4" ate! the4 ong a-ter their own ti4e -ind! the realia a the 4ore !tri3ing in the wor3 a! they ha)e -aded away in the wor d. Thi! 4ean! that !ubCect 4atter and truth content* united in the wor3K! ear y "eriod* co4e a"an during it! a-ter i-eN the !ubCect 4atter beco4e! 4ore !tri3ing whi e the truth content retain! it! origina concea 4ent. To an e)er=increa!ing eGtent* there-ore* the inter"retation o- the !tri3ing and the odd* that i!* o- the !ubCect 4atter* beco4e! a "rere?ui!ite -or any ater critic. One 4ay i3en hi4 to a "a eogra"her in -ront o- a "arch4ent who!e -aded teGt i! co)ered by the !tronger out ine! o- a !cri"t re-erring to that teGt. (u!t a! the "a eogra"her wou d ha)e to !tart with reading the !cri"t* the critic 4u!t !tart with co44enting on hi! teGt. And out o- thi! acti)ity there ari!e! i44e= diate y an ine!ti4ab e criterion o- critica Cudg4entN on y now can the critic a!3 the ba!ic ?ue!tion o- a critici!4=na4e y* whether the wor3K! !hining truth content i! due to it! !ubCect 4atter or whether the !ur)i)a o- the !ubCect 4atter i! due to the truth content. 7or a! they co4e a"art in the wor3* they decide on it! i44orta ity. +n thi! !en!e the hi!tory o- wor3! o- art "re"are! their criti?ue* and thi! i! why hi!torica di!tance increa!e! their "ower. +-* to u!e a !i4i e* one )iew! the growing wor3 a! a -unera "yre* it! co44entator can be i3ened to the che4i!t* it! critic to an a che4i!t. Whi e the -or4er i! e-t with wood and a!he! a! the !o e obCect! o- hi! ana y!i!* the atter i! concerned on y with the enig4a othe - a4e it!e -@ the enig4a o- being a i)e. Thu! the critic in?uire! about the truth who!e i)ing - a4e goe! on burning o)er the hea)y og! o- the "a!t and the ight a!he! o- i-e gone by. The critic a! an a che4i!t "racticing the ob!cure art o- tran!4uting the -uti e e e4ent! o- the rea into the !hining* enduring go d o- truth* or rather watching and inter"reting the hi!torica "roce!! that bring! about !uch 4agica tran!-iguration=whate)er we 4ay thin3 o- thi! -igure* it hard y corre!"ond! to anything we u!ua y ha)e in 4ind when we c a!!i-y a writer a! a iterary critic. There i!* howe)er* another e!! obCecti)e e e4ent than the 4ere -act o- being unc a!!i-iab e which i! in)o )ed in the i-e o- tho!e who Dha)e won )ictory in death.E +t i! the e e4ent o- bad uc3* and thi! -actor* )ery "ro4inent in BenCa4inK! i-e* cannot be ignored here becau!e he hi4!e -* who "robab y ne)er thought or drea4ed about "o!thu4ou! -a4e* wa! !o eGtraordinari y aware 9

&ll!minations o- it. +n hi! writing and a !o in con)er!ation he u!ed to !"ea3 about the D itt e hunchbac3*PP the ; !"kli"ht 1annlein( a 5er4an -airy=ta e -igure out o- 0es ?na en W!n'erhorn, the -a4ou! co ection o- 5er4an -o 3 "oetry. Wi ich in 4einK Ke er gehn* Wi 4ein Wein e4 Aa"-enC Steht ein buc3 icht 8ann ein da* Tat 4irKn Krug weg!chna"= "en. Wi ich in 4e4 Kiiche gehn* Wi 4ein Sii"" ein 3ochenN Stent ein buc3 icht 8ann ein da* Hat 4ein To"- ein brochen.P

The hunchbac3 wa! an ear y ac?uaintance o- BenCa4in* who had -ir!t 4et hi4 when* !ti a chi d* he -ound the "oe4 in a chi drenK! boo3* and he ne)er -orgot. But on y once :at the end o- A Berlin Chil'hoo' aro!n' iAoo@t when antici"ating death he atte4"ted to get ho d o- Dhi! Rentire i-eK ... a! it i! !aid to "a!! be-ore the eye! o- the dying*PK did he c ear y !tate who and what it wa! that had terri-ied hi4 !o ear y in i-e and wa! to acco4"any hi4 unti hi! death. Hi! 4other* i3e 4i ion! o- other 4other! in 5er4any* u!ed to !ay* D8r. Bung e !end! hi! regard!E BCn#es"hi"kt lasst #r!ssen@ whene)er one o- the count e!! itt e cata!tro"he! o- chi dhood had ta3en " ace. And the chi d 3new o- cour!e what thi! !trange bung ing wa! a about. The 4other re-erred to the D itt e hunchbac3*E who cau!ed the obCect! to " ay their 4i!chie)ou! tric3! u"on chi drenN it wa! he who had tri""ed you u" when you -e and 3noc3ed the thing out o- your hand when it went to "iece!. And a-ter the chi d ca4e the grown=u" 4an who 3new what the chi d wa! !ti ignorant o-* na4e y* that it wa! not he who had "ro)o3ed Dthe itt e oneE by oo3ing at hi4Fa! though he had been the boy who wi!hed to earn what -ear wa!Fbut that the hunchbac3 had oo3ed at hi4 and that bung ing wa! a 4i!-ortune. 7or Danyone who4 the itt e 4an oo3! at "ay! no attentionN not to hi4!e - and not to the When + go down to the ce ar When + go into 4y 3itchen* There to draw !o4e wine* There 4y !ou" to 4a3e* A itt e hunchbac3 whoK! in there A itt e hunchbac3 whoK! in there 5rab! that Cug o- 4ine. 8y itt e "ot did brea3Q &

&ntro'!"tion itt e 4an. +n con!ternation he !tand! be-ore a "i e o- debri!E BD"hri(ten +* &9/= 9.;. Than3! to the recent "ub ication o- hi! etter!* the !tory o- BenCa4inK! i-e 4ay now be !3etched in broad out ine* and it wou d be te4"ting indeed to te it .a! a !e?uence o- !uch "i e! o- debri! !ince there i! hard y any ?ue!tion that he hi4!e - )iewed it in that way. But the "oint o- the 4atter i! that he 3new )ery we o- the 4y!teriou! inter" ay* the " ace Dat which wea3ne!! and geniu! coincide*E which he !o 4a!ter-u y diagno!ed in ,rou!t. 7or he wa! o- cour!e a !o !"ea3ing about hi4!e - when* in co4" ete agree4ent* he ?uoted what (ac?ue! Ri)iere had !aid about ,rou!t@ he Ddied o- the !a4e ineG"erience that "er4itted hi4 to write hi! wor3!. He died o- ignorance . . . becau!e he did not 3now how to 4a3e a -ire or o"en a windowE :DThe +4age o- ,rou!tE;. 1i3e ,rou!t* he wa! who y inca"ab e o- changing Dhi! i-eK! condition! e)en when they were about to cru!h hi4.E :With a "reci!ion !ugge!ting a ! ee"wa 3er hi! c u4!ine!! in)ariab y guided hi4 to the )ery center o- a 4i!-ortune* or where)er !o4ething o- the !ort 4ight ur3. Thu!* in the winter o- $%B%=</ the danger obo4bing 4ade hi4 decide to ea)e ,ari! -or a !a-er " ace. We * no bo4b wa! e)er dro""ed on ,ari!* but 8eauG* where BenCa4in went* wa! a troo" center and "robab y one o- the )ery -ew " ace! in 7rance that wa! !eriou! y endangered in tho!e 4onth! o- the "hony warQ; But i3e ,rou!t* he had e)ery rea!on to b e!! the cur!e and to re"eat the !trange "rayer at the end o- the -o 3 "oe4 with which he c o!e! hi! chi dhood 4e4oir@ 1iebe! Kind ein* ach* ich bitt* Bet -ur! buc3 icht 8ann ein 4it.P +n retro!"ect* the ineGtricab e net wo)en o- 4erit* great gi-t!* c u4!ine!!* and 4i!-ortune into which hi! i-e wa! caught can be detected e)en in the -ir!t "ure "iece o- uc3 that o"ened BenCa4inK! career a! a writer. Through the good o--ice! o- a -riend* he had been ab e to " ace D5oetheK! 9le"tive A((inities< in Ho-= 0 S dear chi d* + beg o- you* ,ray -or the itt e hunchbac3 too.

+ u4ination! 4ann!tha,! Ne!e 0e!ts"he Beitra#e :$%.<=.9;. Thi! !tudy* . 4a!ter"iece o5er4an "ro!e and !ti o- uni?ue !tature in the genera -ie d o- 5er4an iterary critici!4 and the !"ecia iAed -ie d o- 5oethe !cho ar!hi"* had a ready been reCected !e)era ti4e!* and Ho-4ann!tha,! enthu!ia!tic a""ro)a ca4e at a 4o= 4ent when BenCa4in a 4o!t de!"aired o- D-inding a ta3er -or itE BBrie(e +* B//;. But there wa! a deci!i)e 4i!-ortune* a""arent y ne)er -u y under!tood* which under the gi)en circu4!tance! wa! nece!!ari y connected with thi! chance. The on y 4ateria !ecurity which thi! -ir!t "ub ic brea3through cou d ha)e ed to wa! the /a it!ation, the -ir!t !te" o- the uni)er!ity career -or which BenCa4in wa! then "re"aring hi4!e -. Thi!* to be !ure* wou d not yet ha)e enab ed hi4 to 4a3e a i)ingFthe !o=ca ed Tri3t'oEent recei)ed no !a ary=but it wou d "robab y ha)e induced hi! -ather to !u""ort hi4 unti he recei)ed a -u "ro-e!!or!hi"* !ince thi! wa! a co44on "ractice in tho!e day!. +t i! now hard to under!tand how he and hi! -riend! cou d e)er ha)e doubted that a /a ilitation under a not unu!ua uni)er!ity "ro-e!!or wa! bound to end with a cata!tro"he. +- the gent e4en in)o )ed dec ared ater that they did not under!tand a !ing e word othe !tudy* The -ri#in o( Ferman Tra#e'., which BenCa4in had !ub4itted* they can certain y be be ie)ed. How were they to under!tand a writer who!e greate!t "ride it wa! that Dthe writing con!i!t! arge y o- ?uotation!Fthe craAie!t 4o!aic techni?ue i4aginab eEFand who " aced the greate!t e4"ha!i! on the !iG 4ottoe! that "receded the !tudy@ DNo one . . . cou d gather any rarer or 4ore "reciou! one!EJ BBrie(e +* B&&;. +t wa! a! i- a rea 4a!ter had -a!hioned !o4e uni?ue obCect* on y to o--er it -or !a e at the neare!t bargain center. Tru y* neither anti= Se4iti!4 nor i wi toward an out!iderFBenCa4in had ta3en hi! degree in SwitAer and during the war and wa! no oneK! di!ci" eFnor the cu!to4ary acade4ic !u!"icion o- anything that i! not guaranteed to be 4ediocre need ha)e been in)o )ed. Howe)erFand thi! i! where bung ing and bad uc3 co4e inF in the 5er4any o- that ti4e there wa! another way* and it wa! "reci!e y hi! 5oethe e!!ay that !"oi ed BenCa4inK! on y chance -or a uni)er!ity career. A! o-ten with BenCa4inK! writing!* thi! '

&ntro'!"tion !tudy wa! in!"ired by "o e4ic!* and the attac3 concerned 7ried=rich 5undo - ! boo3 on 5oethe. BenCa4inK! criti?ue wa! de-initi)e* and yet BenCa4in cou d ha)e eG"ected 4ore under!tanding -ro4 5undo - and other 4e4ber! o- the circ e around Ste-an 5eorge* a grou" with who!e inte ectua wor d he had been ?uite -a4i iar in hi! youth* than -ro4 the De!tab i!h4entEN and he "robab y need not ha)e been a 4e4ber o- the circ e to earn hi! acade4ic accreditation under one othe!e 4en who at that ti4e were Cu!t beginning to get a -air y co4-ortab e -ootho d in the acade4ic wor d. But the one thing he !hou d not ha)e done wa! to 4ount an attac3 on the 4o!t "ro4inent and 4o!t ca"ab e acade4ic 4e4ber othe circ e !o )ehe4ent that e)eryone wa! bound to 3now* a! he eG" ained retro!"ecti)e y ater* that he had DCu!t a! itt e to do with acade4e ... a! with the 4onu4ent! which 4en i3e 5undo - or Ern!t Bertra4 ha)e erected.E BBrie(e ++* 9.B;. Ye!* that i! how it wa!. And it wa! BenCa4inK! bung ing or hi! 4i!-ortune to ha)e announced thi! to the wor d be-ore he wa! ad4itted to the uni)er!ity. Yet one certain y cannot !ay that he con!ciou! y di!regarded due caution. On the contrary* he wa! aware that D8r. Bung e !end! hi! regard!E and too3 4ore "recaution! than anyone e !e + ha)e 3nown. But hi! !y!te4 o- "ro)i!ion! again!t "o!!ib e danger!* inc uding the DChine!e courte!yE 4entioned by Scho e4*. in)ariab y* in a !trange and 4y!teriou! way* di!regarded the rea danger. 7or Cu!t a! he - ed -ro4 the !a-e ,ari! to the dangerou! 8eauG at the beginning o- the war Fto the -ront* a! it wereFhi! e!!ay on 5oethe in!"ired in hi4 the who y unnece!!ary worry that Ho-4ann!tha 4ight ta3e a4i!! a )ery cautiou! critica re4ar3 about Rudo - Borchardt* one o- the chie- contributor! to hi! "eriodica . Yet he eG"ected on y good thing! -ro4 ha)ing -ound -or thi! Dattac3 u"on the ideo ogy o- 5eorgeK! !choo . . * thi! one " ace where they wi -ind it hard to ignore the in)ecti)eE BBrie(e +* B<$;. They did not -ind it hard at a . 7or no one wa! 4ore i!o ated than BenCa4in* !o utter y a one. E)en the authority cHo-4ann!tha FDthe new "atron*E a! BenCa4in ca ed hi4 in the -ir!t bur!t oha""ine!! BBrie(e +* B.0;Fcou d not a ter thi! !ituation. Hi! )oice hard y 4attered co4"ared with the %

lllttrmnations )ery rea "ower o- the 5eorge !choo * an in- uentia grou" in which* a! with a !uch entitie!* on y ideo ogica a egiance counted* !ince on y ideo ogy* not ran3 and ?ua ity* can ho d a grou" together. De!"ite their "o!e o- being abo)e "o itic!Q 5eorgeK! di!ci" e! were -u y a! con)er!ant with the ba!ic "rinci" e! oiterary 4aneu)er! a! the "ro-e!!or! were with the -unda4enta ! o- acade4ic "o itic! or the hac3! and Courna i!t! with the ABC o- Done good turn de!er)e! another.E BenCa4in* howe)er* did not 3now the !core. He ne)er 3new how to hand e !uch thing!* wa! ne)er ab e to 4o)e a4ong !uch "eo" e* not e)en when Dthe ad)er!itie! o- outer i-e which !o4eti4e! co4e -ro4 a !ide!* i3e wo )e!E BBrie(e +* .%';* had a ready a--orded hi4 !o4e in!ight into the way! o- the wor d. Whene)er he tried to adCu!t and be co=o"erati)e !o a! to get !o4e -ir4 ground under hi! -eet !o4ehow* thing! were !ure to go wrong. A 4aCor !tudy on 5oethe -ro4 the )iew"oint o- 8arGi!4F in the 4idd e twentie! he ca4e )ery c o!e to Coining the Co44uni!t ,artyFne)er a""eared in "rint* either in the 5reat Ru!!ian Encyc o"edia* -or which it wa! intended* or in "re!ent=day 5er4any. K au! 8ann* who had co44i!!ioned a re)iew o- BrechtK! Three:enn. Novel -or hi! "eriodica 0ie Domml!n#, returned the 4anu!cri"t becau!e BenCa4in had a!3ed .9/ 7rench -ranc!Fthen about $/ do ar!F-or it and he wanted to "ay on y $9/. Hi! co44entary on BrechtK! "oetry did not a""ear in hi! i-eti4e. And the 4o!t !eriou! di--icu tie! -ina y de)e o"ed with the +n!titute -or Socia Re!earch* which* origina y :and now again; "art o- the 2ni)er!ity o- 7ran3-urt* had e4igrated to A4erica and on which BenCa4in de"ended -inancia y. +t! guiding !"irit!* Theodor W. Ado4o and 8aG Hor3hei4er* were Ddia ectica 4ateria i!t!E and in their o"inion BenCa4inK! thin3ing wa! Dundia ectie*E 4o)ed in D4ateria i!tic categorie!* which by no 4ean! coincide with 8arGi!t one!*E wa! D ac3ing in 4ediationE in!o-ar a!* in an e!!ay on Baude aire* he had re ated Dcertain con!"icuou! e e4ent! within the !u"er!tructure . . . direct y* "erha"! e)en cau!a y* to corre!"onding e e4ent! in the !ub!tructure.E The re!u t wa! that BenCa4inK! origina e!!ay* DThe ,ari! $/

+ntroduction o- the Second E4"ire in the Wor3! o- Baude aire*E wa! not "rinted* either then in the 4agaAine o- the +n!titute or in the "o!thu4ou! two=)o u4e edition o- hi! writing!. :,art! o- it ha)e now been "ub i!hedFDDer 7 aneurE in 0ie Ne!e *!n's"ha!, Dece4ber $%&0* and DDie 8oderneE in 0as Ar#!ment, 8arch $%&'.; BenCa4in "robab y wa! the 4o!t "ecu iar 8arGi!t e)er "roduced by thi! 4o)e4ent* which 5od 3now! ha! had it! -u !hare o- odditie!. The theoretica a!"ect that wa! bound to -a!cinate hi4 wa! the doctrine o- the !u"er!tructure* which wa! on y brie- y !3etched by 8arG but then a!!u4ed a di!"ro"ortionate ro e in the 4o)e4ent a! it wa! Coined by a di!"ro"ortionate y arge nu4ber ointe ectua !* hence by "eo" e who were intere!ted on y in the !u"er!tructure. BenCa4in u!ed thi! doctrine on y a! a heuri!tic=4ethodo ogica !ti4u u! and wa! hard y intere!ted in it! hi!torica or "hi o!o"hica bac3ground. What -a!cinated hi4 about the 4atter wa! that the !"irit and it! 4ateria 4ani-e!tation were !o inti4ate y connected that it !ee4ed "er4i!!ib e to di!co)er e)erywhere Baude aireK! "orres:on'an"es, which c ari-ied and i u4inated one another ithey were "ro"er y corre ated* !o that -ina y they wou d no onger re?uire any inter"retati)e or eG" anatory co44entary. He wa! concerned with the corre ation between a !treet !cene* a !"ecu ation on the !toc3 eGchange* a "oe4* a thought* with the hidden ine which ho d! the4 together and enab e! the hi!torian or "hi o ogi!t to recogniAe that they 4u!t a be " aced in the !a4e "eriod. When Adorno criticiAed BenCa4inK! Dwide=eyed "re!entation o- actua itie!E BBrie(e ++* 0%B;* he hit the nai right on it! headN thi! i! "reci!e y what BenCa4in wa! doing and wanted to do. Strong y in- uenced by !urrea i!4* it wa! the Datte4"t to ca"ture the "ortrait o- hi!tory in the 4o!t in!igni-icant re"re!entation! o- rea ity* it! !cra"!* a! it wereE BBrie(e ++* &'9;. BenCa4in had a "a!!ion -or !4a * e)en 4inute thing!N Scho e4 te ! about hi! a4bition to get one hundred ine! onto the ordinary "age o- a noteboo3 and about hi! ad4iration -or two grain! o- wheat in the (ewi!h !ection o- the 8u!ee C uny Don which a 3indred !ou had in!cribed the co4" ete Dhema &srael<B 7or hi4 the !iAe o- an obCect wa! in an in)er!e ratio to it! !igni-icance. And thi! "a!!ion* -ar -ro4 $$

+ u4ination! being a whi4* deri)ed direct y -ro4 the on y wor d )iew that e)er had a deci!i)e in- uence on hi4* -ro4 5oetheK! con)iction o- the -actua eGi!tence oan Cr:hanomen, an archety"a "heno4enon* a concrete thing to be di!co)ered in the wor d o- a""earance! in which D!igni-icanceE BBe'e!t!n#, the 4o!t 5oeth= ean o- word!* 3ee"! recurring in BenCa4inK! writing!; and a""earance* word and thing* idea and eG"erience* wou d coincide. The !4a er the obCect* the 4ore i3e y it !ee4ed that it cou d contain in the 4o!t concentrated -or4 e)erything e !eN hence hi! de ight that two grain! o- wheat !hou d contain the entire Dhema &srael, the )ery e!!ence o- (udai!4* tinie!t e!!ence a""earing on tinie!t entity* -ro4 which in both ca!e! e)erything e !e originate! that* howe)er* in !igni-icance cannot be co4"ared with it! origin. +n other word!* what "ro-ound y -a!cinated BenCa4in -ro4 the beginning wa! ne)er an idea* it wa! a way! a "heno4enon. DWhat !ee4! "aradoGica about e)erything that i! Cu!t y ca ed beauti-u i! the -act that it a""ear!E BD"hri(ten +* B<%;* and thi! "aradoG=or* 4ore !i4" y* the wonder o- a""earance=wa! a way! at the center o- a hi! concern!* How re4ote the!e !tudie! were -ro4 8arGi!4 and dia ectica 4ateria i!4 i! con-ir4ed by their centra -igure* the (lane!r6 +t i! to hi4* ai4 e!! y !tro ing through the crowd! in the big citie! in !tudied contra!t to their hurried* "ur"o!e-u acti)ity* that thing! re)ea the4!e )e! in their !ecret 4eaning. DThe true "icture o- the "a!t (lits byE :D,hi o!o"hy o- Hi!toryE;* and on y the (lane!r who id y !tro ! by recei)e! the 4e!!age. With great acu4en Adorno ha! "ointed to the !tatic e e4ent in BenCa4in@ DTo under!tand BenCa4in "ro"er y one 4u!t -ee behind hi! e)ery !entence the con)er!ion o- eGtre4e agitation into !o4ething !tatic* indeed* the !tatic notion o- 4o)e4ent it!e -E BD"hri(ten +* GiG;. Natura y* nothing cou d be 4ore Dundia eeticE than thi! attitude in which the Dange ohi!toryE :in the ninth o- the DThe!e! on the ,hi o!o"hy o- Hi!toryE; doe! not dia ectica y 4o)e -orward into the -uture* but ha! hi! -ace Dturned toward the "a!t.E DWhere a chain o- e)ent! a""ear! to !s, he !ee! one !ing e cata!tro"he which 3ee"! "i ing wrec3age u"on wrec3age and hur ! it in -ront o- hi! -eet. The ange wou d i3e to !tay* awa3en the dead* and Coin $.

+ntroduction together what ha! been !4a!hed to "iece!.E :Which wou d "re!u4ab y 4ean the end o- hi!tory.; DBut a !tor4 i! b owing -ro4 ,aradi!eE and Dirre!i!tib y "ro"e ! hi4 into the -uture to which hi! bac3 i! turned* whi e the "i e o- ruin! be-ore hi4 grow! !3yward. What we ca "rogre!! i! this !tor4.E +n thi! ange * which BenCa4in !aw in K eeK! DAnge u! No)ui* the (lane!r eG"erience! hi! -ina tran!-iguration. 7or Cu!t a! the (lane!r, through the #est!s o- "ur"o!e e!! !tro ing* turn! hi! bac3 to the crowd e)en a! he i! "ro"e ed and !we"t by it* !o the Dange o- hi!tory*E who oo3! at nothing but the eG"an!e o- ruin! o- the "a!t* i! b own bac3=ward! into the -uture by t(e !tor4 o- "rogre!!. That !uch thin3=ing !hou d e)er ha)e bothered with a con!i!tent* dia ectica y !en!ib e* rationa y eG" ainab e "roce!! !ee4! ab!urd. +t !hou d a !o be ob)iou! that !uch thin3ing neither ai4ed nor cou d arri)e at binding* genera y )a id !tate4ent!* but that the!e were re" aced* a!TAdorno critica y re4ar3!* Dby 4eta"horica one!E BBrie(e ++* 0'9;. +n hi! concern with direct y* actua y de4on!trab e concrete -act!* with !ing e e)ent! and occurrence! who!e D!igni-icanceE i! 4ani-e!t* BenCa4in wa! not 4uch intere!ted in theorie! or Didea!E which did not i44ediate y a!!u4e the 4o!t "reci!e outward !ha"e i4aginab e. To thi! )ery co4" eG but !ti high y rea i!tic 4ode o- thought the 8arGian re ation!hi" between !u"er!tructure and !ub!tructure beca4e* in a "re= ci!e !en!e* a 4eta"horica one. +-* -or eGa4" eFand thi! wou d certain y be in the !"irit o- BenCa4inK! thoughtFthe ab!tract conce"t Gem!n(t :rea!on; i! traced bac3 to it! origin in the )erb vernehmen :to "ercei)e* to hear;* it 4ay be thought that a word -ro4 the !"here o- the !u"er!tructure ha! been gi)en bac3 it! !en!ua !ub!tructure* or* con)er!e y* that a conce"t ha! been tran!-or4ed into a 4eta"hor="ro)ided that D4eta"horE i! under!tood in it! origina * nonaEegorica !en!e o- meta:herein :to tran!-er;. 7or a 4eta"hor e!tab i!he! a connection which i! !en!ua y "ercei)ed in it) i44ediacy and re?uire! no inter"retation* whi e an a egory a way! "roceed! -ro4 an ab!tract notion and then in)ent! !o4ething "a "ab e to re"re!ent it a 4o!t at wi The a egory 4u!t be eG" ained be-ore it can beco4e 4eaning-u * a !o ution 4u!t be -ound to the ridd e it "re!ent!* !o

Ill*minati+n) that the o-ten aboriou! inter"retation o- a egorica -igure! a way! unha""i y re4ind! one o- the !o )ing o- "uAA e! e)en when no 4ore ingenuity i! de4anded than in the a egorica re"re!entation o- death by a !3e eton. Since Ho4er the 4eta"hor ha! borne that e e4ent o- the "oetic which con)ey! cognitionN it! u!e e!tab i!he! the "orres:on'an"es between "hy!ica y 4o!t re4ote thing!Fa! when in the &lia' the tearing on! aught o- -ear and grie- on the heart! o- the Achaian! corre!"ond! to the co4bined on! aught o- the wind! -ro4 north and we!t on the dar3 water! H&lia' +L* $=';N or when the a""roaching o- the ar4y 4o)ing to batt e in ine a-ter ine corre!"ond! to the !eaK! ong bi ow! which* dri)en by the wind* gather head -ar out on the !ea* ro to !hore ine a-ter ine* and then bur!t on the and in thunder B&lia' +6* <..=.B;. 8eta"hor! are the 4ean! by which the onene!! o- the wor d i! "oetica y brought about. What i! !o hard to under!tand about BenCa4in i! that without being a "oet he tho!#ht :oeti"all. and there-ore wa! bound to regard the 4eta"hor a! the greate!t gi-t o- anguage. 1ingui!tic Dtran!-erenceE enab e! u! to gi)e 4ateria -or4 to the in)i!ib eFDA 4ighty -ortre!! i! our 5odEFand thu! to render it ca"ab e o- being eG"erienced. He had no troub e under!tanding the theory o- the !u"er!tructure a! the -ina doctrine o4eta"horica thin3ingF"reci!e y becau!e without 4uch ado and e!chewing a D4ediation!E he direct y re ated the !u"er!tructure to the !o=ca ed D4ateria E !ub!tructure* which to hi4 4eant the tota ity o- !en!ua y eG"erienced data. He e)ident y wa! -a!cinated by the )ery thing that the other! branded a! D)u gar= 8arGi!tE or Dundia ec=tica E thin3ing. +t !ee4! " au!ib e that BenCa4in* who!e !"iritua eGi!tence had been -or4ed and in-or4ed by 5oethe* a "oet and not a "hi o!o"her* and who!e intere!t wa! a 4o!t eGc u!i)e y arou!ed by "oet! and no)e i!t!* a though he had !tudied "hi o!o"hy* !hou d ha)e -ound it ea!ier to co44unicate with "oet! than with theoretician!* whether o- the dia ectica or the 4eta"hy!ica )ariety. And there i! indeed no ?ue!tion but that hi! -riend!hi" with BrechtFuni?ue in that here the greate!t i)ing 5er4an "oet 4et the 4o!t i4"ortant critic o- the ti4e* a -act both were -u y $<

&ntro'!"tion aware o-Fwa! the !econd and inco4"arab y 4ore i4"ortant !tro3e o- good -ortune in BenCa4inK! i-e. +t "ro4"t y had the 4o!t ad)er!e con!e?uence!N it antagoniAed the -ew -riend! he had* it endangered hi! re ation to the +n!titute oSocia Re!earch* toward who!e D!ugge!tion!E he had e)ery rea!on Dto be doci eE BBrie(e ++* &'B;* and the on y rea!on it did not co!t hi4 hi! -riend!hi" with Scho e4 wa! Seho e4K! abiding oya ty and ad4irab e genero!ity in a 4atter! concerning hi! -riend. Both Adorno and Scho e4 b a4ed BrechtK! Ddi!a!trou! in- uenceEE :Scho e4; -or BenCa4inK! c ear y undia ectic u!age o- 8arGian categorie! and hi! deter4ined brea3 with a 4eta"hy!ic!N and the troub e wa! that BenCa4in* u!ua y ?uite inc ined to co4"ro4i!e! a beit 4o!t y unnece!!ary one!* 3new and 4aintained that hi! -riend!hi" with Brecht con!tituted an ab!o ute i4it not on y to doci ity but e)en to di" o4acy* -or D4y agreeing with BrechtK! "roduction i! one o- the 4o!t i4"ortant and 4o!t !trategic "oint! in 4y entire "o!itionE BBrie(e ++* 9%<;. +n Brecht he -ound a "oet o- rare inte ectua "ower! and* a 4o!t a! i4"ortant -or hi4 at the ti4e* !o4eone on the 1e-t who* de!"ite a ta 3 about dia ectic!* wa! no 4ore o- a dia ectica thin3er than he wa!* but who!e inte igence wa! unco44on y c o!e to rea ity. With Brecht he cou d "ractice what Brecht hi4!e - ca ed Dcrude thin3ingE B'as :l!m:e 0enken@: DThe 4ain thing i! to earn how to thin3 crude y. Crude thin3ing* that i! the thin3ing o- the great*E !aid Brecht* and BenCa4in added by way o- e ucidation@ DThere are 4any "eo" e who!e idea o- a dia ectician i! a o)er o- !ubt etie!. . . . Crude thought!* on the contrary* !hou d be "art and "arce o- dia ectica thin3ing* becau!e they are nothing but the re-erra o- theory to "ractice ... a thought 4u!t be crude to co4e into it! own in action.E U We * what attracted BenCa4in to crude thin3ing wa! "robab y not !o 4uch a re-erra to "ractice a! to rea ity* and to hi4 thi! rea ity 4ani-e!ted it!e - 4o!t direct y in the "ro)erb! and idio4! oe)eryday anguage. D,ro)erb! are a !choo o- crude thin3ing*E he write! in the !a4e conteGtN and the art o- ta3ing "ro)erbia and idio4atic !"eech itera y enab ed BenCa4inFa! it did Ka-3a* in who4 -igure! o- !"eech are o-ten c ear y di!cernib e a! a !ource o- in!"iration and R(

Ill*minati+n) -urni!h the 3ey to 4any a Dridd eE=Vto write a "ro!e o- !uch !ingu ar y enchanting and enchanted c o!ene!! to rea ity. Where)er one oo3! in BenCa4inK! i-e* one wi -ind the itt e hunchbac3. 1ong be-ore the outbrea3 o- the Third Reich he wa! " aying hi! e)i tric3!* cau!ing "ub i!her! who had "ro4i!ed BenCa4in an annua !ti"end -or reading 4anu!cri"t! or editing a "eriodica -or the4 to go ban3ru"t be-ore the -ir!t nu4ber a""eared. 1ater the hunchbac3 did a ow a co ection o- 4agni-icent 5er4an etter!* 4ade with in-inite care and "ro)ided with the 4o!t 4ar)e ou! co44entarie!* to be "rintedFunder the tit e 0e!ts"he 1ens"hen and with the 4otto ;Gon 9hre okne *!hmI Gon Jrosse ohne FhnEIGon W!r'e ohne Dol'< :O- Honor without 7a4eWO- 5reatne!! without S" endorWO- Dignity without ,ay;N but then he !aw to it that it ended in the ce ar o- the ban3ru"t Swi!! "ub i!her* in!tead o- being di!tributed* a! intended by BenCa4in* who !igned the !e ection with a "!eudony4* in NaAi 5er4any. And in thi! ce ar the edition wa! di!co)ered in $%&.* at the )ery 4o4ent when a new edition had co4e o-- the "re!! in 5er4any. :One wou d a !o charge it to the itt e hunchbac3 that o-ten the -ew thing! that were to ta3e a good turn -ir!t "re!ented the4!e )e! in an un" ea!ant gui!e. A ca!e in "oint i! the tran! ation o- Ana ase by A eGi! Saint= 1eger 1eger HSt.=(ohn ,er!eI which BenCa4in* who thought the wor3 Do- itt e i4"ortanceE KBrie(e +* B'$I* undertoo3 becau!e* i3e the ,rou!t tran! ation* the a!!ign4ent had been "rocured -or hi4 by Ho-4ann!tha . The tran! ation did not a""ear in 5er4any unti a-ter the war* yet BenCa4in owed to it hi! contact with 1eger* who* being a di" o4at* wa! ab e to inter)ene and "er!uade the 7rench go)ern4ent to !"are BenCa4in a !econd intern4ent in 7rance during the warFa "ri)i ege that )ery -ew other re-ugee! enCoyed.; And then a-ter 4i!chie- ca4e Dthe "i e! o- debri!*E the a!t o- which* "rior to the cata!tro"he at the S"ani!h border* wa! the threat he had -e t* !ince $%B'* that the +n!titute -or Socia Re!earch in New Yor3* the on y D4ateria and 4ora !u""ortE o- hi! ,ari! eGi!tence BBrie(e ++* 'B%;* wou d de!ert hi4. DThe $&

&ntro'!"tion )ery circu4!tance! that great y endanger 4y Euro"ean !ituation wi "robab y 4a3e e4igration to the 2.S.A. i4"o!!ib e -or 4e*E !o he wrote in A"ri o- $%B% BBrie(e ++* '$/;* !ti under the i4"act o- the Db owE which AdornoK! etter reCecting -he -ir!t )er!ion o- the Baude aire !tudy had dea t hi4 in No)e4ber o$%B' BBrie(e ++* 0%/;. Scho e4 i! !ure y right when he !ay! that neGt to ,rou!t* BenCa4in -e t the c o!e!t "er!ona a--inity with Ka-3a a4ong conte4"orary author!* and undoubted y BenCa4in had the D-ie d o- ruin! and the di!a!ter areaE o- hi! own wor3 in 4ind when he wrote that Dan under!tanding o- HKa-3aK!I "roduction in)o )e!* a4ong other thing!* the !i4" e recognition that he wa! a -ai ureE BBrie(e ++* &$<;. What BenCa4in !aid o- Ka-3a with !uch uni?ue a"tne!! a"" ie! to hi4!e - a! we N DThe circu4!tance! o- thi! -ai ure are 4u ti-ariou!. One i! te4"ted to !ay@ once he wa! cer=2 L o- e)entua -ai ure* e)erything wor3ed out -or hi4 en ro!te a! in a drea4E BBrie(e ++* 0&<;. He did not need to read Ka-3a to thin3 i3e Ka-3a. When DThe Sto3erE wa! a he had read o- Ka-3a* he had a ready ?uoted 5oetheK! !tate4ent about ho"e in hi! e!!ay on 9le"tive A((inities: DHo"e "a!!ed o)er their head! i3e a !tar that -a ! -ro4 the !3yEN and the !entence with which he conc ude! thi! !tudy read! a! though Ka-3a had written it@ DOn y -or the !a3e o- the ho"e e!! one! ha)e we been gi)en ho"eE BD"hri(ten +* $</;. On Se"te4ber .&* $%</* Wa ter BenCa4in* who wa! about to e4igrate to A4erica* too3 hi! i-e at the 7ranco=S"ani!h border. There were )ariou! rea!on! -or thi!. The 5e!ta"o had con-i!cated hi! ,ari! a"art4ent* which contained hi! ibrary :he had been ab e to get Dthe 4ore i4"ortant ha - out o- 5er4any; and 4any o- hi! 4anu!cri"t!* and he had rea!on to be concerned a !o about the other! which* through the good o--ice! o- 5eorge Batai e* had been " aced in the Bib iothe?ue Nationa e "rior to hi! - ight -ro4 ,ari! to 1ourde!* in unoccu"ied 7rance.0 How wa! he to i)e without a ibrary* how cou d he earn a i)ing without the eGten!i)e co ection o- ?uotation! and eGcer"t! a4ong hi! 4anu!cri"t!J Be!ide!* nothing drew hi4 to A4erica* where* a! he u!ed to !ay* "eo" e wou d "robab y -ind no other X

lll!minattons u!e -or hi4 than to cart hi4 u" and down the country to eGhibit hi4 a! the D a!t Euro"ean.E But the i44ediate occa!ion -or BenCa4inK! !uicide wa! an unco44on !tro3e o- bad uc3. Through the ar4i!tice agree4ent between 6ichy 7rance and the Third Reich* re-ugee! -ro4 Hit er 5er4anyFles re(!#ies :rovenant ')Allema#ne, a! they were o--icia y re-erred to in 7rance=were in danger o- being !hi""ed bac3 to 5er4any* "re!u4ab y on y i- they were "o itica o""onent!. To !a)e thi! category o- re-ugee!Fwhich* it !hou d be noted* ne)er inc uded the un"o itica 4a!! o- (ew! who ater turned out to be the 4o!t endangered o- a Fthe 2nited State! had di!tributed a nu4ber o- e4ergency )i!a! through it! con!u ate! in unoccu"ied 7rance. Than3! to the e--ort! o- the +n!titute in New Yor3* BenCa4in wa! a4ong the -ir!t to recei)e !uch a )i!a in 8ar!ei e!. A !o* he ?uic3 y obtained a S"ani!h tran!it )i!a to enab e hi4 to get to 1i!bon and board a !hi" there. Howe)er* he did not ha)e a 7rench eGit )i!a* which at that ti4e wa! !ti re?uired and which the 7rench go)=e44ent* eager to " ea!e the 5e!ta"o* in)ariab y denied to 5er=4an re-ugee!. +n genera thi! "re!ented no great di--icu ty* !ince a re ati)e y !hort and none too arduou! road to be co)ered by -oot o)er the 4ountain! to ,ort Bou wa! we 3nown and wa! not guarded by the 7rench border "o ice. Sti * -or BenCa4in* a""arent y !u--ering -ro4 a cardiac condition BBrie(e ++* '<$;* e)en the !horte!t wa 3 wa! a great eGertion* and he 4u!t ha)e arri)ed in a !tate o- !eriou! eGhau!tion. The !4a grou" o- re-ugee! that he had Coined reached the S"ani!h border town on y to earn that S"ain had c o!ed the border that !a4e day and that the border o--icia ! did not honor )i!a! 4ade out in 8ar!ei e!. The re-ugee! were !u""o!ed to return to 7rance by the !a4e route the neGt day. During the night BenCa4in too3 hi! i-e* whereu"on the border o--icia !* u"on who4 thi! !uicide had 4ade an i4"re!!ion* a owed hi! co4"anion! to "roceed to ,ortuga . A -ew wee3! ater the e4bargo on )i!a! wa! i-ted again. One day ear ier BenCa4in wou d ha)e got through without any troub eN one day ater the "eo" e in 8ar!ei e! wou d ha)e 3nown that -or the ti4e being it wa! i4"o!!ib e to "a!! through S"ain. On y on that "articu arY wa! tne cata!tro"he "o!!ib -. '

+ntroduction Hi THE DA$K T+8ES ;An.one 3ho "annot "o:e 3ith li(e 3hile he is alive nee's one han' to 3ar' o(( a little his 'es:air over his (ate . . . !t 3ith his other han' he "an jot 'o3n 3hat he sees amon# the r!ins, (or he sees 'i((erent an' more thin#s than the othersM a(ter all, he is 'ea' in his o3n li(etime an' the real s!rvivor< =7ranA Ka-3a* D+AR+ES* entry o- October $%* $%.$ ;+ike one 3ho kee:s a(loat on a shi:3re"k . "lim in# to the to: o( a mast that is alrea'. "r!m lin#4 B!t (rom there he has a "han"e to #ive a si#nal lea'in# to his res"!e4< Wa ter BenCa4in in a etter to 5erhard Scho e4 dated A"ri $0* $%B$ O-ten an era 4o!t c ear y brand! with it! !ea tho!e who ha)e been ea!t in- uenced by it* who ha)e been 4o!t re4ote -ro4 it* and who there-ore ha)e !u--ered 4o!t. So it wa! with ,rou!t* with Ka-3a* with Kar Krau!* and with BenCa4in. Hi! ge!ture! and the way he he d hi! head when i!tening and ta 3ingN the way he 4o)edN hi! 4anner!* but e!"ecia y hi! !ty e o- !"ea3ing* down to hi! choice o- word! and the !ha"e o- hi! !yntaGN -ina y* hi! downright idio!yncratic ta!te!Fa thi! !ee4ed !o o d=-a!hioned* a! though he had dri-ted out o- the nineteenth century into the twentieth the way one i! dri)en onto the coa!t o- a !trange and. Did he e)er -ee at ho4e in twentieth=century 5er4anyJ One ha! rea!on to doubt it. +n $%$B* when he -ir!t )i!ited 7rance a! a )ery young 4an* the !treet! o- ,ari! were Da 4o!t 4ore ho4e i3eE BBrie(e +* 9&; to hi4 a-ter a -ew day! than the -a4i iar !treet! o- Ber in. He 4ay ha)e -e t e)en then* and he certain y -e t twenty year! ater* how 4uch the tri" -ro4 Ber in to ,ari! wa! tanta4ount to a tri" in ti4eFnot -ro4 one country to another* but -ro4 the twentieth century bac3 to the nineteenth. There wa! the nation :ar e="ellen"e who!e cu ture had deter4ined the Euro"e o- the nineteenth century and -or which Hau!!4ann had rebui t ,ari!* Dthe ca"ita o- the nineteenth century*E a! BenCa4in wa! to ca it. Thi! ,ari! wa! not yet co!4o= $%

&ll!minations "o itan* to be !ure* but it wa! "ro-ound y Euro"ean* and thu! it ha!* with un"ara e ed natura ne!!* o--ered it!e - to a ho4e e!! "eo" e a! a !econd ho4e e)er !ince the 4idd e o- the a!t century. Neither the "ronounced Geno"hobia o- it! inhabitant! nor the !o"hi!ticated hara!!4ent by the oca "o ice ha! e)er been ab e to change thi!. 1ong be-ore hi! e4igration BenCa4in 3new how D)ery eGce"tiona Hit wa!I to 4a3e the 3ind o- contact with a 7rench4an that wou d enab e one to "ro ong a con)er!ation with hi4 beyond the -ir!t ?uarter o- an hourE BBrie(e +* <<9;. 1ater* when he wa! do4ici ed in ,ari! a! a re-ugee* hi! innate nobi ity "re)ented hi4 -ro4 de)e o"ing hi! ! ight ac?uaintance! Fchiea4ong the4 wa! 5ideFinto connection! and -ro4 4a3ing new contact!. :Werner Kra-tF!o we earned recent yFtoo3 hi4 to !ee Char e! du Bo!* who wa!* by )irtue o- hi! Denthu!ia!4 -or 5er4an iterature*E a 3ind o- 3ey -igure -or 5er4an e4igrant!. Werner Kra-t had the better connection!=what ironyM '; +n hi! !tri3ing y Cudiciou! re)iew o- BenCa4inK! wor3! and etter! a! we a! o- the !econdary iterature* ,ierre 8i!!ac ha! "ointed out how great y BenCa4in 4u!t ha)e !u--ered becau!e he did not get the Drece"tionE in 7rance that wa! due hi4.% Thi! i! correct* o- cour!e* but it !ure y did not co4e a! a !ur"ri!e. No 4atter how irritating and o--en!i)e a thi! 4ay ha)e been* the city it!e co4"en!ated -or e)erything. +t! bou e)ard!* BenCa4in di!co)ered a! ear y a! $%$B* are -or4ed by hou!e! which Ddo not !ee4 4ade to be i)ed in* but are i3e !tone !et! -or "eo" e to wa 3 betweenE BBrie(e +* 9&;. Thi! city* around which one !ti can tra)e in a circ e "a!t the o d gate!* ha! re4ained what the citie! othe 8idd e Age!* !e)ere y wa ed o-- and "rotected again!t the out!ide* once were@ an interior* but without the narrowne!! o- 4edie)a !treet!* a generou! y bui t and " anned o"en=air interie!r with the arch o- the !3y i3e a 4aCe!tic cei ing abo)e it. DT..e -ine!t thing here about a art and a acti)ity i! the -act that they ea)e the -ew re4ainder! o- the origina and the natura their !" endorE BBrie(e +* <.$;. +ndeed* they he " the4 to ac?uire new u!ter. +t i! the uni-or4 -acade!* ining the !treet! i3e in!ide wa !* that 4a3e one -ee 4ore "hy!ica y !he tered in thi! city than in any other. The arcade! which connect ./

&ntro'!"tion the great bou e)ard! and o--er "rotection -ro4 inc e4ent weather eGerted !uch an enor4ou! -a!cination o)er BenCa4in that he re-erred to hi! "roCected 4aCor wor3 on the nineteenth century and it! ca"ita !i4" y a! DThe Arcade!E B5assa#enar eit@M and the!e "a!!ageway! are indeed i3e a !y4bo o- ,ari!* becau!e they c ear y are in!ide and out!ide at the !a4e ti4e and thu! re"re!ent it! true nature in ?uinte!!entia -or4. +n ,ari! a !tranger -ee ! at ho4e becau!e he can inhabit the city the way he i)e! in hi! own -our wa !. And Cu!t a! one inhabit! an a"art4ent* and 4a3e! it co4-ortab e* by i)ing in it in!tead o- Cu!t u!ing it -or ! ee"ing* eating* and wor3ing* !o one inhabit! a city by !tro ing through it without ai4 or "ur"o!e* with oneK! !tay !ecured by the count e!! ca-e! which ine the !treet! and "a!t which the i-e o- the city* the - ow o- "ede!trian!* 4o)e! a ong. To thi! day ,ari! i! the on y one a4ong the arge citie! which can be co4-ortab y co)ered on -oot* and 4ore than any other city it i! de"endent -or it! i)e ine!! on "eo" e who "a!! by in the !treet!* !o that the 4odern auto4obi e tra--ic endanger! it! )ery eGi!tence not on y -or technica rea!on!. The wa!te and o- an A4erican !uburb* or the re!identia di!trict! o- 4any town!* where a o- !treet i-e ta3e! " ace on the roadway and where one can wa 3 on the !idewa 3!* by now reduced to -oot"ath!* -or 4i e! on end without encountering a hu4an being* i! the )ery o""o!ite o- ,ari!. What a other citie! !ee4 to "er4it on y re uctant y to the dreg! o- !ocietyF!tro ing* id ing* (ianerie85Nris !treet! actua y in)ite e)eryone to do. Thu!* e)er !ince the Second E4"ire the city ha! been the "aradi!e o- a tho!e who need to cha!e a-ter no i)e ihood* "ur!ue no career* reach no goa Fthe "aradi!e* then* o- bohe4ian!* and not on y o- arti!t! and writer! but o- a tho!e who ha)e gathered about the4 becau!e they cou d not be integrated either "o itica yFbeing ho4e e!! or !tate e!!For !ocia y. Without con!idering thi! bac3ground o- the city which beca4e a deci!i)e eG"erience -or the young BenCa4in one can hard y under!tand why the (lane!r beca4e the 3ey -igure in hi! writing!. The eGtent to which thi! !tro ing deter4ined the "ace o- hi! thin3ing wa! "erha"! 4o!t c ear y re)ea ed in the "ecu iaritie! o- hi! gait* which 8aG Rychner de!cribed a! Dat once .$

+ u4ination! ad)ancing and tarrying* a !trange 4iGture o- both.E$/ +t wa! the wa 3 o- a (lane!r, and it wa! !o !tri3ing becau!e* i3e the dandy and the !nob* the (lane!r had hi! ho4e in the nineteenth century* an age o- !ecurity in which chi dren ou""er=4idd e=c a!! -a4i ie! were a!!ured o- an inco4e without ha)ing to wor3* !o that they had no rea!on to hurry. And Cu!t a! the city taught BenCa4in (tanerie, the nineteenth centuryK! !ecret !ty e o- wa 3ing and thin3ing* it natura y arou!ed in hi4 a -ee ing -or 7rench iterature a! we * and thi! a 4o!t irre)ocab y e!tranged hi4 -ro4 nor4a 5er4an inte ectua i-e. D+n 5er4any + -ee ?uite i!o ated in 4y e--ort! and intere!t! a4ong tho!e o- 4y generation* whi e in 7rance there are certain -orce!Fthe writer! 5iraudouG and* e!"ecia y* AragonP the !urrea i!t 4o)e4entFin which + !ee at wor3 what occu"ie! 4e tooEF!o he wrote to Ho-4ann!tha in $%.0 BBrie(e +* <<&;* when* ha)ing returned -ro4 a tri" to 8o!cow and con)inced that iterary "roCect! !ai ing under the Co44uni!t - ag were un-ea!ib e* he wa! !etting out to con!o idate hi! D,ari! "o!itionE BBrie(e +* <<<=<9;. :Eight year! ear ier he had 4entioned the Dincredib e -ee ing o- 3in!hi"E which ,eguy had in!"ired in hi4@ DNo written wor3 ha! e)er touched 4e !o c o!e y and gi)en 4e !uch a !en!e o- co44unionE KBrie(e +* .$0I.; We * he did not !ucceed in con!o idating anything* and !ucce!! wou d hard y ha)e been "o!!ib e. On y in "o!twar ,ari! ha)e -oreigner!Fand "re!u4ab y that i! what e)eryone not born in 7rance i! ca ed in ,ari! to thi! day= been ab e to occu"y D"o!ition!.E On the other hand* BenCa4in wa! -orced into a "o!ition which actua y did not eGi!t anywhere* which* in -act* cou d not be identi-ied and diagno!ed a! !uch unti a-terward!. +t wa! the "o!ition on the Dto" o- the 4a!tE -ro4 which the te4"e!tuou! ti4e! cou d be !ur)eyed better than -ro4 a !a-e harbor* e)en though the di!tre!! !igna ! o- the D!hi"wrec3*E o- thi! one 4an who had not earned to !wi4 either with or again!t the tide* were hard y noticedFeither by tho!e who had ne)er eG"o!ed the4!e )e! to the!e !ea! or by tho!e who were ca"ab e o- 4o)ing e)en in thi! e e4ent. 6iewed -ro4 the out!ide* it wa! the "o!ition o- the -ree= ance writer who i)e! by hi! "enN howe)er* a! on y 8aG Rychner O2

Intr+,*cti+n !ee4! to ha)e ob!er)ed* he did !o in a D"ecu iar way*E -or Dhi! "ub ication! were anything but -re?uentE and Dit wa! ne)er ?uite c ear ... to what eGtent he wa! ab e to draw u"on other re!ource!.E n RychnerK! !u!"icion! were Cu!ti-ied in e)ery re!"ect. Not on y were Dother re!ource!E at hi! di!"o!a "rior to hi! e4igration* but behind the -acade o- -ree= ance writing he ed the con!iderab y -reer* a beit con!tant y endangered* i-e o- an homme 'e lettres who!e ho4e wa! a ibrary that had been gathered with eGtre4e care but wa! by no 4ean! intended a! a wor3ing too N it con!i!ted o- trea!ure! who!e )a ue* a! BenCa4in o-ten re"eated* wa! "ro)ed by the -act that he had not read the4=a ibrary* then* which wa! guaranteed not to be u!e-u or at the !er)ice o- any "ro-e!!ion. Such an eGi!tence wa! !o4ething un3nown in 5er4any* and a 4o!t e?ua y un3nown wa! the occu"ation which BenCa4in* on y becau!e he had to 4a3e a i)ing* deri)ed -ro4 itN not the occu"ation o- a iterary hi!torian and !cho ar with the re?ui!ite nu4ber o- -at to4e! to hi! credit* but that o- a critic and e!!ayi!t who regarded e)en the e!!ay -or4 a! too )u gar y eGten!i)e and wou d ha)e "re-erred the a"hori!4 i- he had not been "aid by the ine. He wa! certain y not unaware o- the -act that hi! "ro-e!!iona a4bition! were directed at !o4ething that !i4" y did not eGi!t in 5er4any* where* de!"ite 1icht=enberg* 1e!!ing* Sch ege * Heine* and NietA!che* a"hori!4! ha)e ne)er been a""reciated and "eo" e ha)e u!ua y thought o- crit= ici!4 a! !o4ething di!re"utab y !ub)er!i)e which 4ight be enCoyedFi- at a = on y in the cu tura !ection o- a new!"a"er. +t wa! no accident that BenCa4in cho!e the 7rench anguage -or eG"re!!ing thi! a4bition@ !+e !t 7!e je niavais :ro:ose . . . "6est ')etre "onsi'ere "omme le :remier "riti7!e 'e la litterat!re alleman'e4 +a 'i((i"!lte t(est 7!eP 'e:!is :l!s 'e "in7!ante ans, la "riti7!e litteraire en Allema#ne n)est :l!s "onsi'erDe "omme !n #enre serie!=4 De (ake !ne sit!ation 'ans la "riti7!e, "ela 4 .. ve!t 'ire: la re"reer "omme #enre< :DThe goa + !et -or 4y!e - ... i! to be regarded a! the -ore4o!t critic o- 5er4an iterature. The troub e i! that -or 4ore than -i-ty year! iterary critici!4 in 5er= 4any ha! not been con!idered a !eriou! genre. To create a " ace .B

&ll!minations in critici!4 -or one!e - 4ean! to re=create it a! a genreE; BBrie(e ++* 9/9;. There i! no doubt that BenCa4in owed thi! choice o- a "ro-e!!ion to ear y 7rench in- uence!* to the "roGi4ity o- the great neighbor on the other !ide o- the Rhine which in!"ired in hi4 !o inti4ate a !en!e o- a--inity. But it i! 4uch 4ore !y4"to4atic that e)en thi! !e ection o- a "ro-e!!ion wa! actua y 4oti)ated by hard ti4e! and -inancia woe!. +- one want! to eG"re!! the D"ro-e!!ionE he had "re"ared hi4!e - -or !"ontaneou! y* a though "erha"! not de iberate y* in !ocia categorie!* one ha! to go bac3 to Wi he 4inian 5er4any in which he grew u" and where hi! -ir!t " an! -or the -uture too3 !ha"e. Then one cou d !ay that BenCa4in did not "re"are -or anything but the D"ro-e!!ionE o- a "ri)ate co ector and tota y inde"endent !cho ar* what wa! then ca ed 5rivat#elehrter4 2nder the circu4!tance! o- the ti4e hi! !tudie!* which he had begun be-ore the 7ir!t Wor d War* cou d ha)e ended on y with a uni)er!ity career* but unba"tiAed (ew! were !ti barred -ro4 !uch a career* a! they were -ro4 any career in the ci)i !er)ice. Such (ew! were "er4itted a /a ilita-tion and at 4o!t cou d attain the ran3 o- an un"aid 9=traor'i-nan!sM it wa! a career which "re!u""o!ed rather than "ro)ided an a!!ured inco4e. The doctorate which BenCa4in decided to ta3e on y Dout ocon!idw=ation -or 4y -a4i yE BBrie(e +* .$&; and hi! !ub!e?uent atte4"t at /a ilkation were intended a! the ba!i! -or hi! -a4i yK! readine!! to " ace !uch an inco4e at hi! di!"o!a . Thi! !ituation changed abru"t y a-ter the war@ the in- ation had i4"o)eri!hed* e)en di!"o!!e!!ed* arge nu4ber! o- the bourgeoi!ie* and in the Wei4ar Re"ub ic a uni)er!ity career wa! o"en e)en to unba"tiAed (ew!. The unha""y !tory o- the /a ilkation !how! c ear y how itt e BenCa4in too3 the!e a tered circu4!tance! into account and how great y he continued to be do4inated by "rewar idea! in a -inancia 4atter!. 7or -ro4 the out!et the /a ilkation had on y been intended to ca hi! -ather Dto orderE by !u"" ying De)idence o- "ub ic recognitionE BBrie(e +* .%B; and to 4a3e hi4 grant hi! !on* who wa! in hi! thirtie! at that ti4e* an inco4e that wa! ade?uate and* one !hou d add* co4= .<

&ntro'!"tion 4en!urate with hi! !ocia !tanding. At no ti4e* not e)en when he had a ready co4e c o!e to the Co44uni!t!* did he doubt that de!"ite hi! chronic con- ict! with hi! "arent! he wa! entit ed to !uch a !ub)ention and that their de4and that he Dwor3 -or a i)ingE wa! Dun!"ea3ab eE BBrie(e +* .%.;. When hi! -ather !aid ater that he cou d not or wou d not increa!e the 4onth y !ti"end he wa! "aying anyway* e)en i- hi! !on achie)ed the /a it!ation, thi! natura y re4o)ed the ba!i! o- BenCa4inK! entire underta3ing. 2nti hi! "arent!K death in $%B/* BenCa4in wa! ab e to !o )e the "rob e4 o- hi! i)e ihood by 4o)ing bac3 into the "arenta ho4e* i)ing there -ir!t with hi! -a4i y :he had a wi-e and a !on;* and a-ter hi! !e"arationFwhich ca4e !oon enoughFby hi4!e -. :He wa! not di)orced unti $%B/.; +t i! e)ident that thi! arrange4ent cau!ed hi4 a great dea o- !u--ering* but it i! Cu!t a! e)ident that in a "robabi ity he ne)er !eriou! y con!idered another !o ution. +t i! a !o !tri3ing that de!"ite hi! "er4anent -inancia troub e he 4anaged throughout the!e year! con!tant y to en arge hi! ibrary. Hi! one atte4"t to deny hi4!e - thi! eG"en!i)e "a!!ionFhe )i!ited the great auction hou!e! the way other! -re?uent ga4b ing ca!ino!Fand hi! re!o ution e)en to !e !o4ething Din an e4ergencyE ended with hi! -ee ing ob iged to Ddeaden the "ain o- thi! readine!!E BBrie(e +* B</; by 4a3ing -re!h "urcha!e!N and hi! one de4on!trab e atte4"t to -ree hi4!e - -ro4 -inancia de"endence on hi! -a4i y ended with the "ro"o!a that hi! -ather i44ediate y gi)e hi4 D-und! enab ing 4e to buy an intere!t in a !econdhand boo3!toreKP BBrie(e +* .%.;. Thi! i! the on y gain-u e4" oy4ent that BenCa4in e)er con!idered. Nothing ca4e o- it* o- cour!e. +n )iew o- the rea itie! o- the 5er4any o- the twentie! and o- BenCa4inK! awarene!! that he wou d ne)er be ab e to 4a3e a i)ing with hi! "enFDthere are " ace! in which + can earn a 4ini4u4 and " ace! in which + can i)e on a 4ini4u4* but there i! no " ace where + can do bothE BBrie(e ++* 9&B;Fhi! who e attitude 4ay !tri3e one a! un"ardonab y irre!"on!ib e. Yet it wa! anything but a ca!e o- irre!"on!ibi ity. +t i! rea!onab e to a!!u4e that it i! Cu!t a! hard -or rich "eo" e grown "oor to be ie)e in their "o)erty a! it i! -or "oor "eo" e turned rich to be ie)e in .Z

&ll!minations their wea thN the -or4er !ee4 carried away by a rec3 e!!ne!! o- which they are tota y unaware* the atter !ee4 "o!!e!!ed by a !tingine!! which actua y i! nothing but the o d ingrained -ear o- what the neGt day 4ay bring. 8oreo)er* in hi! attitude to -inancia "rob e4! BenCa4in wa! by no 4ean! an i!o ated ca!e. +- anything* hi! out oo3 wa! ty"ica o- an entire generation o5er4an=(ewi!h inte ectua !* a though "robab y no one e !e -ared !o bad y with it. +t! ba!i! wa! the 4enta ity o- the -ather!* !ucce!!-u bu!ine!!4en who did not thin3 too high y o- their own achie)e4ent! and who!e drea4 it wa! that their !on! were de!tined -or higher thing!. +t wa! the !ecu ariAed )er!ion o- the ancient (ewi!h be ie- that tho!e who D earnE Fthe Torah or the Ta 4ud* that i!* 5odK! 1awFwere the true e ite o- the "eo" e and !hou d not be bothered with !o )u gar an occu"ation a! 4a3ing 4oney or wor3ing -or it. Thi! i! not to !ay that in thi! generation there were no -ather=!on con- ict!N on the contrary* the iterature othe ti4e i! -u o- the4* and i- 7reud had i)ed and carried on hi! in?uirie! in a country and anguage other than the 5er4an=(ewi!h 4i ieu which !u"" ied hi! "atient!* we 4ight ne)er ha)e heard o- an Oedi"u! co4" eG.$. But a! a ru e the!e con- ict! were re!o )ed by the !on!K aying c ai4 to being geniu!e!* or* in the ca!e o- the nu4erou! Co44uni!t! -ro4 we =to=do ho4e!* to being de)oted to the we -are o- 4an3indFin any ca!e* to a!"iring to thing! higher than 4a3ing 4oneyFand the -ather! were 4ore than wi ing to grant that thi! wa! a )a id eGcu!e -or not 4a3ing a i)ing. Where !uch c ai4! were not 4ade or recogniAed* cata!tro"he wa! Cu!t around the co4er. BenCa4in wa! a ca!e in "oint@ hi! -ather ne)er recogniAed hi! c ai4!* and their re ation! were eGtraordinari y bad. Another !uch ca!e wa! Ka-3a* whoF"o!!ib y becau!e he rea y wa! !o4ething i3e a geniu!Fwa! ?uite -ree o- the geniu! 4ania o- hi! en= )iron4ent* ne)er c ai4ed to be a geniu!* and en!ured hi! -inancia inde"endence by ta3ing an ordinary Cob at the ,rague wor34enK! co4"en!ation o--ice. :Hi! re ation! with hi! -ather were o- cour!e e?ua y bad* but -or di--erent rea!on!.; And !ti * no !ooner had Ka-3a ta3en thi! "o!ition than he !aw in it a Drunning !tart -or .&

&ntro'!"tion !uicide!*E a! though he were obeying an order that !ay! DYou ha)e to earn your gra)e.E ! 7or BenCa4in* at any rate* a 4onth y !ti"end re4ained the on y "o!!ib e -or4 o- inco4e* and in order to recei)e one a-ter hi! "arent!K death he wa! ready* or thought he wa!* to do 4any thing!@ to !tudy Hebrew -or three hundred 4ar3! a 4onth i- the [ioni!t! thought it wou d do the4 !o4e good* or to thin3 dia= eet3a y* with a the 4ediating tri44ing!* -or one thou!and 7rench -ranc! ithere wa! no other way o- doing bu!ine!! with the 8arGi!t!. The -act that de!"ite being down and out he ater did neither i! worthy o- ad4iration* and !o i! the in-inite "atience with which Scho e4* who had wor3ed )ery hard to get BenCa4in a !ti"end -or the !tudy o- Hebrew -ro4 the uni)er!ity in (eru!a e4* a owed hi4!e - to be "ut o-- -or year!. No one* o- cour!e* wa! "re"ared to !ub!idiAe hi4 in the on y D"o!itionE -or which he wa! born* that o- an homme 'e lettres, a "o!ition o- who!e uni?ue "ro!"ect! neither the [ioni!t! nor the 8arGi!t! were* or cou d ha)e been* awareQ Today the homme 'e lettres !tri3e! u! a! a rather har4 e!!* 4argina -igure* a! though he were actua y to be e?uated with the -igure o- the 5rivat#elehrter that ha! a way! had a touch o- the co4ic. BenCa4in* who -e t !o c o!e to 7rench that the anguage beca4e -or hi4 a D!ort o- a ibiE BBrie(e ++* 9/9; -or hi! eGi!tence* "robab y 3new about the homme 'e lettres)s origin! in "rere)o utionary 7rance a! we a! about hi! eGtraordinary career in the 7rench Re)o ution. +n contra!t to the ater writer! and iterati* the ;e"r3ains et litterate!rs< a! e)en 1arou!!e de-ine! the hommes 'e lettres, the!e 4en* though they did i)e in the wor d o- the written and "rinted word and were* abo)e a * !urrounded by boo3!* were neither ob iged nor wi ing to write and read "ro-e!!iona y* in order to earn a i)ing. 2n i3e the c a!! o- the inte ectua !* who o--er their !er)ice! either to the !tate a! eG"ert!* !"ecia i!t!* and o--icia !* or to !ociety -or di)er!ion and in!truction* the hommes 'e lettres a way! !tro)e to 3ee" a oo- -ro4 both the !tate and !ociety. Their 4ateria eGi!tence wa! ba!ed on inco4e without wor3* and their inte ectua attitude re!ted u"on their re!o ute re-u!a to be integrated "o itica y or !ocia y. On \.0

&ll!minations the ba!i! o- thi! dua inde"endence they cou d a--ord that attitude o- !u"erior di!dain which ga)e ri!e to 1a Roche-oucau dK! conte4"tuou! in!ight! into hu4an beha)ior* the wor d y wi!do4 o- 8ontaigne* the a"hori!tic trenchancy o,a!ca K! thought* the bo dne!! and o"en=4indedne!! o- 8onte!?uieuK! "o itica re- ection!. +t cannot be 4y ta!3 here to di!cu!! the circu4!tance! which e)entua y turned the homines 'e lettres into re)o utionarie! in the eighteenth century nor the way in which their !ucce!!or! in the nineteenth and twentieth centurie! !" it into the c a!! o- the Dcu turedE on the one hand and o- the "ro-e!!iona re)o utionarie! on the other. + 4ention thi! hi!torica bac3ground on y becau!e in BenCa4in the e e4ent o- cu ture co4bined in !uch a uni?ue way with the e e4ent o- the re)o utionary and rebe iou!. +t wa! a! though !hort y be-ore it! di!a""earance the -igure o- the homme 'e lettres wa! de!tined to !how it!e - once 4ore in the -u ne!! o- it! "o!!ibi itie!* a thoughFor* "o!!ib y* becau!e Fit had o!t it! 4ateria ba!i! in !uch a cata!tro"hic way* !o that the "ure y inte ectua "a!!ion which 4a3e! thi! -igure !o o)ab e 4ight un-o d in a it! 4o!t te ing and i4"re!!i)e "o!!ibi itie!. There certain y wa! no dearth o- rea!on! to rebe again!t hi! origin!* the 4i ieu o- 5er4an=(ewi!h !ociety in +4"eria 5er4any* in which BenCa4in grew u"* nor wa! there any ac3 o- Cu!ti-ication -or ta3ing a !tand again!t the Wei4ar Re"ub ic* in which he re-u!ed to ta3e u" a "ro-e!!ion. +n A Berlin Chil'hoo' aro!n' Q #oo BenCa4in de!cribe! the hou!e -ro4 which he ca4e a! a D4au!o eu4 ong intended -or 4eE BD"hri(ten +* &<B;. Characteri!tica y enough* hi! -ather wa! an art dea er and anti?uarianN the -a4i y wa! a wea thy and run=o-=the=4i a!!i4i ated oneN one o- hi! grand"arent! wa! OrthodoG* the other be onged to a Re-or4 con2Kion. D+n 4y chi dhood + wa! a "ri!o(r o- the o d and the new We!t. +n tho!e day! 4y c an inhabited the!e two di!trict! with an attitude 4ing ed o!tubbornne!! and !e -=con-idenceQ turning the4 into a ghetto which it regarded a! it! -ie-E BD"hri(ten +* &<B;. The !tubbornne!! wa! toward their (ew=i!hne!!N it wa! on y !tubbornne!! that 4ade the4 c ing to it. The !e -=con-idence wY! in!"ired by their "o!ition in the Dnon=(ewi!h .'

&ntro'!"tion en)iron4ent in which they had* a-ter a * achie)ed ?uite a bit. (u!t how 4uch wa! !hown on day! when gue!t! were eG"ected. On !uch occa!ion! the in!ide othe !ideboard* which !ee4ed to be the center o- the hou!e and thu! Dwith good rea!on re!e4b ed the te4" e 4ountain!*E wa! o"ened* and now it wa! "o!!ib e Dto !how o-- trea!ure! !uch a! ido ! i3e to be !urrounded with.KP Then Dthe hou!eK! hoard o- !i )erE a""eared* and what wa! di!" ayed Dwa! there not ten-o d* but twenty-o d or thirty-o d. And when + oo3ed at the!e ong* ong row! o- 4ocha !"oon! or 3ni-e re!t!* -ruit 3ni)e! or oy!ter -or3!* the enCoy4ent o- thi! "ro-u!ion !trugg ed with the -ear that tho!e who were being eG"ected 4ight a oo3 a i3e* Cu!t a! our cut ery didE BD"hri(ten +Q &B.;. E)en the chi d 3new that !o4ething wa! radica y wrong* and not on y becau!e there were "oor "eo" e :DThe "oorF-or the rich chi dren o- 4y age they eGi!ted on y a! beggar!. And it wa! a great ad)ance in 4y under!tanding when -or the -ir!t ti4e "o)erty dawned on 4e in the igno4iny o- "oor y "aid wor3E KD"hri(ten +* &B.I; but becau!e D!tubbornne!!E within and D!e -=con-idenceE without were "roducing an at4o!"here o- in!ecurity and !e -=con!ciou!ne!! which tru y wa! anything but !uitab e -or the rai!ing o- chi dren. Thi! wa! true not on y o- BenCa4in or Ber in We!tP or 5er4any. With what "a!!ion did Ka-3a try to "er!uade hi! !i!ter to "ut her ten=year=o d !on in a boarding !choo * !o a! to !a)e hi4 -ro4 Dthe !"ecia 4enta ity which i! "articu ar y )iru ent a4ong wea thy ,rague (ew! and which cannot be 3e"t away -ro4 chi dren . . . thi! "etty* dirty* ! y 4enta ity.E $< What wa! in)o )ed* then* wa! what had !ince the $'0/! or $''/! been ca ed the (ewi!h ?ue!tion and eGi!ted in that -or4 on y in the 5er4an=!"ea3ing Centra Euro"e o- tho!e decade!. Today thi! ?ue!tion ha! been wa!hed away* a! it were* by the cata!tro"he o- Euro"ean (ewry and i! Cu!t y -orgotten* a though one !ti encounter! it occa!iona y in the anguage o- the o der generation oP 5er4an [ioni!t! who!e thin3ing habit! deri)e -ro4 the -ir!t decade! o- thi! century. Be!ide!* it ne)er wa! anything A -a!hionab e re!identia area o- Ber in. 2%

Ill*minati+n) but the concern o- the (ewi!h inte igent!ia and had no !igni-icance -or the 4aCority o- Centra Euro"ean (ewry. 7or the inte ectua !* howe)er* it wa! ogreat i4"ortance* -or their own (ewi!hne!!* which " ayed hard y any ro e in their !"iritua hou!eho d* deter4ined their !ocia i-e to an eGtraordinary degree and there-ore "re!ented itee - to the4 a! a 4ora ?ue!tion o- the -ir!t order. +n thi! 4ora -or4 the (ewi!h ?ue!tion 4ar3ed* in Ka-3aK! word!* Dthe terrib e inner condition o- the!e generation!.E $9 No 4atter how in!igni-icant thi! "rob e4 4ay a""ear to u! in the -ace o- what actua y ha""ened ater* we cannot di!regard it here* -or neither BenCa4in nor Ka-3a nor Kar Krau! can be under!tood without it. 7or !i4" icityK! !a3e + !ha !tate the "rob e4 eGact y a! it wa! !tated and end e!! y di!cu!!ed thenFna4e y* in an artic e entit ed D5er4an=(ewi!h 8t. ,arna!!u!E :DDeut!ch=Cudi!eher ,arna!!E; which created a great !tir when 8oritA 5o d!tein "ub i!hed it in $%$. in the di!tingui!hed Courna 0er ?!nst-3art4 According to 5o d!tein* the "rob e4 a! it a""eared to the (ewi!h inte igent!ia had a dua a!"ect* the non=(ewi!h en)iron4ent and a!!i4i ated (ewi!h !ociety* and in hi! )iew the "rob e4 wa! in!o ub e. With re!"ect to the non=(ewi!h en)iron4ent* DWe (ew! ad4ini!ter the inte ectua "ro"erty o- a "eo" e which denie! u! the right and the abi ity to do !o.E And -urther@ D+t i! ea!y to !how the ab!urdity o- our ad)er!arie!K argu4ent! and "ro)e that their en4ity i! un-ounded. What wou d be gained by thi!J That their hatred i! #en!ine4 When a ca u4nie! ha)e been re-uted* a di!tortion! recti-ied* a -a !e Cudg4ent! about u! reCected* anti"athy wi re4ain a! !o4ething irre-utab e. Anyone who doe! not rea iAe thi! i! beyond he ".E +t wa! the -ai ure to rea iAe thi! that wa! -e t to be unbearab e about (ewi!h !ociety* who!e re"re!entati)e!* on the one hand* wi!hed to re4ain (ew! and* on the other* did not want to ac3now edge their (ewi!hne!!@ DWe !ha o"en y dru4 the "rob e4 that they are !hir3ing into the4. We !ha -orce the4 to own u" to their (ewi!hne!! or to ha)e the4!e )e! ba"tiAed.E But e)en i- thi! wa! !ucce!!-u * e)en i- the 4endacity o- thi! 4i ieu cou d be eG"o!ed and e!ca"edF what wou d be gained by itJ A D ea" into 4odern Hebrew iter= B/

&ntro'!"tion atureE wa! i4"o!!ib e -or the current generation. Hence@ DOur re ation!hi" to 5er4any i! one o- unre?uited o)e. 1et u! be 4an y enough at a!t to tear the be o)ed out o- our heart!. . . . + ha)e !tated what we m!st want to doN + ha)e a !o !tated why we "annot want it. 8y intention* wa! to "oint u" the "rob e4. +t i! not 4y -au t that + 3now o- no !o ution.E :7or hi4!e -* Herr 5o d!tein !o )ed the "rob e4 !iG year! ater when he beca4e cu tura editor o- the Gossis"he Oeit!n#, And what e !e cou d he ha)e doneJ; One cou d di!"o!e o- 8oritA 5o d!tein by !aying that he !i4" y re"roduced what BenCa4in in another conteGt ca ed Da 4aCor "art o- the v!l#ar anti=Se4itic a! we a! the [ioni!t ideo ogyE BBrie(e +* $9.=9B;* i- one did not encounter in Ka-3a* on a -ar 4ore !eriou! e)e * a !i4i ar -or4u ation o- the "rob e4 and the !a4e con-e!!ion o- it! in!o ubi ity. +n a etter to 8aG Brod about 5er4an=(ewi!h writer! he !aid that the (ewi!h ?ue!tion or Dthe de!"air o)er it wa! their in!"irationFan in!"iration a! re!"ectab e a! any other but -raught* u"on c o!er eGa4ination* with di!tre!!ing "ecu iaritie!. 7or one thing* what their de!"air di!charged it!e - in cou d not be 5er4an iterature which on the !ur-ace it a""eared to be*E becau!e the "rob e4 wa! not rea y a 5er4an one. Thu! they i)ed Da4ong three i4"o!!ibi itie! . . . @ the i4"o!!ibi ity o- not writingE a! they cou d get rid o- their in!"iration on y by writingN Dthe i4"o!!ibi ity o- writing in 5er4anEFKa-3a con!idered their u!e o- the 5er4an anguage a! the Do)ert or co)ert* or "o!!ib y !e -=tor4enting u!ur"ation o- an a ien "ro"erty* which ha! not been ac?uired but !to en* :re ati)e y; ?uic3 y "ic3ed u"* and which re4ain! !o4eone e !eK! "o!!e!!ion e)en i- not a !ing e ingui!tic 4i!ta3e can be "ointed outEN and -ina y* Dthe i4"o!!ibi ity o- writing di--erent y*E !ince no other anguage wa! a)ai ab e. DOne cou d a 4o!t add a -ourth i4"o!!ibi ity*E !ay! Ka-3a in conc u!ion* Dthe i4"o!!ibi ity o- writing* -or thi! de!"air wa! not !o4ething that cou d be 4itigated through writingEFa! i! nor4a -or "oet!* to who4 a god ha! gi)en to !ay what 4en !u--er and endure. Rather* de!"air ha! beco4e here Dan ene4y o- i-e an' o- writingN writing wa! here BK

&ll!minations on y a 4oratoriu4* a! it i! -or !o4eone who write! hi! a!t wi and te!ta4ent Cu!t be-ore he hang! hi4!e -.E $U Nothing cou d be ea!ier than to. de4on!trate that Ka-3a wa! wrong and that hi! own wor3* which !"ea3! the "ure!t 5er4an "ro!e o- the century* i! the be!t re-utation o- hi! )iew!. But !uch a de4on!tration* a"art -ro4 being in bad ta!te* i! a the 4ore !u"er- uou! a! Ka-3a hi4!e - wa! !o )ery 4uch aware o- itFD+- + indi!cri4inate y write down a !entence*E he once noted in hi! Diarie!* Dit a ready i! "er-ectE $0=Cu!t a! he wa! the on y one to 3now that ;1a!s"heln< :!"ea3ing a Yiddi!hiAed 5er4an;* though de!"i!ed by a 5er4an=!"ea3ing "eo" e* (ew! or non=(ew!* did ha)e a egiti4ate " ace in the 5er4an anguage* being nothing e !e but one o- the nu4erou! 5er4an dia ect!. And !ince he right y thought that Dwithin the 5er4an anguage* on y the dia ect! and* be!ide! the4* the 4o!t "er!ona High 5er4an are rea y a i)e*E it natura y wa! no e!! egiti4ate to change -ro4 1a!s"heln, or -ro4 Yiddi!h* to High 5er4an than it wa! to change -ro4 1ow 5er4an or the A e4annic dia ect. +- one read! Ka-3aK! re4ar3! about the (ewi!h trou"e o- actor! which !o -a!cinated hi4* it beco4e! c ear that what attracted hi4 were e!! the !"eci-ica y (ewi!h e e4ent! than the i)e ine!! oanguage and ge!ture. To be !ure* we ha)e !o4e di--icu ty today in under!tanding the!e "rob e4! or ta3ing the4 !eriou! y* e!"ecia y !ince it i! !o te4"ting to 4i!inter"ret and di!4i!! the4 a! 4ere reaction to an anti=Se4itic 4i ieu and thu! a! an eG"re!!ion o- !e -=hatred. But nothing cou d be 4ore 4i! eading when dea ing with 4en othe hu4an !tature and inte ectua ran3 o- Ka-3a* Krau!* and BenCa4in. What ga)e their critici!4 it! bitter !har"ne!! wa! ne)er anti=Se4iti!4 a! !uch* but the reaction to it o- the (ewi!h 4idd e c a!!* with which the inte ectua ! by no 4ean! identi-ied. There* too* it wa! not a 4atter o- the -re?uent y undigni-ied a"o ogetic attitude o- o--icia (ewry* with which the inte ectua ! had hard y any contact* but o- the ying denia o- the )ery eGi!tence o- wide!"read anti=Se4iti!4* o- the i!o ation -ro4 rea ity !taged with a the de)ice! o- !e -=dece"tion by the (ewi!h bourgeoi!ie* an i!o ation which -or Ka-3a* and not on y -or hi4* inc uded B.

&ntro'!"tion the o-ten ho!ti e and a way! haughty !e"aration -ro4 the (ewi!h "eo" e* the !o= ca ed -stj!'en :(ew! -ro4 Ea!tern Euro"e; who were* though one 3new better* b a4ed by the4 -or anti=Se4iti!4. The deci!i)e -actor in a thi! wa! the o!! orea ity* aided and abetted by the wea th o- the!e c a!!e!. DA4ong "oor "eo" e*E wrote Ka-3a* Dthe wor d* the bu!t e o- wor3* !o to !"ea3* irre!i!tib y enter! the hut! . . . and doe! not a ow the 4u!ty* "o uted* chi d=con!u4ing air o- a nice y -urni!hed -a4i y roo4 to be generated.E $' They -ought again!t (ewi!h !ociety becau!e it wou d not "er4it the4 to i)e in the wor d a! it ha""ened to be* without i u!ion!Fthu!* -or eGa4" e* to be "re"ared -or the 4urder o- Wa ther Rathenau :in $%..;@ to Ka-3a it wa! Dinco4"rehen!ib e that they !hou d ha)e et hi4 i)e a! ong a! that.E $U What -ina y deter4ined the acutene!! o- the "rob e4 wa! the -act that it did not 4ere y* or e)en "ri4ari y* 4ani-e!t it!e - a! a brea3 between the generation! -ro4 which one cou d ha)e e!ca"ed by ea)ing ho4e and -a4i y. To on y )ery -ew 5er4an=(ewi!h writer! did the "rob e4 "re!ent it!e - in thi! way* and the!e -ew were !urrounded by a tho!e other! who are a ready -orgotten but -ro4 who4 they are c ear y di!tingui!hab e on y today when "o!terity ha! !ett ed the ?ue!tion o- who i! who. :DTheir "o itica -unction*E wrote BenCa4in* Di! to e!tab i!h not "artie! but c i?ue!* their iterary -unction to "roduce not !choo ! but -a!hion!* and their econo4ic -unction to !et into the wor d not "roducer! but agent!. Agent! or !4artie! who 3now how to !"end their "o)erty a! i- it were riche! and who 4a3e whoo"ee out o- their yawning )acuity. One cou d not e!tab i!h one!e - 4ore co4-ortab y in an unco4-ortab e !ituation.E ./ ; Ka-3a* who eGe4" i-ied thi! !ituation in the abo)e=4entioned etter by D in= gui!tic i4"o!!ibi itie!*E adding that they cou d Da !o be ca ed !o4ething ?uite di--erent*E "oint! to a D ingui!tic 4idd e c a!!E between* a! it were* "ro etarian dia ect and high=c a!! "ro!e=* it i! Dnothing but a!he! which can be gi)en a !e4b ance o- i-e on y by o)ereager (ewi!h hand! ru44aging through the4.E One need hard y add that the o)erwhe 4ing 4aCority o- (ewi!h inte ectua ! be onged to thi! D4idd e c a!!EN according to Ka-3a* they con!tituted Dthe he o5er4an=(ewi!h etter!*E in which Kar BB

+ u4ination! Krau! he d !way a! Dthe great o)er!eer and ta!34a!terE without noticing how 4uch Dhe hi4!e - be ong! in thi! he a4ong tho!e to be cha!ti!ed.E.$ That the!e thing! 4ay be !een ?uite di--erent y -ro4 a non=(ewi!h "er!"ecti)e beco4e! a""arent when one read! in one o- BenCa4inK! e!!ay! what Brecht !aid about Kar Krau!@ DWhen the age died by it! own hand* he wa! that handE BD"hri(ten ++* $0<;* 7or the (ew! o- that generation :Ka-3a and 8oritA 5o d!tein were but ten year! o der than BenCa4in; the a)ai ab e -or4! o- rebe ion were [ioni!4 and Co44uni!4* and it i! noteworthy that their -ather! o-ten conde4ned the [ioni!t rebe ion 4ore bitter y than the Co44uni!t. Both were e!ca"e route! -ro4 i = u!ion into rea ity* -ro4 4endacity and !e -=dece"tion to an hone!t eGi!tence. But thi! i! on y how it a""ear! in retro!"ect. At the ti4e when BenCa4in tried* -ir!t* a ha -=hearted [ioni!4 and then a ba!ica y no e!! ha -=hearted Co44uni!4* the two ideo ogie! -aced each other with the greate!t ho!ti ity@ the Co44uni!t! were de-a4ing [ioni!t! a! (ewi!h 7a!ci!t! .9( and the [ioni!t! were ca ing the young (ewi!h Co44uni!t! Dred a!!i4i ationi!t!.E +n a re4ar3ab e and "robab y uni?ue 4anner BenCa4in 3e"t both route! o"en -or hi4!e - -or year!= he "er!i!ted in con!idering the road to ,a e!tine ong a-ter he had beco4e a 8arGi!t* without a owing hi4!e - to be !wayed in the ea!t by the o"inion! o- hi! 8arGi!t=oriented -riend!* "articu ar y the (ew! a4ong the4. Thi! !how! c ear y how itt e the .E"o!iti)eE a!"ect o- either ideo ogy intere!ted hi4* and that what 4attered to hi4 in both in!tance! wa! the Dnegati)eE -actor o- critici!4 o- eGi!ting condition!* a way out o- bourgeoi! i u!ion! and untruth-u ne!!* a "o!ition out!ide the iterary a! we a! the acade4ic e!tab i!h4ent. He wa! ?uite young when he ado"ted thi! radica y critica attitude* "robab y without !u!"ecting to what i!o ation and one ine!! it wou d e)entua y ead hi4. Thu! we read* -or eGa4" e* in a etter written in $%$'* that Wa ther Rathenau* c ai4ing to re"re!ent 5er4any in -oreign a--air!* and Rudo - Borchardt* 4a3ing a !i4i ar c ai4 with re!"ect to 5er4an !"iritua a--air!* had in co44on the ;ivill to ie*E Dthe obCecti)e 4endacityE BBrie(e +* $'% --;. Neither wanted to D!er)eE a cau!e through hi! wor3!Fin B<

&ntro'!"tion BorchardtK! ca!e* the D!"iritua and ingui!tic re!ource!E o- the "eo" eN in RathenauK!* the nationFbut both u!ed their wor3! and ta ent! a! D!o)ereign 4ean! in the !er)ice o- an ab!o ute wi to "ower.E +n addition* there were the itterateur! who " aced their gi-t! in the !er)ice o- a career and !ocia !tatu!@ DTo be a itterateur i! to i)e under the !ign o- 4ere inte ect* Cu!t a! "ro!titution i! to i)e under the !ign o- 4ere !eGE BD"hri(ten ++* $0%;] (u!t a! a "ro!titute betray! !eGua o)e* a itterateur betray! the 4ind* and it wa! thi! betraya o- the 4ind which the be!t a4ong the (ew! cou d not -orgi)e their co eague! in iterary i-e. +n the !a4e )ein BenCa4in wrote -i)e year! aterFone year a-ter the a!!a!!ination o- RathenauFto a c o!e 5er4an -riendN ^. . . (ew! today ruin e)en the be!t 5er4an cau!e which they "ub ic y cha4"ion* becau!e their "ub ic !tate4ent i! nece!!ari y )ena :in a dee"er !en!e; and cannot adduce "roo- o- it! authenticityE BBrie(e +* B$/;. He went on to !ay that on y the "ri)ate* a 4o!t D!ecret re ation!hi"! between 5er4an! and (ew!E were egiti4ate* whi e De)erything about 5er4an=(ewi!h re ation! that wor3! in "ub ic today cau!e! har4.E There wa! 4uch truth in the!e word!. Written -ro4 the "er!"ecti)e o- the (ewi!h ?ue!= tion at that ti4e* they !u"" y e)idence o- the dar3ne!! o- a "eriod in which one cou d right y !ay* DThe ight o- the "ub ic dar3en! e)erythingE :Heidegger;. A! ear y a! $%$B BenCa4in weighed the "o!ition o- [ioni!4 Da! a "o!!ibi ity and thu! "erha"! a nece!!ary co44it4entE BBrie(e +* <<; in the !en!e o- thi! dua rebe ion again!t the "arenta ho4e and 5er4an=(ewi!h iterary i-e. Two year! ater he 4et 5erhard Scho e4* encountering in hi4 -or the -ir!t and on y ti4e D(udai!4 in i)ing -or4EN !oon a-terward! ca4e the begin=ning o- that curiou!* end e!! con!ideration* eGtending o)er a "eriod o- a 4o!t twenty year!* oe4igration to ,a e!tine. D2nder certain* by no 4ean! i4"o!!ib e condition! + a4 ready i- not deter4ined Hto go to ,a e!tineI. Here in Au!tria the (ew! :the decent one!* tho!e who are not 4a3ing 4oney; ta 3 o- nothing e !e.E So he wrote in $%$% BBrie(e +* ...;* but at the !a4e ti4e he regarded !uch a " an a! an Dact o)io enceE BBrie(e +* ./';* un-ea!ib e un e!! it turned out to be nece!!ary. Whene)er !uch BS

Ill*minati+n) -inancia or "o itica nece!!ity aro!e* he recon!idered the "roCect and did not go. +t i! hard to !ay whether he wa! !ti !eriou! about it a-ter the !e"aration -ro4 8! wi-e* who had co4e -ro4 a [ioni!t 4i ieu. But it i! certain that e)en during hi! ,ari! eGi e he announced that he 4ight go Dto (eru!a e4 in October or No= )e4ber* a-ter a 4ore or e!! de-initi)e conc u!ion o- 4y !tudie!E BBrie(e ++* &99;. What !tri3e! one a! indeci!on in the etter!* a! though he were )aci ating between [ioni!4 and 8arGi!4* in truth wa! "robab y due to the bitter in!ight that a !o ution! were not on y obCecti)e y -a !e and ina""ro"riate to rea ity* but wou d ead hi4 "er!ona y to a -a !e !a )ation* no 4atter whether that !a )ation wa! abe ed 8o!cow or (eru!a e4. He -e t that he wou d de"ri)e hi4!e - o- the "o!iti)e cogniti)e chance! o- hi! own "o!itionFDon the to" o- a 4a!t that i! a ready cru4b ingE or Ddead in hi! own i-eti4e and the rea !ur)i)orE a4ong the ruin!. He had !ett ed down in the de!"erate condition! which corre!"onded to rea ityN there he wanted to re4ain in order to DdenatureE hi! own writing! D i3e 4ethy ated !"irit! ... at the ri!3 o- 4a3ing the4 un-it -or con!u4"tionE by anyone then a i)e but with the chance o- being "re!er)ed a the 4ore re= iab y -or an un3nown -uture. 7or the in!o ubi ity o- the (ewi!h ?ue!tion -or that generation by no 4ean! con!i!ted on y in their !"ea3ing and writing 5er4an or in the -act that their D"roduction " antE wa! ocated in Euro"eFin BenCa4inK! ca!e* in Ber in We!t or in ,ari!* !o4ething about which he did Dnot ha)e the ! ighte!t i u!ion!E BBrie(e ++* 9B$;] What wa! deci!i)e wa! that the!e 4en did not wi!h to DreturnE either to the ran3! o- the (ewi!h "eo" e or to (udai!4* and cou d not de!ire to do !oFnot becau!e they be ie)ed in D"rogre!!E and an auto4atic di!a""earance o- anti= Se4iti!4 or becau!e they were too Da!!i4i atedE and too a ienated -ro4 their (ewi!h heritage* but becau!e a tradition! and cu ture! a! we a! a Dbe ongingE had beco4e e?ua y ?ue!tionab e to the4. Thi! i! what they -e t wa! wrong with the DreturnE to the (ewi!h -o d a! "ro"o!ed by the [ioni!t!N they cou d a ha)e !aid what Ka-3a once !aid about being a 4e4ber o- the (ewi!h "eo" eN ^. . . 8y "eo" e* "ro)ided that + ha)e one.E .B B&

&ntro'!"tion No doubt* the (ewi!h ?ue!tion wa! o- great i4"ortance -or thi! generation o(ewi!h writer! and eG" ain! 4uch o- the "er=!ona- de!"air !o "r1nent in near y e)erything they wrote.W the 4o!t c ear=!ighted a4ong the4 were ed by their "er!ona con- ict! to a 4uch 4ore genera and 4ore radica "rob e4* na4e y* to ?ue!tioning the re e)ance o- the We!tern tradition a! a who e. Not Cu!t 8arGi!4 a! a doctrine but the Co44uni!t re)o utionary 4o)e4ent eGerted a "ower-u attraction on the4 becau!e it i4" ied 4ore than a critici!4 o- eGi!ting !ocia and "o itica condition! and too3 into account the tota ity o- "o itica and !"iritua tradition!. 7or BenCa4in* at any rate* thi! ?ue!tion o- the "a!t and o- tradition a! !uch wa! deci!i)e* and "reci!e y in the !en!e in which Scho e4* warning hi! -riend again!t the danger! to hi! thin3ing inherent in 8arGi!4* "o!ed it* a beit without being aware o- the "rob e4. BenCa4in* he wrote* wa! running the ri!3 o-or-eiting the chance o- beco4ing Dthe egiti4ate continuer o- the 4o!t -ruit-u and 4o!t genuine tradition! o- a Ha4ann and a Hu4bo dtE BBrie(e ++* 9.&;. What he did not under!tand wa! that !uch a return to and continuation o- the "a!t wa! the )ery thing which Dthe 4ora ity o- Hhi!I in!ight!*E to which Scho e4 a""ea ed* wa! bound to ra e out -or BenCa4in..< +t !ee4! te4"ting to be ie)e* and wou d indeed be a co4-orting thought* that tho!e -ew who )entured out onto the 4o!t eG"o!ed "o!ition! o- the ti4e and "aid the -u "rice o- i!o ation at ea!t thought o- the4!e )e! a! the "recur!or! o- a new age. That certain y wa! not the ca!e. +n hi! e!!ay on Kar Krau!* BenCa4in brought u" thi! ?ue!tion@ Doe! Krau! !tand Dat the thre!ho d o- a new ageJE DA a!* by no 4ean!. He !tand! at the thre!ho d o- the 1a!t (udg4entE BD"hri(ten ++* $0<;. And at thi! thre!ho d there rea y !tood a tho!e who ater beca4e the 4a!ter! o- the Dnew ageEN they oo3ed u"on the dawn o- a new age ba!ica y a! a dec ine and )iewed hi!tory a ong with the tradition! which ed u" to thi! dec ine a! a -ie d o- ruin!..' No one ha! eG"re!!ed thi! 4ore c ear y than BenCa4in in hi! DThe!e! on the ,hi o!o"hy o- Hi!tory*E and nowhere ha! he !aid it 4ore une?ui)oca y than in a etter -ro4 ,ari! dated $%B9@ DActua y* + hard y -ee con= !trained to try to 4a3e head or tai o- thi! condition o- the wor d. B0

&ll!minations On thi! " anet a great nu4ber o- ci)i iAation! ha)e "eri!hed in b ood and horror. Natura y* one 4u!t wi!h -or the " anet that one day it wi eG"erience a ci)i iAation that ha! abandoned b ood and horrorN in -act* + a4 . . . inc ined to a!!u4e that our " anet i! waiting -or thi!. But it i! terrib y doubt-u whether 3e can bring !uch a "re!ent to it! hundred= or -our=hundred=4i ionth birthday "arty. And i- we donKt* the " anet wi -ina y "uni!h u!* it! un=thought-u we =wi!her!Q by "re!enting u! with the 1a!t (udg4entE P BBrie(e ++* &%';. We * in thi! re!"ect the a!t thirty year! ha)e hard y brought 4uch that cou d be ca ed new. +++. THE ,EAR1 D+6ER R!ll (athom (ive th. (ather lies, -( his ones are "oral ma'e, Those are :earls that 3ere his e.es, Nothin# o( him that 'oth (a'e B!t 'oth s!((er a sea-"han#e &nto somethin# ri"h an' stran#e4 THE TE8,EST* +* . +n!o-ar a! the "a!t ha! been tran!4itted* a! tradition* it "o!!e!!e! authorityN in!o-ar a! authority "re!ent! it!e - hi!torica y* it beco4e! tradition. Wa ter BenCa4in 3new that the brea3 in tradition and the o!! o- authority which occurred in hi! i-eti4e were irre"arab e* and he conc uded that he had to di!co)er new way! o- dea ing with the "a!t. +n thi! he beca4e a 4a!ter when he di!co)ered that the tran!4i!!ibi ity o- the "a!t had been re" aced by it! citabi ity and that in " ace o- it! authority there had ari!en a !trange "ower to !ett e down* "iece4ea * in the "re!ent and to de"ri)e it o- D"eace o- 4ind*E the 4ind e!! "eace o- co4" acency. D_uotation! in 4y wor3! are i3e robber! by the road!ide who 4a3e an ar4ed attac3 and re ie)e an id er o- hi! con)iction!E BD"hri(ten +* 90$;. Thi! di!co)ery o- the 4odern -unction o- ?uotation!* according to BenCa4in* who eGe4" i-ied Welt#eri"ht :1a!t (udg4ent; " ay! on the dua 4eaning oFeri"ht :Cudg4entN di!h;. :Tran! atorK! note.; B'

&ntro'!"tion it by Kar Krau!* wa! born out o- de!"airFnot the de!"air o- a "a!t that re-u!e! Dto throw it! ight on the -utureE and et! the hu4an 4ind Dwander in dar3ne!!E a! in Toc?ue)i e* but out o- the de!"air o- the "re!ent and the de!ire to de!troy itN hence their "ower i! Dnot the !trength to "re!er)e but to c ean!e* to tear out oconteGt* to de!troyE BD"hri(ten ++* $%.;Q Sti * the di!co)erer! and o)er! o- thi! de!tructi)e "ower origina y were in!"ired by an entire y di--erent intention* the intention to "re!er)eN and on y becau!e they did not et the4!e )e! be -oo ed by the "ro-e!!iona D"re!er)er!E a around the4 did they -ina y di!co)er that the de!tructi)e "ower o- ?uotation! wa! Dthe on y one which !ti contain! the ho"e that !o4ething -ro4 thi! "eriod wi !ur)i)eF-or no other rea!on than that it wa! torn out o- it.E +n thi! -or4 o- Dthought -rag4ent!*E ?uotation! ha)e the doub e ta!3 o- interru"ting the - ow o- the "re!entation with Dtran!cendent -orceE BD"hri(ten +* $<.=<B; and at the !a4e ti4e o- concentrating within the4!e )e! that which i! "re!ented. A! to their weight in BenCa4inK! writing!* ?uotation! are co4"arab e on y to the )ery di!!i4i ar Bib ica citation! which !o o-ten re" ace the i44anent con!i!tency o- argu4entation in 4edie)a treati!e!. + ha)e a ready 4entioned that co ecting wa! BenCa4inK! centra "a!!ion. +t !tarted ear y with what he hi4!e - ca ed hi! Dbib io4aniaE but !oon eGtended into !o4ething -ar 4ore characteri!tic* not !o 4uch o- the "er!on a! o- hi! wor3@ the co ecting o?uotation!. :Not that he e)er !to""ed co ecting boo3!. Short y be-ore the -a o7rance he !eriou! y con!idered eGchanging hi! edition o- the Co ected Wor3! oKa-3a* which had recent y a""eared in -i)e )o u4e!* -or a -ew -ir!t edition! oKa-3aK! ear y writing!Fan underta3ing which natura y wa! bound to re4ain inco4"rehen!ib e to any nonbib io"hi e.; The Dinner need to own a ibraryE BBrie(e +* $%B; a!!erted it!e - around $%$&* at the ti4e when BenCa4in turned in hi! !tudie! to Ro4antici!4 a! the D a!t 4o)e4ent that once 4ore !a)ed tradi= tionE BBrie(e +* *B';. That a certain de!tructi)e -orce wa! acti)e e)en in thi! "a!!ion -or the "a!t* !o characteri!tic o- heir! and ate=co4er!* BenCa4in did not di!co)er unti 4uch ater* when he had a ready o!t hi! -aith in tradition and in the inde!tructibi = B%

+ u4ination! ity o- the wor d. :Thi! wi be di!cu!!ed "re!ent y.; +n tho!e day!* encouraged by Seho e4* he !ti be ie)ed that hi! own e!trange4ent -ro4 tradition wa! "robab y due to hi! (ewi!hne!! and that there 4ight be a way bac3 -or hi4 a! there wa! -or hi! -riend* who wa! "re"aring to e4igrate to (eru!a e4. :A! ear y a! $%./* when he wa! not yet !eriou! y be!et by -inancia worrie!Q he thought oearning Hebrew.; He ne)er went a! -ar on thi! road a! did Ka-3a* who a-ter a hi! e--ort! !tated b unt y that he had no u!e -or anything (ewi!h eGce"t the Ha!idic ta e! which Buber had Cu!t "re"ared -or 4odern u!ageFDinto e)erything e !e + Cu!t dri-t* and another current o- air carrie! 4e away again.E.& Wa! he* then* de!"ite a doubt!* to go bac3 to the 5er4an or Euro"ean "a!t and he " with the tradition o- it! iteratureJ ,re!u4ab y thi! i! the -or4 in which the "rob e4 "re!ented it!e - to hi4 in the ear y twentie!* be-ore he turned to 8arGi!4. That i! when he cho!e the 5er4an Baro?ue Age a! a !ubCect -or hi! /a it!ation the!i!* a choice that i! )ery characteri!tic o- the a4biguity o- thi! entire* !ti unre!o )ed c u!ter o- "rob e4!. 7or in the 5er4an iterary and "oetic tradition the Baro?ue ha!* with the eGce"tion o- the great church chora e! o- the ti4e* ne)er rea y been a i)e. 5oethe right y !aid that when he wa! eighteen year! o d* 5er4an iterature wa! no o der. And BenCa4inK! choice* baro?ue in a doub e !en!e* ha! an eGact counter"art in Scho e4K! !trange deci!ion to a""roach (udai!4 )ia the Caba a* that i!* that "art o- Hebrew iterature which i! untran!4itted and untran!4i!!ib e in ter4! o- (ewi!h tradition* in which it ha! a way! had the odor o- !o4ething downright di!re"utab e. Nothing !howed 4ore c ear yF!o one i! inc ined to !ay todayFthat there wa! no !uch thing a! a DreturnE either to the 5er4an or the Euro"ean or the (ewi!h tradition than the choice o- the!e -ie d! o- !tudy. +t wa! an i4" icit ad4i!!ion that the "a!t !"o3e direct y on y through thing! that had not been handed down* who!e !ee4ing c o!ene!! to the "re!ent wa! thu! due "reci!e y to their eGotic character* which ru ed out a c ai4! to a binding authority. Ob igati)e truth! were re" aced by what wa! in !o4e !en!e !igni-icant or intere!ting* and thi! o- cour!e 4eantFa! no </

&ntro'!"tion one 3new better than BenCa4inFthat the Dcon!i!tence o- truth . . . ha! been o!tE BBrie(e ++* 0&B;. Out!tanding a4ong the "ro"ertie! that -or4ed thi! Dcon!i!tence o- truthPK wa!* at ea!t -or BenCa4in* who!e ear y "hi o!o"hica intere!t wa! theo ogica y in!"ired* that truth concerned a !ecret and that the re)e ation o- thi! !ecret had authority. Truth* !o BenCa4in !aid !hort y be-ore he beca4e -u y aware o- the irre"arab e brea3 in tradition and the o!! o- authority* i! not Dan un)ei ing which de!troy! the !ecret* but the re)e ation which doe! it Cu!ticeE BD"hri(ten +* $<&;. Once thi! truth had co4e into the hu4an wor d at the a""ro"riate 4o4ent in hi!toryFbe it a! the 5ree3 a-letheia, )i!ua y "erce"tib e to the eye! o- the 4ind and co4"rehended by u! a! Dun=coneea 4entE B;Cnver or#enheit<8Heidegger;* or a! the acou!tica y "erce"tib e word o- 5od a! we 3now it -ro4 the Euro"ean re igion! o- re)e ationFit wa! thi! Dcon!i!tenceE "ecu iar to it which 4ade it tangib e* a! it were* !o that it cou d be handed down by tradition. Tradition tran!-or4! truth into wi!do4* and wi!do4 i! the con!i!tence o- tran!4i!!ib e truth. +n other word!* e)en i- truth !hou d a""ear in our wor d* it cou d not ead to wi!do4* becau!e it wou d no onger ha)e the characteri!tic! which it cou d ac?uire on y through uni)er!a recognition o- it! )a idity. BenCa4in di!cu!!e! the!e 4atter! in connection with Ka-3a and !ay! that o- cour!e DKa-3a wa! -ar -ro4 being the -ir!t to -ace thi! !ituation. 8any had acco44odated the4!e )e! to it* adhering to truth or whate)er they regarded a! truth at any gi)en ti4e and* with a 4ore or e!! hea)y heart* -orgoing it! tran!4i!!ibi ity. Ka-3aK! rea geniu! wa! that he tried !o4ething entire y newN he !acri-iced truth -or the !a3e o- c inging to the tran!4i!!ibi ityE BBrie(e ++* 0&B;. He did !o by 4a3ing deci!i)e change! in traditiona "arab e! or in)enting new one! in traditiona !ty eN .0 howe)er* the!e Ddo not 4ode!t y ie at the -eet o- the doctrine*E a! do the haggadic ta e! in the Ta 4ud* but DuneG"ected y rai!e a hea)y c awE again!t it. E)en Ka-3aK! reaching down to the !ea botto4 o- the "a!t had thi! "ecu iar dua ity o- wanting to "re!er)e and wanting to de!troy. He wanted to "re!er)e it e)en though it wa! not truth* i- on y -or the !a3e o- thi! Dnew beauty in what i! )ani!hingE :!ee BenCa4inK! e!!ay on <$

+ u4ination! 1e!3o);N and he 3new* on the other hand* that there i! no 4ore e--ecti)e way to brea3 the !"e o- tradition than to cut out the Drich and !trange*E cora and "ear !* -ro4 what had been handed down in one !o id "iece. BenCa4in eGe4"8ed thi! a4biguity o- ge!ture in regard to the "a!t by ana yAing the co ectorK! "a!!ion which wa! hi! own. Co ecting !"ring! -ro4 a )ariety o- 4oti)e! which are not ea!i y under!tood. A! BenCa4in wa! "robab y the -ir!t to e4"ha!iAe* co ecting i! the "a!!ion o- chi dren* -or who4 thing! are not yet co44oditie! and are not )a ued according to their u!e-u ne!!* and it i! a !o the hobby o- the rich* who own enough not to need anything u!e-u and hence can a--ord to 4a3e Dthe tran!-iguration o- obCect!E BD"hri(ten +* <$&; their bu!ine!!. +n thi! they 4u!t o- nece!!ity di!co)er the beauti-u * which need! Ddi!intere!ted de ightE :Kant; to be recogniAed. At any rate* a co ected obCect "o!!e!!e! on y an a4ateur )a ue and no u!e )a ue what!oe)er. :BenCa4in wa! not yet aware o- the -act that co ecting can a !o be an e4inent y !ound and o-ten high y "ro-itab e -or4 o- in)e!t4ent.; And ina!4uch a! co ecting can -a!ten on any category o- obCect! :not Cu!t art obCect!* which are in any ca!e re4o)ed -ro4 the e)eryday wor d o- u!e obCect! becau!e they are DgoodE -or nothing; and thu!* a! it were* redee4 the obCect a! a thing !ince it now i! no onger a 4ean! to an end but ha! it! intrin!ic worth* BenCa4in cou d under!tand the co ectorK! "a!!ion a! an attitude a3in to that o- the re)o utionary. 1i3e the re)o utionary* the co ector Ddrea4! hi! way not on y into a re4ote or bygone wor d* but at the !a4e ti4e into a better one in which* to be !ure* "eo" e are not "ro)ided with what they need any 4ore than they are in the e)eryday wor d* but in which thing! are iberated -ro4 the drudgery o- u!e-u ne!!E BD"hri(ten +* 41S@4 Co ecting i! the rede4"tion o- thing! which i! to co4" e4ent the rede4"tion o4an. E)en the reading o- hi! boo3! i! !o4ething ?ue!tionab e to a true bib io"hi e@ ^ RAnd you ha)e read a the!eJK Anato e 7rance i! !aid to ha)e been a!3ed by an ad4irer o- hi! ibrary. RNot one=tenth o- the4. + donKt !u""o!e you u!e your Se)re! china e)ery dayJKQ :D2n"ac3ing 8y 1ibraryE;. :+n BenCa4inK! ibrary there were co ection! o- rare chi drenK! <.

&ntro'!"tion boo3! and o- boo3! by 4enta y deranged author!N !ince he wa! intere!ted neither in chi d "!ycho ogy nor in "!ychiatry* the!e boo3!* i3e 4any other! a4ong hi! trea!ure!* itera y were not good -or anything* !er)ing neither to di)ert nor to in!truct.; C o!e y connected with thi! i! the -eti!h character which BenCa4in eG" icit y c ai4ed -or co ected obCect!. The )a ue o- genuinene!! which i! deci!i)e -or the co ector a! we a! -or the 4ar3et deter4ined by hi4 ha! re" aced the Dcu t )a ueE and i! it! !ecu ariAation. The!e re- ection!* i3e !o 4uch e !e in BenCa4in* ha)e !o4ething o- the ingeniou! y bri iant which i! not characteri!tic o- hi! e!!entia in!ight!* which are* -or the 4o!t "art* ?uite down=to=earth. Sti * they are !tri3ing eGa4" e! o- the (l'nerie in hi! thin3ing* o- the way hi! 4ind wor3ed* when he* i3e the (lane!r in the city* entru!ted hi4!e - to chance a! a guide on hi! inte ectua Courney! oeG" oration. (u!t a! !tro ing through the trea!ure! o- the "a!t i! the inheritorK! uGuriou! "ri)i ege* !o i! the Dco ectorK! attitude* in the highe!t !en!e* the attitude o- the heirE :D2n"ac3ing 8y 1ibraryE; who* by ta3ing "o!!e!!ion othing!Fand Downer!hi" i! the 4o!t "ro-ound re ation!hi" that one can ha)e to obCect!E Bi i'4@8e!tab i!he! hi4!e - in the "a!t* !o a! to achie)e* undi!turbed by the "re!ent* Da renewa o- the o d wor d.E And !ince thi! Ddee"e!t urgeE in the co ector ha! no "ub ic !igni-icance what!oe)er but re!u t! in a !trict y "ri)ate hoCbby* e)erything Dthat i! !aid -ro4 the ang e o- the true co ectorE i! bound to a""ear a! Dwhi4!ica E a! the ty"ica y (ean ,au ian )i!ion o- one o- tho!e writer! Dwho write boo3! not becau!e they are "oor* but becau!e they are di!!ati!-ied with the boo3! which they cou d buy but do not i3eE Bi i'4@4 2"on c o!er eGa4ination* howe)er* thi! whi4!ica ity ha! !o4e noteworthy and not !o har4 e!! "ecu iaritie!. There i!* -or one thing* the ge!ture* !o !igni-icant o- an era o- "ub ic dar3ne!!* with which the co ector not on y withdraw! -ro4 the "ub ic into the "ri)acy o- hi! -our wa ! but ta3e! a ong with hi4 a 3ind! o- trea!ure! that once were "ub ic "ro"erty to decorate the4. :Thi!* o- cour!e* i! not todayK! co ector* who get! ho d o- whate)er ha! or* in hi! e!ti4ate* wi ha)e a 4ar3et )a ue or can en= <B

+ u4ination! hance hi! !ocia !tatu!* but the co ector who* i3e BenCa4in* !ee3! !trange thing! that are con!idered )a ue e!!.; A !o* in hi! "a!!ion -or the "a!t -or it! own !a3e* born o- hi! conte4"t -or the "re!ent a! !uch and there-ore rather heed e!! o- obCecti)e ?ua ity* there a ready a""ear! a di!turbing -actor to announce that tradition 4ay be the a!t thing to guide hi4 and traditiona )a ue! by no 4ean! be a! !a-e in hi! hand! a! one 4ight ha)e a!!u4ed at -ir!t g ance. 7or tradition "ut! the "a!t in order* not Cu!t chrono ogica y but -ir!t o- a !y!te4atica y in that it !e"arate! the "o!iti)e -ro4 the negati)e* the orthodoG -ro4 the heretica * and which i! ob igatory and re e)ant -ro4 the 4a!! oirre e)ant or 4ere y intere!ting o"inion! and data. The co ectorK! "a!!ion* on the other hand* i! not on y un!y!te4atic but border! on the chaotic* not !o 4uch becau!e it i! a "a!!ion a! becau!e it i! not "ri4ari y 3ind ed by the ?ua ity o- the obCectF!o4ething that i! c a!!i-iab eFbut i! in- a4ed by it! Dgenuinene!!*E it! uni?uene!!* !o4ething that de-ie! any !y!te4atic c a!!i-ication. There-ore* whi e tradition di!cri4inate!P the co ector e)e ! a de-erence!N and thi! e)e ingF !o that Dthe "o!iti)e and the negati)e . . . "redi ection and reCection are here c o!e y contiguou!E BD"hri(ten ++* B$B;Fta3e! " ace e)en i- the co ector ha! 4ade tradition it!e - hi! !"ecia -ie d and care-u y e i4inated e)erything not recogniAed by it. Again!t tradition the co ector "it! the criterion o- genuinene!!N to the authoritati)e he o""o!e! the !ign o- origin. To eG"re!! thi! way o- thin3ing in theoretica ter4!@ he re" ace! content with "ure origina ity or authenticity* !o4ething that on y 7rench EGi!tentia i!4 e!tab i!hed a! a ?ua ity :er se detached -ro4 a !"eci-ic characteri!tic!. +- one carrie! thi! way o- thin3ing to it! ogica conc u!ion* the re!u t i! a !trange in)er!ion o- the origina co ectorK! dri)e@ DThe genuine "icture 4ay be o d* but the genuine thought i! new. +t i! o- the "re!ent. Thi! "re!ent 4ay be 4eager* granted. But no 4atter what it i! i3e* one 4u!t -ir4 y ta3e it by the horn! to be ab e to con!u t the "a!t. +t i! the bu who!e b ood 4u!t -i the "it i- the !hade! o- the de"arted are to a""ear at it! edgeE BD"hri(ten ++* B$<;. Out o- thi! "re!ent when it ha! been !acri-iced -or the in)ocation o- the "a!t ari!e! then Dthe <<

&ntro'!"tion dead y i4"act o- thoughtE which i! directed again!t tradition and the authority o- the "a!t. Thu! the heir and "re!er)er uneG"ected y turn! into a de!troyer. DThe true* great y 4i!under!tood "a!!ion o- the co ector i! a way! anarchi!tic* de!tructi)e. 7or thi! i! it! dia ectic!@ to co4bine with oya ty to an obCect* to indi)idua ite4!* to thing! !he tered in hi! care* a !tubborn !ub)er!i)e "rote!t again!t the ty"ica * the c a!!i-iab e.E .' The co ector de!troy! the conteGt in which hi! obCect once wa! on y "art o- a greater* i)ing entity* and !ince on y the uni?ue y genuine wi do -or hi4 he 4u!t c ean!e the cho!en obCect o- e)erything that i! ty"ica about it. The -igure o- the co ector* a! o d=-a!hioned a! that o- the (lane!r, cou d a!!u4e !uch e4inent y 4odern -eature! in BenCa4in becau!e hi!tory it!e -Fthat i!* the brea3 in tradition which too3 " ace at the beginning o- thi! centuryFhad a ready re ie)ed hi4 o- thi! ta!3 o- de!truction and he on y needed to bend down* a! it were* to !e ect hi! "reciou! -rag4ent! -ro4 the "i e o- debri!. +n other word!* the thing! the4!e )e! o--ered* "articu ar y to a 4an who -ir4 y -aced the "re!ent* an a!"ect which had "re)iou! y been di!co)erab e on y -ro4 the co ectorK! whi4!ica "er!"ecti)e. + do not 3now when BenCa4in di!co)ered the re4ar3ab e coincidence o- hi! o d=-a!hioned inc ination! with the rea itie! o- the ti4e!N it 4u!t ha)e been in the 4id=twentie!* when he began the !eriou! !tudy o- Ka-3a* on y to di!co)er !hort y therea-ter in Brecht the "oet who wa! 4o!t at ho4e in thi! century. + do not 4ean to a!!ert that BenCa4in !hi-ted hi! e4"ha!i! -ro4 the co ecting o- boo3! to the co ecting o- ?uotation! :eGc u!i)e with tin.; o)ernight or e)en within one year* a though there i! !o4e e)idence in the etter! o- a con!ciou! !hi-ting o- e4"ha!i!. At any rate* nothing wa! 4ore characteri!tic o- hi4 in the thirtie! than the itt e noteboo3! with b ac3 co)er! which he a way! carried with hi4 and in which he tire e!! y entered in the -or4 o- ?uotation! what dai y i)ing and reading netted hi4 in the way o- D"ear !E and Dcora .E On occa!ion he read -ro4 the4 a oud* !howed the4 around i3e ite4! -ro4 a choice and "reciou! co ection. And in thi! co ection* which by then wa! anything but <9

&ll!minations whi4!ica * it wa! ea!y to -ind neGt to an ob!cure o)e "oe4 -ro4 the eighteenth century the ate!t new!"a"er ite4* neGt to 5oec3=ingK! DDer er!te SchneeE a re"ort -ro4 6ienna dated !u44er $%B%* !aying that the oca ga! co4"any had D!to""ed !u"" ying ga! to (ew!. The ga! con!u4"tion o- the (ewi!h "o"u ation in)o )ed a o!! -or the ga! co4"any* !ince the bigge!t con!u4er! were the one! who did not "ay their bi !. The (ew! u!ed the ga! e!"ecia y -or co44itting !uicideE BBrie(e ++* './;. Here indeed the !hade! o- the de"arted were in)o3ed on y -ro4 the !acri-icia "it o- the "re!ent. The c o!e a--inity between the brea3 in tradition and the !ee4ing y whi4!ica -igure o- the co ector who gather! hi! -rag4ent! and !cra"! -ro4 the debri! o- the "a!t i! "erha"! be!t i u!trated by the -act* a!toni!hing on y at -ir!t g ance* that there "robab y wa! no "eriod be-ore our! in which o d and ancient thing!* 4any o- the4 ong -orgotten by tradition* ha)e beco4e genera educationa 4ateria which i! handed to !choo boy! e)erywhere in hundred! o- thou!and! o- co"ie!. Thi! a4aAing re=)i)a * "articu ar y o- c a!!ica cu ture* which !ince the -ortie! ha! been e!"ecia y noticeab e in re ati)e y tradition e!! A4erica* began in Euro"e in the twentie!. There it wa! initiated by tho!e who were 4o!t aware o- the 3re"arabi ity o- the brea3 in traditionFthu! in 5er4any* and not on y there* -ir!t and -ore4o!t by 8artin Heidegger* who!e eGtraordinary* and eGtraordinari y ear y* !ucce!! in the twentie! wa! e!!entia y due to a D i!tening to the tradition that doe! not gi)e it!e - u" to the "a!t but thin3! o- the "re!ent.E .e Without rea iAing it* BenCa4in actua y had 4ore in co44on with HeideggerK! re4ar3ab e !en!e -or i)ing eye! and i)ing bone! that had !ea=changed into "ear ! and cora * and a! !uch cou d be !a)ed and i-ted into the "re!ent on y by doing )io ence to their conteGt in inter"reting the4 with Dthe dead y i4"actE onew thought!* than he did with the dia ectica !ubt etie! o- hi! 8arGi!t -riend!. 7or Cu!t a! the abo)e=cited c o!ing !entence -ro4 the 5oethe e!!ay !ound! a! though Ka-3a had written it* the -o owing word! -ro4 a etter to Ho-4ann!tha dated $%.< 4a3e one thin3 o- !o4e o- HeideggerK! e!!ay! written in the -ortie! and -i-tie!N DThe con)iction which guide! 4e in <&

&ntro'!"tion 4y iterary atte4"t! . . . Hi!I that each truth ha! it! ho4e* it! ance!tra "a ace* in anguage* that thi! "a ace wa! bui t with the o de!t lo#oi. and that to a truth thu! -ounded the in!ight! o- the !cience! wi re4ain in-erior -or a! ong a! they 4a3e do here and there in the area o- anguage i3e no4ad!* a! it were* in the con= )iction o- the !ign character o- anguage which "roduce! the irre!"on!ib e arbitrarine!! o- their ter4ino ogyE BBrie( e +* B.%;. +n the !"irit o- BenCa4inK! ear y wor3 on the "hi o!o"hy o- anguage* word! are Dthe o""o!ite o- a co44unication directed toward the out!ide*E Cu!t a! truth i! Dthe death ointention.E Anyone who !ee3! truth -are! i3e the 4an in the -ab e about the )ei ed "icture at SaiK!N Dthi! i! cau!ed not by !o4e 4y!teriou! 4on!trou!ne!! othe content to be un)ei ed but by the nature o- truth be-ore which e)en the "ure!t -ire o- !earching i! eGtingui!hed a! though under waterE BD"hri(ten +* $9$* $9.;. 7ro4 the 5oethe e!!ay on* ?uotation! are at the center o- e)ery wor3 oBenCa4inK!. Thi! )ery -act di!tingui!he! hi! writing! -ro4 !cho ar y wor3! o- a 3ind! in which it i! the -unction o- ?uotation! to )eri-y and docu4ent o"inion!* where-ore they can !a-e y be re egated to the Note!. Thi! i! out o- the ?ue!tion in BenCa4in. When he wa! wor3ing on hi! !tudy o- 5er4an tragedy* he boa!ted oa co ection o- Do)er &// ?uotation! )ery !y!te4atica y and c ear y arrangedE BBrie(e +* BB%;N i3e the ater noteboo3!* thi! co ection wa! not an accu4u ation o- eGcer"t! intended to -aci itate the writing o- the !tudy but con!tituted the 4ain wor3* with the writing a! !o4ething !econdary. The 4ain wor3 con!i!ted in tearing -rag4ent! out o- their conteGt and arranging the4 a-re!h in !uch a way that they i u!trated one another and were ab e to "ro)e their raison ')etre in a -ree=- oating !tate* a! it were. +t de-inite y wa! a !ort o- !urrea i!tic 4ontage. BenCa4inK! idea o- "roducing a wor3 con!i!ting entire y o- ?uotation!* one that wa! 4ounted !o 4a!ter-u y that it cou d di!"en!e with any acco4"anying teGt* 4ay !tri3e one a! whi4!ica in the eGtre4e and !e -=de!tructi)e to boot* but it wa! not* any 4ore than were the conte4"oraneou! !urrea i!tic eG"eri4ent! which aro!e -ro4 !i4i ar i4"u !e!. To the eGtent that an acco4"anying teGt by the author "ro)ed una)oidab e* it wa! <0

&lltamnations a 4atter o- -a!hioning it in !uch a way a! to "re!er)e Dthe intention o- !uch in)e!tigation!*E na4e y* Dto " u4b the de"th! o- anguage and thought ... by dri ing rather than eGca)atingE BBrie(e +* B.%;* !o a! not to ruin e)erything with eG" anation! that !ee3 to "ro)ide a cau!a or !y!te4atic connection. +n !o doing BenCa4in wa! ?uite aware that thi! new 4ethod o- Ddri ingE re!u ted in a certain D-orcing o- in!ight! . . . who!e ine egant "edantry* howe)er* i! "re-erab e to todayK! a 4o!t uni)er!a habit o- -a !i-ying the4EN it wa! e?ua y c ear to hi4 that thi! 4ethod wa! bound to be Dthe cau!e o- certain ob!curitie!E BBrie(e +* BB/;. What 4attered to hi4 abo)e a wa! to a)oid anything that 4ight be re4ini!cent o- e4"athy* a! though a gi)en !ubCect o- in)e!tigation had a 4e!!age in readine!! which ea!i y co44unicated it!e -* or cou d be co44unicated* to the reader or !"ectator@ ;No :oem is inten'e' (or the rea'er, no :i"t!re (or the ehol'er^ no s.m:hon. (or the listener< :DThe Ta!3 o- the Tran! atorEN ita ic! added;. Thi! !entence* written ?uite ear y* cou d !er)e a! 4otto -or a o- BenCa4inK! iterary critici!4. +t !hou d not be 4i!under!tood a! another dadai!t a--ront o- an audience that e)en then had a ready beco4e ?uite u!ed to a !ort! o- 4ere y ca"riciou! !hoc3 ei-ect! and D"ut=on!.E BenCa4in dea ! here with thought thing!* "articu ar y tho!e o- a ingui!tic nature* which* according to hi4* Dretain their 4eaning* "o!!ib y their be!t !igni-icance* i- they are not a :riori a"" ied eGc u!i)e y to 4an. 7or eGa4" e* one cou d !"ea3 o- an un-orgettab e i-e or 4o4ent e)en i- a 4en had -orgotten the4. +- the nature o- !uch a i-e or 4o4ent re?uired that it not be -orgotten* that "redicate wou d not contain a -a !ehood but 4ere y a c ai4 that i! not being -u -i ed by 4en* and "erha"! a !o a re-erence to a rea 4 in which it is -u -i ed@ 5odK! re4e4branceE Bi i'4@4 BenCa4in ater ga)e u" thi! theo ogica bac3ground but not the theory and not hi! 4ethod o- dri ing to obtain the e!!entia in the -or4 o- ?uotation!Fa! one obtain! water by dri ing -or it -ro4 a !ource concea ed in the de"th! o- the earth. Thi! 4ethod i! i3e the 4odern e?ui)a ent o- ritua in)ocation!* and the !"irit! that now ari!e in)ariab y are tho!e !"iritua e!!ence! -ro4 a "a!t that ha)e !u--ered the Sha3e= <'

&ntro'!"tion !"earean D!ea=changeE -ro4 i)ing eye! to "ear !* -ro4 i)ing bone! to cora . 7or BenCa4in to ?uote i! to na4e* and na4ing rather than !"ea3ing* the word rather than the !entence* bring! truth to ight. A! one 4ay read in the "re-ace to the -ri#in o( Ferman Tra#e'., BenCa4in regarded truth a! an eGc u!i)e y acou!tica "heno4enon@ DNot , ato but Ada4*E who ga)e thing! their na4e!* wa! to hi4 the D-ather o- "hi o!o"hy*E Hence tradition wa! the -or4 in which the!e na4e=gi)ing word! were tran!4ittedN it too wa! an e!!entia y acou!tica "heno4enon. He -e t hi4!e - !o a3in to Ka-3a "reci!e y becau!e the atter* current 4i!inter"retation! notwith!tanding* had Dno -ar=!ightedne!! or R"ro"hetic )i!ion*K ^ but i!tened to tradition* and Dhe who i!ten! hard doe! not !eeE :D8aG BrodK! Boo3 on Ka-3aE;* There are good rea!on! why BenCa4inK! "hi o!o"hica intere!t -ro4 the out!et concentrated on the "hi o!o"hy o- anguage* and why -ina y na4ing through ?uoting beca4e -or hi4 the on y "o!!ib e and a""ro"riate way o- dea ing with the "a!t without the aid o- tradition. Any "eriod to which it! own "a!t ha! beco4e a! ?ue!tionab e a! it ha! to u! 4u!t e)entua y co4e u" again!t the "heno4enon o- anguage* -or in it the "a!t i! contained ineradieab y* thwarting a atte4t! to get rid o- it once and -or a . The 5ree3 :olis wi continue to eGi!t at the botto4 o- our "o itica eGi!tenceFthat i!* at the botto4 o- the !eaF-or a! ong a! we u!e the word D"o itic!.E Thi! i! what the !e4antici!t!* who with good rea!on attac3 anguage a! the one bu war3 behind which the "a!t hide!Fit! con-u!ion* a! they !ayF-ai to under!tand. They are ab!o ute y right@ in the -ina ana y!i! a "rob e4! are ingui!tic "rob e4!N they !i4" y do not 3now the i4" ication! o- what they are !aying. But BenCa4in* who cou d not yet ha)e read Wittgen!tein* et a one hi! !ucce!!or!* 3new a great dea about the!e )ery thing!* becau!e -ro4 the beginning the "rob e4 o- truth had "re!ented it!e - to hi4 a! a Dre)e ation . . . which 4u!t be heard* that i!* which ie! in the 4eta"hy!ica y acou!tica !"here.E To hi4* there-ore* anguage wa! by no 4ean! "ri4ari y the gi-t o- !"eech which di!tingui!he! 4an -ro4 other i)ing being!* but* on the contrary* Dthe wor d e!!ence . . . -ro4 which !"eech ari!e!E <%

&ll!minations BBrie(e +* $%0;* which incidenta y co4e! ?uite c o!e to HeideggerK! "o!ition that D4an can !"ea3 on y in!o-ar a! he i! the !ayer.E Thu! there i! Da anguage otruth* the ten!ion e!! and e)en !i ent de"o!itory o- the u ti4ate !ecret! which a thought i! concerned withE :DThe Ta!3 o- the Tran! atorE;* and thi! i! Dthe true anguageE who!e eGi!tence we a!!u4e unthin3ing y a! !oon a! we tran! ate -ro4 one anguage into another. That i! why BenCa4in " ace! at the center o- hi! e!!ay DThe Ta!3 o- the Tran! atorE the a!toni!hing ?uotation -ro4 8a ar4e in which the !"o3en anguage! in their 4u ti" icity and di)er!ity !u--ocate* a! it were* by )irtue o- their Babe = i3e tu4u t* the ;immortelle :aroleT which cannot e)en be thought* !ince Dthin3ing i! writing without i4" e4ent or whi!"er!* !i ent y*E and thu! "re)ent the )oice o- truth -ro4 being heard on earth with the -orce o4ateria * tangib e e)idence. Whate)er theoretica re)i!ion! BenCa4in 4ay !ub!e?uent y ha)e 4ade in the!e theo ogica =4eta"hy!ica con)iction!* hi! ba!ic a""roach* deci!i)e -or a hi! iterary !tudie!* re4ained unchanged@ not to in)e!tigate the uti itarian or co44unicati)e -unction! o- ingui!tic creation!* but to under!tand the4 in their cry!ta iAed and thu! u ti4ate y -rag4entary -or4 a! intention e!! and nonco44unicati)e utterance! o- a Dwor d e!!ence.E What e !e doe! thi! 4ean than that he under!tood anguage a! an e!!entia y "oetic "heno4enonJ And thi! i! "reci!e y what the a!t !entence o- the 8a ar4& a"hori!4* which he doe! not ?uote* !ay! in une?ui)oca c arity@ ;De!lement, sa"h-om r(e=isterait :as le versM t!i, :hiloso:hi7!ement rem!nere le 'e(a!t 'es lan#!es, "om:liment s!:erie!r<8aUl thi! were true i- "oetry did not eGi!t* the "oe4 that "hi o!o"hica y 4a3e! good the de-ect o- anguage!* i! their !u"erior co4" e4ent.B/ A o- which !ay! no 4ore* though in a ! ight y 4ore co4" eG way* than what + 4entioned be-oreFna4e y* that we are dea ing here with !o4ething which 4ay not be uni?ue but i! certain y eGtre4e y rare@ the gi-t othinkin# :oeti"all., And thi! thin3ing* -ed by the "re!ent* wor3! with the Dthought -rag4ent!E it can wre!t -ro4 the "a!t and gather about it!e -. 1i3e a "ear di)er who de!cend! to the botto4 o- the !ea* not to eGca)ate the botto4 and bring it to ight but to "ry oo!e $

Intr+,*cti+n the rich and the !trange* the "ear ! and the cora in the de"th!* and to carry the4 to the !ur-ace* thi! thin3ing de )e! into the de"th! o- the "a!tFbut not in order to re!u!citate it the way it wa! and to contribute to the renewa o- eGtinct age!. What guide! thi! thin3ing i! the con)iction that a though the i)ing i! !ubCect to the ruin o- the ti4e* the "roce!! o- decay i! at the !a4e ti4e a "roce!! ocry!ta iAation* that in the de"th o- the !ea* into which !in3! and i! di!!o )ed what once wa! a i)e* !o4e thing! D!u--er a !ea=changeE and !ur)i)e in new cry!ta iAed -or4! and !ha"e! that re4ain i44une to the e e4ent!* a! though they waited on y -or the "ear di)er who one day wi co4e down to the4 and bring the4 u" into the wor d o- the i)ingF a! Dthought -rag4ent!*E a! !o4ething Drich and !trange*E and "erha"! e)en a! e)er a!ting Cr:hanomene4 HANNAH ARENDT D)

Notes `. Wa ter BenCa4in* D"hri(ten, 7ran3-urt a.8** Suhr3a4" 6er ag* $%9C* . )o !.* and Brie( e, 7ran3-urt a.8.* $%&&* . )o !. The -o owing re-erence! are to the!e edition!. .. Yearboo3 o- the 1eo Baec3 +n!titute* $%&9* ". $$0. B. O". cit. <. The c a!!ica de!cri"tion o- the (lane!r occur! in Baude aireK! -a4ou! e!!ay on Con!tantin 5uy! D1e ,eintre de a )ie 4oderneEF !ee , eiade edition* "". '00='B. BenCa4in -re?uent y re-er! to it indirect y and ?uote! -ro4 it in the Baude aire e!!ay. 9. Both ha)e recent y reiterated thi!FScho e4 in hi! 1eo Baec3 8e4oria 1ecture o- $%&9* in which he !aid* D+ a4 inc ined to con!ider BrechtK! in- uence on BenCa4inK! out"ut in the thirtie! ba e-u * and in !o4e re!"ect! di!a!trou!*E and Adorno in a !tate4ent to hi! di!ci" e Ro - Tiede4ann according to which BenCa4in ad4itted to Adorno that he had written Dhi! e!!ay on the Wor3 o- Art in order to outdo Brecht* who4 he wa! a-raid o-* in radica i!4E :?uoted in Ro - Tiede4ann* Dt!'ien E!r 5hiloso:hie Walter Benjamins, 7ran3= -urt* $%&9* ". '%;. +t i! i4"robab e that BenCa4in !hou d ha)e eG"re!!ed -ear oBrecht* and Adorno !ee4! not to c ai4 that he did. A! -or the re!t o- the !tate4ent* it i!* un-ortunate y* a too i3e y that BenCa4in 4ade it becau!e he wa! a-raid o- Adorno. +t i! true that BenCa4in wa! )ery !hy in hi! dea ing! with "eo" e he had not 3nown !ince hi! youth* but he wa! a-raid on y o- "eo" e he wa! de"endent u"on. Such a de"endence on Brecht wou d ha)e co4e about on y i- he had -o owed BrechtK! !ugge!tion that he 4o)e -ro4 ,ari! to BrechtK! )icinity in con!iderab y e!! eG"en!i)e Den4ar3. A! it turned out* BenCa4in had !eriou! doubt! about !uch an eGc u!i)e Dde"enY dence on one "er!onE in a !trange country with a D?uite un-a4i iar anguageE BBrie(e ++* 9%&* 9%%;. &. +n the re)iew o- the 0rei#ros"henroman4 C-. Gers!"he ! er Bre"ht, 7ran3-urt* $%&&* ". %/. 0. +t now !ee4! that near y e)erything ha! been !a)ed. The 4anu!cri"t! hidden in ,ari! were* in accordance with BenCa4inK! in!truction!* !ent to Theodor W. AdornoN according to Tiede4ann Bo:4 "it4, ". .$.;* they are now in Ado4oK! D"ri)ate co ectionE in 7ran3= S.

&ntro'!"tion -urt. Re"rint! and co"ie! o- 4o!t teGt! are a !o in 5er!ho4 Scho e4K! "er!ona co ection in (eru!a e4. The 4ateria con-i!cated by the 5e!ta"o ha! turned u" in the 5er4an De4ocratic Re"ub ic. See DDer BenCa4in=Nach a!! in ,ot!da4E by Ro!e4arie Hei!e in alternative, October=Dece4ber* $%&0. '. C-. DWa ter BenCa4in hinter !einen Brie-en*E 1erk!r, 8arch $%&0. %. C-. ,ierre 8i!!aeQ D1KEc at et e !ecret@ Wa ter BenCa4in*E Criti7!e, No!. .B$=B.* $%&&. $/. 8aG Rychner* the recent y decea!ed editor o- the Ne!e D"h3eiEer *!n's"ha!, wa! one o- the 4o!t cu ti)ated and 4o!t re -ined -igure! in the inte ectua i-e o- the ti4e. 1i3e Adorno* Ern!t B och* and Scho e4* he "ub i!hed hi! DErinnerungen an Wa ter Ben Ca4inE in 0er 1onat, Se"te4ber* i%&/* n. & i'4 $.P Ka-3a* who!e out oo3 on the!e 4atter! wa! 4ore rea i!tic than that o- any o- hi! conte4"orarie!* !aid that Dthe -ather co4" eG which i! the inte ectua nouri!h4ent o- 4any . . . concern! the (udai!4 o- the -ather! ... the )ague con!ent o- the -ather! :thi! )aguene!! wa! the outrage;KP to their !on!K ea)ing othe (ewi!h -o d@ Dwith their hind eg! they were !ti !tuc3 to the (udai!4 o- their -ather!* and with the -ore eg! they -ound no new groundE :7ranA Ka-3a* Brie(e, ". BB0;. $B. +bid.* ". 99. $<. & i'4, ". BB%. $9. & i'4, ". BB0. $&. & i'4, "". BB&=B'. $0. 7ranA Ka-3a* Ta#e !"her, ". <.. $'. 7ranA Ka-3a* Brie(e, ". B<0. $%. & i'4, ". B0'. ./. +n DDer Autor a ! ,roduAent*E a ecture gi)en in ,ari! in $%B<P in which BenCa4in ?uote! an ear ier e!!ay on the inte ectua 1e-t. See Gers!"he ii er Bre"ht, ". $/%. .$. _uoted in 8aG Brod* RranE ?a(kas Fla! en !n' +ehre, Win=terthur* $%<'. ... Brecht* -or in!tance* to d BenCa4in that hi! e!!ay on Ka-3a ga)e aid and co4-ort to (ewi!h 7a!ci!4. See Gers!"he, ". $.B. 9B

+ u4ination! .B. 7ranA Ka-3aQ Brie(e, ". $'B. .B. +n the abo)e=4entioned artic e ,ierre 8i!!ac dea ! with the !a4e "a!!age and write!@ DSan! !ou!=e!ti4er a )a eur dKune te e reu!!ite HdKetre e !ucce!!eur de Ha4ann et de Hu4bo dtI* on "eut "en!er ?ue BenCa4in recherchait au!!i dan! e 8arGi!4e un 4oyen dKy echa""enE :Without undere!ti4ating the )a ue o- !uch a !ucce!! Hbeing the !ucce!!or o- Ha4ann and Hu4bo dtI* it i! "o!!ib e to thin3 that BenCa4in a !o !ought in 8arGi!4 a 4ean! o- e!ca"ing it.; .<. One i! i44ediate y re4inded o- BrechtK! "oe4 DOn the ,oor B.B.E= Rrohli"h ma"het 'as /a!s 'en 9sserM er leert es4 Gon 'iesen Dta'ten 3ir' lei en: 'er '!r"h sie hm'!r"h#in#, 'er Win'V Rrohli"h ma"het 'as /a!s 'en 9sserM er leert es4 Wir 3issen, 'ass 3ir Gorla!(i#e stn' Cn' na"h !ns 3ir' komrnen: ni"hts Nennens3ertes4 :DO- the!e citie! wi re4ain that which b ew through the4* the wind.WThe hou!e 4a3e! the -ea!ter 4erry. He c ean! it out.WWe 3now weKre on y te4"orary and a-ter u! wi -o owWNothing worth ta 3ing about.E The 1an!al o( 5iet., New Yor3* $%&&.; Worth noting* too* i! a re4ar3ab e a"hori!4 o- Ka-3a in the DNote! -ro4 the Year $%./Q under the tit e DHeE@ DE)erything he doe! a""ear! to hi4 eGtraordinari y new but a !o* becau!e o- the i4"o!!ib e abundance o- the new* eGtraordinari y a4ateuri!h* indeed hard y to erab e* inca"ab e o- beco4ing hi!torica * tearing a!under the chain o- generation!* brea3ing o-- -or the -ir!t ti4e the 4u!ic o- the wor d which unti now cou d at ea!t be di)ined in a it! de"th. So4eti4e! in hi! conceit he i! 4ore worried about the wor d than about hi4!e -.E The :re'e"essor o( this moo' is, a#ain, Ba!'elaire4 ;+e mon'e va (inir4 +a se!le ration :o!r la7!elle C :o!vait '!rer, ")est 7!elle e=iste4 J!e "ette raison est (ai le. "om:aree W to!tes "elles 7!i annon"ent le "ontraire, :arti"!liirement W "elle-"i: 7!(est-"e 7!e le mon'e a 'eX sormais i (ake so!s le "ielT 4 4 4 J!ant a moi 7!i sens 7!el7!e(ois en moi le ri'i"!le ')!n :ro:heteY je sais 7!e je n). tro!verai jamais la "harite 'r!n me'e"in4 5er'! 'ans "e vilain mon'e, "o!'o.e :ar les (o!les. je s!is "omme !n homme lasse 'ont 5oeil ne voit en arriere, 'ans les annees :ro(on'es, 7!e 'esa !sement et amert!me, et 'evant l!i 7iC!n ora#e oil rien 'e ne!( rtest "onten!, ni ensei#nement ni 'o!le!r4n Rrom 2o!rna!= intimes, 5leia'e e'ition, ::4 11%$-%Z[ 9<

-fe

&ntro'!"tion C-. Ka-3a* Brie( e, ". $0B. A !e ection a""eared under the tit e 5ara les an' 5ara'o=es in a bi ingua edition :Schoc3en Boo3!* New Yor3* $%&$;. BenCa4in* D1ob der ,u""e*E +iteraris"he Welt, (anuary $/* $%B/. See 8artin Heidegger* ?ants These ! er 'as DeinP 7ran3-urt* $%&.* 7or the a"hori!4 by 8a ar4e* !ee D6ariation! !ur un !uCetE under the !ubtit e DCri!e de! )er!*E , eiade edition* "". B&B=&<.

Jlluminations

Unpacking JAy Library Jalk about Book Collecting + a4 un"ac3ing 4y ibrary. Ye!* + a4. The boo3! are not yet on the !he )e!* not yet touched by the 4i d boredo4 o- order. + cannot 4arch u" and down their ran3! to "a!! the4 in re)iew be-ore a -riend y audience. You need not -ear any othat. +n!tead* + 4u!t a!3 you to Coin 4e in the di!order o- crate! that ha)e been wrenched o"en* the air !aturated with the du!t o- wood* the - oor co)ered with torn "a"er* to Coin 4e a4ong "i e! o- )o u4e! that are !eeing day ight again a-ter two year! o- dar3ne!!* !o that you 4ay be ready to !hare with 4e a bit o- the 4oodFit i! certain y not an e egiac 4ood but* rather* one o- antici"ationFwhich the!e boo3! arou!e in a genuine co ector. 7or !uch a 4an i! !"ea3ing to you* and on c o!er !crutiny he "ro)e! to be !"ea3ing on y about hi4!e -. Wou d it not be "re!u4"tuou! o- 4e i-* in order to a""ear con)incing y obCecti)e and down=to= earth* + enu4erated -or you the 4ain !ection! or "riAe "iece! o- a ibrary* i- + "re!ented you with their hi!tory or e)en their u!e-u ne!! to a writerJ +* -or one* ha)e in 4ind !o4ething e!! ob!cure* !o4ething 4ore "a "ab e than thatN what + a4 rea y concerned with i! gi)ing you !o4e in!ight into the re ation!hi" o9%

+ u4ination! a boo3 co ector to hi! "o!!e!!ion!* into co ecting rather than a co ection. +- + do thi! by e aborating on the )ariou! way! o- ac?uiring boo3!* thi! i! !o4ething entire y arbitrary. Thi! or any other "rocedure i! 4ere y a da4 again!t the !"ring tide o- 4e4orie! which !urge! toward any co ector a! he conte4" ate! hi! "o!!e!!ion!. E)ery "a!!ion border! on the chaotic* but the co ectorK! "a!!ion border! on the chao! o- 4e4orie!. 8ore than that@ the chance* the -ate* that !u--u!e the "a!t be-ore 4y eye! are con!"icuou! y "re!ent in the accu!to4ed con-u!ion o- the!e boo3!. 7or what e !e i! thi! co ection but a di!order to which habit ha! acco44odated it!e - to !uch an eGtent that it can a""ear a! orderJ You ha)e a heard o- "eo" e who4 the o!! o- their boo3! ha! turned into in)a id!* or o- tho!e who in order to ac?uire the4 beca4e cri4ina !. The!e are the )ery area! in which any order i! a ba ancing act o- eGtre4e "recariou!ne!!. DThe on y eGact 3now edge there i!*E !aid Anato e 7rance* Di! the 3now edge o- the date o"ub ication and the -or4at o- boo3!.E And indeed* i- there i! a counter"art to the con-u!ion o- a ibrary* it i! the order o- it! cata ogue. Thu! there i! in the i-e o- a co ector a dia ectica ten!ion between the "o e! odi!order and order. Natura y* hi! eGi!tence i! tied to 4any other thing! a! we @ to a )ery 4y!teriou! re ation!hi" to owner!hi"* !o4ething about which we !ha ha)e 4ore to !ay aterN a !o* to a re ation!hi" to obCect! which doe! not e4= "ha!iAe their -unctiona * uti itarian )a ueFthat i!* their u!e-u ne!!Fbut !tudie! and o)e! the4 a! the !cene* the !tage* o- their -ate. The 4o!t "ro-ound enchant4ent -or the co ector i! the oc3ing o- indi)idua ite4! within a 4agic circ e in which they are -iGed a! the -ina thri * the thri o- ac?ui!ition* "a!!e! o)er the4. E)erything re4e4bered and thought* e)erything con!ciou!* beco4e! the "ede!ta * the -ra4e* the ba!e* the oc3 o- hi! "ro"erty. The "eriod* the region* the cra-t!4an!hi"* the -or4er owner!hi"F-or a true co ector the who e bac3ground o- an ite4 add! u" to a 4agic encyc o"edia who!e ?uinte!!ence i! the -ate o- hi! obCect. +n thi! circu4!cribed area* then* it 4ay be !ur4i!ed how the great "hy!iogno4i!t!Fand co ector! are the "hy!iogno4i!t! o- the wor d oobCect!Fturn into inter"reter! o&/

Cn:a"kin# 1. +i rar. -ate. One ha! on y to watch a co ector hand e the obCect! in hi! g a!! ca!e. A! he ho d! the4 in hi! hand!Q he !ee4! to be !eeing through the4 into their di!tant "a!t a! though in!"ired. So 4uch -or the 4agica !ide o- the co ectorFhi! o d= age i4age* + 4ight ca it. /a ent s!a (ata li ellk the!e word! 4ay ha)e been intended a! a genera !tate4ent about boo3!. So boo3! i3e The 0ivine Come'., S"inoAaK! 9thi"s, and The -ri#in o( D:e"ies ha)e their -ate!. A co ector* howe)er* inter"ret! thi! 1atin !aying di--erent y. 7or hi4* not on y boo3! but a !o co"ie! o- boo3! ha)e their -ate!. And in thi! !en!e* the 4o!t i4"ortant -ate o- a co"y i! it! encounter with hi4* with hi! own co ection. + a4 not eGaggerating when + !ay that to a true co ector the ac?ui!ition o- an o d boo3 i! it! rebirth. Thi! i! the chi d i3e e e4ent which in a co ector 4ing e! with the e e4ent o- o d age. 7or chi dren can acco4" i!h the renewa o- eGi!tence in a hundred un-ai ing way!. A4ong chi dren* co ecting i! on y one "roce!! o- renewa N other "roce!!e! are the "ainting o- obCect!* the cutting out o- -igure!* the a"" ication o- deca !Fthe who e range o- chi d i3e 4ode! o- ac?ui!ition* -ro4 touching thing! to gi)ing the4 na4e!. To renew the o d wor dFthat i! the co ectorK! dee"e!t de!ire when he i! dri)en to ac?uire new thing!* and that i! why a co ector o- o der boo3! i! c o!er to the we !"ring! o- co ecting than the ac?uirer o- uGury edition!. How do boo3! cro!! the thre!ho d o- a co ection and beco4e the "ro"erty o- a co ectorJ The hi!tory o- their ac?ui!ition i! the !ubCect o- the -o owing re4ar3!. O- a the way! o- ac?uiring boo3!* writing the4 one!e - i! regarded a! the 4o!t "rai!eworthy 4ethod. At thi! "oint 4any o- you wi re4e4ber with " ea!ure the arge ibrary which (ean ,au K! "oor itt e !choo 4a!ter WutA gradua y ac?uired by writing* hi4!e -* a the wor3! who!e tit e! intere!ted hi4 in boo3=-air cata ogue!N a-ter ai * he cou d not a--ord to buy the4. Writer! are rea y "eo" e who write boo3! not becau!e they are "oor* but becau!e they are di!!ati!-ied with the boo3! which they cou d buy but do not i3e. You* adie! and gent e4en* 4ay regard thi! a! a whi4!ica de-inition o- a writer. But e)erything !aid -ro4 &$

&ll!minations the ang e o- a rea co ector i! whi4!ica . O- the cu!to4ary 4ode! oac?ui!ition* the one 4o!t a""ro"riate to a co ector wou d be the borrowing o- a boo3 with it! attendant non=returning. The boo3 borrower o- rea !tature who4 we en)i!age here "ro)e! hi4!e - to be an in)eterate co ector o- boo3! not !o 4uch by the -er)or with which he guard! hi! borrowed trea!ure! and by the deaear which he turn! to a re4inder! -ro4 the e)eryday wor d o- ega ity a! by hi! -ai ure to read the!e boo3!. +- 4y eG"erience 4ay !er)e a! e)idence* a 4an i! 4ore i3e y to return a borrowed boo3 u"on occa!ion than to read it. And the non=reading o- boo3!* you wi obCect* !hou d be characteri!tic o- co ector!J Thi! i! new! to 4e* you 4ay !ay. +t i! not new! at a . EG"ert! wi bear 4e out when + !ay that it i! the o de!t thing in the wor d. Su--ice it to ?uote the an!wer which Anato e 7rance ga)e to a "hi i!tine who ad4ired hi! ibrary and then -ini!hed with the !tandard ?ue!tion* DAnd you ha)e read a the!e boo3!* 8on!ieur 7ranceJE DNot one=tenth o- the4. + donKt !u""o!e you u!e your Se)re! china e)ery dayJE +ncidenta y* + ha)e "ut the right to !uch an attitude to the te!t. 7or year!* -or at ea!t the -ir!t third o- it! eGi!tence* 4y ibrary con!i!ted o- no 4ore than two or three !he )e! which increa!ed on y by inche! each year. Thi! wa! it! 4i itant age* when no boo3 wa! a owed to enter it without the certi-ication that + had not read it. Thu! + 4ight ne)er ha)e ac?uired a ibrary eGten!i)e enough to be worthy othe na4e i- there had not been an in- ation. Sudden y the e4"ha!i! !hi-tedN boo3! ac?uired rea )a ue* or* at any rate* were di--icu t to obtain. At ea!t thi! i! how it !ee4ed in SwitAer and. At the e e)enth hour + !ent 4y -ir!t 4aCor boo3 order! -ro4 there and in thi! way wa! ab e to !ecure !uch irre" aceab e ite4! a! 0er la!e *eiter and Bacho-enK! Da#e von Tana7!il, which cou d !ti be obtained -ro4 the "ub i!her! at that ti4e. We F!o you 4ay !ayFa-ter eG" oring a the!e byway! we !hou d -ina y reach the wide highway o- boo3 ac?ui!ition* na4e y* the "urcha!ing o- boo3!. Thi! i! indeed a wide highway* but not a co4-ortab e one. The "urcha!ing done by a boo3 co ector ha! )ery itt e in co44on with that done in a boo3!ho" &.

2n"ac3ing 8y 1ibrary by a !tudent getting a teGtboo3* a 4an o- the wor d buying a "re!ent -or hi! ady* or a bu!ine!!4an intending to whi e away hi! neGt train Courney. + ha)e 4ade 4y 4o!t 4e4orab e "urcha!e! on tri"!* a! a tran!ient. ,ro"erty and "o!!e!!ion be ong to the tactica !"here. Co ector! are "eo" e with a tactica in!tinctN their eG"erience teache! the4 that when they ca"ture a !trange city* the !4a e!t anti?ue !ho" can he a -ortre!!* the 4o!t re4ote !tationery !tore a 3ey "o!ition. How 4any citie! ha)e re)ea ed the4!e )e! to 4e in the 4arche! + undertoo3 in the "ur!uit o- boo3!M By no 4ean! a o- the 4o!t i4"ortant "urcha!e! are 4ade on the "re4i!e! o- a dea er. Cata ogue! " ay a -ar greater "art. And e)en though the "urcha!er 4ay be thorough y ac?uainted with the boo3 ordered -ro4 a cata ogue* the indi)idua co"y a way! re4ain! a !ur"ri!e and the order a way! a bit o- a ga4b e. There are grie)ou! di!a""oint4ent!* but a !o ha""y -ind!. + re4e4ber* -or in!tance* that + once ordered a boo3 with co ored i u!tration! -or 4y o d co ection o- chi drenK! boo3! on y becau!e it contained -airy ta e! by A bert 1udwig 5ri44 and wa! "ub i!hed at 5ri44a* Thuringia. 5ri44a wa! a !o the " ace o- "ub ication o- a boo3 o- -ab e! edited by the !a4e A bert 1udwig 5ri44. With it! !iGteen i u!tration! 4y co"y o- thi! boo3 o- -ab e! wa! the on y eGtant eGa4" e o- the ear y wor3 o- the great 5er4an boo3 i u!trator 1y!er* who i)ed in Ha4burg around the 4idd e o- the a!t century. We * 4y reaction to the con!onance o- the na4e! had been correct. +n thi! ca!e too + di!co)ered the wor3 o- 1y!er* na4e y Cnas 1ar"hen !"h, a wor3 which ha! re4ained un3nown to hi! bib iogra"her! and which de!er)e! a 4ore detai ed re-erence than thi! -ir!t one + a4 introducing here. The ac?ui!ition o- boo3! i! by no 4ean! a 4atter o- 4oney or eG"ert 3now edge a one. Not e)en both -actor! together !u--ice -or the e!tab i!h4ent oa rea ibrary* which i! a way! !o4ewhat i4"enetrab e and at the !a4e ti4e uni?ue y it!e -. Anyone who buy! -ro4 cata ogue! 4u!t ha)e - air in addition to the ?ua itie! + ha)e 4entioned. Date!* " ace na4e!* -or4at!* "re)iou! owner!* binding!* and the i3e@ a the!e detai ! 4u!t te hi4 &B

i u4ination! !o4ethingFnot a! dry* i!o ated -act!* but a! a har4oniou! who eN -ro4 the ?ua ity and inten!ity o- thi! har4ony he 4u!t be ab e to recogn8e whether a boo3 i! -or hi4 or not. An auction re?uire! yet another !et o- ?ua itie! in a eo ector. To the reader o- a cata ogue the boo3 it!e - 4u!t !"ea3* or "o!!ib y it! "re)iou! owner!hi" i- the "ro)enance o- the co"y ha! been e!tab i!hed. A 4an who wi!he! to "artici"ate at an auction 4u!t "ay e?ua attention to the boo3 and to hi! co4"etitor!* in addition to 3ee"ing a coo enough head to a)oid being carried away in the co4"etition. +t i! a -re?uent occurrence that !o4eone get! !tuc3 with a high "urcha!e "rice becau!e he 3e"t rai!ing hi! bidF4ore to a!!ert hi4!e - than to ac?uire the boo3 On the other hand* one o- the -ine!t 4e4orie! oa co ector i! the 4o4ent when he re!cued a boo3 to which he 4ight ne)er ha)e gi)en a thought* 4uch e!! a wi!h-u oo3* becau!e he -ound it one y and aban= doned on the 4ar3et " ace and bought it to gi)e it it! -reedo4F the way the "rince bought a beauti-u ! a)e gir in The Ara ian Ni#hts, To a boo3 co ector* you !ee* the true -reedo4 o- a boo3! i! !o4ewhere on hi! !he )e!P To thi! day) Ba AacK! 5ea! 'e "ha#rin !tand! out -ro4 ong row! o- 7rench )o u4e! in 4y ibrary a! a 4e4ento o- 4y 4o!t eGciting eG"erience at an auction. Thi! ha""ened in $%$9 P the Rii4ann auction "ut u" by E4i Hir!ch* one o- the greate!t o- boo3 eG"ert! and 4o!t di!tingui!hed o- dea er!. The edition in ?ue!tion a""eared in $'B' in ,ari!* , ace de a Bour!e. A! + "ic3 u" 4y co"y* + !ee not on y +t! nu4ber in the Rii4ann co ection* but e)en the abe o- the !ho" in which the -ir!t owner bought the boo3 o)er ninety year! ago -or one=eightieth o- todayK! "rice* D,a"eterie +. 7 anneau*E it !ay!. A -ine age in which it wa! !ti "o!!ib e to buy !uch a de uGe edition at a !tationery dea erK!M 9 Q !tee engra)ing! o- thi! boo3 were de!igned by ' -ore4o!t 7rench gra"hic arti!t and eGecuted by the -ore4o!t engra)er!. But + wa! going to te you how + ac?uired thi! boo3. + had gone to E4i Hir!chK! -or an ad)anee in!"ection and had hand ed -orty or -i-ty )o u4e!N that "articu ar )o u4e had in!"ired in 4e the ardent de!ire to ho d on to it -ore)er. The day o- the auction ca4e. A! chance wou d ha)e it* in the !e?uence o- the auction &<

2n"ac3ing 8y 1ibrary thi! co"y o- +a 5ea! 'e "ha#rin wa! "receded by a co4" ete !et o- it! i u!tration! "rinted !e"arate y on +ndia "a"er. The bidder! !at at a ong tab eN diagona y acro!! -ro4 4e !at the 4an who wa! the -ocu! o- a eye! at the -ir!t bid* the -a4ou! 8unich co ector Baron )on Si4o in. He wa! great y intere!ted in thi! !et* but he had ri)a bidder!N in !hort* there wa! a !"irited conte!t which re!u ted in the highe!t bid o- the entire auctionF-ar in eGce!! o- three thou!and 4ar3!. No one !ee4ed to ha)e eG"ected !uch a high -igure* and a tho!e "re!ent were ?uite eGcited. E4i Hir!ch re4ained unconcerned* and whether he wanted to !a)e ti4e or wa! guided by !o4e other con!ideration* he "roceeded to the neGt ite4* with no one rea y "aying attention. He ca ed out the "rice* and with 4y heart "ounding and with the -u rea iAation that + wa! unab e to co4"ete with any o- tho!e big co ector! + bid a !o4ewhat higher a4ount. Without arou!ing the bidder!K attention* the auctioneer went through the u!ua routineFDDo + hear 4oreJE and three bang! o- hi! ga)e * with an eternity !ee4ing to !e"arate each -ro4 the neGtFand "roceeded to add the auctioneerK! charge. 7or a !tudent i3e 4e the !u4 wa! !ti con!iderab e.. The -o owing 4orning at the "awn!ho" i! no onger "art o- thi! !tory* and + "re-er to !"ea3 about another incident which & !hou d i3e to ca the negati)e o- an auction. +t ha""ened a!t year at a Ber in auction. The co ection o- boo3! that wa! o--ered wa! a 4i!ce any in ?ua ity and !ubCect 4atter* and on y a nu4ber o- rare wor3! on occu ti!4 and natura "hi o!o"hy were worthy o- note. + bid -or a nu4ber o- the4* but each ti4e + noticed a gent e4an in the -ront row who !ee4ed on y to ha)e waited -or 4y bid to counter with hi! own* e)ident y "re"ared to to" any o--er. A-ter thi! had been re"eated !e)era ti4e!* + ga)e u" a ho"e o- ac?uiring the boo3 which + wa! 4o!t intere!ted in that day. +t wa! the rare Rra#mente a!s 'em Na"hlass eines j!n#en 5h.nkers H,o!thu4ou! 7rag4ent! o- a Young ,hy!ici!tI which (ohann Wi he 4 Ritter "ub i!hed in two )o u4e! at Heide berg in $'$/. Thi! wor3 ha! ne)er been re"rinted* but + ha)e a way! con!idered it! "re-ace* in which the author=editor te ! the !tory o- hi! i-e in the gui!e o- an obituary -or hi! !u""o!ed y decea!ed unna4ed -riendFwith who4 he i! SD

Illuminations rea y identica =a! the 4o!t i4"ortant !a4" e o- "er!ona "ro!e oi 5er4an Ro4antici!4. (u!t a! the ite4 ca4e u" + had a brain wa)e. +t wa! !i4" e enough@ !ince 4y bid wa! bound to gi)e the ite4 to the other 4an* + 4u!t not bid at a . + contro ed 4y!e - and re4ained !i ent. What + had ho"ed -or ca4e about@ no in= tere!t* no bid* and the boo3 wa! "ut a!ide. + dee4ed it wi!e to et !e)era day! go by* and when + a""eared on the "re4i!e! a-ter a wee3* + -ound the boo3 in the !econdhand de"art4ent and bene-ited by the ac3 o- intere!t when + ac?uired it. Once you ha)e a""roached the 4ountain! o- ca!e! in order to 4ine the boo3! -ro4 the4 and bring the4 to the ight o- day For* rather* o- nightFwhat 4e4orie! crowd in u"on youM Nothing high ight! the -a!cination o- un"ac3ing 4ore c ear y than the di--icu ty o- !to""ing thi! acti)ity. + had !tarted at noon* and it wa! 4idnight be-ore + had wor3ed 4y way to the a!t ca!e!. Now + "ut 4y hand! on two )o u4e! bound in -aded board! which* !trict y !"ea3ing* do not be ong in a boo3 ca!e at a @ two a bu4! with !tic3=in "icture! which 4y 4other "a!ted in a! a chi d and which + inherited. They are the !eed! o- a co ection ochi drenK! boo3! which i! growing !teadi y e)en today* though no onger in 4y garden. There i! no i)ing ibrary that doe! not harbor a nu4ber o- boo3 i3e creation! -ro4 -ringe area!. They need not be !tic3=in a >u4! or -a4i y a bu4!* autogra"h boo3! or "ort-o io! containing "a4"h et! or re igiou! tract!N !o4e "eo" e beco4e attached to ea- et! and "ro!"ectu!e!* other! to handwriting -ac!i4i e! or ty"ewritten co"ie! o- unobtainab e boo3!N and certain y "eriodica ! can -or4 the "ri!4atic -ringe! o- a ibrary. But to get bac3 to tho!e a bu4!@ Actua y* inheritance i! the !ounde!t way o- ac?uiring a co ection. 7or a co ectorK! attitude toward hi! "o!!e!!ion! !te4! -ro4 an ownerK! -ee ing ore!"on!ibi ity toward hi! "ro"erty. Thu! it i!* in the highe!t !en!e* the attitude oan heir* and the 4o!t di!tingui!hed trait o- a co ection wi a way! be it! tran!4i!!ibi ity. You !hou d 3now that in !aying thi! + -u y rea iAe that 4y di!cu!!ion o- the 4enta c i4ate o- co ecting wi con-ir4 4any o- you in your con)iction that thi! "a!!ion i! behind the ti4e!* in your di!tru!t o- the co ector ty"e. Nothing i! -urther -ro4 4y 4ind than to !ha3e either your con= &&

Cn:a"kin# 1. +i rar. )iction or your di!tru!t. But one thing !hou d be noted@ the "heno4enon oco ecting o!e! it! 4eaning a! it o!e! it! "er!ona owner. E)en though "ub ic co ection! 4ay be e!! obCectionab e !ocia y and 4ore u!e-u acade4ica y than "ri)ate co ection!* the obCect! get their due on y in the atter. + do 3now that ti4e i! running out -or the ty"e that + a4 di!cu!!ing here and ha)e been re"re!enting be-ore you a bit e= \]W\4 But* a! Hege "ut it* on y when it i! dar3 doe! the ow o- 8iner)a begin it! - ight. On y in eGtinction i! the co ector co4"rehended. Now + a4 on the a!t ha -=e4"tied ca!e and it i! way "a!t 4idnight. Other thought! -i 4e than the one! + a4 ta 3ing about Fnot thought! but i4age!* 4e4orie!. 8e4orie! o- the citie! in which + -ound !o 4any thing!@ Riga* Na" e!* 8unich* DanAig* 8o!cow* 7 orence* Ba!e * ,ari!N 4e4orie! o- Ro!entha K! !u4"= tuou! roo4! in 8unich* o- the DanAig Stoc3tur4 where the ate Han! Rhaue wa! do4ici ed* o- Su!!engutK! 4u!ty boo3 ce ar in North Ber inN 4e4orie! o- the roo4! where the!e boo3! had been hou!ed* o- 4y !tudentK! den in 8unich* o4y roo4 in Bern* o- the !o itude o- +!e twa d on the 1a3e o- BrienA* and -ina y o- 4y boyhood roo4* the -or4er ocation o- on y -our or -i)e o- the !e)era thou!and )o u4e! that are "i ed u" around 4e. S b i!! o- the co ector* b i!! othe 4an o- ei!ureM O- no one ha! e!! been eG"ected* and no one ha! had a greater !en!e o- we =being than the 4an who ha! been ab e to carry on hi! di!re"utab e eGi!tence in the 4a!3 o- S"itAwegK! DBoo3wor4.E 7or in!ide hi4 there are !"irit!* or at ea!t itt e genii* which ha)e !een to it that -or a co ectorFand + 4ean a rea co ector* a co ector a! he ought to beFowner!hi" i! the 4o!t inti4ate re ation!hi" that one can ha)e to obCect!. Not that they co4e a i)e in hi4N it i! he who i)e! in the4. So + ha)e erected one o- hi! dwe ing!* with boo3! a! the bui ding !tone!* be-ore you* and now he i! going to di!a""ear in!ide* a! i! on y -itting. P0

%e Task of the Translator An +ntroduction to the Tran! ation o- Baude aireK! TAB1EA2L ,AR+S+ENS +n the a""reciation o- a wor3 o- art or an art -or4* con!ideration o- the recei)er ne)er "ro)e! -ruit-u . Not on y i! any re-erence to a certain "ub ic or it! re"re!entati)e! 4i! eading* but e)en the conce"t o- an Didea E recei)er i! detri4enta in the theoretica con!ideration o- art* !ince a it "o!it! i! the eGi!tence and nature o- 4an a! !uch. Art* in the !a4e way* "o!it! 4anK! "hy!ica and !"iritua eGi!tence* but in none o- it! wor3! i! it concerned with hi! re!"on!e. No "oe4 i! intended -or the reader* no "icture -or the beho der* no !y4"hony -or the i!tener. +! a tran! ation 4eant -or reader! who do not under!tand the origina J Thi! wou d !ee4 to eG" ain ade?uate y the di)ergence o- their !tanding in the rea 4 o- art. 8oreo)er* it !ee4! to be the on y concei)ab e rea!on -or !aying Dthe !a4e thingE re"eated y. 7or what doe! a iterary wor3 D!ayEJ What doe! it co44uni= cateJ +t Dte !E )ery itt e to tho!e who under!tand it. +t! e!!entia ?ua ity i! not !tate4ent or the i4"arting o- in-or4ation. Yet l. nation which intend! to "er2 & tran!4itting -unction cannot tran!4it anything but in-or4ationFhence* !o4ething ine!!entia . Thi! i! the ha 4ar3 o- bad tran! ation!. But do we not P%

&ll!minations genera y regard a! the e!!entia !ub!tance o- a iterary wor3 what it contain! in addition to in-or4ationFa! e)en a "oor tran! ator wi ad4itFthe un-atho4ab e* the 4y!teriou!* the D"oetic*E !o4ething that a tran! ator can re"roduce on y i- he i! a !o a "oetJ Thi!* actua y* i! the cau!e o- another characteri!tic o- in-erior tran! ation* which con!e?uent y we 4ay de-ine a! the inaccurate tran!4i!!ion o- an ine!!entia content. Thi! wi be true whene)er a tran! ation underta3e! to !er)e the reader. Howe)er* i- it were intended -or the reader* the !a4e wou d ha)e to a"" y to the origina . +- the origina doe! not eGi!t -or the readerK! !a3e* how cou d the tran! ation be under!tood on the ba!i! o- thi! "re4i!eJ Tran! ation i! a 4ode. To co4"rehend it a! 4ode one 4u!t go bac3 to the origina * -or that contain! the aw go)erning the tran! ationN it! tran! atabi ity. The ?ue!tion o- whether a wor3 i! tran! atab e ha! a dua 4eaning. EitherN Wi an ade?uate tran! ator e)er be -ound a4ong the tota ity o- it! reader!J Or* 4ore "ertinent y@ Doe! it! nature end it!e - to tran! ation and* there-ore* in )iew o- the !igni-icance o- the 4ode* ca -or itJ +n "rinci" e* the -ir!t ?ue!tion can be decided on y contingent yN the !econd* howe)er* a"odictica y. On y !u"er-icia thin3ing wi deny the inde"endent 4eaning o- the atter and dec are both ?ue!tion! to be o- e?ua !igni-icance. ... +t !hou d be "ointed out that certain corre ati)e conce"t! retain their 4eaning* and "o!!ib y their -ore4o!t !igni-icance* i- they are re-erred eGc u!i)e y to 4an. One 4ight* -or eGa4" e* !"ea3 o- an un-orgettab e i-e or 4o4ent e)en i- a 4en had -orgotten it. +- the nature o- !uch a i-e or 4o4ent re?uired that it be un-orgotten* that "redicate wou d not i4" y a -a !ehood but 4ere y a c ai4 not -u -i ed by 4en* and "robab y a !o a re-erence to a rea 4 in which it is -u =-i ed@ 5odK! re4e4brance. Ana ogou! y* the tran! atabi ity o- ingui!tic creation! ought to be con!idered e)en i- 4en !hou d "ro)e unab e to tran! ate the4. 5i)en a !trict conce"t otran! ation* wou d they not rea y be tran! atab e to !o4e degreeJ The ?ue!tion a! to whether the tran! ation o- certain ingui!tic creation! i! ca ed -or ought to be "o!ed in thi! !en!e. 7or thi! thought ab

The Ta!3 o- the Tran! ator i! )a id hereN +- tran! ation i! a 4ode* tran! atabi ity 4u!t be an e!!entia -eature o- certain wor3!. Tran! atabi ity i! an e!!entia ?ua ity o- certain wor3!* which i! not to !ay that it i! e!!entia that they be tran! atedN it 4ean! rather that a !"eci-ic !igni-icance inherent in the origina 4ani-e!t! it!e - in it! tran! atabi ity. +t i! " au!ib e that no tran! ation* howe)er good it 4ay be* can ha)e any !igni-icance a! regard! the origina . Yet* by )irtue o- it! tran! atabi ity the origina i! c o!e y connected with the tran! ationN in -act* thi! connection i! a the c o!er !ince it i! no onger oi4"ortance to the origina . We 4ay ca thi! connection a natura one* or* 4ore !"eci-ica y* a )ita connection. (u!t a! the 4ani-e!tation! o- i-e are inti4ate y connected with the "heno4enon o- i-e without being o- i4"ortance to it* a tran! ation i!!ue! -ro4 the origina Fnot !o 4uch -ro4 it! i-e a! -ro4 it! a-ter i-e. 7or a tran! ation co4e! ater than the origina * and !ince the i4"ortant wor3! o- wor d Eterature ne)er -ind their cho!en tran! ator! at the ti4e o- their origin* their tran! ation 4ar3! their !tage o- continued i-e. The idea o- i-e and a-ter i-e in wor3! o- art !hou d be regarded with an entire y un4eta"horica obCecti)ity. E)en in ti4e! o- narrow y "reCudiced thought there wa! an in3 ing that i-e wa! not i4ited to organic cor"orea ity. But it cannot be a 4atter oeGtending it! do4inion under the -eeb e !ce"ter o- the !ou * a! 7echner tried to do* or* con)er!e y* o- ba!ing it! de-inition on the e)en e!! conc u!i)e -actor! oani4a ity* !uch a! !en!ation* which characteriAe i-e on y occa!iona y. The conce"t o- i-e i! gi)en it! due on y i- e)erything that ha! a hi!tory o- it! own* and i! not 4ere y the !etting -or hi!tory* i! credited with i-e. +n the -ina ana y!i!* the range o- i-e 4u!t be deter4ined by hi!tory rather than by nature* ea!t o- a by !uch tenuou! -actor! a! !en!ation and !ou . The "hi o!o"herK! ta!3 con!i!t! in co4"rehending a o- natura i-e through the 4ore enco4"a!!ing i-e o- hi!tory. And indeed* i! not the continued i-e o- wor3! o- art -ar ea!ier to recogniAe than the continua i-e o- ani4a !"ecie!J The hi!tory o- the great wor3! o- art te ! u! about their antecedent!* their rea iAation in the age o- the arti!t* their "otentia y eterna a-ter i-e in !ucceeding generation!. Where thi! a!t 4ani-e!t! it!e -* it i! ca ed -a4e. 0W

&ll!minations Tran! ation! that are 4ore than tran!4i!!ion! o- !ubCect 4atter co4e into being when in the cour!e o- it! !ur)i)a a wor3 ha! reached the age o- it! -a4e. Contrary* there-ore* to the c ai4! o- bad tran! ator!* !uch tran! ation! do not !o 4uch !er)e the wor3 a! owe their eGi!tence to it. The i-e o- the origina ! attain! in the4 to it! e)er=renewed ate!t and 4o!t abundant - owering. Being a !"ecia and high -or4 o- i-e* thi! - owering i! go)erned by a !"ecia * high "ur"o!i)ene!!. The re ation!hi" between i-e and "ur"o!e-u ne!!* !ee4ing y ob)iou! yet a 4o!t beyond the gra!" o- the inte ect* re)ea ! it!e - on y i- the u ti4ate "ur"o!e toward which a !ing e -unction! tend i! !ought not in it! own !"here but in a higher one. A "ur"o!e-u 4ani-e!tation! o- i-e* inc uding their )ery "ur"o!i)ene!!* in the -ina ana y!i! ha)e their end not in i-e* but in the eG"re!!ion o- it! nature* in the re"re!entation o- it! !igni-icance. Tran! ation thu! u ti4ate y !er)e! the "ur"o!e o- eG"re!!ing the centra reci"roca re ation!hi" between anguage!. +t cannot "o!!ib y re)ea or e!tab i!h thi! hidden re ation!hi" it!e -N but it can re"re!ent it by rea iAing it in e4bryonic or inten!i)e -or4. Thi! re"re!entation o- hidden !igni-icance through an e4bryonic atte4"t at 4a3ing it )i!ib e i! o- !o !ingu ar a nature that it i! rare y 4et with in the !"here onon ingui!tic i-e. Thi!* in it! ana ogie! and !y4bo !* can draw on other way! o!ugge!ting 4eaning than inten!i)eFthat i!* an=tici"ati)e* inti4atingF rea iAation. A! -or the "o!ited centra 3in!hi" o- anguage!* it i! 4ar3ed by a di!tincti)e con)ergence. 1anguage! are not !tranger! to one another* but are* a "riori and a"art -ro4 a hi!torica re ation!hi"!* interre ated in what they want to eG"re!!. With thi! atte4"t at an eG" ication our !tudy a""ear! to reCoin* a-ter -uti e detour!* the traditiona theory o- tran! ation. +- the 3in!hi" o- anguage! i! to be de4on!trated by tran! ation!* how e !e can thi! be done but by con)eying the -or4 and 4ean=ing o- the origina a! accurate y a! "o!!ib eJ To be !ure* that theory wou d be hard "ut to de-ine the nature o- thi! accuracy and there-ore cou d !hed no ight on what i! i4"ortant in a tran! ation. Actua y* howe)er* the 3in!hi" o- anguage! i! brought out by a tran! ation -ar 4ore "ro-ound y and c ear y than in the

The Task of the Translator !u"er-icia and inde-inab e !i4i arity o- two wor3! o- iterature. To gra!" the genuine re ation!hi" between an origina and a tran! ation re?uire! an in)e!tigation ana ogou! to the argu4entation by which a criti?ue o- cognition wou d ha)e to "ro)e the i4"o!!ibi ity o- an i4age theory. There it i! a 4atter o!howing that in cognition there cou d be no obCecti)ity* not e)en a c ai4 to it* iit dea t with i4age! o- rea ityC here it can be de4on!trated that no tran! ation wou d be "o!!ib e i- in it! u ti4ate e!!ence it !tro)e -or i3ene!! to the origina . 7or in it! a-ter i-eF which cou d not be ca ed that i- it were not a tran!-or4ation and a renewa o- !o4ething i)ingFthe origina undergoe! a change. E)en word! with -iGed 4eaning can undergo a 4aturing "roce!!. The ob)iou! tendency o- a writerK! iterary !ty e 4ay in ti4e wither away* on y to gi)e ri!e to i44anent tendencie! in the iterary creation. What !ounded -re!h once 4ay !ound hac3neyed aterN what wa! once current 4ay !o4eday !ound ?uaint. To !ee3 the e!!ence o- !uch change!* a! we a! the e?ua y con!tant change! in 4eaning* in the !ubCecti)ity o- "o!terity rather than in the )ery i-e o- anguage and it! wor3!* wou d 4eanFe)en a owing -or the crude!t "!ycho ogi!4Fto con-u!e the root cau!e o- a thing with it! e!!ence. 8ore "ertinent y* it wou d 4ean denying* by an i4"otence o- thought* one o- the 4o!t "ower-u and -ruit-u hi!torica "roce!!e!. And e)en i- one tried to turn an authorK! a!t !tro3e o- the "en into the "o!: 'e #ra"e o- hi! wor3* thi! !ti wou d not !a)e that dead theory o- tran! ation. 7or Cu!t a! the tenor and the !igni-icance o- the great wor3! o- iterature undergo a co4" ete tran!-or4ation o)er the centurie!* the 4other tongue o- the tran! ator i! tran!-or4ed a! we . Whi e a "oetK! word! endure in hi! own anguage* e)en the greate!t tran! ation i! de!tined to beco4e "art o- the growth o- it! own anguage and e)entua y to be ab!orbed by it! renewa . Tran! ation i! !o -ar re4o)ed -ro4 being the !teri e e?uation o- two dead anguage! that o- a iterary -or4! it i! the one charged with the !"ecia 4i!!ion o- watching o)er the 4aturing "roce!! othe origina anguage and the birth "ang! o- it! own. +- the 3in!hi" o- anguage! 4ani-e!t! it!e - in tran! ation!* thi! i! not acco4" i!hed through a )ague a i3ene!! between ada"tation 0B

+ u4ination! and origina . +t !tand! to rea!on that 3in!hi" doe! not nece!!ari y in)o )e i3ene!!. The conce"t o- 3in!hi" a! u!ed here i! in accord with it! 4ore re!tricted co44on u!ageN in both ca!e!* it cannot be de-ined ade?uate y by identity oorigin* a though in de-ining the 4ore re!tricted u!age the conce"t o- origin re4ain! indi!"en!ab e. Wherein re!ide! the re atedne!! o- two anguage!* a"art -ro4 hi!torica con!ideration!J Certain y not in the !i4i arity between wor3! oiterature or word!. Rather* a !u"rahi!torica 3in!hi" o- anguage! re!t! in the intention under ying each anguage a! a who eFan intention* howe)er* which no !ing e anguage can attain by it!e - but which i! rea iAed on y by the tota ity otheir intention! !u"" e4enting each other@ "ure anguage. Whi e a indi)idua e e4ent! o- -oreign anguage!=word!* !entence!* !tructureFare 4utua y eGc u!i)e* the!e anguage! !u"" e4ent one another in their intention!. Without di!tingui!hing the intended obCect -ro4 the 4ode o- intention* no -ir4 gra!" othi! ba!ic aw o- a "hi o!o"hy o- anguage can be achie)ed. The word! Brot and :ain DintendE the !a4e obCect* but the 4ode! o- thi! intention are not the !a4e. +t i! owing to the!e 4ode! that the word Brot 4ean! !o4ething di--erent to a 5er4an than the word :ain to a 7rench4an* that the!e word! are not interchangeab e -or the4* that* in -act* they !tri)e to eGc ude each other. A! to the intended obCect* howe)er* the two word! 4ean the )ery !a4e thing. Whi e the 4ode! o- intention in the!e two word! are in con- ict* intention and obCect ointention co4" e4ent each o- the two anguage! -ro4 which they are deri)edN there the obCect i! co4" e4entary to the intention. +n the indi)idua * un!u"" e= 4ented anguage!* 4eaning i! ne)er -ound in re ati)e inde"endence* a! in indi)idua word! or !entence!N rather* it i! in a con!tant !tate o- - uGFunti it i! ab e to e4erge a! "ure anguage -ro4 the har4ony o- a the )ariou! 4ode! ointention. 2nti then* it re4ain! hidden in the anguage!. +-* howe)er* the!e an= guage! continue to grow in thi! 4anner unti the end o- their ti4e* it i! tran! ation which catche! -ire on the eterna i-e o- the wor3! and the "er"etua renewa o- anguage. Tran! ation 3ee"! "utting the ha owed growth o- anguage! to the te!tN How -ar 0<

The Task o( the Translator re4o)ed i! their hidden 4eaning -ro4 re)e ation* how c o!e can it be brought by the 3now edge o- thi! re4otene!!J Thi!* to be !ure* i! to ad4it that a tran! ation i! on y a !o4ewhat "ro)i!iona way o- corning to ter4! with the -oreignne!! o- anguage!. An in!tant and -ina rather than a te4"orary and "ro)i!iona !o ution o- thi! -oreignne!! re4ain! out othe reach o- 4an3indN at any rate* it e ude! any direct atte4"t. +ndirect y* howe)er* the growth o- re igion! ri"en! the hidden !eed into a higher de)e o"4ent o- anguage. A though tran! ation* un i3e art* cannot c ai4 "er4anence -or it! "roduct!* it! goa i! undeniab y a -ina * conc u!i)e* deci!i)e !tage o- a ingui!tic creation. +n tran! ation the origina ri!e! into a higher and "urer ingui!tic air* a! it were. +t cannot i)e there "er4anent y* to be !ure* and it certain y doe! not reach it in it! entirety. Yet* in a !ingu ar y i4"re!!i)e 4anner* at ea!t it "oint! the way to thi! regionN the "rede!tined* hitherto inacce!!ib e rea 4 o- reconci iation and -u -i 4ent o- anguage!. The tran!-er can ne)er be tota * but what reache! thi! region i! that e e4ent in a tran! ation which goe! beyond tran!4itta o- !ubCect 4atter. Thi! nuc eu! i! be!t de-ined a! the e e4ent that doe! not end it!e - to tran! ation. E)en when a the !ur-ace content ha! been eGtracted and. tran!4itted* the "ri4ary concern o- the genuine tran! ator re4ain! e u!i)e. 2n i3e the word! o- the origina * it i! not tran! atab e* becau!e the re ation!hi" between content and anguage i! ?uite di--erent in the origina and the tran! ation. Whi e content and anguage -or4 a certain unity in the origina * i3e a -ruit and it! !3in* the anguage o- the tran! ation en)e o"! it! content i3e a roya robe with a4" e -o d!. 7or it !igni-ie! a 4ore eGa ted anguage than it! own and thu! re4ain! un!uited to it! content* o)er"owering and a ien. Thi! di!Cunction "re)ent! tran! ation and at the !a4e ti4e 4a3e! it !u"er- uou!. 7or any tran! ation o- a wor3 originating in a !"eci-ic !tage o- ingui!tic hi!tory re"re!ent!* in regard to a !"eci-ic a!"ect o- it! content* tran! ation into a other anguage!. Thu! tran! ation* ironica y* tran!" ant! the origina into a 4ore de-initi)e ingui!tic rea 4 !ince it can no onger be di!" aced by a !econdary rendering. The origina can on y .e rai!ed t(ere ane/ and at other 0+inB +f time$ It i) n+ mere c+in! $9

&ll!minations cidence that the word DironicE here bring! the Ro4antici!t! to 4ind. They* 4ore than any other!* were gi-ted with an in!ight into the i-e o- iterary wor3! which ha! it! highe!t te!ti4ony in tran! ation. To be !ure* they hard y recogniAed tran! ation in thi! !en!e* but de)oted their entire attention to critici!4* another* ia e!!er* -actor in the continued i-e o- iterary wor3!. But e)en though the Ro4antici!t! )irtua y ignored tran! ation in their theoretica writing!* their own great tran! ation! te!ti-y to their !en!e o- the e!!entia nature and the dignity othi! iterary 4ode. There i! abundant e)idence that thi! !en!e i! not nece!!ari y 4o!t "ronounced in a "oetN in -act* he 4ay be ea!t o"en to it. Not e)en iterary hi!tory !ugge!t! the traditiona notion that great "oet! ha)e been e4inent tran! ator! and e!!er "oet! ha)e been indi--erent tran! ator!. A nu4ber o- the 4o!t e4inent one!* !uch a! 1uther* 6o!!* and Sch ege * are inco4"arab y 4ore i4"ortant a! tran! ator! than a! creati)e writer!N !o4e o- the great a4ong the4* !uch a! Ho der in and Ste-an 5eorge* cannot be !i4" y !ub!u4ed a! "oet!* and ?uite "articu ar y not i- we con!ider the4 a! tran! ator!. A! tran! ation i! a 4ode o- it! own* the ta!3 o- the tran! ator* too* 4ay be regarded a! di!tinct and c ear y di--erentiated -ro4 the ta!3 o- the "oet. The ta!3 o- the tran! ator con!i!t! in -inding that intended e--ect K&ntention^ u"on the anguage into which he i! tran! ating which "roduce! in it the echo othe origina . Thi! i! a -eature o- tran! ation which ba!ica y di--erentiate! it -ro4 the "oetK! wor3* becau!e the e--ort o- the atter i! ne)er directed at the anguage a! !uch* at it! tota ity* but !o e y and i44ediate y at !"eci-ic ingui!tic conteGtua a!"ect!. 2n i3e a wor3 o- iterature* tran! ation doe! not -ind it!e - in the center othe anguage -ore!t but on the out!ide -acing the wooded ridgeN it ca ! into it without entering* ai4ing at that !ing e !"ot where the echo i! ab e to gi)e* in it! own anguage* the re)erberation o- the wor3 in the a ien one. Not on y doe! the ai4 o- tran! ation di--er -ro4 that o- a iterary wor3Fit intend! anguage a! a who e* ta3ing an indi)idua wor3 in an a ien anguage a! a "oint o- de"artureF but it i! a di--erent e--ort a together. The intention o- the "oet i! !"ontaneou!* "ri4ary* gra"hicN that o- the tran! ator i! deri)ati)e* a&

The Task o( the Translator u ti4ate* ideationa . 7or the great 4oti- o- integrating 4any tongue! into one true anguage i! at wor3. Thi! anguage i! one in which the inde"endent !entence!* wor3! o- iterature* critica Cudg4ent!* wi ne)er co44unicate=-or they re4ain de"endent on tran! ationN but in it the anguage! the4!e )e!* !u"" e4ented and reconci ed in their 4ode o- !igni-ication* har4oniAeQ +- there i! !uch a thing a! a anguage o- truth* the ten!ion e!! and e)en !i ent de"o!itory othe u ti4ate truth which a thought !tri)e! -or* then thi! anguage o- truth i!Fthe true anguage. And thi! )ery anguage* who!e di)ination and de!cri"tion i! the on y "er-ection a "hi o!o"her can ho"e -or* i! concea ed in concentrated -a!hion in tran! ation!. There i! no 4u!e o- "hi o!o"hy* nor i! there one o- tran! ation. But de!"ite the c ai4! o- !enti4enta arti!t!* the!e two are not banau!ic. 7or there i! a "hi o!o"hica geniu! that i! characteriAed by a yearning -or that anguage which 4ani-e!t! it!e - in tran! ation!. ;+es hn#aes im:ar(aites en "eh 7!e :l!sie!rs, man7!e la s!:rDme: :enser etant e"rire sans a""essoires, ni "h!"hotement mats ta"ite en"ore 5immortelle :arole, la 'iversite, s!r terre, 'es i'iomes em:e"he :ersonne 'e :ro(erer les mots 7!i, sinon se tro!veraient, :ar !ne (ra::e !ni7!e, elle-mDme matiriellement la verite< P +- what 8a ar4e e)o3e! here i! -u y -atho4ab e to a "hi o!o"her* tran! ation* with it! rudi4ent! o!uch a anguage* i! 4idway between "oetry and doctrine. +t! "roduct! are e!! !har" y de-ined* but it ea)e! no e!! o- a 4ar3 on hi!tory. +- the ta!3 o- the tran! ator i! )iewed in thi! ight* the road! toward a !o ution !ee4 to be a the 4ore ob!cure and i4"enetrab e. +ndeed* the "rob e4 ori"ening the !eed o- "ure anguage in a tran! ation !ee4! to be in!o ub e* deter4inab e in no !o ution. 7or i! not the ground cut -ro4 under !uch a !o ution i- the re"roduction o- the !en!e cea!e! to be deci!i)eJ 6iewed negati)e y* thi! i! actua y the 4eaning o- a the -oregoing. The traditiona DThe i4"er-ection o- anguage! con!i!t! in their " ura ity* the !u"re4e one i! ac3ingN thin3ing i! writing without acce!!orie! or e)en whi!"ering* the i44orta word !ti re4ain! !i entN the di)er!ity o- idio4! on earth "re)ent! e)erybody -ro4 uttering the word! which otherwi!e* at one !ing e !tro3e* wou d 4ateria iAe a! truth.E 00

+ u4ination! conce"t! in any di!cu!!ion o- tran! ation! are -ide ity and icen!eF the -reedo4 o- -aith-u re"roduction and* in it! !er)ice* -ide ity to the word. The!e idea! !ee4 to be no onger !er)iceab e to a theory that oo3! -or other thing! in a tran! ation than re"roduction o- 4eaning. To be !ure* traditiona u!age 4a3e! the!e ter4! a""ear a! i- in con!tant con- ict with each other. What can -ide ity rea y do -or the rendering o- 4eaningJ 7ide ity in the tran! ation o- indi)idua word! can a 4o!t ne)er -u y re"roduce the 4eaning they ha)e in the origina . 7or !en!e in it! "oetic !igni-icance i! not i4ited to 4eaning* but deri)e! -ro4 the conno= tation! con)eyed by the word cho!en to eG"re!! it. We !ay o- word! that they ha)e e4otiona connotation!. A itera rendering o- the !yntaG co4" ete y de4o i!he! the theory o- re"roduction o- 4eaning and i! a direct threat to co4"rehen!ibi ity. The nineteenth century con!idered Ho der inK! tran! ation! oSo"hoc e! a! 4on!trou! eGa4" e! o- !uch itera ne!!. 7ina y* it i! !e -=e)ident how great y -ide ity in re"roducing the -or4 i4"ede! the rendering o- the !en!e. Thu! no ca!e -or itera ne!! can be ba!ed on a de!ire to retain the 4eaning. 8eaning i! !er)ed -ar betterFand iterature and anguage -ar wor!eFby the unre!trained icen!e o- bad tran! ator!. O- nece!!ity* there-ore* the de4and -or itera ne!!* who!e Cu!ti-ication i! ob)iou!* who!e egiti4ate ground i! ?uite ob!cure* 4u!t be under!tood in a 4ore 4eaning-u conteGt. 7rag4ent! o- a )e!!e which are to be g ued together 4u!t 4atch one another in the !4a e!t detai !* a though they need not be i3e one another. +n the !a4e way a tran! ation* in!tead o- re!e4b ing the 4eaning o- the origina * 4u!t o)ing y and in detai incor"orate the origina K! 4ode o- !igni-ication* thu! 4a3ing both the origina and the tran! ation recogniAab e a! -rag4ent! o- a greater anguage* Cu!t a! -rag4ent! are "art o- a )e!!e . 7or thi! )ery rea!on tran! ation 4u!t in arge 4ea!ure re-rain -ro4 want= ing to co44unicate !o4ething* -ro4 rendering the !en!e* and in thi! the origina i! i4"ortant to it on y in!o-ar a! it ha! a ready re ie)ed the tran! ator and hi! tran! ation o- the e--ort o- a!!e4b ing and eG"re!!ing what i! to be con)eyed. +n the rea 4 o- tran! ation* too* the word! !) k:__ (. c defbg Hin the beginning wa! the wordI a"" y. On the other hand* a! regard! the 4ean= 0h

The Task o( the Translator ing* the anguage o- a tran! ation canFin -act* 4u!tF et it!e - go* !o that it gi)e! )oice to the intentio o- the origina not a! re"roduction but a! har4ony* a! a !u"" e4ent to the anguage in which it eG"re!!e! it!e -* a! it! own 3ind ointentio4 There-ore it i! not the highe!t "rai!e o- a tran! ation* "articu ar y in the age o- it! origin* to !ay that it read! a! i- it had origina y been written in that anguage. Rather* the !igni-icance o- -ide ity a! en!ured by itera ne!! i! that the wor3 re- ect! the great onging -or ingui!tic co4" e4entation. A rea tran! ation i! tran!"arentN it doe! not co)er the origina * doe! not b oc3 it! ight* but a ow! the "ure anguage* a! though rein-orced by it! own 4ediu4* to !hine u"on the origina a the 4ore -u y. Thi! 4ay be achie)ed* abo)e a * by a itera rendering o- the !yntaG which "ro)e! word! rather than !entence! to be the "ri4ary e e4ent o- the tran! ator. 7or i- the !entence i! the wa be-ore the anguage o- the origina * itera ne!! i! the arcade. 7ide ity and -reedo4 in tran! ation ha)e traditiona y been regarded a! con- icting tendencie!. Thi! dee"er inter"retation o- the one a""arent y doe! not !er)e to reconci e the twoN in -act* it !ee4! to deny the other a Cu!ti-ication. 7or what i! 4eant by -reedo4 but that the rendering o- the !en!e i! no onger to be regarded a! a =i4"ortantJ On y i- the !en!e o- a ingui!tic creation 4ay be e?uated with the in-or4ation it con)ey! doe! !o4e u ti4ate* deci!i)e e e4ent re4ain beyond a co44unicationF?uite c o!e and yet in-inite y re4ote* concea ed or di!tingui!hab e* -rag4ented or "ower-u . +n a anguage and ingui!tic creation! there re4ain! in addition to what can be con)eyed !o4ething that cannot be co44unicatedN de"ending on the conteGt in which it a""ear!* it i! !o4ething that !y4bo iAe! or !o4ething !y4bo iAed. +t i! the -or4er on y in the -inite "roduct! o- anguage* the atter in the e)o )ing o- the anguage! the4!e )e!. And that which !ee3! to re"re!ent* to "roduce it!e - in the e)o )ing o- anguage!* i! that )ery nuc eu! o- "ure anguage. Though concea ed and -rag4entary* it i! an acti)e -orce in i-e a! the !y4bo iAed thing it!e -* wherea! it inhabit! ingui!tic creation! on y in !y4bo iAed -or4. Whi e that u ti4ate e!!ence* "ure anguage* in the )ariou! tongue! i! tied on y to ingui!tic e e4ent! and 0%

&ll!minations their change!* in ingui!tic creation! it i! weighted with a hea)yQ ahen 4eaning* To re ie)e it o- thi!* to turn the !y4bo iAing into the !y4bo iAed* to regain "ure anguage -u y -or4ed in the ingui!tic - uG* i! the tre4endou! and on y ca"acity o- tran! ation. +n thi! "ure anguageFwhich no onger 4ean! or eG"re!!e! any= thing but i!* a! eG"re!!ion e!! and creati)e Word* that which i! 4eant in a anguage!=a in-or4ation* a !en!e* and a intention -ina y encounter a !tratu4 in which they are de!tined to be eGtingui!hed. Thi! )ery !tratu4 -urni!he! a new and higher Cu!ti-ication -or -ree tran! ationN thi! Cu!ti-ication doe! not deri)e -ro4 the !en!e o- what i! to be con)eyed* -or the e4anci"ation -ro4 thi! !en!e i! the ta!3 o- -ide ity. Rather* -or the !a3e o- "ure anguage* a -ree tran! ation ba!e! the te!t on it! own anguage. +t i! the ta!3 o- the tran! ator to re ea!e in hi! own anguage that "ure anguage which i! under the !"e o- another* to iberate the anguage i4"ri!oned in a wor3 in hi!* re=creation o- that wor3 7or the !a3e o"ure anguage he brea3! through decayed barrier! o- hi! own anguage* 1uther* 6o!!* Ho der in* and 5eorge ha)e eGtended the boundarie! o- the 5er4an anguage.F And what o- the !en!e in it! i4"ortance -or the re ation!hi" between tran! ation and origina J A. !i4i e 4ay he " here. (u!t a! a tangent touche! a circ e ight y and at but one "oint* with thi! touch rather than with the "oint !etting the aw according to which it i! to continue on it! !traight "ath to in-inity* a tran! a= tion touche! the origina ight y and on y at the in-inite y !4a "oint o- the !en!e* thereu"on "ur!uing it! own cour!e according to the aw! o- -ide ity in the -reedo4 o- ingui!tic - uG. Without eG" icit y na4ing or !ub!tantiating it* Rudo ,annwitA ha! characteriAed the true !igni-icance o- thi! -reedo4. Hi! ob!er)ation! are contained in 0ie ?risis 'er e!ro:'is"hen ?!lt!r and ran3 with 5oetheK! Note! to the Westostli"her 0ivan a! the be!t co44ent on the theory otran! ation that ha! been "ub i!hed in 5er4any. ,annwitA write!@ DOur tran! ation!* e)en the be!t one!* "roceed -ro4 a wrong "re4i!e. They want to turn Hindi* 5ree3* Eng i!h into 5er4an in!tead o- turning 5er4an into Hindi* 5ree3* Eng i!h. Our tran! ator! ha)e a -ar greater re)erence -or the u!age o- their own anguage than -or the !"irit o- the -oreign wor3!. '/

The Ta!3 o- the Tran! ator . .. The ba!ic error o- the tran! ator i! that he "re!er)e! the !tate in which hi! own anguage ha""en! to be in!tead o- a owing hi! anguage to be "ower-u y a--ected by the -oreign tongue. ,articu ar y when tran! ating -ro4 a anguage )ery re4ote -ro4 hi! own he 4u!t go bac3 to the "ri4a e e4ent! o- anguage it!e - and "enetrate to the "oint where wor3* i4age* and tone con)erge. He 4u!t eG"and and dee"en hi! anguage by 4ean! o- the -oreign anguage. +t i! not genera y rea iAed to what eGtent thi! i! "o!!ib e* to )Yhat eGtent any anguage can be tran!-or4ed* how anguage di--er! -ro4 anguage a 4o!t the way dia ect di--er! -ro4 dia ectN howe)er* thi! a!t i! true on y i- one ta3e! anguage !eriou! y enough* not i- one ta3e! it ight y.E The eGtent to which a tran! ation 4anage! to be in 3ee"ing with the nature othi! 4ode i! deter4ined obCecti)e y by the tran! atabi ity o- the origina . The ower the ?ua ity and di!tinction o- it! anguage* the arger the eGtent to which it i! in-or4ation* the e!! -erti e a -ie d i! it -or tran! ation* unti the utter "re"onderance o- content* -ar -ro4 being the e)er -or a tran! ation o- di!tincti)e 4ode* render! it i4"o!!ib e. The higher the e)e o- a wor3* the 4ore doe! it re4ain tran! atab e e)en i- it! 4eaning i! touched u"on on y -ieeting y. Thi!* ocour!e* a"" ie! to origina ! on y. Tran! ation!* on the other hand* "ro)e to be untran! atab e not becau!e o- any inherent di--icu ty* but becau!e o- the oo!ene!! with which 4eaning attache! to the4. Con-ir4ation o- thi! a! we a! o- e)ery other i4"ortant a!"ect i! !u"" ied by Ho der inK! tran! ation!* "articu ar y tho!e o- the two tragedie! by So"hoc e!. +n the4 the har4ony o- the anguage! i! !o "ro-ound that !en!e i! touched by anguage on y the way an aeo ian har" i! touched by the wind. Ho der inK! tran! ation! are "rototy"e! otheir 3indN they are to e)en the 4o!t "er-ect rendering! o- their teGt! a! a "rototy"e i! to a 4ode Thi! can be de4on!trated by co4"aring Ho der inK! and Rudo - BorchardtK! tran! ation! o- ,indarK! Third ,ythian Ode. 7or thi! )ery rea!on Ho der inK! tran! ation! in "articu ar are !ubCect to the enor4ou! danger inherent in a tran! ation!N the gate! o- a anguage thu! eG"anded and 4odi-ied 4ay ! a4 !hut and enc o!e the tran! ator with !i ence. Ho der inK! tran! ation! -ro4 So"hoc e! were hi! a!t Si

Illuminations wor3N in the4 4eaning " unge! -ro4 aby!! to aby!! unti it threaten! to beco4e o!t in the botto4 e!! de"th! o- anguage. There i!* howe)er* a !to". +t i! )ouch!a-ed to Ho y Writ a one* in which 4eaning ha! cea!ed to be the water!hed -or the - ow o- anguage and the - ow o- re)e ation. Where a teGt i! identica with truth or dog4a* where it i! !u""o!ed to be Dthe true anguageE in a it! Htera ne!! and without the 4ediation o- 4eaning* thi! teGt i! unconditiona y tran! atab e. +n !uch ca!e tran! ation! are ca ed -or on y becau!e o- the " ura ity o- anguage!. (u!t a!* in the origina Q anguage and re)e ation are one without any ten!ion* !o the tran! ation 4u!t be one with the origina in the -or4 o- the inter inear )er!ion* in which Htera ne!! and -reedo4 are united. 7or to !o4e degree a great teGt! contain their "otentia tran! ation between the ine!N thi! i! true to the highe!t degree o- !acred writing!. The inter inear )er!ion o- the Scri"=tu e! i! the "rototy"e oPr idea o- a tran! ation. Z.

_e Dtor.teller Reflections on the Works of Nikolai Ceskov 7a4i iar though hi! na4e 4ay be to u!* the !toryte er in hi! i)ing i44ediacy i! by no 4ean! a "re!ent -orce. He ha! a ready beco4e !o4ething re4ote -ro4 u! and !o4ething that i! getting e)en 4ore di!tant. To "re!ent !o4eone i3e 1e!3o) a! a !toryte er doe! not 4ean bringing hi4 c o!er to u! but* rather* increa!ing our di!tance -ro4 hi4. 6iewed -ro4 a certain di!tance* the great* !i4" e out ine! which de-ine the !toryte er !tand out in hi4* or rather* they beco4e )i!ib e in hi4* Cu!t a! in a roc3 a hu4an head or an ani4a K! body 4ay a""ear to an ob!er)er at the "ro"er di!tance and ang e o- )i!ion. Thi! di!tance and thi! ang e o- )i!ion are "re!cribed -or u! by an eG"erience which we 4ay ha)e a 4o!t e)ery day. +t teache! u! that the art o- !toryte ing i! co4ing to an end. 1e!! and e!! -re?uent y do we encounter "eo" e with the abi ity to te a ta e "ro"er y. 8ore and 4ore o-ten there i! e4barra!!4ent a around when the wi!h to hear a !tory i! eG"re!!ed. +t i! a! i- !o4ething that !ee4ed ina ienab e to u!* the !ecure!t a4ong our "o!!e!!ion!* were ta3en -ro4 u!@ the abi ity to eGchange eG"erience!. One rea!on -or thi! "heno4enon i! ob)iou!@ eG"erience ha! S1

Illuminations -a en in )a ue. And it oo3! a! i- it i! continuing to -a into bot=to4 e!!ne!!. E)ery g ance at a new!"a"er de4on!trate! that it ha! reached a new ow* that our "icture* not on y o- the eGterna wor d but o- the 4ora wor d a! we * o)ernight ha! undergone change! which were ne)er thought "o!!ib e. With the H7ir!tI Wor d War a "roce!! began to beco4e a""arent which ha! not ha ted !ince then. Wa! it not noticeab e at the end o- the war that 4en returned -ro4 the batt e-ie d grown !i entFnot richer* but "oorer in co44unicab e eG"erienceJ What ten year! ater wa! "oured out in the - ood o- war boo3! wa! anything but eG"erience that goe! -ro4 4outh to 4outh. And there wa! nothing re4ar3ab e about that. 7or ne)er ha! eG"erience been contradicted 4ore thorough y than !trategic eG"erience by tactica war-are* econo4ic eG"erience by in- ation* bodi y eG"erience by 4echanica war-are* 4ora eG"erience by tho!e in "ower. A gen= eration that had gone to !choo on a hor!e=drawn !treetcar now !tood under the o"en !3y in a country!ide in which nothing re4ained unchanged but the c oud!* and beneath the!e c oud!* in a -ie d o- -orce o- de!tructi)e torrent! and eG" o!ion!* wa! the tiny* -ragi e hu4an body. II EG"erience which i! "a!!ed on -ro4 4outh to 4outh i! the !ource -ro4 which a !toryte er! ha)e drawn. And a4ong tho!e who ha)e written down the ta e!* it i! the great one! who!e written )er!ion di--er! ea!t -ro4 the !"eech o- the 4any na4e e!! !toryte er!. +ncidenta y* a4ong the a!t na4ed there are two grou"! which* to be !ure* o)er a" in 4any way!. And the -igure o- the !toryte er get! it! -u cor"orea ity on y -or the one who can "icture the4 both* DWhen !o4eone goe! on a tri"* he ha! !o4ething to te about*E goe! the 5er4an !aying* and "eo" e i4agine the !toryte er a! !o4eone who ha! co4e -ro4 a-ar. But they enCoy no e!! i!tening to the 4an who ha! !tayed at ho4e* 4a3ing an hone!t i)ing* and who 3now! the oca ta e! and tradition!* +- one want! to "icture the!e two grou"! through their archaic re"re!entati)e!* one i! e4bodied in the re!ident ti er o'<

The Dtor.teller the !oi * and the other in the trading !ea4an. +ndeed* each !"here o- i-e ha!* a! it were* "roduced it! own tribe o- !toryte er!. Each o- the!e tribe! "re!er)e! !o4e oit! characteri!tic! centurie! ater. Thu!* a4ong nineteenth=century 5er4an !toryte er!* writer! 83e Hebe and 5otthe - !te4 -ro4 the -ir!t tribe* writer! i3e Sea !-ie d and 5er!tac3er -ro4 the !econd. With the!e tribe!* howe)er* a! !tated abo)e* it i! on y a 4atter o- ba!ic ty"e!. The actua eGten!ion o- the rea 4 o!toryte ing in it! -u hi!torica breadth i! inconcei)ab e without the 4o!t inti4ate inter"enetra=tion o- the!e two archaic ty"e!. Such an inter"enetration wa! achie)ed "articu ar y by the 8idd e Age! in their trade !tructure. The re!ident 4a!ter cra-t!4an and the tra)e ing Courney4en wor3ed together in the !a4e roo4!N and e)ery 4a!ter had been a tra)e ing Courney4an be-ore he !ett ed down in hi! ho4e town or !o4ewhere e !e. +- "ea!ant! and !ea4en were "a!t 4a!ter! o!toryte ing* the arti!an c a!! wa! it! uni)er!ity. +n it wa! co4bined the ore o-araway " ace!* !uch a! a 4uch=tra)e ed 4an bring! ho4e* with the ore o- the "a!t* a! it be!t re)ea ! it!e - to nati)e! o- a " ace. ijj 1e!3o) wa! at ho4e in di!tant " ace! a! we a! di!tant ti4e!. He wa! a 4e4ber o- the 5ree3 OrthodoG Church* a 4an with genuine re igiou! intere!t!. But he wa! a no e!! !incere o""onent o- ecc e!ia!tic bureaucracy. Since he wa! not ab e to get a ong any better with !ecu ar o--icia do4* the o--icia "o!ition! he he d were not o- ong duration. O- a hi! "o!t!* the one he he d -or a ong ti4e a! Ru!!ian re"re!entati)e o- a big Eng i!h -ir4 wa! "re!u4ab y the 4o!t u!e-u one -or hi! writing. 7or thi! -ir4 he tra)e ed through Ru!!ia* and the!e tri"! ad)anced hi! wor d y wi!do4 a! 4uch a! they did hi! 3now edge o- condition! in Ru!!ia. +n thi! way he had an o""ortunity o- beco4ing ac?uainted with the organiAation othe !ect! in the country. Thi! e-t it! 4ar3 on hi! wor3! o- -iction. +n the Ru!!ian egend! 1e!3o) !aw a ie! in hi! -ight again!t OrthodoG bureaucracy. There are a nu4ber o- hi! egendary ta e! who!e -ocu! i! a righteou! 4an* 8D

lll!mi(mtions !e do4 an a!cetic* u!ua y a !i4" e* acti)e 4an who beco4e! a !aint a""arent y in the 4o!t natura way in the wor d. 8y!tica eGa tation i! not 1e!3o)K! -orte. E)en though he occa!iona y i3ed to indu ge in the 4iracu ou!* e)en in "iou!ne!! he "re-er! to !tic3 with a !turdy nature. He !ee! the "rototy"e in the 4an who -ind! hi! way about the wor d without getting too dee" y in)o )ed with it. He di!" ayed a corre!"onding attitude in wor d y 4atter!. +t i! in 3ee"ing with thi! that be began to write ate* at the age o- twenty=nine. That wa! a-ter hi! co44ercia tra)e !. Hi! -ir!t "rinted wor3 wa! entit ed DWhy Are Boo3! EG"en!i)e in Kie)JE A nu4ber o- other writing! about the wor3ing c a!!* a coho i!4* "o ice doctor!* and une4" oyed !a e!4en are "recur!or! o- hi! wor3! o- -iction. IV An orientation toward "ractica intere!t! i! characteri!tic o- 4any born !toryte er!. 8ore "ronounced y than in 1e!3o) thi! trait can be recogniAed* -or eGa4" e* in 5otthe -* who ga)e hi! "ea!ant! agricu tura ad)iceN it i! -ound in Nodier* who concerned hi4!e - with the "eri ! o- ga! ightN and Hebe * who ! i""ed bit! o- !cienti-ic in!truction -or hi! reader! into hi! D"hatE-kastlein, i! in thi! ine a! we . AH thi! "oint! to the nature o- e)ery rea !tory. +t contain!* o"en y or co)ert y* !o4ething u!e-u . The u!e-u ne!! 4ay* in one ca!eQ con!i!t in a 4ora N in another* in !o4e "ractica ad)iceN in a third* in a "ro)erb or 4aGi4. +n e)ery ca!e the !toryte er i! a 4an who ha! coun!e -or hi! reader!. But i- today Dha)ing coun!e E i! beginning to ha)e an o d=-a!hioned ring* thi! i! becau!e the co44unicabi ity o- eG"erience i! decrea!ing. +n con!e?uence we ha)e no coun!e either -or our!e )e! or -or other!. A-ter a * coun!e i! e!! an an!wer to a ?ue!tion than a "ro"o!a concerning the continuation o- a !tory which i! Cu!t un-o ding. To !ee3 thi! coun!e one wou d -ir!t ha)e to be ab e to te the !tory. :_uite a"art -ro4 the -act that a 4an i! rece"ti)e to coun!e on y to the eGtent that he a ow! hi! !ituation to !"ea3.; Coun!e wo)en into the -abric o'&

The Dtor.teller rea i-e i! wi!do4. The art o- !toryte ing i! reaching it! end becau!e the e"ic !ide o- truth* wi!do4* i! dying out. Thi!* howe)er* i! a "roce!! that ha! been going on -or a ong ti4e. And nothing wou d be 4ore -atuou! than to want to !ee in it 4ere y a D!y4"to4 o- decay*E et a one a D4odernE !y4"to4. +t i!* rather* on y a conco4itant !y4"to4 o- the !ecu ar "roducti)e -orce! o- hi!tory* a conco4itant that ha! ?uite gradua y re4o)ed narrati)e -ro4 the rea 4 o- i)ing !"eech and at the !a4e ti4e i! 4a3ing it "o!!ib e to !ee a new beauty in what i! )ani!hing. k The ear ie!t !y4"to4 o- a "roce!! who!e end i! the dec ine o- !toryte ing i! the ri!e o- the no)e at the beginning o- 4odern ti4e!. What di!tingui!he! the no)e -ro4 the !tory :and -ro4 the e"ic in the narrower !en!e; i! it! e!!entia de"endence on the boo3. The di!!e4ination o- the no)e beca4e "o!!ib e on y with the in)ention o- "rinting. What can be handed on ora y* the wea th o- the e"ic* i! o- a di--erent 3ind -ro4 what con!titute! the !toc3 in trade o- the no)e . What di--erentiate! the no)e -ro4 a other -or4! o- "ro!e iteratureFthe -airy ta e* the egend* e)en the no)e aFi! that it neither co4e! -ro4 ora tradition nor goe! into it. Thi! di!tingui!he! it -ro4 !toryte ing in "articu ar. The !toryte er ta3e! what he te ! -ro4 eG"erience Fhi! own or that re"orted by other!. And he in turn 4a3e! it the eG"erience o- tho!e who are i!tening to hi! ta e. The no)e i!t ha! i!o ated hi4!e -. The birth" ace o- the no)e i! the !o itary indi)idua * who i! no onger ab e to eG"re!! hi4!e - by gi)ing eGa4" e! o- hi! 4o!t i4"ortant concern!* i! hi4!e - uncoun!e ed* and cannot coun!e other!. To write a no)e 4ean! to carry the inco44en!urab e to eGtre4e! in the re"re!entation o- hu4an i-e. +n the 4id!t o- i-eK! -u ne!!* and through the re"re!entation o- thi! -u ne!!* the no)e gi)e! e)idence o- the "ro-ound "er" eGity o- the i)ing. E)en the -ir!t great boo3 o- the genre* 0on J!i=ote, teache! how the !"iritua greatne!!* the bo dne!!* the he "-u ne!! o- one o- the nob e!t o- 4en* Don _uiGote* are co4= " ete y de)oid o- coun!e and do not contain the ! ighte!t !cin= P0

&ll!minations ti a o- wi!do4. +- now and then* in the cour!e o- the centurie!* e--ort! ha)e been 4adeF4o!t e--ecti)e y* "erha"!* in Wilhelm 1eisters Wan'erjahre-to i4" ant in!truction in the no)e * the!e atte4"t! ha)e a way! a4ounted to a 4odi-ication o- the no)e -or4. The Bil'!n#sroman, on the other hand* doe! not de)iate in any way -ro4 the ba!ic !tructure o- the no)e . By integrating the !ocia "roce!! with the de)e o"4ent o- a "er!on* it be!tow! the 4o!t -rangib e Cu!ti-ication on the order deter4ining it. The egiti4acy it "ro)ide! !tand! in direct o""o!ition to rea ity. ,articu ar y in the Bil'!n#sroman, it i! thi! inade?uacy that i! actua iAed. VI One 4u!t i4agine the tran!-or4ation o- e"ic -or4! occurring in rhyth4! co4"arab e to tho!e o- the change that ha! co4e o)er the earthK! !ur-ace in the cour!e o- thou!and! o- centurie!. Hard y any other -or4! o- hu4an co44unication ha)e ta3en !ha"e 4ore ! ow y* been o!t 4ore ! ow y. +t too3 the no)e * who!e beginning! go bac3 to anti?uity* hundred! o- year! be-ore it en= countered in the e)o )ing 4idd e c a!! tho!e e e4ent! which were -a)orab e to it! - owering. With the a""earance o- the!e e e4ent!* !toryte ing began ?uite ! ow y to recede into the archaicN in 4any way!* it i! true* it too3 ho d o- the new 4ateria * but it wa! not rea y deter4ined by it. On the other hand* we recogniAe that with the -u contro o- the 4idd e c a!!* which ha! the "re!! a! one o- it! 4o!t i4"ortant in!tru4ent! in -u y de)e o"ed ca"ita i!4* there e4erge! a -or4 o- co44unication which* no 4atter how -ar bac3 it! origin 4ay ie* ne)er be-ore in- uenced the e"ic -or4 in a deci!i)e way. But now it doe! eGert !uch an in- uence. And it turn! out that it con-ront! !toryte ing a! no e!! o- a !tranger than did the no)e * but in a 4ore 4enacing way* and that it a !o bring! about a cri!i! in the no)e . Thi! new -or4 o- co44unication i! in-or4ation. 6i e4e!!ant* the -ounder o- +e Ri#aro, characteriAed the nature o- in-or4ation in a -a4ou! -or4u ation. DTo 4y reader!*E he u!ed to !ay* Dan attic -ire in the 1atin _uarter i! 4ore i4"ortant ''

The Dtor.teller than a re)o ution in 8adrid.E Thi! 4a3e! !tri3ing y c ear that it i! no onger inte igence co4ing -ro4 a-ar* but the in-or4ation which !u"" ie! a hand e -or what i! neare!t that get! the readie!t hearing. The inte igence that ca4e -ro4 a-ar Fwhether the !"atia 3ind -ro4 -oreign countrie! or the te4"ora 3ind o- tradi= tionF"o!!e!!ed an authority which ga)e it )a idity* e)en when it wa! not !ubCect to )eri-ication. +n-or4ation* howe)er* ay! c ai4 to "ro4"t )eri-iabi ity. The "ri4e re?uire4ent i! that it a""ear Dunder!tandab e in it!e -.E O-ten it i! no 4ore eGact than the inte igence o- ear ier centurie! wa!. But whi e the atter wa! inc ined to borrow -ro4 the 4iracu ou!* it i! indi!"en!ab e -or in-or4ation to !ound " au!ib e. Becau!e o- thi! it "ro)e! inco4"atib e with the !"irit o!toryte ing. +- the art o- !toryte ing ha! beco4e rare* the di!!e4ination oin-or4ation ha! had a deci!i)e !hare in thi! !tate o- a--air!. E)ery 4orning bring! u! the new! o- the g obe* and yet we are "oor in noteworthy !torie!. Thi! i! becau!e no e)ent any onger co4e! to u! without a ready being !hot through with eG" anation. +n other word!* by now a 4o!t nothing that ha""en! bene-it! !toryte ingN a 4o!t e)erything bene-it! in-or4ation. Actua y* it i! ha - the art o- !toryte ing to 3ee" a !tory -ree -ro4 eG" anation a! one re"roduce! it. 1e!3o) i! a 4a!ter at thi! :co4"are "iece! i3e DThe Dece"tionE and DThe White Eag eE;. The 4o!t eGtraordinary thing!* 4ar)e ou! thing!* are re ated with the greate!t accuracy* but the "!ycho ogica connection othe e)ent! i! not -orced on the reader. +t i! e-t u" to hi4 to inter"ret thing! the way he under!tand! the4* and thu! the narrati)e achie)e! an a4" itude that in-or4ation ac3!. 6++ 1e!3o) wa! grounded in the c a!!ic!. The -ir!t !toryte er o- the 5ree3! wa! Herodotu!. +n the -ourteenth cha"ter o- the third boo3 o- hi! /istories there i! a !tory -ro4 which 4uch can be earned. +t dea ! with ,!a44enitu!. When the Egy"tian 3ing ,!a44enitu! had been beaten and ca"tured by the ,er!ian 3ing Ca4by!e!* Ca4by!e! wa! bent on P%

&ll!minations hu4b ing hi! "ri!oner. He ga)e order! to " ace ,!a44enitu! on the road a ong which the ,er!ian triu4"ha "roce!!ion wa! to "a!!. And he -urther arranged that the "ri!oner !hou d !ee hi! daughter "a!! by a! a 4aid going to the we with her "itcher. Whi e a the Egy"tian! were a4enting and bewai ing thi! !"ectac e* ,!a44enitu! !tood a one* 4ute and 4otion e!!* hi! eye! -iGed on the groundN and when "re!ent y he !aw hi! !on* who wa! being ta3en a ong in the "roce!!ion to be eGecuted* he i3ewi!e re4ained un4o)ed. But when a-terward! he recogniAed one o- hi! !er)ant!* an o d* i4"o)eri!hed 4an* in the ran3! o- the "ri!oner!* he beat hi! -i!t! again!t hi! head and ga)e a the !ign! o- dee"e!t 4ourning. 7ro4 thi! !tory it 4ay be !een what the nature o- true !toryte ing i!. The )a ue o- in-or4ation doe! not !ur)i)e the 4o4ent in which it wa! new. +t i)e! on y at that 4o4entN it ha! to !urrender to it co4" ete y and eG" ain it!e - to it without o!ing any ti4e* A !tory i! di--erent. +t doe! not eG"end it!e -. +t "re!er)e! and concentrate! it! !trength and i! ca"ab e o- re ea!ing it e)en titer a ong ti4e. Thu! 8ontaigne re-erred to thi! Egy"tian 3ing and a!3ed hi4!e - why he 4ourned on y when he caught !ight o- hi! !er)ant. 8ontaigne an!wer!@ DSince he wa! a ready o)er-u o- grie-* it too3 on y the !4a e!t increa!e -or it to bur!t through it! da4!.E Thu! 8ontaigne. But one cou d a !o !ay@ The 3ing i! not 4o)ed by the -ate o- tho!e o- roya b ood* -or it i! hi! own -ate. Or@ We are 4o)ed by 4uch on the !tage that doe! not 4o)e u! in rea i-e=* to the 3ing* thi! !er)ant i! on y an actor. Or@ 5reat grie- i! "ent u" and brea3! -orth on y with re= aGation. Seeing thi! !er)ant wa! the re aGation. Herodotu! o--er! no eG" anation!. Hi! re"ort i! the drie!t. That i! why thi! !tory -ro4 ancient Egy"t i! !ti ca"ab e a-ter thou!and! o- year! o- arou!ing a!toni!h4ent and thought-u ne!!. +t re!e4b e! the !eed! o- grain which ha)e ain -or centurie! in the cha4ber! o- the "yra4id! !hut u" air=tight and ha)e retained their ger4inati)e "ower to thi! day. %/

The Storyte er 6+++ There i! nothing that co44end! a !tory to 4e4ory 4ore e--ecti)e y than that cha!te co4"actne!! which "rec ude! "!ycho ogica ana y!i!. And the 4ore natura the "roce!! by which the !toryte er -orgoe! "!ycho ogica !hading* the greater beco4e! the !toryK! c ai4 to a " ace in the 4e4ory o- the i!tener* the 4ore co4" ete y i! it integrated into hi! own eG"erience* the greater wi be hi! inc ination to re"eat it to !o4eone e !e !o4eday* !ooner or ater. Thi! "roce!! oa!!i4i ation* which ta3e! " ace in de"th* re?uire! a !tate o- re aGation which i! beco4ing rarer and rarer* +- ! ee" i! the a"ogee o- "hy!ica re aGation* boredo4 i! the a"ogee o- 4enta re aGation. Boredo4 i! the drea4 bird that hatche! the egg o- eG"erience. A ru!t ing in the ea)e! dri)e! hi4 away. Hi! ne!ting " ace!Fthe acti)itie! that are inti4ate y a!!ociated with boredo4Fare a ready eGtinct in the citie! and are dec ining in the country a! we . With thi! the gi-t -or i!tening i! o!t and the co44unity o- i!tener! di!a""ear!. 7or !toryte ing i! a way! the art o- re"eating !torie!* and thi! art i! o!t when the !torie! are no onger retained. +t i! o!t becau!e there i! no 4ore wea)ing and !"inning to go on whi e they are being i!tened to. The 4ore !e -=-orget-u the i!tener i!* the 4ore dee" y i! what he i!ten! to i4"re!!ed u"on hi! 4e4ory. When the rhyth4 o- wor3 ha! !eiAed hi4* he i!ten! to the ta e! in !uch a way that the gi-t o- rete ing the4 co4e! to hi4 a by it!e -. Thi!* then* i! the nature o- the web in which the gi-t o!toryte ing i! crad ed. Thi! i! how today it i! beco4ing unra)=e ed at a it! end! a-ter being wo)en thou!and! o- year! ago in the a4bience o- the o de!t -or4! ocra-t!4an!hi". &` The !toryte ing that thri)e! -or a ong ti4e in the 4i ieu o- wor3Fthe rura * the 4ariti4e* and the urbanFi! it!e - an arti!an -or4 o- co44unication* a! it were. +t doe! not ai4 to con)ey the "ure e!!ence o- the thing* i3e in-or4ation or a re"ort. +t !in3! the thing into the i-e o- the !toryte er* in order to bring it out %P

&ll!minations o- hi4 again. Thu! trace! o- the !toryte er c ing to the !tory the way the hand"rint! o- the "otter c ing to the c ay )e!!e . Storyte er! tend to begin their !tory with a "re!entation o- the circu4!tance! in which they the4!e )e! ha)e earned what i! to -o ow* un e!! they !i4" y "a!! it o-- a! their own eG"erience. 1e!3o) begin! hi! DDece"tionE with the de!cri"tion o- a train tri" on which he !u""o!ed y heard -ro4 a -e ow "a!!enger the e)ent! which he then goe! on to re ateN or he thin3! o- Do!toe)=!3yK! -unera * where he !et! hi! ac?uaintance with the heroine o- hi! !tory DA ,ro"o! o- the KreutAer SonataEN or he e)o3e! a gathering o- a reading circ e in which we are to d the e)ent! that he re"roduce! -or u! in hi! D+ntere!ting 8en.E Thu! hi! trac3! are -re?uent y e)ident in hi! narrati)e!* i- not a! tho!e o- the one who eG"erienced it* then a! tho!e o- the one who re"ort! it. Thi! cra-t!4an!hi"* !toryte ing* wa! actua y regarded a! a cra-t by 1e!3o) hi4!e -. DWriting*E he !ay! in one o- hi! etter!* Di! to 4e no ibera art* but a cra-t.E +t cannot co4e a! a !ur"ri!e that he -e t bond! with cra-t!4an!hi"* but -aced indu!tria techno ogy a! a !tranger. To !toy* who 4u!t ha)e under!tood thi!* occa!iona y touche! thi! ner)e o- 1e!3o)K! !toryte ing ta ent when he ca ! hi4 the -ir!t 4an Dwho "ointed out the inade?uacy o- econo4ic "rogre!!. * . . +t i! !trange that Do!toe)!3y i! !o wide y read. . . . But + !i4" y cannot co4"rehend why 1e!3o) i! not read. He i! a truth-u writer.E +n hi! art-u and high=!"irited !tory DThe Stee 7 ea*E which i! 4idway between egend and -arce* 1e!3o) g ori-ie! nati)e cra-t!4an!hi" through the !i )er!4ith! o- Tu a. Their 4a!ter"iece* the !tee - ea* i! !een by ,eter the 5reat and con)ince! hi4 that the Ru!!ian! need not be a!ha4ed be-ore the Eng i!h. The inte ectua "icture o- the at4o!"here o- cra-t!4an!hi" -ro4 which the !toryte er co4e! ha! "erha"! ne)er been !3etched in !uch a !igni-icant way a! by ,au 6a ery. DHe !"ea3! o- the "er-ect thing! in nature* - aw e!! "ear !* -u = bodied* 4atured wine!* tru y de)e o"ed creature!* and ca ! the4 Rthe "reciou! "roduct o- a ong chain o- cau!e! !i4i ar to one another.KQ The accu4u ation o!uch cau!e! ha! it! te4"ora i4it on y at "er-ection. DThi! "atient "roce!! oNature*E 6a ery continue!* %.

The Storyte er Dwa! once i4itated by 4en. 8iniature!* i)ory car)ing!* e aborated to the "oint o- greate!t "er-ection* !tone! that are "er-ect in "o i!h and engra)ing* ac?uer wor3 or "ainting! in which a !erie! o- thin* tran!"arent ayer! are " aced one on to" o- the otherFa the!e "roduct! o- !u!tained* !acri-icing e--ort are )ani!hing* and the ti4e i! "a!t in which ti4e did not 4atter. 8odern 4an no onger wor3! at what cannot be abbre)iated.E +n "oint o- -act* he ha! !ucceeded in abbre)iating e)en !toryte ing. We ha)e witne!!ed the e)o ution o- the D!hort !tory*E which ha! re4o)ed it!e - -ro4 ora tradition and no onger "er4it! that ! ow "i ing one on to" o- the other o- thin* tran!"arent ayer! which con!titute! the 4o!t a""ro"riate "icture o- the way in which the "er-ect narrati)e i! re)ea ed through the ayer! o- a )ariety orete ing!. 2 6a ry conc ude! hi! ob!er)ation! with thi! !entence@ D+t i! a 4o!t a! i- the dec ine o- the idea o- eternity coincided with the increa!ing a)er!ion to !u!tained e--ort.E The idea o- eternity ha! e)er had it! !tronge!t !ource in death. +- thi! idea dec ine!* !o we rea!on* the -ace o- death 4u!t ha)e changed. +t turn! out that thi! change i! identica with the one that ha! di4ini!hed the co4=4unicabi ity oeG"erience to the !a4e eGtent a! the art o- !toryte ing ha! dec ined. +t ha! been ob!er)ab e -or a nu4ber o- centurie! how in the genera con!ciou!ne!! the thought o- death ha! dec ined in o4ni"re!ence and )i)idne!!. +n it! a!t !tage! thi! "roce!! i! acce erated. And in the cour!e o- the nineteenth century bourgeoi! !ociety ha!* by 4ean! o- hygienic and !ocia * "ri)ate and "ub ic in!titution!* rea iAed a !econdary e--ect which 4ay ha)e been it! !ubcon!ciou! 4ain "ur"o!e@ to 4a3e it "o!!ib e -or "eo" e to a)oid the !ight o- the dying. Dying wa! once a "ub ic "roce!! in the i-e o- the indi)idua and a 4o!t eGe4" ary oneN thin3 o- the 4edie)a "icture! in which the deathbed ha! turned into a throne toward which the "eo" e "re!! through the wide=o"en door! o- the death hou!e. +n the cour!e o- 4odern ti4e! dying %B

&ll!minations ha! been "u!hed -urther and -urther out o- the "erce"tua wor d o- the i)ing. There u!ed to be no hou!e* hard y a roo4* in which !o4eone had not once died. :The 8idd e Age! a !o -e t !"atia y what 4a3e! that in!cri"tion on a !un dia o+biAa* Cltima m!ltis Hthe a!t day -or 4anyI* !igni-icant a! the te4"er o- the ti4e!.; Today "eo" e i)e in roo4! that ha)e ne)er been touched by death* dry dwe er! o- eternity* and when their end a""roache! they are !towed away in !anatoria or ho!"ita ! by their heir!. +t i!* howe)er* characteri!tic that not on y a 4anK! 3now edge or wi!do4* but abo)e a hi! rea i-eFand thi! i! the !tu-- that !torie! are 4ade o-F-ir!t a!!u4e! tran!4i!!ib e -or4 at the 4o4ent o- hi! death. (u!t a! a !e?uence o- i4age! i! !et in 4otion in!ide a 4an a! hi! i-e co4e! to an endFun-o ding the )iew! o- hi4!e - under which he ha! encountered hi4!e - without being aware o- itF!udden y in hi! eG"re!!ion! and oo3! the un-orgettab e e4erge! and i4"art! to e)erything that concerned hi4 that au= thority which e)en the "oore!t wretch in dying "o!!e!!e! -or the i)ing around hi4. Thi! authority i! at the )ery !ource o- the !tory. XI Death i! the !anction o- e)erything that the !toryte er can te . He ha! borrowed hi! authority -ro4 death. +n other word!* it i! natura hi!tory to which hi! !torie! re-er bac3. Thi! i! eG"re!!ed in eGe4" ary -or4 in one o- the 4o!t beauti-u !torie! we ha)e by the inco4"arab e (ohann ,eter Hebe . +t i! -ound in the D"hatEkastlein 'es rheinisehen /ms(re!n'es, i! entit ed D2neG"ected Reunion*E and begin! with the betrotha o- a young ad wio wor3* in rhe 4ine! r-W On the e)e o- hi! wedding he die! a 4inerK! death at the botto4 o- hi! tunne . Hi! bride 3ee"! -aith with hi4 a-ter hi! death* and !he i)e! ong enough to beco4e a wiAened o d wo4anN one day a body i! brought u" -ro4 the abandoned tunne which* !aturated with iron )itrio * ha! e!ca"ed decay* and !he recogniAe! her betrothed. A-ter thi! reunion !he too i! ca ed away by death. When Hebe * in the cour!e o- thi! !tory* wa! con-ronted with the nece!!ity o4a3ing %<

The Dtor.teller thi! ong "eriod o- year! gra"hic* he did !o in the -o owing !entence!N D+n the 4eanti4e the city o- 1i!bon wa! de!troyed by an earth?ua3e* and the Se)en Year!K War ca4e and went* and E4"eror 7ranci! + died* and the (e!uit Order wa! abo i!hed* and ,o and wa! "artitioned* and E4"re!! 8aria There!a died* and Struen!ee wa! eGecuted. A4erica beca4e inde"endent* and the united 7rench and S"ani!h -orce! were unab e to ca"ture 5ibra tar. The Tur3! oc3ed u" 5enera Stein in the 6eteraner Ca)e in Hungary* and E4"eror (o!e"h died a !o. King 5u!ta)u! o- Sweden con?uered Ru!!ian 7in and* and the 7rench Re)o ution and the ong war began* and E4"eror 1eo"o d ++ went to hi! gra)e too. Na"o eon ca"tured ,ru!!ia* and the Eng i!h bo4=barded Co"enhagen* and the "ea!ant! !owed and har)e!ted. The 4i er! ground* the !4ith! ha44ered* and the 4iner! dug -or )ein! o- ore in their underground wor3!ho"!. But when in $'/% the 4iner! at 7a un . ..Q Ne)er ha! a !toryte er e4bedded hi! re"ort dee"er in natura hi!tory than Hebe 4anage! to do in thi! chrono ogy. Read it care-u y. Death a""ear! in it with the !a4e regu arity a! the Rea"er doe! in the "roce!!ion! that "a!! around the cathedra c oc3 at noon. L++ Any eGa4ination o- a gi)en e"ic -or4 i! concerned with the re ation!hi" o- thi! -or4 to hi!toriogra"hy. +n -act* one 4ay go e)en -urther and rai!e the ?ue!tion whether hi!toriogra"hy doe! not con!titute the co44on ground o- a -or4! othe e"ic. Then written hi!tory wou d be in the !a4e re ation!hi" to the e"ic -or4! a! white ight i! to the co or! o- the !"ectru4. Howe)er thi! 4ay be* a4ong a -or4! o- the e"ic there i! not one who!e incidence in the "ure* co or e!! ight owritten hi!tory i! 4ore certain than the chronic e. And in the broad !"ectru4 othe chronic e the way! in which a !tory can be to d are graduated i3e !hading! oone and the !a4e co or. The chronic er i! the hi!tory=te er. +- we thin3 bac3 to the "a!!age -ro4 Hebe * which ha! the tone o- a chronic e throughout* it wi ta3e no e--ort to gauge %9

&ll!minations the di--erence between the writer o- hi!tory* the hi!torian* and the te er o- it* the chronic er. The hi!torian i! bound to eG" ain in one way or another the ha""ening! with which he dea !N under no circu4!tance! can he content hi4!e with di!" aying the4 a! 4ode ! o- the cour!e o- the wor d. But thi! i! "reci!e y what the chronic er doe!* e!"ecia y in hi! c a!!ica re"re!entati)e!* the chronic er! o- the 8idd e Age!* the "recur!or! o- the hi!torian! o- today. By ba!ing their hi!torica ta e! on a di)ine " an o- !a )ationFan in!crutab e oneFthey ha)e -ro4 the )ery !tart i-ted the burden o- de4on!trab e eG" anation -ro4 their own !hou der!. +t! " ace i! ta3en by inter"retation* which i! not concerned with an accurate concatenation o- de-inite e)ent!* but with the way the!e are e4bedded in the great in!crutab e cour!e o- the wor d. Whether thi! cour!e i! e!chato ogica y deter4ined or i! a natura one 4a3e! no di--erence. +n the !toryte er the chronic er i! "re!er)ed in changed -or4* !ecu ariAed* a! it were. 1e!3o) i! a4ong tho!e who!e wor3 di!" ay! thi! with "articu ar c arity. Both the chronic er with hi! e!chato ogica orientation and the !toryte er with hi! "ro-ane out oo3 are !o re"re!ented in hi! wor3! that in a nu4ber o- hi! !torie! it can hard y be decided whether the web in which they a""ear i! the go den -abric o- a re igiou! )iew o- the cour!e o- thing!* or the 4u tico ored -abric o- a wor d y )iew. Con!ider the !tory DThe A eGandrite*E which tran!"ort! the reader into Dthat o d ti4e when the !tone! in the wo4b o- the earth and the " anet! at ce e!tia height! were !ti concerned with the -ate o- 4en* and not today when both in the hea)en! and beneath the earth e)erything ha! grown indi--erent to the -ate! o- the !on! o4en and no )oice !"ea3! to the4 -ro4 anywhere* et a one doe! their bidding. None o- the undi!co)ered " anet! " ay any "art in horo!co"e! any 4ore* and there are a ot o- new !tone!* a 4ea!ured and weighed and eGa4ined -or their !"eci-ic weight and their den!ity* but they no onger "roc ai4 anything to u!* nor do they bring u! any bene-it. Their ti4e -or !"ea3ing with 4en i! "a!t.E A! i! e)ident* it i! hard y "o!!ib e una4biguou! y to charac= %&

The Dtor.teller teriAe the cour!e o- the wor d that i! i u!trated in thi! !tory o- 1e!3o)K!. +! it deter4ined e!chato ogica y or natura i!tica yJ The on y certain thing i! that in it! )ery nature it i! by de nition out!ide a rea hi!torica categorie!. 1e!3o) te ! u! that the e"och in which 4an cou d be ie)e hi4!e - to be in har4ony with nature ha! eG"ired. Schi er ca ed thi! e"och in the hi!tory o- the wor d the "eriod o- nai)e "oetry. The !toryte er 3ee"! -aith with it* and hi! eye! do not !tray -ro4 that dia in -ront o- which there 4o)e! the "roce!!ion o- creature! o- which* de"ending on circu4!tance!* Death i! either the eader or the a!t wretched !tragg er. XIII +t ha! !e do4 been rea iAed that the i!tenerK! nai)e re ation!hi" to the !toryte er i! contro ed by hi! intere!t in retaining what he i! to d. The cardina "oint -or the una--ected i!tener i! to a!!ure hi4!e - o- the "o!!ibi ity ore"roducing the !tory. 8e4ory i! the e"ic -acu ty :ar e="ellen"e4 On y by )irtue o- a co4"rehen!i)e 4e4ory can e"ic writing ab!orb the cour!e o- e)ent! on the one hand and* with the "a!!ing o- the!e* 4a3e it! "eace with the "ower o- death on the other. +t i! not !ur"ri!ing that to a !i4" e 4anYo- the "eo" e* !uch a! 1e!3o) once in)ented* the CAar* the head o- the !"here in which hi! !torie! ta3e " ace* ha! the 4o!t encyc o"edic 4e4ory at hi! co44and. DOur E4"eror*E he !ay!* Dand hi! entire -a4i y ha)e indeed a 4o!t a!toni!hing 4e4ory.E 8ne4o!yne* the re4e4berer* wa! the 8u!e o- the e"ic art a4ong the 5ree3!. Thi! na4e ta3e! the ob!er)er bac3 to a "arting o- the way! in wor d hi!tory. 7or i- the record 3e"t by 4e4oryFhi!toriogra"hyFcon!titute! the creati)e 4atriG othe )ariou! e"ic -or4! :a! great "ro!e i! the creati)e 4atriG o- the )ariou! 4etrica -or4!;* it! o de!t -or4* the e"ic* by )irtue o- being a 3ind o- co44on deno4inator inc ude! the !tory and the no)e . When in the cour!e o- centurie! the no)e began to e4erge -ro4 the wo4b o- the e"ic* it turned out that in the no)e the e e4ent o- the e"ic 4ind that i! deri)ed -ro4 the 8u!eFthat i!* %0

&ll!minations 4e4ory=4ani-e!t! it!e - in a -or4 ?uite di--erent -ro4 the way it 4ani-e!t! it!e - in the !tory. 1emor. create! the chain o- tradition which "a!!e! a ha""ening on -ro4 generation to generation. +t i! the 8u!e=deri)ed e e4ent o- the e"ic art in a broader !en!e and enco4"a!!e! it! )arietie!. +n the -ir!t " ace a4ong the!e i! the one "racticed by the !toryte er. +t !tart! the web which a !torie! together -or4 in the end. One tie! on to the neGt* a! the great !toryte er!* "articu ar y the Orienta one!* ha)e a way! readi y !hown. +n each o- the4 there i! a ScheheraAade who thin3! o- a -re!h !tory whene)er her ta e co4e! to a !to". Thi! i! e"ic re4e4brance and the 8u!e=in!"ired e e4ent o- the narrati)e. But thi! !hou d be !et again!t another "rinci" e* a !o a 8u!e=deri)ed e e4ent in a narrower !en!e* which a! an e e4ent o- the no)e in it! ear ie!t -or4Fthat i!* in the e"icF ie! concea ed* !ti undi--erentiated -ro4 the !i4i ar y deri)ed e e4ent o- the !tory. +t can* at any rate* occa!iona y be di)ined in the e"ic!* "articu ar y at 4o4ent! o- !o e4nity in the Ho4eric e"ic!* a! in the in)ocation! to the 8u!e at their beginning. What announce! it!e - in the!e "a!!age! i! the "er"etuating re4e4brance o- the no)e i!t a! contra!ted with the !hort= i)ed re4ini!cence! othe !toryte er. The -ir!t i! dedicated to one hero* one ody!!ey* one batt eN the !econd* to man. di--u!e occurrence!. +t i!* in other word!* remem ran"e which* a! the 8u!e=deri)ed e e4ent o- the no)e * i! added to re4ini!cence* the corre!"onding e e4ent o- the !tory* the unity o- their origin inE 4e4ory ha)ing di!a""eared with the dec ine o- the e"ic. XIV DNo one*E ,a!ca once !aid* Ddie! !o "oor that he doe! not ea)e !o4ething behind.E Sure y it i! the !a4e with 4e4orie! too=a though the!e do not a way! -ind an heir. The no)e i!t ta3e! charge o- thi! be?ue!t* and !e do4 without "ro-ound 4e an=cho y. 7or what Arno d Bennett !ay! about a dead wo4an in one o- hi! no)e !Fthat !he had had a 4o!t nothing in the way o- rea i-eFi! u!ua y true o- the !u4 tota o- the e!tate which the no)e = %'

The Storyte er i!t ad4ini!ter!. Regarding thi! a!"ect o- the 4atter we owe the 4o!t i4"ortant e ucidation to 5eorg 1u3ac!* who !ee! in the no)e Dthe -or4 o- tran!cendenta ho4e e!!ne!!.E According to 1u3ac!* the no)e i! at the !a4e ti4e the on y art -or4 which inc ude! ti4e a4ong it! con!tituti)e "rinci" e!. DTi4e*E he !ay! in hi! Theor. o( the Novel, Dcan beco4e con!tituti)e on y when connection with the tran!cendenta ho4e ha! been o!t. On y in the no)e are 4eaning and i-e* and thu! the e!!entia and the te4"ora * !e"aratedN one can a 4o!t !ay that the who e inner action o- a no)e i! nothing e !e but a !trugg e again!t the "ower o- ti4e. .. . And -ro4 thi! . . . ari!e the genuine y e"ic eG"erience! o- ti4eN ho"e and 4e4ory. . . . On y in the no)e . . . doe! there occur a creati)e 4e4ory which tran!-iGe! the obCect and tran!-or4! it. . . . The dua ity o- inwardne!! and out!ide wor d can here be o)erco4e -or the !ubCect Ron yK when he !ee! the . . . unity o- hi! entire i-e . . . out o- the "a!t i-e=!trea4 which i! co4"re!!ed in 4e4ory. . . . The in!ight which gra!"! thi! unity . * * beco4e! the di)inatory=intuiti)e gra!"ing o- the unattained and there-ore ineG"re!!ib e 4eaning o- i-e.E The D4eaning o- i-eE i! rea y the center about which the no)e 4o)e!. But the ?ue!t -or it i! no 4ore than the initia eG"re!!ion o- "er" eGity with which it! reader !ee! hi4!e - i)ing thi! written i-e. Here D4eaning o- i-eEFthere D4ora o- the !toryE@ with the!e ! ogan! no)e and !tory con-ront each other* and -ro4 the4 the tota y di--erent hi!torica co=ordinate! o- the!e art -or4! 4ay be di!cerned. +- 0on J!i=ote i! the ear ie!t "er-ect !"eci4en o- the no)e * it! ate!t eGe4" ar i! "erha"! the 9'!"ation sentimentale4 +n the -ina word! o- the a!t=na4ed no)e * the 4eaning which the bourgeoi! age -ound in it! beha)ior at the beginning o- it! dec ine ha! !ett ed i3e !edi4ent in the cu" o- i-e. 7Yderic and De! aurier!* the boyhood -riend!* thin3 bac3 to their youth-u -riend!hi". Thi! itt e incident then occurred@ one day they !howed u" in the borde o o- their ho4e town* !tea thi y and ti4id y* doing nothing but "re!enting the :atronne with a bou?uet o- - ower! which they had "ic3ed in their own garden!. %%

&ll!minations DThi! !tory wa! !ti di!cu!!ed three year! ater. And now they to d it to each other in detai * each !u"" e4enting the reco ection o- the other. RThat 4ay ha)e been*K !aid 7rddiric when they had -ini!hed* Rthe -ine!t thing in our i)e!.K RYe!* you 4ay be right*P !aid De! aurier!* Rthat wa! "erha"! the -ine!t thing in our h)e!.K ^ With !uch an in!ight the no)e reache! an end which i! 4ore "ro"er to it* in a !tricter !en!e* than to any !tory. Actua y there i! no !tory -or which the ?ue!tion a! to how it continued wou d not be egiti4ate. The no)e i!t* on the other hand* cannot ho"e to ta3e the !4a e!t !te" beyond that i4it at which he in)ite! the reader to a di)inatory rea iAation o- the 4eaning o- i-e by writing D7ini!.E G) A 4an i!tening to a !tory i! in the co4"any o- the !toryte erN e)en a 4an reading one !hare! thi! co4"anion!hi". The reader o- a no)e * howe)er* i! i!o ated* 4ore !o than any other reader* :7or e)en the reader o- a "oe4 i! ready to utter the word!* -or the bene-it o- the i!tener.; +n thi! !o itude o- hi!* the reader o- a no)e !eiAe! u"on hi! 4ateria 4ore Cea ou! y than anyone e !e. He i! ready to 4a3e it co4" ete y hi! own* to de)our it* a! it were. +ndeed* he de!troy!* he !wa ow! u" the 4ateria a! the -ire de)our! og! in the -ire" ace. The !u!"en!e which "er4eate! the no)e i! )ery 4uch i3e the dra-t which !ti4u ate! the - a4e in the -ire" ace and en i)en! it! " ay. +t i! a dry 4ateria on which the burning intere!t o- the reader -eed!. DA 4an who die! at the age o- thirty=-i)e*E !aid 8oritA Hei4ann once* Di! at e)ery "oint o- hi! i-e a 4an who die! at the age o- thirty=-i)e.E Nothing i! 4ore dubiou! than thi! !entence=but -or the !o e rea!on that the ten!e i! wrong. A 4anF!o !ay! the truth that wa! 4eant hereFwho died at thirty=-i)e wi a""ear to remem ran"e at e)ery "oint in hi! i-e a! a 4an who die! at the age o- thirty=-i)e. +n other word!* the !tate4ent that 4a3e! no !en!e -or rea i-e beco4e! indi!"utab e -or re4e4bered i-e. The nature o- the character in a no)e cannot be "re!ented any better than i! done in thi! !tate4ent* which !ay! that the D4ean= $//

The Dtor.teller ingE o- hi! i-e i! re)ea ed on y in hi! death. But the reader o- a no)e actua y doe! oo3 -or hu4an being! -ro4 who4 he deri)e! the D4eaning o- i-e.E There-ore he 4u!t* no 4atter what* 3now in ad)ance that he wi !hare their eG"erience o- death@ i- need be their -igurati)e deathFthe end o- the no)e Fbut "re-erab y their actua one. How do the character! 4a3e hi4 under!tand that death i! a ready waiting -or the4Fa )ery de-inite death and at a )ery de-inite " aceJ That i! the ?ue!tion which -eed! the readerK! con!u4ing intere!t in the e)ent! o- the no)e . The no)e i! !igni-icant* there-ore* not becau!e it "re!ent! !o4eone e !eK! -ate to u!* "erha"! didactica y* but becau!e thi! !trangerK! -ate by )irtue o- the - a4e which con!u4e! it yie d! u! the war4th which we ne)er draw -ro4 our own -ate. What draw! the reader to the no)e i! the ho"e o- war4ing hi! !hi)ering i-e with a death he read! about. XVI D1e!3o)*E write! 5or3y* Di! the writer 4o!t dee" y rooted in the "eo" e and i! co4" ete y untouched by any -oreign in- uence!.E A great !toryte er wi a way! be rooted in the "eo" e* "ri4ari y in a 4i ieu o- cra-t!4en. But Cu!t a! thi! inc ude! the rura * the 4ariti4e* and the urban e e4ent! in the 4any !tage! otheir econo4ic and technica de)e o"4ent* there are 4any gradation! in the conce"t! in which their !tore o- eG"erience co4e! down to u!. :To !ay nothing othe by no 4ean! in!igni-icant !hare which trader! had in the art o- !toryte ingN their ta!3 wa! e!! to increa!e it! didactic content than to re-ine the tric3! with which the attention o- the i!tener wa! ca"tured. They ha)e e-t dee" trace! in the narrati)e cyc e o- The Ara ian Ni#hts4@ Tn !hort* de!"ite the "ri4ary ro e which !toryte ing " ay! in the hou!eho d o- hu4anity* the conce"t! through which the yie d o- the !torie! 4ay be garnered are 4ani-o d. What 4ay 4o!t readi y be "ut in re igiou! ter4! in 1e!3o) !ee4! a 4o!t auto4atica y to -a into " ace in the "edagogica "er!"ecti)e! o- the En ighten4ent in Hebe * a""ear! a! her4etic tradition in ,oe* -ind! a a!t re-uge in Ki" ing in the i-e o- Briti!h !ea4en and $/$

lll!minatiom co onia !o dier!. A great !toryte er! ha)e in co44on the -reedo4 with which they 4o)e u" and down the rung! o- their eG"erience a! on a adder. A adder eGtending downward to the interior o- the earth and di!a""earing into the c oud! i! the i4age -or a co ecti)e eG"erience to which e)en the dee"e!t !hoc3 oe)ery indi)idua eG"erience* death* con!titute! no i4"edi4ent or barrier. DAnd they i)ed ha""i y e)er a-ter*E !ay! the -airy ta e. The -airy ta e* which to thi! day i! the -ir!t tutor o- chi dren becau!e it wa! once the -ir!t tutor o4an3ind* !ecret y i)e! on in the !tory. The -ir!t true !toryte er i!* and wi continue to bet the te er o- -airy ta e!. Whene)er good coun!e wa! at a "re4iu4* the -airy ta e had it* and where the need wa! greate!t* it! aid wa! neare!t. Thi! need wa! the need created by the 4yth. The -airy ta e te ! u! o- the ear ie!t arrange4ent! that 4an3ind 4ade to !ha3e o-- the night4are which the 4yth had " aced u"on it! che!t. +n the -igure o- the -oo it !how! u! how 4an3ind Dact! du4bE toward the 4ythN in the -igure o- the younge!t brother it !how! u! how oneK! chance! increa!e a! the 4ythica "ri4iti)e ti4e! are e-t behindN in the -igure o- the 4an who !et! out to earn what -ear i! it !how! u! that the thing! we are a-raid o- can be !een throughN in the -igure o- the wi!eacre it !how! u! that the ?ue!tion! "o!ed by the 4yth are !i4" e=4inded* i3e the ridd e o- the S"hinGN in the !ha"e o- the ani4a ! which co4e to the aid o- the chi d in the -airy ta e it !how! that nature not on y i! !ub!er)ient to the 4yth* but 4uch "re-er! to be a igned with 4an. The wi!e!t thingF!o the -airy ta e taught 4an3ind in o den ti4e!* and teache! chi dren to thi! dayFi! to 4eet the -orce! o- the 4ythica wor d with cunning and with high !"irit!. :Thi! i! how the -airy ta e "o ariAe! 1!tP courage* di)iding it dia ectica y into Cnterm!t, that i!* cunning* and C erm!t, high !"irit!.; The iberating 4agic which the -airy ta e ha! at it! di!"o!a doe! not bring nature into " ay in a 4ythica way* but "oint! to it! co4" icity with iberated 4an. A 4ature 4an -ee ! thi! co4" icity on y occa!iona y* that i!* when he i! ha""yN but the chi d -ir!t 4eet! it in -airy ta e!* and it 4a3e! hi4 ha""y. $/.

The Dtor.teller L6++ 7ew !toryte er! ha)e di!" ayed !o "ro-ound a 3in!hi" with the !"irit o- the -airy ta e a! did 1e!3o). Thi! in)o )e! tendencie! that were "ro4oted by the dog4a! o- the 5ree3 OrthodoG Church* A! i! we 3nown* OrigenK! !"ecu ation about a:okata-stasis8the entry o- a !ou ! into ,aradi!eFwhich wa! reCected by the Ro4an Church " ay! a !igni-icant "art in the!e dog4a!. 1e!3o) wa! )ery 4uch in- uenced by Origen and " anned to tran! ate hi! wor3 -n Rirst 5rin"i:les4 +n 3ee"ing with Ru!!ian -o 3 be ie- he inter"reted the Re!urrection e!! a! a tran!-iguration than a! a di!enchant4ent* in a !en!e a3in to the -airy ta e. Such an inter"retation o- Origen i! at the botto4 o- DThe Enchanted ,i gri4.E +n thi!* a! in 4any other ta e! by 1e!3o)* a hybrid between -airy ta e and egend i! in)o )ed* not un i3e that hybrid which Ern!t B och 4ention! in a connection in which he uti iAe! our di!tinction between 4yth and -airy ta e in hi! -a!hion. DA hybrid between -airy ta e and egend*E he !ay!* Dcontain! -igurati)e y 4ythica e e4ent!* 4ythica e e4ent! who!e e--ect i! certain y ca"ti)ating and !tatic* and yet not out!ide 4an. +n the egend there are Taoi!t -igure!* e!"ecia y )ery o d one!* which are R4ythica K in thi! !en!e. 7or in!tance* the cou" e ,hi e4on and Bauci!N 4agica y e!ca"ed though in natura re"o!e. And !ure y there i! a !i4i ar re ation!hi" between -airy ta e and egend in the Taoi!t c i4ate o- 5otthe -* which* to be !ure* i! on a 4uch ower e)e . At certain "oint! it di)orce! the egend -ro4 the oca ity o- the !"e * re!cue! the - a4e o- i-e* the !"eci-ica y hu4an - a4e o- i-e* ca 4 y burning* within a! without.E D8agica y e!ca"edE are the being! that ead the "roce!!ion o- 1e!3o)K! creation!@ the righteou! one!. ,a) in* 7igura* the tou"ee arti!te* the bear 3ee"er* the he "-u !entryFa o- the4 e4bodi4ent! o- wi!do4* 8ndne!!* co4-ort the wor d* crowd about the !toryte er. They are un4i!ta3ab y !u--u!ed with the ima#o o- hi! 4other. Thi! i! how 1e!3o) de!cribe! her@ DShe wa! !o thorough y good that !he wa! not ca"ab e o- har4ing any 4an* nor e)en an ani4a . She ate neither 4eat nor -i!h* becau!e !he had !uch "ity $/B

+ u4ination! -or i)ing creature!. So4eti4e! 4y -ather u!ed to re"roach her with thi!. But !he an!wered@ P+ ha)e rai!ed the itt e ani4a ! 4y!e -* they are i3e 4y chi dren to 4e. + canKt eat 4y own chi dren* can +JK She wou d not eat 4eat at a neighborK! hou!e either. l ha)e !een the4 a i)e*K !he wou d !ayN Rthey are 4y ac?uaintance!. + canKt eat 4y ac?uaintance!* can +JKQ The righteou! 4an i! the ad)ocate -or created thing! and at the !a4e ti4e he i! their highe!t e4bodi4ent. +n 1e!3o) he ha! a 4aterna touch which i! occa!iona y inten!i-ied into the 4ythica :and thu!* to be !ure* endanger! the "urity o- the -airy ta e;. Ty"ica o- thi! i! the "rotagoni!t o- hi! !tory DKotin the ,ro)ider and , atonida.E Thi! -igure* a "ea!ant na4ed ,i!on!3i* i! a her4a"hrodite. 7or twe )e year! hi! 4other rai!ed hi4 a! a gir . Hi! 4a e and -e4a e organ! 4ature !i4u taneou! y* and hi! bi=!eGua ity Dbeco4e! the !y4bo o- 5od incarnate.E +n 1e!3o)K! )iew* the "innac e o- creation ha! been attained with thi!* and at the !a4e ti4e he "re!u4ab y !ee! it a! a bridge e!tab i!hed between thi! wor d and the other. 7or the!e earthi y "ower-u * 4aterna 4a e -igure! which again and again c ai4 1e!3o)K! !3i a! a !toryte er ha)e been re4o)ed -ro4 obedience to the !eGua dri)e in the b oo4 o- their !trength. They do not* howe)er* rea y e4body an a!cetic idea N rather* the continence o- the!e righteou! 4en ha! !o itt e "ri)ati)e character that it beco4e! the e e4enta counter"oi!e to uncontro ed u!t which the !toryte er ha! "er!oni-ied in +a'. 1a" eth o( 1Eensk4 +- the range between a ,a) in and thi! 4erchantK! wi-e co)er! the breadth o- the wor d o- created being!* in the hierarchy o- hi! character! 1e!3o) ha! no e!! " u4bed it! de"th. XVIII The hierarchy o- the wor d o- created thing!* which ha! it! a"eG in the righteou! 4an* reache! down into the aby!! o- the inani4ate by 4any gradation!. +n thi! connection one "articu ar ha! to be noted. Thi! who e created wor d !"ea3! not !o 4uch with the hu4an )oice a! with what cou d be ca ed Dthe )oice o- NatureE in the tit e o- one o- 1e!3o)K! 4o!t !igni-icant !torie!. $/<

The Dtor.teller Thi! !tory dea ! with the "etty o--icia ,hi i" ,hi i"o)ich who ea)e! no !tone unturned to get the chance to ha)e a! hi! hou!e gue!t a -ie d 4ar!ha "a!!ing through hi! itt e town. He 4anage! to do !o. The gue!t* who i! at -ir!t !ur"ri!ed at the c er3K! urgent in)itation* gradua y co4e! to be ie)e that he recogniAe! in hi4 !o4eone he 4u!t ha)e 4et "re)iou! y. But who i! heJ He cannot re4e4ber. The !trange thing i! that the ho!t* -or hi! "art* i! not wi ing to re)ea hi! identity. +n!tead* he "ut! o-- the high "er!onage -ro4 day to day* !aying that the D)oice oNatureE wi not -ai to !"ea3 di!tinct y to hi4 one day. Thi! goe! on unti -ina y the gue!t* !hort y be-ore continuing on hi! Courney* 4u!t grant the ho!tK! "ub ic re?ue!t to et the D)oice o- NatureE re!ound. Thereu"on the ho!tK! wi-e withdraw!. She Dreturned with a big* bright y "o i!hed* co""er hunting horn which !he ga)e to her hu!band. He too3 the horn* "ut it to hi! i"!* and wa! at the !a4e in!tant a! though tran!-or4ed. Hard y had he in- ated hi! chee3! and "roduced a tone a! "ower-u a! the ro ing o- thunder when the -ie d 4ar!ha cried@ RSto"* +K)e got it now* brother. Thi! 4a3e! 4e recogniAe you at onceM You are the bug er -ro4 the regi4ent o- Caeger!* and becau!e you were !o hone!t + !ent you to 3ee" an eye on a croo3ed !u"" ie! !u"er)i!or.K RThatK! it* Your EGce ency*K an!wered the ho!t. l didnKt want to re4ind you o- thi! 4y!e -* but wanted to et the )oice o- Nature !"ea3.PQ The way the "ro-undity o- thi! !tory i! hidden beneath it! !i ine!! con)ey! an idea o- 1e!3o)K! 4agni-icent hu4or. Thi! hu4or i! con-ir4ed in the !a4e !tory in an e)en 4ore cry"tic way. We ha)e heard that becau!e o- hi! hone!ty the o--icia wa! a!!igned to watch a croo3ed !u"" ie! !u"er)i!or. Thi! i! what we are to d at the end* in the recognition !cene. At the )ery beginning o- the !tory* howe)er* we earn the -o owing about the ho!t@ DA the inhabitant! o- the town were ac?uainted with the 4an* and they 3new that he did not ho d a high o--ice* -or he wa! neither a !tate o--icia nor a 4i itary 4an* but a itt e !u"er)i!or at the tiny !u"" y de"ot* where together with the rat! he chewed on the !tate ru!3! and boot !o e!* and in the cour!e o- ti4e had chewed hi4!e - together a nice itt e -ra4e hou!e.E +t $/Z

&ll!minations i! e)ident that thi! !tory re- ect! the traditiona !y4"athy which !toryte er! ha)e -or ra!ca ! and croo3!. A the iterature o- -arce bear! witne!! to it. Nor i! it denied on the height! o- artN o- a Hebe K! character!* the Bra!!enhei4 8i er* Tinder 7rieder* and Red Dieter ha)e been hi! 4o!t -aith-u co4"anion!. And yet -or Hebe * too* the righteou! 4an ha! the 4ain ro e in the theatr!m m!n'i4 But becau!e no one i! actua y u" to thi! ro e* it 3ee"! changing hand!. Now it i! the tra4"* now the hagg ing (ewi!h "edd er* now the 4an o- i4ited inte igence who !te"! in to " ay thi! "art. +n e)ery !ing e ca!e it i! a gue!t "er-or4ance* a 4ora i4"ro)i!ation. Hebe i! a ca!ui!tQ He wi not -or anything ta3e a !tand with any "rinci" e* but he doe! not reCect it either* -or any "rinci" e can at !o4e ti4e beco4e the in!tru4ent o- the righteou! 4an. Co4"are thi! with 1e!3o)K! attitude* D+ rea iAe*E he write! in hi! !tory DA ,ro"o! o- the KreutAer Sonata*E Dthat 4y thin3ing i! ba!ed 4uch 4ore on a "ractica )iew o- i-e than on ab!tract "hi o!o"hy or o-ty 4ora ityN but + a4 ne)erthe e!! u!ed to thin3ing the way + do.E To be !ure* the 4ora cata!tro"he! that a""ear in 1e!3o)K! wor d are to the 4ora incident! in Hebe K! wor d a! the great* !i ent - owing o- the 6o ga i! to the babb ing* ru!hing itt e 4i !trea4. A4ong 1e!3o)K! hi!torica ta e! there are !e)era in which "a!!ion! are at wor3 a! de!tructi)e y a! the wrath o- Achi e! or the hatred o- Hagen. +t i! a!toni!hing how -ear-u y the wor d can dar3en -or thi! author and with what 4aCe!ty e)i can rai!e it! !ce"ter. 1e!3o) ha! e)ident y 3nown 4ood!Fand thi! i! "robab y one o- the -ew characteri!tic! he !hare! with Do!toe)!3yFin which he wa! c o!e to an=tino4ian ethic!. The e e4enta nature! in hi! Tales (rom -l'en Times go to the i4it in their ruth e!! "a!!ion. But it i! "reci!e y the 4y!tic! who ha)e been inc ined to !ee thi! i4it a! the "oint at which utter de"ra)ity turn! into !aint ine!!. XIX The ower 1e!3o) de!cend! on the !ca e o- created thing! the 4ore ob)iou! y doe! hi! way o- )iewing thing! a""roach the 4y!tica . Actua y* a! wi be !hown* there i! 4uch e)idence that 1 !

T(e St+r3teller in thi!* too* a characteri!tic i! re)ea ed which i! inherent in the nature o- the !toryte er. To be !ure* on y a -ew ha)e )entured into the de"th! o- inani4ate nature* and in 4odern narrati)e iterature there i! not 4uch in which the )oice othe anony4ou! !toryte er* who wa! "rior to a iterature* re!ound! !o c ear y a! it doe! in 1e!3o)K! !tory DThe A eGandrite.E +t dea ! with a !e4i"reciou! !tone* the chry!obery . The 4inera i! the owe!t !tratu4 o- created thing!. 7or the !toryte er* howe)er* it i! direct y Coined to the highe!t. To hi4 it i! granted to !ee in thi! chry!obery a natura "ro"hecy o- "etri-ied* i-e e!! nature concerning the hi!torica wor d in which he hi4!e - i)e!. Thi! wor d i! the wor d oA eGander ++* The !toryte erFor rather* the 4an to who4 he attribute! hi! own 3now edgeFi! a ge4 engra)er na4ed WenAe who ha! achie)ed the greate!t concei)ab e !3i in hi! art. One can CuGta"o!e hi4 with the !i )er!4ith! o- Tu a and !ay thatFin the !"irit o- 1e!3o)Fthe "er-ect arti!an ha! acce!! to the inner4o!t cha4ber o- the rea 4 o- created thing!. He i! an incarnation o- the de)out. We are to d o- thi! ge4 cutter@ DHe !udden y !?ueeAed 4y hand on which wa! the ring with the a eGandrite* which i! 3nown to !"ar3 e red in arti-icia ight* and cried@ R1oo3* here it i!* the "ro"hetic Ru!!ian !toneM S cra-ty Siberian. +t wa! a way! green a! ho"e and on y toward e)ening wa! it !u--u!ed with b ood. +t wa! that way -ro4 the beginning o- the wor d* but it concea ed it!e - -or a ong ti4e* ay hidden in the earth* and "er4itted it!e - to be -ound on y on the day when CAar A eGander wa! dec ared o- age* when a great !orcerer had co4e to Siberia to -ind the !tone* a 4agician. . . .K RWhat non!en!e are you ta 3ing*K + interru"ted hi4N Rthi! !tone wa!nKt -ound by a 4agician at a * it wa! a !cho ar na4ed Norden=!3Co dMK m 4agicianM + te you* a 4agicianMK !crea4ed WenAe in a oud )oice. P(u!t oo3N what a !toneM A green 4orning i! in it and a b oody e)ening . . . Thi! i! -ate* the -ate o- nob e CAar A eGanderMK With the!e word! o d WenAe turned to the wa * "ro""ed hi! head on hi! e bow!* and . . . began to !ob.E One can hard y co4e any c o!er to the 4eaning o- thi! !igni-icant !tory than by !o4e word! which ,au 6a ery wrote in a )ery re4ote conteGt. DArti!tic ob!er)ation*E he !ay! in re- ec= $/0

&ll!minations tion! on a wo4an arti!t who!e wor3 con!i!ted in the !i 3 e4broidery o- -igure!* Dcan attain an a 4o!t 4y!tica de"th. The obCect! on which it -a ! o!e their na4e!. 1ight and !hade -or4 )ery "articu ar !y!te4!* "re!ent )ery indi)idua ?ue!tion! which de"end u"on no 3now edge and are deri)ed -ro4 no "ractice* but get their eGi!tence and )a ue eGc u!i)e y -ro4 a certain accord o- the !ou * the eye* and the hand o- !o4eone who wa! born to "ercei)e the4 and e)o3e the4 in hi! own inner !e -.E With the!e word!* !ou * eye* and hand are brought into connection. +nteracting with one another* they deter4ine a "ractice. We are no onger -a4i iar with thi! "ractice. The ro e o- the hand in "roduction ha! beco4e 4ore 4ode!t* and the " ace it -i ed in !toryte ing ie! wa!te. :A-ter a * !toryte ing* in it! !en!ory a!"ect* i! by no 4ean! a Cob -or the )oice a one. Rather* in genuine !toryte ing the hand " ay! a "art which !u""ort! what i! eG"re!!ed in a hundred way! with it! ge!ture! trained by wor3.; That o d co=ordination o- the !ou * the eye* and the hand which e4erge! in 6a eryK! word! i! that o- the arti!an which we encounter where)er the art o- !toryte ing i! at ho4e. +n -act* one can go on and a!3 one!e whether the re ation!hi" o- the !toryte er to hi! 4ateria * hu4an i-e* i! not in it!e - a cra-t!4anK! re ation!hi"* whether it i! not hi! )ery ta!3 to -a!hion the raw 4ateria o- eG"erience* hi! own and that o- other!* in a !o id* u!e-u * and uni?ue way. +t i! a 3ind o- "rocedure which 4ay "erha"! 4o!t ade?uate y be eGe4" i-ied by the "ro)erb i- one thin3! o- it a! an ideogra4 o- a !tory. A "ro)erb* one 4ight !ay* i! a ruin which !tand! on the !ite o- an o d !tory and in which a 4ora twine! about a ha""ening i3e i)y around a wa . Seen in thi! way* the !toryte er Coin! the ran3! o- the teacher! and !age!. He ha! coun!e Fnot -or a -ew !ituation!* a! the "ro)erb doe!* but -or 4any* i3e the !age. 7or it i! granted to hi4 to reach bac3 to a who e i-eti4e :a i-e* incidenta y* that co4"ri!e! not on y hi! own eG"erience but no itt e o- the eG= "erience o- other!N what the !toryte er 3now! -ro4 hear!ay i! added to hi! own;. Hi! gi-t i! the abi ity to re ate hi! i-eN hi! di!tinction* to be ab e to te hi! entire i-e. The !toryte er@ he i! the 4an who cou d et the wic3 o- hi! i-e be con!u4ed co4= $/'

The Dtor.teller " ete y by the gent e - a4e o- hi! !tory. Thi! i! the ba!i! o- the inco4"arab e aura about the !toryte er* in 1e!3o) a! in Hau--* in ,oe a! in Ste)en!on. The !toryte er i! the -igure in which the righteou! 4an encounter! hi4!e -. to"

(ratiA (Ca-3a -n the 2)enth Anniversar. o( aUA -eath POTE4'5N +t i! re ated that ,ote43in !u--ered -ro4 !tate! o- de"re!!ion which recurred 4ore or e!! regu ar y. At !uch ti4e! no one wa! a owed to go near hi4* and acce!! to hi! roo4 wa! !trict y -orbidden. Thi! 4a ady wa! ne)er 4entioned at court* and in "articu ar it wa! 3nown that any a u!ion to it incurred the di!-a)or o- E4"re!! Catherine. One o- the Chance orK! de"re!!ion! a!ted -or an eGtraordinary ength o- ti4e and brought about !eriou! di--icu tie!N in the o--ice! docu4ent! "i ed u" that re?uired ,ote4 dnK! !ignature* and the E4"re!! "re!!ed -or their co4" etion. The high o--icia ! were at their wit!K end. One day an uni4"ortant itt e c er3 na4ed Shu)a 3in ha""ened to enter the anteroo4 o- the Chance orK! "a ace and -ound the counci or! o- !tate a!!e4b ed there* 4oaning and groaning a! u!ua . DWhat i! the 4atter* Your EGce encie!JE a!3ed the ob iging Shu)a 3in. They eG" ained thing! to hi4 and regretted that they cou d not u!e hi! !er)ice!. D+- thatK! a it i!*E !aid Shu)a 3in* D+ beg you to et 4e ha)e tho!e "a"er!.E Ha)ing nothing to o!e* the counci or! o- !tate et the4!e )e! be "er!uaded to do !o* and with the !hea- o- docu4ent! under hi! ar4* Shu)a 3in !et out* 4

+ u4ination! through ga erie! and corridor!* -or ,ote43inK! bedroo4. Without !to""ing or bothering to 3noc3* he turned the door=hand eN the roo4 wa! not oc3ed. +n !e4idar3ne!! ,ote43in wa! !itting on hi! bed in a threadbare night!hirt* biting hi! nai !. Shu)a 3in !te""ed u" to the writing de!3* di""ed a "en in in3* and without !aying a word "re!!ed it into ,ote43inK! hand whi e "utting one o- the docu4ent! on hi! 3nee!. ,ote43in ga)e the intruder a )acant !tareN then* a! though in hi! ! ee"* he !tarted to !ignF-ir!t one "a"er* then a !econd* -ina y a othe4. When the a!t !ignature had been a--iGed* Shu)a 3in too3 the "a"er! under hi! ar4 and e-t the roo4 without -urther ado* Cu!t a! he had entered it. Wa)ing the "a"er! triu4"ant y* he !te""ed into the anteroo4. The counci or! o- !tate ru!hed toward hi4 and tore the docu4ent! out o- hi! hand!. Breath e!! y they bent o)er the4. No one !"o3e a wordN the who e grou" !ee4ed "ara yAed. Again Shu)a 3in ca4e c o!er and !ohcitou! y a!3ed why the gent e4en !ee4ed !o u"!et. At that "oint he noticed the !ignature!. One docu4ent a-ter another wa! !igned Shu)a 3in . . . Shu)a 3in . . . Shu)a 3in. . . . Thi! !tory i! i3e a hera d racing two hundred year! ahead o- Ka-3aK! wor3. The enig4a which bee oud! it i! Ka-3aK! enig4a. The wor d o- o--ice! and regi!trie!* o- 4u!ty* !habby* dar3 roo4!* i! Ka-3aK! wor d. The ob iging Shu)a 3in* who 4a3e! ight o- e)erything and i! -ina y e-t e4"ty=handed* i! Ka-3aK! K. ,ote43in* who )egetate!* !o4no ent and un3e4"t* in a re4ote* inacce!!ib e roo4* i! an ance!tor o- tho!e ho der! o- "ower in Ka-3aK! wor3! who i)e in the attic! a! Cudge! or in the ca!t e a! !ecretarie!N no 4atter how high y " aced they 4ay be* they are a way! -a en or -a ing 4en* a though e)en the owe!t and !eedie!t o- the4* the door3ee"er! and the decre"it o--icia !* 4ay abru"t y and !tri3ing y a""ear in the -u ne!! o- their "ower. Why do they )egetateJ Cou d they be the de!cendant! o- the -igure! o- At a! that !u""ort g obe! with their !hou der!J ,erha"! that i! why each ha! hi! head D!o dee" on hi! che!t that one can hard y !ee hi! eye!*E i3e the Ca!te an in hi! "ortrait* or K a44 when he i! a one. But it i! not the g obe they are carryingN it i! Cu!t that e)en the 4o!t co44on" ace thing! ha)e $$.

RranE ?a(ka their weight. DHi! -atigue i! that o- the g adiator a-ter the -ightN hi! Cob wa! the whitewa!hing o- a corner in the o--iceME 5eorg 1u3ac! once !aid that in order to 4a3e a decent tab e nowaday!* a 4an 4u!t ha)e the architectura geniu! o- a 8iche ange o. +- 1u3ae! thin3! in ter4! o- age!* Ka-3a thin3! in ter4! o- co!4ic e"och!. The 4an who whitewa!he! ha! e"och! to 4o)e* e)en in hi! 4o!t in!igni-icant 4o)e4ent. On 4any occa!ion! and o-ten -or !trange rea!on! Ka-3aK! -igure! c a" their hand!. Once the ca!ua re4ar3 i! 4ade that the!e hand! are Drea y !tea4 ha44er!.E We encounter the!e ho der! o- "ower in con!tant* ! ow 4o)e4ent* ri!ing or -a ing. But they are at their 4o!t terrib e when they ri!e -ro4 the dee"e!t decay F-ro4 the -ather!. The !on ca 4! hi! !"irit e!!* !eni e -ather who4 he ha! Cu!t gent y "ut to bed@ ^ RDonKt worry* you are we co)ered u".K RNo*K cried hi! -ather* cutting !hort the an!wer* threw the b an3et o-- with !uch !trength that it un-o ded -u y a! it - ew* and !tood u" in bed. On y one hand ight y touched the cei ing to !teady hi4. RYou wanted to co)er 4e u"* + 3now* 4y itt e !ca4"* but 74 not a co)ered u" yet. And e)en i- thi! i! a the !trength + ha)e e-t* itK! enough -or you* too 4uch -or you. . . . But than3 goodne!! a -ather doe! not need to be taught how to !ee through hi! !on.K . . . And he !tood u" ?uite un!u""orted and 3ic3ed hi! eg! out. He bea4ed with in!ight. . . . RSo now you 3now what e !e there wa! in the wor d be!ide! your!e -N unti now you ha)e 3nown on y about your!e -M +t i! true* you were an innocent chi d* but it i! e)en 4ore true that you ha)e been a de)i i!h "er!onMK ^ A! the -ather throw! o-- the burden o- the b an3et* he a !o throw! o-- a co!4ic burden. He ha! to !et co!4ic age! in 4otion in order to turn the age=o d -ather=!on re ation!hi" into a i)ing and con!e?uentia thing. But what con!e?uence!M He !entence! hi! !on to death by drowning. The -ather i! the one who "uni!he!N gui t attract! hi4 a! it doe! the court o--icia !. There i! 4uch to indicate that the wor d o- the o--icia ! and the wor d o- the -ather! are the !a4e to Ka-3a. The !i4i arity doe! not redound to thi! wor dK! creditN it con!i!t! o- du ne!!* decay* and dirt. The -atherK! uni-or4 i! !tained a o)erN hi! underwear $$B

+ u4ination! i! dirty. 7i th i! the e e4ent o- the o--icia !. DShe cou d not under!tand why there were o--ice hour! -or the "ub ic in the -ir!t " ace. RTo get !o4e dirt on the -ront !tairca!eKFthi! i! how her ?ue!tion wa! once an!wered by an o--icia * who wa! "robab y=annoyed* but it 4ade a ot o- !en!e to her.E 2nc eanne!! i! !o 4uch the attribute o- o--icia ! that one cou d a 4o!t regard the4 a! enor4ou! "ara!ite!. Thi!* o- cour!e* doe! not re-er to the econo4ic conteGt* but to the -orce! o- rea!on and hu4anity -ro4 which thi! c an 4a3e! a i)ing. +n the !a4e way the -ather! in Ka-3aK! !trange -a4i ie! batten on their !on!* ying on to" othe4 i3e giant "ara!ite!. They not on y "rey u"on their !trength* but gnaw away at the !on!K right to eGi!t. The -ather! "uni!h* but they are at the !a4e ti4e the accu!er!. The !in o- which they accu!e their !on! !ee4! to be a 3ind o- origina !in. The de-inition o- it which Ka-3a ha! gi)en a"" ie! to the !on! 4ore than to anyone e !eN DOrigina !in* the o d inCu!tice co44itted by 4an* con!i!t! in the co4" aint uncea!ing y 4ade by 4an that he ha! been the )icti4 o- an inCu!tice* the )icti4 o- origina !in.E But who is accu!ed o- thi! inherited !inFthe !in oha)ing "roduced an heirFi- not the -ather by the !onJ According y the !on wou d be the !inner. But one 4u!t not conc ude -ro4 Ka-3aK! de-inition that the accu!ation i! !in-u becau!e it i! -a !e. Nowhere doe! Ka-3a !ay that it i! 4ade wrong-u y. A ne)er=ending "roce!! i! at wor3 here* and no cau!e can a""ear in a wor!e ight than the one -or which the -ather en i!t! the aid o- the!e o--icia ! and court o--ice!. A bound e!! corru"tibi ity i! not their wor!t -eature* -or their e!!ence i! !uch that their )ena ity i! the on y ho"e he d out to the hu4an !"irit -acing the4. The court!* to be !ure* ha)e awboo3! at their di!"o!a * but "eo" e are not a owed to !ee the4* D+t i! characteri!tic o- thi! ega !y!te4*E conCecture! K.* Dthat one i! !entenced not on y in innocence but a !o in ignorance.E 1aw! and de-inite nor4! re4ain unwritten in the "rehi!toric wor d. A 4an can tran!gre!! the4 without !u!"ecting it and thu! beco4e !ubCect to atone4ent. But no 4atter how hard it 4ay hit the un!u!"ecting* the tran!gre!!ion in the !en!e o- the aw i! not accidenta but -ated* a de!tiny which a""ear! here in a it! a4biguity. +n a cur!ory in)e!tigation $$<

7ranA Ka-3a o- the idea o- -ate in anti?uity Her4ann Cohen ca4e to a Dconc u!ion that beco4e! ine!ca"ab eE@ Dthe )ery ru e! o- -ate !ee4 to be what cau!e! and bring! about the brea3ing away -ro4 the4* the de-ection.E +t i! the !a4e way with the ega authoritie! who!e "roceeding! are directed again!t K. +t ta3e! u! bac3 -ar beyond the ti4e o- the gi)ing o- the 1aw on twe )e tab et! to a "rehi!toric wor d* written aw being one o- the -ir!t )ictorie! !cored o)er thi! wor d. +n Ka-3a the written aw i! contained in boo3!* but the!e are !ecretN by ba!ing it!e - on the4 the "rehi!toric wor d eGert! it! ru e a the 4ore ruth e!! y. +n Ka-3aK! wor3!* the condition! in o--ice! and in -a4i ie! ha)e 4u ti-ariou! "oint! o- contact. +n the )i age at the -oot o- Ca!t e Hi "eo" e u!e an i u4inating !aying. ^ RWe ha)e a !aying here that you 4ay be -a4i iar withN O--icia deci!ion! are a! !hy a! young gir !.P RThatK! a !ound ob!er)ation*P !aid K.* Ra !ound ob!er)ation. Deci!ion! 4ay ha)e e)en other characteri!tic! in co4= 4on with gir !.KQ The 4o!t re4ar3ab e o- the!e ?ua itie! i! the wi ingne!! to end one!e - to anything* i3e the !hy gir ! who4 K. 4eet! in The Castle and The Trial, gir ! who indu ge in un=cha!tity in the bo!o4 o- their -a4i y a! they wou d in a bed. He encounter! the4 at e)ery turnN the re!t gi)e hi4 a! itt e troub e a! the con?ue!t o- the bar4aid. DThey e4braced each otherN her itt e body burned in K.K! hand!N in a !tate o- uncon!ciou!ne!! which K. tried to 4a!ter con!tant y but -ruit e!! y* they ro ed a itt e way* hit K a44K! door with a thud* and then ay in the itt e "udd e! o- beer and the other re-u!e that ittered the - oor. Hour! "a!!ed ... in which K. con!tant y had the -ee ing that he wa! o!ing hi! way or that he had wandered -arther than anyone had e)er wandered be-ore* to a " ace where e)en the air had nothing in co44on with hi! nati)e air* where a thi! !trangene!! 4ight cho3e one* yet a " ace !o in!ane y enchanting that one cou d not he " but go on and o!e one!e - e)en -urther.E We !ha ha)e 4ore to !ay about thi! !trange " ace. The re4ar3ab e thing i! that the!e whore i3e wo4en ne)er !ee4 to be beauti-u . Rather* beauty a""ear! in Ka-3aK! wor d on y in the 4o!t ob!cure " ace!Fa4ong the accu!ed "er!on!* -or eGa4" e. DThi!* to be !ure* i! a !trange "heno4enon* a natura aw* a! it were. . . . $$9

&ll!minations +t cannot be gui t that 4a3e! the4 attracti)e . . . nor can it be the Cu!t "uni!h4ent which 4a3e! the4 attracti)e in antici"ation ... !o it 4u!t be the 4ere charge! brought again!t the4 that !o4ehow !how on the4.E 7ro4 The Trial it 4ay be !een that the!e "roceeding! u!ua y are ho"e e!! -or tho!e accu!ed=ho"e e!! e)en when they ha)e ho"e! o- being ac?uitted. +t 4ay be thi! ho"e e!!ne!! that bring! out the beauty in the4Fthe on y creature! in Ka-3a thu! -a)ored. At ea!t thi! wou d be )ery 4uch in 3ee"ing with a con)er!ation which 8aG Brod ha! re ated. D+ re4e4ber*E Brod write!* Da con)er!ation with Ka-3a which began with "re!ent=day Euro"e and the dec ine o- the hu4an race. We are nihi i!tic thought!* !uicida thought! that co4e into 5odK! head*K Ka-3a !aid. Thi! re4inded 4e at -ir!t o- the 5no!tic )iew o- i-eN 5od a! the e)i de4iurge* the wor d a! hi! 7a . Oh no*K !aid Ka-3a* Rour wor d i! on y a bad 4ood o- 5od* a bad day o- hi!.K RThen there i! ho"e out!ide thi! 4ani-e!tation othe wor d that we 3now.K He !4i ed. ROh* " enty o- ho"e* an in-inite a4ount oho"eFbut not -or u!.EK The!e word! "ro)ide a bridge to tho!e eGtre4e y !trange -igure! in Ka-3a* the on y one! who ha)e e!ca"ed -ro4 the -a4i y circ e and -or who4 there 4ay be ho"e. The!e are not the ani4a !* not e)en tho!e hybrid! or i4aginary creature! i3e the Cat 1a4b or Odrade3N they a !ti i)e under the !"e o- the -a4i y. +t i! no accident that 5regor Sa4!a wa3e! u" a! a bug in hi! "arenta ho4e and not !o4ewhere e !e* and that the "ecu iar ani4a which i! ha 3itten* ha - a4b* i! inherited -ro4 the -atherN Odrade3 i3ewi!e i! the concern othe -ather o- the -a4i y. The Da!!i!tant!*E howe)er* are out!ide thi! circ e. The!e a!!i!tant! be ong to a grou" o- -igure! which recur! through Ka-3aK! entire wor3. Their tribe inc ude! the con-idence 4an who i! un4a!3ed in D8editationEN the !tudent who a""ear! on the ba cony at night a! Kar Ro!!4annK! neighborN and the -oo ! who i)e in that town in the !outh and ne)er get tired. The twi ight in which they eGi!t i! re4ini!cent o- the uncertain ight in which the -igure! in the !hort "ro!e "iece! o- Robert Wa !er a""ear Hthe author o- 0er Fehiil(e, The A!!i!tant* a no)e Ka-3a wa! )ery -ond o-I. +n +ndian 4ytho ogy there are the $$&

RranE ?a(ka #an'harvas, ce e!tia creature!* being! in an un-ini!hed !tate. Ka-3aK! a!!i!tant! are o- that 3indN neither 4e4ber! o-* nor !tranger! to* any o- the other grou"! o-igure!* but* rather* 4e!!enger! -ro4 one to the other. Ka-3a te ! u! that they re!e4b e Barnaba!* who i! a 4e!!enger. They ha)e not yet been co4" ete y re ea!ed -ro4* the wo4b o- nature* and that i! why they ha)e D!ett ed down on two o d wo4enK! !3irt! on the - oor in a corner. +t wa! . . . their a4bition ... to u!e u" a! itt e !"ace a! "o!!ib e. To that end they 3e"t 4a3ing )ariou! eG"eri4ent!* -o ding their ar4! and eg!* hudd ing c o!e togetherN in the dar3ne!! a one cou d !ee in their corner wa! one big ba KP +t i! -or the4 and their 3ind* the un-ini!hed and the bung er!* that there i! ho"eQ What 4ay be di!cerned* !ubt y and in-or4a y* in the acti)itie! o- the!e 4e!!enger! i! aw in an o""re!!i)e and g oo4y way -or thi! who e grou" obeing!. None ha! a -ir4 " ace in the wor d* -ir4* ina ienab e out ine!. There i! not one that i! not either ri!ing or -a ing* none that i! not trading ?ua itie! with it! ene4y or neighbor* none that ha! not co4" eted it! "eriod o- ti4e and yet i! unri"e* none that i! not dee" y eGhau!ted and yet i! on y at the beginning o- a ong eGi!tence. To !"ea3 o- any order or hierarchy i! i4"o!!ib e here. E)en the wor d o- 4yth o- which we thin3 in thi! conteGt i! inco4"arab y younger than Ka-3aK! wor d* which ha! been "ro4i!ed rede4"tion by the 4yth. But i- we can be !ure o- one thing* it i! thi!@ Ka-3a did not !uccu4b to it! te4"tation. A atter= day 2 y!!e!* he et the Siren! go by Dhi! gaAe which wa! -iGed on the di!tance* the Siren! di!a""eared a! it were be-ore hi! deter4ination* and at the )ery 4o4ent when he wa! c o!e!t to the4 he wa! no onger aware o- the4.E A4ong Ka-3aK! ance!tor! in the ancient wor d* the (ew! and the Chine!e* who4 we !ha encounter ater* thi! 5ree3 one !hou d not be -orgotten* 2 y!!e!* a-ter a * !tand! at the di)iding ine between 4yth and -airy ta e. Rea!on and cunning ha)e in!erted tric3! into 4yth!N their -orce! cea!e to be in)incib e. 7airy ta e! are the traditiona !torie! about )ictory o)er the!e -orce!* and -airy ta e! -or dia ectician! are what Ka-3a wrote when he went to wor3 on egend!. He in!erted itt e tric3! into the4N then he u!ed the4 a! "roo- Dthat inade?uate* e)en

Illuminations chi di!h 4ea!ure! 4ay a !o !er)e to re!cue one.E With the!e word! he begin! hi! !tory about the DSi ence o- the Siren!.E 7or Ka-3aK! Siren! are !i entN they ha)e Dan e)en 4ore terrib e wea"on than their !ong . . . their !i ence.E Thi! they u!ed on 2 y!!e!. But he* !o Ka-3a te ! u!* Dwa! !o -u o- gui e* wa! !uch a -oG that not e)en the godde!! o- -ate cou d "ierce hi! ar4or. ,erha"! he had rea y noticed* a though here the hu4an under!tanding i! beyond it! de"th!* that the Siren! were !i ent* and o""o!ed the a-ore=4entioned "reten!e to the4 and the god! 4ere y a! a !ort o- !hie d.E Siren! are !i ent. ,erha"! becau!e -or Ka-3a 4u!ic and !inging are an eG"re!!ion or at ea!t a to3en o- e!ca"e* a to3en o- ho"e which co4e! to u! -ro4 that inter4ediate wor dF at once un-ini!hed and co44on" ace* co4-orting and !i yFin which the a!!i!tant! are at ho4e. Ka-3a i! i3e the ad who !et out to earn what -ear wa!. He ha! got into ,ote43inK! "a ace and -ina y* in the de"th! o- it! ce ar* ha! encountered (o!e"hine* the !inging 4ou!e* who!e tune he de!cribe!@ DSo4ething o- our "oor* brie- chi dhood i! in it* !o4ething o- o!t ha""ine!! which can ne)er be -ound again* but a !o !o4ething o- acti)e "re!ent= day i-e* o- it! !4a gaietie!* unaccountab e and yet rea and un?uenchab e.E A CH+1DHOOD ,HOTO5RA,H There i! a chi dhood "hotogra"h o- Ka-3a* a rare y touching "ortraya o- the D"oor* brie- chi dhood*E +t wa! "robab y 4ade in one o- tho!e nineteenth=century !tudio! who!e dra"erie! and "a 4 tree!* ta"e!trie! and ea!e ! " aced the4 !o4ewhere between a torture cha4ber and a throne roo4. At the age o- a""roGi= 4ate y !iG the boy i! "re!ented in a !ort o- greenhou!e !etting* wearing a tight* hea)i y ace=tri44ed* a 4o!t e4barra!!ing chi dK! !uit. ,a 4 branche! oo4 in the bac3ground. And a! i- to 4a3e the!e u"ho !tered tro"ic! !ti 4ore !u try and !tic3y* the 4ode ho d! in hi! e-t hand an o)er!iAed* wide=bri44ed hat o- the ty"e worn by S"aniard!. +44en!e y !ad eye! do4inate the and= $$'

7ranA Ka-3a !ca"e "rearranged -or the4* and the auric e o- a big ear !ee4! to be i!tening -or it! !ound!* The ardent Dwi!h to beco4e a Red +ndianE 4ay ha)e con!u4ed thi! great !adne!! at !o4e "oint. D+- one were on y an +ndian* in!tant y a ert* and on a racing hor!e* eaning again!t the wind* 3e"t on ?ui)ering brie- y o)er the ?ui)ering ground* unti one !hed oneK! !"ur!* -or there were no !"ur!* threw away the rein!* -or there were no rein!* and bare y !aw the and be-ore one a! a !4ooth y 4own heath* with the hor!eK! nec3 and head a ready #one< A great dea i! contained in thi! wi!h. +t! -u -i 4ent* which he -ind! in A4erica* yie d! u" it! !ecret. That Atnerika i! a )ery !"ecia ca!e i! indicated by the na4e o- it! hero. Whi e in the ear ier no)e ! the author ne)er addre!!ed hi4!e - otherwi!e than with a 4u4b ed initia * here he eG"erience! a rebirth on a new continent with a -u na4e. He ha! thi! eG"erience in the Nature Theater o- O3 aho4a. DAt a !treet corner Kar !aw a "o!ter with the -o owing announce4entN The O3 a= ho4a Theater wi engage 4e4ber! -or it! co4"any today at C ayton Racetrac3 -ro4 & a.4P unti 4idnight. The great Theater o- O3 aho4a ca ! youM The one and on y ca i! todayM +- you 4i!! your chance now* you 4i!! it -ore)erM +- you thin3 o- your -uture* you !hou d be one o- u!M E)eryone i! we co4eM +- you want to be an arti!t* co4e -orwardM Our Theater can u!e e)eryone and -ind the right " ace -or e)eryoneM +- you decide to Coin u!* we congratu ate you here and nowM But hurry* !o that you get in be-ore 4idnightM At twe )e oKc oc3 the door! wi be !hut and ne)er o"ened againM A cur!e on tho!e who do not be ie)e in u!M Set out -or C aytonME The reader o- thi! announce4ent i! Kar Ro!!4ann* the third and ha""ier incarnation o- K.* the hero o- Ka-3aK! no)e !. Ha""ine!! await! hi4 at the Nature Theater o- O3 aho4a* which i! rea y a racetrac3* Cu!t a! Dunha""ine!!E had once be!et hi4 on the narrow rug in hi! roo4 on which he ran about Da! on a racetrac3.E E)er !ince Ka-3a wrote hi! Dre- ection! -or gent e4an Coc3ey!*E e)er !ince he 4ade the Dnew attorneyE 4ount the cou3ou1 !te"!* i-ting hi! eg! high* with a tread that 4ade the 4arb e ring* e)er !ince he 4ade hi! Dchi dren on a country roadE a4b e through the ^%

+ u4ination! country!ide with arge !te"! and -o ded ar4!* thi! -igure had been -a4i iar to hi4N and e)en Kar Ro!!4ann* Ddi!tracted by hi! ! ee"ine!!*E 4ay o-ten 4a3e Dtoo high* ti4e=con!u4ing* and u!e e!! ea"!.E Thu! it can on y be a racetrac3 on which he attain! the obCect o- hi! de!ire. Thi! racetrac3 i! at the !a4e ti4e a theater* and thi! "o!e! a "uAA e. The 4y!teriou! " ace and the entire y un4y!teriou!* tran!"arent* "ure -igure o- Kar Ro!!4ann are congruou!* howe)er. 7or Kar Ro!!4ann i! tran!"arent* "ure* without character a! it were in the !a4e !en!e in which 7ranA Ro!enAweig !ay! in hi! Dtar o( *e'em:tion that in China "eo" e* in their !"iritua a!"ect!* are Da! it were de)oid o- indi)idua characterN the idea o- the wi!e 4an* o- which Con-uciu! i! the c a!!ic incarnation* b ur! any indi)idua ity o- character= he i! the tru y character e!! 4an* na4e y* the a)erage 4an. . . . What di!tingui!he! a Chine!e i! !o4ething ?uite di--erent -ro4 character@ a )ery e e4enta "urity o-ee ing.E No 4atter how one 4ay con)ey it inte ectua y* thi! "urity o- -ee ing 4ay be a "articu ar y !en!iti)e 4ea!ure4ent o- ge!tic beha)iorN the Nature Theater o- O3 aho4a in any ca!e har3! bac3 to the Chine!e theater* which i! a ge!tic theater. One o- the 4o!t !igni-icant -unction! o- thi! theater i! to di!!o )e ha""ening! into their ge!tic co4"onent!. One can go e)en -urther and !ay that a good nu4ber o- Ka-3aK! !horter !tudie! and !torie! are !een in their -u ight on y when they are* !o to !"ea3* "ut on a! act! in the DNature Theater oO3 aho4a.E On y then wi one recogniAe with certainty that Ka-3aK! entire wor3 con!titute! a code o- ge!ture! which !ure y had no de-inite !y4bo ic 4eaning -or the author -ro4 the out!etN rather* the author tried to deri)e !uch a 4eaning -ro4 the4 in e)er=changing conteGt! and eG"eri4enta grou"ing!. The theater i! the ogica " ace -or !uch grou"ing!. +n an un"ub i!hed co44entary on DA 7ratricide*E Werner Kra-t "erce"ti)e y identi-ied the e)ent! in thi! itt e !tory a! !cenic e)ent!. DThe " ay i! ready to begin* and it i! actua y announced by a be . Thi! co4e! about in a )ery natura way. We!e ea)e! the bui ding in which hi! o--ice i! ocated. But thi! doorbe * !o we are eG"re!! y to d* i! Rtoo oud -or a doorbe N it ring! out o)er the town and u" to $./

RranE ?a(ka hea)en.KQ (u!t a! thi! be * which i! too oud -or a doorbe * ring! out toward hea)en* the ge!ture! o- Ka-3aK! -igure! are too "ower-u -or our accu!to4ed !urrounding! and brea3 out into wider area!. The greater Ka-3aK! 4a!tery beca4e* the 4ore -re?uent y did he e!chew ada"ting the!e ge!ture! to co44on !ituation! or eG" aining the4. D+t i! !trange beha)ior*E we read in DThe 8eta4or"ho!i!*E Dto !it on the de!3 and ta 3 down at the e4" oyee* who* -urther4ore* 4u!t co4e ?uite c o!e becau!e hi! bo!! i! hard o- hearing.E The Trial ha! a ready e-t !uch 4oti)ation! -ar behind. +n the "enu ti4ate cha"ter* K. !to"! at the -ir!t row! in the Cathedra * Dbut the "rie!t !ee4ed to con!ider the di!tance !ti too greatN he !tretched out an ar4 and "ointed with hi! !har" y bent -ore-inger to a !"ot right in -ront o- the "u "it. K. -o owed thi! direction tooN at that " ace he had to bend hi! head -ar bac3 to !ee the "rie!t at a .E 8aG Brod ha! !aidN DThe wor d o- tho!e rea itie! that were i4"ortant -or hi4 wa! in)i!ib e.E What Ka-3a cou d !ee ea!t o- a wa! the #est!s4 Each ge!ture i! an e)entFone 4ight e)en !ay* a dra4aFin it!e -. The !tage on which thi! dra4a ta3e! " ace i! the Wor d Theater which o"en! u" toward hea)en. On the other hand* thi! hea)en i! on y bac3groundN to eG" ore it according to it! own aw! wou d be i3e -ra4ing the "ainted bac3dro" o- the !tage and hanging it in a "icture ga ery. 1i3e E 5reco* Ka-3a tear! o"en the !3y behind e)ery ge!tureN but a! with E 5reco=who wa! the "atron !aint o- the EG"re!!ioni!t!=the ge!ture re4ain! the deci!i)e thing* the center o- the e)ent. The "eo" e who ha)e a!!u4ed re!"on!ibi ity -or the 3noc3 at the 4anor gate wa 3 doub ed u" with -right. Thi! i! how a Chine!e actor wou d "ortray terror* but no one wou d gi)e a !tart. E !ewhere K. hi4!e - doe! a bit o- acting. Without being -u y con!ciou! o- it* D! ow y . . . with hi! eye! not oo3ing down but cautiou! y rai!ed u"ward! he too3 one o- the "a"er! -ro4 the de!3* "ut it on the "a 4 o- hi! hand and gradua y rai!ed it u" to the gent e4en whi e getting u" hi4!e -. He had nothing de-inite in 4ind* but acted on y with the -ee ing that thi! wa! what he wou d ha)e to do once he had co4" eted the big "etition which wa! to eGonerate hi4 co4" ete y.E Thi! ani4a ge!ture co4bine! the ut4o!t $.$

&ll!minations 4y!teriou!ne!! with the ut4o!t !i4" icity. +t i! "o!!ib e to read Ka-3aK! ani4a !torie! -or ?uite a whi e without rea iAing that they are not about hu4an being! at a . When one encounter! the na4e o- the creatureF4on3ey* dog* 4o eFone oo3! u" in -right and rea iAe! that one i! a ready -ar away -ro4 the continent o4an. But it i! a way! Ka-3aN he di)e!t! the hu4an ge!ture o- it! traditiona !u""ort! and then ha! a !ubCect -or re- ection without end. Strange y enough* the!e re- ection! are end e!! e)en when their "oint ode"arture i! one o- Ka-3aK! "hi o!o"hica ta e!. Ta3e* -or eGa4" e* the "arab e DBe-ore the 1aw.E The reader who read it in A Co!ntr. 0o"tor 4ay ha)e been !truc3 by the c oudy !"ot in it. But wou d it ha)e ed hi4 to the ne)er=ending !erie! o- re- ection! traceab e to thi! "arab e at the " ace where Ka-3a underta3e! to inter"ret itJ Thi! i! done by the "rie!t in The Trial, and at !uch a !igni-icant 4o4ent that it oo3! a! i- the no)e were nothing but the un-o ding o- the "arab e. The word Dun-o dingKP ha! a doub e 4eaning. A bud un-o d! into a b o!!o4* but the boat which one teache! chi dren to 4a3e by -o ding "a"er un-o d! into a - at !heet o- "a"er. Thi! !econd 3ind o- Dun-o dingE i! -ea y a""ro"riate to the "arab eN it i! the readerK! " ea!ure to !4ooth it out !o that he ha! the 4eaning on the "a 4 o- hi! hand. Ka-3aK! "arab e!* howe)er* un-o d in the -ir!t !en!e* the way a bud turn! into a b o!!o4. That i! why their e--ect re!e4b e! "oetry. Thi! doe! not 4ean that hi! "ro!e "iece! be ong entire y in the tradition o- We!tern "ro!e -or4!N they ha)e* rather* a !i4i ar re ation!hi" to doctrine a! the Haggadah doe! to the Ha a3ah. They are not "arab e!* and yet they do not want to be ta3en at their -ace )a ueN they end the4!e )e! to ?uotation and can be to d -or "ur"o!e! o- c ari-ication. But do we ha)e the doctrine which Ka-3aK! "arab e! inter"ret and which K.K! "o!ture! and the ge!ture! o- hi! ani4a ! c ari-yJ +t doe! not eGi!tN a we can !ay i! that here and there we ha)e an a u!ion to it. Ka-3a 4ight ha)e !aid that the!e are re ic! tran!4itting the doctrine* a though we cou d regard the4 Cu!t a! we 8 6 cur!or! "re"aring the doctrine. +n e)ery ca!e it i! a ?ue!tion o- how i-e and wor3 are organiAed in hu4an !ociety. Thi! ?ue!= $..

7ranA Ka-3a tion increa!ing y occu"ied Ka-3a a! it beca4e i4"enetrab e to hi4. +Na"o eon* in hi! -a4ou! con)er!ation with 5oethe at Er-urt* !ub!tituted "o itic! -or -ate* Ka-3a* in a )ariation o- thi! !tate4ent* cou d ha)e de-ined organiAation a! de!tiny. He -ace! it not on y in the eGten!i)e hierarchy o- o--icia do4 in The Trial and The Castle, but e)en 4ore concrete y in the di--icu t and inca cu ab e con!truction " an! who!e )enerab e 4ode he dea t with in The Freat Wall o( China4 DThe wa wa! to be a "rotection -or centurie!N according y* the 4o!t !cru"u ou! care in the con!truction* the a"" ication o- the architectura wi!do4 o- a 3nown age! and "eo" e!* a con!tant !en!e o- "er!ona re!"on!ibi ity on the "art o- the bui der! were indi!"en!ab e "rere?ui!ite! -or the wor3. To be !ure* -or the 4enia ta!3! ignorant day aborer! -ro4 the "o"u ace* 4en* wo4en* and chi dren* whoe)er o--ered hi! !er)ice! -or good 4oney* cou d be u!edN but -or the !u"er)i!ion e)en o- e)ery -our day aborer! a 4an trained in the bui ding trade wa! re?uired. . . . WeFand here + !"ea3 in the na4e o- 4any "eo" eFdid not rea y 3now our!e )e! unti we had care-u y !crutiniAed the decree! o- the high co44andN then we di!co)ered that without thi! eader!hi" neither our boo3 earning nor our co44on !en!e wou d ha)e !u--iced -or the hu4b e ta!3! which we "er-or4ed in the great who e.E Thi! organiAation re!e4b e! -ate. 8etchni3o--* who ha! out ined thi! in hi! -a4ou! boo3 +a Civilisation et les #ran's (le!ves histori7!es HCi)i iAation and the 5reat Hi!torica Ri)er!I* u!e! anguage that cou d be Ka-3aK!. DThe cana ! o- the YangtAe and the da4! o- the Ye ow Ri)er*E he write!* Dare in a i3e ihood the re!u t o- the !3i -u y organiAed Coint abor o. . * generation!. The ! ighte!t care e!!ne!! in the digging o- a ditch or the buttre!!ing o- a da4* the ea!t bit o- neg igence or !e -i!h beha)ior on the "art o- an indi)idua or a grou" o- 4en in the 4aintenance o- the co44on hydrau ic wea th beco4e!* under !uch unu!ua circu4!tance!* the !ource o- !ocia e)i ! and -ar= reaching !ocia ca a4ity. Con!e?uent y* a i-e=gi)ing ri)er re?uire! on "ain odeath a c o!e and "er4anent !o idarity between grou"! o- "eo" e that -re?uent y are a ien or e)en ho!ti e to one anotherN it !entence! e)eryone to abor! who!e co44on u!e-u y

Ill*minati+n) ne!! i! re)ea ed on y by ti4e and who!e de!ign ?uite o-ten re4ain! utter y inco4"rehen!ib e to an ordinary 4an.E Ka-3a wi!hed to be nu4bered a4ong ordinary 4en. He wa! "u!hed to the i4it! o- under!tanding at e)ery turn* and he i3ed to "u!h other! to the4 a! we . At ti4e! he !ee4! to co4e c o!e to !aying with Do!toe)!3yK! 5rand +n?ui!itorN DSo we ha)e be-ore u! a 4y!tery which we cannot co4"rehend. And "reci!e y becau!e it i! a 4y!tery we ha)e had the right to "reach it* to teach the "eo" e that what 4atter! i! neither -reedo4 nor o)e* but the ridd e* the !ecret* the 4y!tery to which they ha)e to bowFwithout re- ection and e)en again!t their con!cience.E Ka-3a did not a way! e)ade the te4"tation! o- 4y!tici!4. There i! a diary entry concerning hi! encounter with Rudo - SteinerN in it! "ub i!hed -or4 at ea!t it doe! not re- ect Ka-3aK! attitude toward hi4. Did he a)oid ta3ing a !tandJ Hi! way with hi! own writing! certain y doe! not eGc ude thi! "o!!ibi ity. Ka-3a had a rare ca"acity -or creating "arab e! -or hi4!e -. Yet hi! "arab e! are ne)er eGhau!ted by what i! eG" ainab eN on the contrary* he too3 a concei)ab e "recaution! again!t the inter"retation o- hi! writing!. One ha! to -ind oneK! way in the4 circu4!"ect y* cautiou! y* and wari y. One 4u!t 3ee" in 4ind Ka-3aK! way o- reading a! eGe4" i-ied in hi! inter"retation o- the abo)e= 4entioned "arab e. Hi! te!ta4ent i! another ca!e in "oint. 5i)en it! bac3ground* the directi)e in which Ka-3a ordered the de!truction o- hi! iterary re4ain! i! Cu!t a! un-atho4ab e* to be weighed Cu!t a! care-u y a! the an!wer! o- the door3ee"er be-ore the aw. ,erha"! Ka-3a* who!e e)ery day on earth brought hi4 u" again!t in!o ub e beha)ior "rob e4! and undeci"herab e co44unication!* in death wi!hed to gi)e hi! conte4"orarie! a ta!te o- their own 4edicine. Ka-3aK! wor d i! a wor d theater. 7or hi4* 4an i! on the !tage -ro4 the )ery beginning. The "roo- o- the "udding i! the -act that e)eryone i! acce"ted by the Nature Theater o- O3 aho4a. What the !tandard! -or ad4i!!ion are cannot be deter4ined. Dra4atic ta ent* the 4o!t ob)iou! criterion* !ee4! to be o- no i4"ortance. But thi! can be eG"re!!ed in another way@ a that i! eG"ected o- the a"" icant! i! the abi ity to " ay the4!e )e!. +t i! $.<

RranE ?a(ka no onger within the rea 4 o- "o!!ibi ity that they cou d* i- nece!!ary* be what they c ai4 to be. With their ro e! the!e "eo" e oo3 -or a "o!ition in the Nature Theater Cu!t a! ,irande oK! !iG character! !ought an author. 7or a o- the4 thi! " ace i! the a!t re-uge* which doe! not "rec ude it -ro4 being their !a )ation. Sa )ation i! not a "re4iu4 on eGi!tence* but the a!t way out -or a 4an who!e "ath* a! Ka-3a "ut! it* i! Db oc3ed ... by hi! own -ronta bone.E The aw o- thi! theater i! contained in a !entence tuc3ed away in DA Re"ort to an Acade4yE@ D+ i4itated "eo" e becau!e + wa! oo3ing -or a way out* and -or no other rea!on.E Be-ore the end o- hi! tria * K. !ee4! to ha)e an inti4ation o- the!e thing!. He !udden y turn! to the two gent e4en wearing to" hat! who ha)e co4e -or hi4 and a!3! the4@ ^ RWhat theater are you " aying atJK RTheaterJK a!3ed one* the corner! o- hi! 4outh twitching a! he oo3ed -or ad)ice to the other* who acted a! i- he were a 4ute !trugg ing to o)erco4e a !tubborn di!abi ity.E The 4en do not an!wer thi! ?ue!tion* but there i! 4uch to indicate that it ha! hit ho4e. At a ong bench which ha! been co)ered with a white c oth a tho!e who wi hence-orth be with the Nature Theater are -ed. DThey were a ha""y and eGcited.E By way o- ce ebration* eGtra! act a! ange !. They !tand on high "ede!ta ! that are co)ered with - owing rai4ent! and ha)e !tair! in!ideFthe 4a3ing! o- a country church -air* or 4aybe a chi drenK! -e!ti)a * which 4ay ha)e e i4inated the !adne!! -ro4 the eye! o- the tight y aced* dre!!ed=u" boy we di!cu!!ed abo)e. But -or the -act that their wing! are tied on* the!e ange ! 4ight be rea . They ha)e -orerunner! in Ka-3aK! wor3!. One o- the4 i! the i4"re!ario who c i4b! u" on the uggage rac3 neGt to the tra"eAe arti!t be!et by hi! D-ir!t !orrow*E care!!e! hi4 and "re!!e! hi! -ace again!t the arti!tK!* ^!o that he wa! bathed by the tra"eAe arti!tK! tear!.E Another* a guardian ange or guardian o- the aw* ta3e! care o- Sch4ar the 4urderer -o owing the D-ratricideE and ead! hi4 away* !te""ing ight y* with Sch4arK! D4outh "re!!ed again!t the "o ice4anK! !hou der.E Ka-3aK! Amerika end! with the ru!tic cere4onie! o- O3 aho4a. D+n Ka-3a*E !aid So4a 8orgen=!tern* Dthere i! the air o- a )i age* a! with a great -ounder! o$.Z

&ll!minations re igion!.E 1ao=t!eK! "re!entation o- "iou!ne!! i! a the 4ore "ertinent here becau!e Ka-3a ha! !u"" ied it! 4o!t "er-ect de!cri"tion in DThe NeGt 6i age.E DNeighboring countrie! 4ay be within !ight* !o that the !ound! o- roo!ter! and dog! 4ay be heard in the di!tance. And yet "eo" e are !aid to die at a ri"e o d age without ha)ing tra)e ed -ar.E Thu! 1ao=t!e. Ka-3a wa! a writer o- "arab e!* but he did not -ound a re igion. 1et u! con!ider the )i age at the -oot o- Ca!t e Hi whence K.P! a eged e4" oy4ent a! a and !ur)eyor i! !o 4y!teriou! y and uneG"ected y con-ir4ed. +n hi! ,o!t!cri"t to The Castle Brod 4entioned that in de"icting thi! )i age at the -oot o- Ca!t e Hi Ka-3a had in 4ind a !"eci-ic " ace* [tirau in the ErA 5ebirge. We 4ay* howe)er* a !o recogniAe another )i age in it. +t i! the )i age in a Ta 4udic egend to d by a rabbi in an!wer to the ?ue!tion why (ew! "re"are a -e!ti)e e)ening 4ea on 7riday!. The egend i! about a "rince!! angui!hing in eGi e* in a )i age who!e anguage !he doe! not under!tand* -ar -ro4 her co4"a= triot!. One day thi! "rince!! recei)e! a etter !aying that her -iance ha! not -orgotten her and i! on hi! way to her. The -iance* !o !ay! the rabbi* i! the 8e!!iahN the "rince!! i! the !ou N the )i age in which !he i)e! in eGi e i! the body. She "re"are! a 4ea -or hi4 becau!e thi! i! the on y way in which !he can eG"re!! her Coy in a )i age who!e anguage !he doe! not 3now. Thi! )i age othe Ta 4ud i! right in Ka-3aK! wor d. 7or Cu!t a! K. i)e! in the )i age on Ca!t e Hi * 4odern 4an i)e! in hi! bodyN the body ! i"! away -ro4 hi4* i! ho!ti e toward hi4. +t 4ay ha""en that a 4an wa3e! u" one day and -ind! hi4!e tran!-or4ed into )er4in. EGi eFhi! eGi eFha! gained contro o)er hi4. The air othi! )i age b ow! about Ka-3a* and that i! why he wa! not te4"ted to -ound a re igion. The "ig!ty which hou!e! the country doctorK! hor!e!N the !tu--y bac3 roo4 in which K a44* a cigar in hi! 4outh* !it! o)er a g a!! o- beerN the 4anor gate* to 3noc3 again!t which bring! ruinFa theie are "art o- thi! )i age. The air in thi! )i age i! not -ree o- a the aborti)e and o)erri"e e e4ent! that -or4 !uch a "utrid 4iGture. Thi! i! the air that Ka-3a had to breathe a hi! i-e. He wa! neither 4antic nor the -ounder o- a re igion. How wa! he ab e to !ur)i)e in thi! airJ $.&

7ranA Ka-3a THE 1+TT1E H2NCHBACK So4e ti4e ago it beca4e 3nown that Knut Ha4!un wa! in the habit oeG"re!!ing hi! )iew! in an occa!iona etter to the editor o- the oca "a"er in the !4a town near which he i)ed. Year! ago that town wa! the !cene o- the Cury tria o- a 4aid who had 3i ed her in-ant chi d. She wa! !entenced to a "ri!on ter4. Soon therea-ter the oca "a"er "rinted a etter -ro4 Ha4!un in which he announced hi! intention o- ea)ing a town which did not )i!it the !u"re4e "uni!h4ent on a 4other who 3i ed her newborn chi dFthe ga ow!* or at ea!t a i-e ter4 o- hard abor. A -ew year! "a!!ed. Fro3th o( the Doil a""eared* and it contained the !tory o- a 4aid who co44itted the !a4e cri4e* !u--ered the !a4e "uni!h4ent* and* a! i! 4ade c ear to the reader* !ure y de!er)ed no 4ore !e)ere one. Ka-3aK! "o!thu4ou! re- ection!* which are contained in The Freat Wall o( China, reca thi! to 4ind. Hard y had thi! )o u4e a""eared when the re- ection! !er)ed a! the ba!i! -or a Ka-3a critici!4 which concentrated on an inter"retation o- the!e re- ection! to the neg ect o- hi! rea wor3!. There are two way! to 4i!! the "oint o- Ka-3aK! wor3!. One i! to inter"ret the4 natura y* the other i! the !u"ernatura inter"retation. Both the "!ychoana ytic and the theo ogica inter"retation! e?ua y 4i!! the e!!entia "oint!. The -ir!t 3ind i! re"re!ented by He rnuth Kai!erN the !econd* by nu4erou! writer!* !uch a! H. (. Schoe"!* Bern= hard Rang* and Be4hard 5roethuy!en. To the!e a!t a !o be ong! Wi y Haa!* a though he ha! 4ade re)ea ing co44ent! on Ka-3a in other conteGt! which we !ha di!cu!! aterN !uch in!ight! did not "re)ent hi4 -ro4 inter"reting Ka-3aK! wor3 a-ter a theo ogica "attern. DThe "ower! abo)e* the rea 4 o- grace*E !o Haa! write!* DKa-3a ha! de"icted in hi! great no)e The CastleM the "ower! be ow* the rea 4 o- the court! and o- da4nation* he ha! dea t with in hi! e?ua y great no)e The Trial4 The earth between the two* earth y -ate and it! arduou! de4and!* he atte4"ted to "re!ent in !trict y !ty iAed -or4 in a third no)e * AmerikaT The -ir!t third o- thi! inter"retation ha!* !ince Brod* beco4e the co44on "ro"erty o- Ka-3a critici!4. Bernhard Rang $.(

Ill*minati+n) write! in a !i4i ar )ein@ DTo the eGtent that one 4ay regard the Ca!t e a! the !eat o- grace* "reci!e y the!e )ain e--ort! and atte4"t! 4ean* theo ogica y !"ea3ing* that 5odK! grace cannot be attained or -orced by 4an at wi and de iberate y. 2nre!t and i4"atience on y i4"ede and con-ound the eGa ted !ti ne!! o- the di)ine.E Thi! inter"retation i! a con)enient oneN but the -urther it i! carried* the c earer it beco4e! that it i! untenab e. Thi! i! "erha"! !een 4o!t c ear y in a !tate4ent by Wi y Haa!. DKa-3a goe! bac3 ... to Kier3egaard a! we a! to ,a!ca N one 4ay ca hi4 the on y egiti4ate heir o- the!e two. +n a three there i! an eGcruciating y har!h ba!ic re igiou! the4e@ 4an i! a way! in the wrong be-ore 5od... . Ka-3aK! u""er wor d* hi! !o=ca ed Ca!t e* with it! i44en!e* co4" eG !ta-- o- "etty and rather echerou! o--icia !* hi! !trange hea)en " ay! a horrib e ga4e with "eo" e ... and yet 4an i! )ery 4uch in the wrong e)en be-ore thi! god.E Thi! theo ogy -a ! -ar behind the doctrine o- Cu!ti-ication o- St* An!e 4 o- Canterbury into barbaric !"ecu ation! which do not e)en !ee4 con!i!tent with the teGt o- Ka-3aK! wor3!. DCan an indi)idua o--icia -orgi)eJE we read in The Castle4 RThi! cou d on y be a 4atter -or the o)er=a authoritie!* but e)en they can "robab y not -orgi)e but on y Cudge.E Thi! road ha! !oon ed into a b ind a ey. DA thi!*E !ay! Deni! de Rouge4ont* Di! not the wretched !ituation o- 4an without a god* but the wretched !tate o- a 4an who i! bound to a god he doe! not 3now* becau!e he doe! not 3now Chri!t.E +t i! ea!ier to draw !"ecu ati)e conc u!ion! -ro4 Ka-3aK! "o!thu4ou! co ection o- note! than to eG" ore e)en one o- the 4oti-! that a""ear in hi! !torie! and no)e !. Yet on y the!e gi)e !o4e c ue to the "rehi!toric -orce! that do4inated Ka-3aK! crea=ti)ene!!* -orce! which* to be !ure* 4ay Cu!ti-iab y be regarded a! be onging to our wor d a! we . Who can !ay under what na4e! they a""eared to Ka-3a hi4!e -J On y thi! 4uch i! certain@ he did not 3now the4 and -ai ed to get hi! bearing! a4ong the4. +n the 4irror which the "rehi!toric wor d he d be-ore hi4 in the -or4 o- gui t he 4ere y !aw the -uture e4erging in the -or4 o- Cudg4ent. Ka-3a* howe)er* did not !ay what it wa! i3e. Wa! it not the 1a!t (udg4entJ Doe! it not turn the Cudge into the $.'

RranE ?a(ka de-endantJ +! the tria not the "uni!h4entJ Ka-3a ga)e no an!wer. Did he eG"ect anything o- thi! "uni!h4entJ Or wa! he not rather concerned to "o!t"one itJ +n the !torie! which Ka-3a e-t u!* narrati)e art regain! the !igni-icance it had in the 4outh o- ScheheraAade@ to "o!t"one the -uture. +n The Trial "o!t"one4ent i! the ho"e o- the accu!ed 4an on y i- the "roceeding! do not gradua y turn into the Cudg4ent. The "atriarch hi4!e - i! to bene-it by "o!t"one4ent* e)en though he 4ay ha)e to trade hi! " ace in tradition -or it. D+ cou d concei)e o- another Abraha4Fto be !ure* he wou d ne)er get to be a "atriarch or e)en an o d=c othe! dea erF* an Abraha4 who wou d be "re"ared to !ati!-y the de4and -or a !acri-ice i44ediate y* with the "ro4"tne!! o- a waiter* but wou d be unab e to bring it o-- becau!e he cannot get away* being indi!"en!ab eN the hou!eho d need! hi4* there i! a way! !o4ething or other to ta3e care o-* the hou!e i! ne)er readyN but without ha)ing hi! hou!e ready* without ha)ing !o4ething to -a bac3 on* he cannot ea)eFthi! the Bib e a !o rea iAed* -or it !ay!@ RHe !et hi! hou!e in order.K ^ Thi! Abraha4 a""ear! Dwith the "ro4"tne!! o- a waiter.E Ka-3a cou d under!tand thing! on y in the -or4 o- a #est!s, and thi! #est!s which he did not under!tand con!titute! the c oudy "art o- the "arab e!. Ka-3aK! writing! e4anate -ro4 it. The way he withhe d the4 i! we 3nown. Hi! te!ta4ent order! their de= !truction. Thi! docu4ent* which no one intere!ted in Ka-3a can di!regard* !ay! that the writing! did not !ati!-y their author* that he regarded hi! e--ort! a! -ai ure!* that he counted hi4!e - a4ong tho!e who were bound to -ai . He did -ai in hi! grandio!e atte4"t to con)ert "oetry into doctrine* to turn it into a "arab e and re!tore to it that !tabi ity and un"retentiou!ne!! which* in the -ace o- rea!on* !ee4ed to hi4 to be the on y a""ro"riate thing -or it. No other writer ha! obeyed the co44and4ent DThou !ha t not 4a3e unto thee * gra)eWi4ageQ !o -aith-u y. D+t wa! a! i- the !ha4e o- it wa! to out i)e hi4.E With the!e word! The Trial end!. Corre!"onding a! it doe! to hi! De e4enta "urity o- -ee ing*E !ha4e i! Ka-3aK! !tronge!t ge!ture. +t ha! a dua a!"ect* howe)er. Sha4e i! an inti4ate hu4an reaction* but at the !a4e ti4e it ha! !ocia "reten!ion!. Sha4e i! not on y !ha4e $.%

&ll!minations in the "re!ence o- other!* but can a !o be !ha4e one -ee ! -or the4. Ka-3aK! !ha4e* then* i! no 4ore "er!ona than the i-e and thought which go)ern it and which he .ha! de!cribed thu!@ DHe doe! not i)e -or the !a3e o- hi! own i-e* he doe! not thin3 -or the !a3e o- hi! own thought. He -ee ! a! though he were i)ing and thin3ing under the con!traint o- a -a4i y. . . . Becau!e o- thi! un3nown -a4i y ... he cannot be re ea!ed.E We do not 3now the 4a3e=u" o- thi! un3nown -a4i y* which i! co4"o!ed o- hu4an being! and ani4a !. But thi! 4uch i! c ear@ it i! thi! -a4i y that -orce! Ka-3a to 4o)e co!4ic age! in hi! writing!. Doing thi! -a4i yK! bidding* he 4o)e! the 4a!! o- hi!torica ha""ening! a! Si!y"hu! ro ed the !tone. A! he doe! !o* it! nether !ide co4e! to ightN it i! not a " ea!ant !ight* but Ka-3a i! ca"ab e o- bearing it. DTo be ie)e in "rogre!! i! not to be ie)e that "rogre!! ha! a ready ta3en " aceQ That wou d be no be ie-.E Ka-3a did not con!ider the age in which he i)ed a! an ad)ance o)er the beginning! o- ti4e. Hi! no)e ! are !et in a !wa4" wor d. +n hi! wor3!* created thing! a""ear at the !tage which Bacho-en ha! ter4ed the hetaeric !tage. The -act that it i! now -orgotten doe! not 4ean that it doe! not eGtend into the "re!ent. On the contrary@ it i! actua by )irtue o- thi! )ery ob i)ion. An eG"erience dee"er than that o- an a)erage "er!on can 4a3e contact with it. D+ ha)e eG"erience*E we read in one oKa-3aK! ear ie!t note!* Dand + a4 not Co3ing when + !ay that it i! a !ea!ic3ne!! on dry and.E +t i! no accident that the -ir!t D8editationE wa! 4ade on a !wing. And Ka-3a doe! not tire o- eG"re!!ing hi4!e - on the - uctuating nature o- eG"erience!. Each gi)e! way and 4ing e! with it! o""o!ite. D+t wa! !u44er* a hot day*E !o begin! DThe Knoc3 at the 8anor 5ate.E DWith 4y !i!ter + wa! "a!!ing the gate o- a great hou!e on our way ho4e. + donKt re4e4ber whether !he 3noc3ed on the gate out o- 4i!chie- or in a -it o- ab!ent=4indedne!!* or 4ere y !hoo3 her -i!t at it and did not 3noc3 at a .E The )ery "o!!ibi ity o- the third a ternati)e "ut! the other two* which at -ir!t !ee4ed har4 e!!* in a di--erent ight. +t i! -ro4 the !wa4"y !oi o- !uch eG"erience! that Ka-3aK! -e4a e character! ri!e. They are !wa4" creature! i3e 1eni* Dwho !tretche! out the 4idd e and ring -inger! o- her right hand between which the connecting $B/

RranE ?a(ka web o- !3in reached a 4o!t to the to" Coint* !hort a! the -inger! were.E D7ine ti4e!WK !o the a4bi)a ent 7rieda re4ini!ce! about her ear ier i-eN Dyou ne)er a!3ed 4e about 4y "a!t.E Thi! "a!t ta3e! u! bac3 to the dar3* dee" wo4b* the !cene o- the 4ating Dwho!e untra44e ed )o u"tuou!ne!!*E to ?uote Bacho-en* Di! hate-u to the "ure -orce! o- hea)en y ight and which Cu!ti-ie! the ter4 u!ed by Arnobiu!* l!teae vol!:tates Hdirty )o u"tuou!ne!!I.E On y -ro4 thi! )antage "oint can the techni?ue o- Ka-3a the !toryte er be co4"rehended. Whene)er -igure! in the no)e ! ha)e anything to !ay to K.* no 4atter how i4"ortant or !ur"ri!ing it 4ay be* they do !o ca!ua y and with the i4" ication that he 4u!t rea y ha)e 3nown it a a ong. +t i! a! though nothing new wa! being i4"arted* a! though the hero wa! Cu!t being !ubt y in)ited to reca to 4ind !o4ething that he had -orgotten. Thi! i! how Wi y Haa! ha! inter"reted the cour!e o- e)ent! in The Trials and Cu!ti-iab y !o. DThe obCect o- the tria *E he write!* Dindeed* the rea hero o- thi! incredib e boo3 i! -orgetting* who!e 4ain characteri!tic i! the -orgetting o- it!e -. . . . Here it ha! actua y beco4e a 4ute -igure in the !ha"e o- the accu!ed 4an* a -igure o- the 4o!t !tri3ing inten!ity.E +t "robab y cannot be denied that Dthi! 4y!teriou! center . * . deri)e! -ro4 the (ewi!h re igion.E D8e4ory " ay! a )ery 4y!teriou! ro e a! "iou!ne!!. +t i! not an ordinary* but... the 4o!t "ro-ound ?ua ity o- (eho)ah that he re4e4ber!* that he retain! an in-a ib e 4e4ory Rto the third and -ourth* e)en to the hundredth generation.K The 4o!t !acred ... act o- the . . . ritua i! the era!ing o- !in! -ro4 the boo3 o- 4e4ory.E What ha! been -orgottenFand thi! in!ight a--ord! u! yet another a)enue oacce!! to Ka-3aK! wor3Fi! ne)er !o4ething "ure y indi)idua . E)erything -orgotten 4ing e! with what ha! been -orgotten o- the "rehi!toric wor d* -or4! count e!!* uncertain* changing co4"ound!* yie ding a con!tant - ow o- new* !trange "roduct!. Ob i)ion i! the container -ro4 which the ineGhau!tib e inter4ediate wor d in Ka-3aK! !torie! "re!!e! toward the ight. DHere the )ery -u ne!! o- the wor d i! con!idered a! the on y rea ity. A !"irit 4u!t be concrete* "articu ariAed in order

Fran6 'af7a to ha)e it! " ace and raison '6etre4 The !"iritua * i- it " ay! a ro e at a * turn! into !"irit!. The!e !"irit! beco4e de-inite indi)idua !* with na4e! and a )ery !"ecia connection with the na4e o- the wor!hi"er. . . . Without any !cru" e! their -u ne!! i! cra44ed into the -u ne!! o- the wor d.... The crowd o- !"irit! i! !we ed without any concern . . . new one! are con!tant y added to the o d one!* and a are di!tingui!hed -ro4 the other! by their own na4e!.E A thi! doe! not re-er to Ka-3a* but toFChina. Thi! i! how 7ranA Ro!enAweig de!cribe! the Chine!e ance!tor cu t in hi! Dtar o( *e'em:tion4 To Ka-3a* the wor d o- hi! ance!tor! wa! a! un-atho4ab e a! the wor d o- rea itie! wa! i4"ortant -or hi4* and* we 4ay be !ure that* i3e the tote4 "o e! o- "ri4iti)e "eo" e!* the wor d oance!tor! too3 hi4 down to the ani4a !. +ncidenta y* Ka-3a i! not the on y writer -or who4 ani4a ! are the rece"tac e! o- the -orgotten. +n Tiee3K! "ro-ound !tory D7air Ec3bert*E the -orgotten na4e o- a itt e dog* Stroh4i* !tand! -or a 4y!teriou! gui t. One can under!tand* then* that Ka-3a did not tire o"ic3ing u" the -orgotten -ro4 ani4a !. They are not the goa * to be !ure* but one cannot do without the4. A ca!e in "oint i! the Dhunger arti!tKQ who* D!trict y !"ea3ing* wa! on y an i4"edi4ent on the way to the 4enagerie.E Can one not !ee the ani4a ! in DThe BurrowE or DThe 5iant 8o eE "onder a! they dig inJ And yet thi! thin3ing i! eGtre4e y - ighty. +rre!o ute y it - it! -ro4 one worry to the neGt* it nibb e! at e)ery anGiety with the -ic3 ene!! o- de!"air. Thu! there are butter- ie! in Ka-3a* too. The gui t=ridden DHunter 5racchu!*E who re-u!e! to ac= 3now edge hi! gui t* Dha! turned into a butter- y.E DDonKt augh*E !ay! the hunter 5racchu!. Thi! 4uch i! certain@ o- a o- Ka-3aK! creature!* the ani4a ! ha)e the greate!t o""ortunity -or re- ec=tion. What corru"tion i! in the aw* anGiety i! in their thin3ing. +t 4e!!e! a !ituation u"* yet it i! the on y ho"e-u thing about it. Howe)er* becau!e the 4o!t -orgotten a ien and i! oneK! own body* one can under!tand why Ka-3a ca ed the cough that eru"ted -ro4 within hi4 Dthe ani4a .E +t wa! the 4o!t ad)anced out"o!t o- the great herd. The !trange!t ba!tard which the "rehi!toric wor d ha! begotten with gui t in Ka-3a i! Odrade3 Hin DThe Care! o- a 7a4i y $B.

RranE ?a(ka 8anEI. DAt -ir!t !ight it oo3! i3e a - at* !tar=!ha"ed !"oo -or thread* and it rea y !ee4! to ha)e thread wound around itN to be !ure* they "robab y are on y o d* bro3en=o-- bit! o- thread that are 3notted and tang ed together* o- a !ort! and co or!. But it i! not Cu!t a !"oo * -or a !4a wooden cro!!=bar !tic3! out othe 4idd e o- the !tar* and another !4a rod i! Coined to it at a right ang e. With the aid o- thi! atter rod on one !ide and one o- the eGten!ion! o- the !tar on the other* the who e thing can !tand u"right a! i- on two eg!.E Odrade3 D!tay! a ternate y in the attic* on the !tairca!e* in the corridor!* and in the ha .E So it "re-er! the !a4e " ace! a! the court o- aw which in)e!tigate! gui t. Attic! are the " ace! o- di!carded* -orgotten obCect!. ,erha"! the nece!!ity to a""ear be-ore a court o- Cu!tice gi)e! ri!e to a -ee ing !i4i ar to that with which one a""roache! trun3! in the attic which ha)e been oc3ed u" -or year!. One wou d i3e to "ut o-thi! chore ti the end o- ti4e* Cu!t a! K. regard! hi! written de-en!e a! !uitab e D-or occu"ying oneK! !eni e 4ind !o4e day during retire4ent.E Odrade3 i! the -or4 which thing! a!!u4e in ob i)ion. They are di!torted. The Dcare! o- a -a4i y 4an*E which no one can identi-y* are di!tortedN the bug* owhich we 3now a too we that it re"re!ent! 5regor Sa4!a* i! di!tortedN the big ani4a * ha - a4b* ha - 3itten* -or which Dthe butcherK! 3ni-eE 4ight be Da re ea!e*E i! di!torted. The!e Ka-3a -igure! are connected by a ong !erie! o-igure! with the "rototy"e o- di!tortion* the hunchbac3. A4ong the i4age! in Ka-3aK! !torie!* none i! 4ore -re?uent than that o- the 4an who bow! hi! head -ar down on hi! che!t@ the -atigue o- the court o--icia !* the noi!e a--ecting the door4en in the hote * the ow cei ing -acing the )i!itor! in the ga ery. +n the 5enal Colon. tho!e in "ower u!e an archaic a""aratu! which engra)e! etter! with cur icue! on the bac3! o- gui ty 4en* 4u ti" ying the !tab! and "i ing u" the orna4ent! to the "oint where the bac3 o- the gui ty 4an beco4e! c air)oyant and i! ab e to deci"her the writing -ro4 which he 4u!t deri)e the nature o- hi! un3nown gui t. +t i! the bac3 on which thi! i! incu4bent. +t wa! a way! thi! way with Ka-3a. Co4"are thi! ear y diary entry@ ^+n order to be a! hea)y a! "o!!ib e* which + be ie)e to be an aid 4

+ u4ination! to -a ing a! ee"* + had cro!!ed 4y ar4! and "ut 4y hand! on 4y !hou der!* !o that + ay there i3e a !o dier with hi! "ac3.E _uite "a "ab y* being oaded down i! here e?uated with -orgetting* the -orgetting o- a ! ee"ing 4an. The !a4e !y4bo occur! in the -o 3!ong DThe 1itt e Hunchbac3.E Thi! itt e 4an i! at ho4e in di!torted i-eN he wi di!a""ear with the co4ing o- the 8e!!iah* owho4 a great rabbi once !aid that he did not wi!h to change the wor d by -orce* but wou d on y 4a3e a ! ight adCu!t4ent in it. When i co4e into 4y roo4* 8y itt e bed to 4a3e* A itde hunchbac3 i! in there* With aughter doe! he !ha3e. Thi! i! the aughter o- Odrade3* which i! de!cribed a! !ounding D!o4ething i3e the ru!t ing in -a ing ea)e!.E When + 3nee u"on 4y !too And + want to "ray* A hunchbac3ed 4an i! in the roo4 And he !tart! to !ay@ 8y dear chi d* + beg o- you* ,ray -or the itt e hunchbac3 too. So end! the -o 3!ong. +n hi! de"th Ka-3a touche! the ground which neither D4ythica di)inationE nor DeGi!tentia theo ogyE !u"" ied hi4 with. +t i! the core o- -o 3 tradition* the 5er4an a! we a! the (ewi!h. E)en i- Ka-3a did not "rayF and thi! we do not 3nowFhe !ti "o!!e!!ed in the highe!t degree what 8a e= branche ca ed Dthe natura "rayer o- the !ou E@ attenti)ene!!. And in thi! attenti)ene!! he inc uded a i)ing creature!* a! !aint! inc ude the4 in their "rayer!. SANCHO ,AN[A +n a Ha!idic )i age* !o the !tory goe!* (ew! were !itting together in a !habby inn one Sabbath e)ening. They were a oca "eo" e* with the eGce"tion o- one "er!on no one 3new* a )ery "oor* ragged 4an who wa! !?uatting in a dar3 corner at the bac3 $B<

7ranA Ka-3a o- the roo4. A !ort! o- thing! were di!cu!!ed* and then it wa! !ugge!ted that e)eryone !hou d te what wi!h he wou d 4a3e i- one were granted hi4. One 4an wanted 4oneyN another wi!hed -or a !on=in= awN a third drea4ed o- a new car"enterK! benchN and !o e)eryone !"o3e in turn. A-ter they had -ini!hed* on y the beggar in hi! dar3 corner wa! e-t. Re uctant y and he!itant y he an!wered the ?ue!tion. D+ wi!h + were a "ower-u 3ing reigning o)er a big country. Then* !o4e night whi e + wa! a! ee" in 4y "a ace* an ene4y wou d in)ade 4y country* and by dawn hi! hor!e4en wou d "enetrate to 4y ca!t e and 4eet with no re!i!tance. Rou!ed -ro4 4y ! ee"* + wou dnKt ha)e ti4e e)en to dre!! and + wou d ha)e to - ee in 4y !hirt. Ru!hing o)er hi and da e and through -ore!t! day and night* + wou d -na y arri)e !a-e y right here at the bench in thi! corner. Thi! i! 4y wi!h.E The other! eGchanged unco4"rehending g ance!. DAnd what good wou d thi! wi!h ha)e done youJE !o4eone a!3ed. D+Kd ha)e a !hirt*E wa! the an!wer. Thi! !tory ta3e! u! right into the 4i ieu o- Ka-3aK! wor d. No one !ay! that the di!tortion! which it wi be the 8e!!iahK! 4i!!ion to !et right !o4eday a--ect on y our !"aceN !ure y they are di!tortion! o- our ti4e a! we . Ka-3a 4u!t ha)e had thi! in 4ind* and in thi! certainty he 4ade the grand-ather in DThe NeGt 6i = ageE !ayN D1i-e i! a!toni!hing y !hort. A! + oo3 bac3 o)er it* i-e !ee4! !o -ore!hortened to 4e that + can hard y under!tand* -or in!tance* how a young 4an can decide to ride o)er to the neGt )i age without being a-raid that* ?uite a"art -ro4 accident!* e)en the !"an o- a nor4a i-e that "a!!e! ha""i y 4ay be tota y in!u--icient -or !uch a ride.E Thi! o d 4anK! brother i! the beggar who!e Dnor4a E i-e that D"a!!e! ha""i yE doe! not e)en ea)e hi4 ti4e -or a wi!h* but who i! eGe4"ted -ro4 thi! wi!h in the abnor4a * unha""y i-e* that i!* the - ight which he atte4"t! in hi! !tory* and eGchange! the wi!h -or it! -u -i 4ent. A4ong Ka-3aK! creature! there i! a c an which rec3on! with the bre)ity o- i-e in a "ecu iar way. +t co4e! -ro4 the Dcity in the !outh ... o- which it wa! !aid@ R,eo" e i)e there whoF i4agineMFdonKt ! ee"MKFRAnd why notJKFRBecau!e they donKt get tired.KFRWhy donKt theyJPFRBecau!e they are -oo !.KFRDonKt -oo ! $BZ

&ll!minations get tiredJKFRHow cou d -oo ! get tiredJKE One can !ee that the -oo ! are a3in to the inde-atigab e a!!i!tant!. But there i! 4ore to thi! c an. +t i! ca!ua y re4ar3ed o- the -ace! o- the a!!i!tant! that they !ee4 to be tho!e o- Dgrown=u"!* "erha"! e)en !tudent!.E Actua y* the !tudent! who a""ear in the !trange!t " ace! in Ka-3aK! wor3! are the !"o3e!4en -or and eader! o- thi! c an. ^ RBut when do you ! ee"JK a!3ed Kar * oo3ing at the !tudent in !ur"ri!e. Oh* ! ee"MK !aid the !tudent. Ti get !o4e ! ee" when +K4 -ini!hed with 4y !tudie!.KQ Thi! re4ind! one o- the re uctance with which chi dren go to bedN a-ter a * whi e they are a! ee"* !o4ething 4ight ha""en that concern! the4. DDonKt -orget the be!tME We are -a4i iar with thi! re4ar3 -ro4 a nebu ou! bunch o- o d !torie!* a though it 4ay not occur in any o- the4. But -orgetting a way! in)o )e! the be!t* -or it in)o )e! the "o!!ibi ity o- rede4"tion. DThe idea o- he "ing 4e i! an i ne!! and re?uire! bed re!t -or a cure*E ironica y !ay! the re!t e!! y wandering gho!t o- the hunter 5racchu!. Whi e they !tudy* the !tudent! are awa3e* and "erha"! their being 3e"t awa3e i! the be!t thing about the!e !tudie!. The hunger arti!t -a!t!* the door3ee"er i! !i ent* and the !tudent! are awa3e. Thi! i! the )ei ed way in which the great ru e! o- a!cetici!4 o"erate in Ka-3a. Their crowning achie)e4ent i! !tudying. Re)erent y Ka-3a unearth! it -ro4 ong= o!t boyhood. DNot )ery un i3e thi!Fa ong ti4e agoFKar had !at at ho4e at hi! "arent!K tab e writing hi! ho4ewor3* whi e hi! -ather read the new!"a"er or did boo33ee"ing and corre!"ondence -or !o4e organiAation and hi! 4other wa! bu!y !ewing* drawing the thread high out o- the 4ateria in her hand. To a)oid di!turbing hi! -ather* Kar u!ed to "ut on y hi! eGerci!e boo3 and hi! writing 4ateria ! on the tab e* whi e he arranged the boo3! he needed on chair! to the right and e-t o- hi4. How ?uiet it had been thereM How !e do4 !tranger! had entered that roo4ME ,erha"! the!e !tudie! had a4ounted to nothing. But they are )ery c o!e to that nothing which a one 4a3e! it "o!!ib e -or !o4ething to be u!e-u Fthat i!* to the Tao. Thi! i! what Ka-3a wa! a-ter with hi! de!ire Dto ha44er a tab e together with "ain!ta3ing cra-t!4an!hi" and* at the !a4e ti4e* to do nothingFnot in !uch a way that !o4eone cou d !ay RHa4= $B&

RranE ?a(ka 4ering i! nothing to hi4*K but RTo hi4* ha44ering i! rea ha44ering and at the !a4e ti4e nothing*K which wou d ha)e 4ade the ha44ering e)en bo der* 4ore deter4ined* 4ore rea * and* i- you i3e* 4ore in!ane.E Thi! i! the re!o ute* -anatica 4ien which !tudent! ha)e when they !tudyN it i! the !trange!t 4ien i4aginab e. The !cribe!* the !tudent!* are out o- breathN they -air y race a ong. DO-ten the o--icia dictate! in !uch a ow )oice that the !cribe cannot e)en hear it !itting downN then he ha! to Cu4" u"* catch the dictation* ?uic3 y !it down again and write it down* then Cu4" u" again and !o -orth. How !trange that i!M +t i! a 4o!t inco4"rehen!ib eME +t 4ay be ea!ier to under!tand thi! i- one thin3! othe actor! in the Nature Theater. Actor! ha)e to catch their cue! in a - a!h* and they re!e4b e tho!e a!!iduou! "eo" e in other way! a! we . Tru y* -or the4 Dha44ering i! rea ha44ering and at the !a4e ti4e nothingEF"ro)ided that thi! i! "art o- their ro e. They !tudy thi! ro e* and on y a bad actor wou d -orget a word or a 4o)e4ent. 7or the 4e4ber! o- the O3 aho4a trou"e* howe)er* the ro e i! their ear ier i-eN hence the DnatureE in thi! Nature Theater. +t! actor! ha)e been redee4ed* but not !o the !tudent who4 Kar watche! !i ent y on the ba cony a! he read! hi! boo3* Dturning the "age!* occa!iona y oo3ing !o4ething u" in another boo3 which he a way! !natched u" ?uic3 a! a - a!h* and -re?uent y 4a3ing note! in a noteboo3* which he a way! did with hi! -ace !ur"ri!ing y c o!e to the "a"er.E Ka-3a doe! not grow tired o- re"re!enting the #est!s in thi! -a!hion* but he in)ariab y doe! !o with a!toni!h4ent. K. ha! right y been co4"ared with the 5ood So dier Schwei3N the one i! a!toni!hed at e)erything* the other at nothing. The in)ention o- the -i 4 and the "honogra"h ca4e in an age o- 4aGi4u4 a ienation o- 4en -ro4 one another* o- un"redictab y inter)ening re ation!hi"! which ha)e beco4e their on y one!. EG"eri4ent! ha)e "ro)ed that a 4an doe! not recogniAe hi! own wa 3 on the !creen or hi! own )oice on the "honogra"h. The !ituation o- the !ubCect in !uch eG"eri4ent! i! Ka-3aK! !ituationN thi! i! what direct! hi4 to earning* where he 4ay encounter -rag4ent! o- hi! own eGi!tence* -rag4ent! that are !ti within the conteGt o- the ro e. He 4ight catch ho d o- the o!t #est!s the way ,eter RB0

+ u4ination! Sch e4ih caught ho d o- the !hadow he had !o d. He 4ight under!tand hi4!e -* but what an enor4ou! e--ort wou d be re?uiredM +t i! a te4"e!t that b ow! -ro4 the and o- ob i)ion* and earning i! a ca)a ry attac3 again!t it. Thu! the beggar on the corner bench ride! toward hi! "a!t in order to catch ho d o- hi4!e - in the -igure o- the - eeing 3ing. Thi! ride* which i! ong enough -or a i-e* corre!"ond! to i-e* which i! too !hort -or a rideFD. . . unti one !hed oneK! !"ur!* -or there were no !"ur!* threw away the rein!* -or there were no rein!* and bare y !aw the and be-ore one a! a !4ooth y 4own heath* with the hor!eK! nec3 and head a ready gone.E Thi! i! the -u -i 4ent o- the -anta!y about the b e!!ed hor!e4an who ru!he! toward the "a!t on an untra44eied* ha""y Courney* no onger a burden on hi! race hor!e. But accur!ed i! the rider who i! chained to hi! nag be= cau!e he ha! !et hi4!e - a goa -or the -uture* e)en though it i! a! c o!e a! the coa ce arFaccur!ed hi! ani4a * accur!ed both o- the4. DSeated on the buc3et* 4y hand! u" on the hand e* with the !i4" e!t 3ind o- brid e* + "ro"e 4y!e - with di--icu ty down the !tair!N but once down be ow* 4y buc3et a!cend!* !u"erb y* !u"erb yY ca4e ! ying - at on the ground do not ri!e any 4ore hand!o4e y a! they !ha3e the4!e )e! under the !tic3! o- their dri)er!.E There i! no 4ore ho"e e!! )i!ta than that o- Dthe region! o- the 3e 4ountain!E in which the buc3et rider dro"! out o- !ight -ore)er. 7ro4 the Dnether4o!t region! o- deathE b ow! the wind that i! -a)orab e to hi4* the !a4e wind which !o o-ten b ow! -ro4 the "rehi!toric wor d in Ka-3aK! wor3!* and which a !o "ro"e ! the boat o- the hunter 5racchu!. DAt 4y!terie! and !acri-ice!* a4ong 5ree3! a! we a! barbarian!*E write! , utarch* Dit i! taught that there 4u!t be two "ri4ary e!!ence! and two o""o!ing -orce!* one o- which "oint! to the right and !traight ahead* wherea! the other turn! around and dri)e! bac3.E Re)er!a i! the direction o- earning which tran!-or4! eGi!tence into writing. +t! teacher i! Buce"ha u!* Dthe new attorney*E who ta3e! the road bac3 without the "ower-u A eGanderFwhich 4ean!* rid othe onru!hing con?ueror. DHi! - an3! -ree and unha4"ered by the thigh! o- a rider* under a ?uiet a4" -ar -ro4 the din o`B'

7ranA Ka-3a A eGanderK! batt e!* he read! and turn! the "age! o- our o d boo3!.E Werner Kra-t once wrote an inter"retation o- thi! !tory* A-ter gi)ing care-u attention to e)ery detai o- the teGt* Kra-t note!@ DNowhere e !e in iterature i! there !uch a "ower-u and "enetrating critici!4 o- the 4yth in it! -u !co"e.E According to Kra-t* Ka-3a doe! not u!e the word DCu!tice*E yet it i! Cu!tice which !er)e! a! the "oint o- de"arture -or hi! criti?ue o- the 4yth. But once we ha)e reached thi! "oint* we are in danger o- 4i!!ing Ka-3a by !to""ing here. +! it rea y the aw which cou d thu! be in)o3ed again!t the 4yth in the na4e o- Cu!ticeJ No* a! a ega !cho ar Buce"ha u! re4ain! true to hi! origin!* eGce"t that he doe! not !ee4 to be "racticing awFand thi! i! "robab y !o4ething new* in Ka-3aK! !en!e* -or both Buce"ha u! and the bar. The aw which i! !tudied and not "racticed any onger i! the gate to Cu!tice. The gate to Cu!tice i! earning. And yet Ka-3a doe! not dare attach to thi! earning the "ro4i!e! which tradition ha! attached to the !tudy o- the Torah. Hi! a!!i!tant! are !eGton! who ha)e o!t their hou!e o- "rayer* hi! !tudent! are "u"i ! who ha)e o!t the Ho y Writ. Now there i! nothing to !u""ort the4 on their Duntra44e ed* ha""y Courney.E Ka-3a* howe)er* ha! -ound the aw o- hi! Courney=at ea!tKon one occa!ion he !ucceeded in bringing it! breath=ta3ing !"eed in ine with the ! ow narrati)e "ace that he "re!u4ab y !ought a hi! i-e. He eG"re!!ed thi! in a itt e "ro!e "iece which i! hi! 4o!t "er-ect creation not on y becau!e it i! an inter"retation. DWithout e)er boa!ting o- it* Sancho ,anAa !ucceeded in the cour!e o- year!* by !u"" ying a ot o- ro4ance! o- chi)a ry and ad)enture -or the e)ening and night hour!* in !o di)erting -ro4 hi4 hi! de4on* who4 he ater ca ed Don _uiGote* that hi! de4on thereu"on -ree y "er-or4ed the 4adde!t eG" oit!* which* howe)er* ac3ing a "reordained obCect* which Sancho ,anAa hi4!e - wa! !u""o!ed to ha)e been* did no one any har4. A -ree 4an* Sancho ,anAa "hi o!o"hica y -o owed Don _uiGote on hi! cru!ade!* "erha"! out o- a !en!e o- re!"on!ibi ity* and thu! enCoyed a great and "ro-itab e entertain4ent to the end o- hi! day!.E $B%

&ll!minations Sancho ,anAa* a !edate -oo and c u4!y a!!i!tant* !ent hi! rider on aheadN Buce"ha u! out i)ed hi!. Whether it i! a 4an or a hor!e i! no onger !o i4"ortant* i- on y the burden i! re4o)ed -ro4 the bac3. $</

ome Reflections on !afka" Ka-3aK! wor3 i! an e i"!e with -oci that are -ar a"art and are deter4ined* on the one hand* by 4y!tica eG"erience :in "articu ar* the eG"erience o- tradition; and* on the otherP by the eG"erience o- the 4odern big=city dwe er* +n !"ea3ing othe eG"erience o- the big=city dwe er* + ha)e a )ariety o- thing! in 4ind. On the one hand* + thin3 o- the 4odern citiAen who 3now! that he i! at the 4ercy o- a )a!t 4achinery o- o--icia do4 who!e -unctioning i! directed by authoritie! that re4ain nebu ou! to the eGecuti)e organ!* et a one to the "eo" e they dea with. :+t i! 3nown that one e)e o- 4eaning in the no)e !* "articu ar y in The Trial, i! enco4"a!!ed by thi!.; When + re-er to the 4odern big=city dwe er* + a4 !"ea3ing a !o o- the conte4"orary o- todayK! "hy!ici!t!. +- one read! the -o owing "a!!age -ro4 Edding=tonK! The Nat!re o( the 5h.si"al Worl', one can )irtua y hear Ka-3a !"ea3. + a4 !tanding on the thre!ho d about to enter a roo4. +t i! a co4= P Thi! teGt i! contained in a etter to 5erhard Scho e4* dated (une $.* $%B'. $<$

&ll!minations " icated bu!ine!!. +n the -ir!t " ace $ 4u!t !ho)e again!t an at4o!"here "re!!ing with a -orce o- -ourteen "ound! on e)ery !?uare inch o- 4y body. + 4u!t 4a3e !ure o- anding on a " an3 tra)e ing at twenty 4i e! a !econd round the !unFa -raction o- a !econd too ear y or too ate* the " an3 wou d be 4i e! away. + 4u!t do thi! whi !t hanging -ro4 a round " anet head outward into !"ace* and with a wind o- aether b owing at no one 3now! how 4any 4i e! a !econd through e)ery inter!tice o- 4y body. The " an3 ha! no !o idity o- !ub!tance. To !te" on it i! i3e !te""ing on a !war4 o- - ie!. Sha + not ! i" throughJ No* i- + 4a3e the )enture one o- the - ie! hit! 4e and gi)e! a boo!t u" againN + -a again and a4 3noc3ed u"ward! by another - yN and !o on. + 4ay ho"e that the net re!u t wi be that + re4ain about !teadyN but i- un-ortunate y + !hou d ! i" through the - oor or be boo!ted too )io ent y u" to the cei ing* the occurrence wou d be* not a )io ation o- the aw! o- Nature* but a rare coincidence. . . . 6eri y* it i! ea!ier -or a ca4e to "a!! through the eye o- a need e than -or a !cienti-ic 4an to "a!! through a door. And whether the door be barn door or church door it 4ight be wi!er that he !hou d con!ent to be an ordinary 4an and wa 3 in rather than wait ti a the di--icu tie! in)o )ed in a rea y !cienti-ic ingre!! are re!o )ed.P +n a o- iterature + 3now no "a!!age which ha! the Ka-3a !ta4" to the !a4e eGtent. Without any e--ort one cou d 4atch a 4o!t e)ery "a!!age o- thi! "hy!ica "er" eGity with !entence! -ro4 Ka-3aK! "ro!e "iece!* and there i! 4uch to indicate that in !o doing 4any o- the 4o!t Dinco4"rehen!ib eE "a!!age! wou d be acco44odated. There-ore* i- one !ay!Fa! + ha)e Cu!t !aidF that there wa! a tre4endou! ten!ion between tho!e o- Ka-3aK! eG"erience! that corre!"ond to "re!ent=day "hy!ic! and hi! 4y!tica one!* on y a ha -=truth i! !tated. What i! actua y and in a )ery itera !en!e wi d y incredib e in Ka-3a i! that thi! 4o!t recent wor d o- eG"erience wa! con)eyed to hi4 "reci!e y by thi! 4y!tica tradition. Thi!* o- cour!e* cou d not ha)e ha""ened without de)a!tating "roce!!e! :to be di!cu!!ed "re!ent y; within thi! tradition. The ong and the !hort o- it i! that a""arent y an a""ea had to be 4ade to the -orce! o- thi! tradition i- an indi)idua :by the na4e o- 7ranA Ka-3a; wa! to be con-ronted with that rea ity oour! which rea iAe! it!e - theoretica y* -or eGa4" e* in 4odern Arthur Stan ey Eddington* The Nat!re o( the 5h.si"al Worl', New Yor3=Ca4bridge* $%.%* ". B<.. _uoted by BenCa4in in 5er4an tran! ation. $<.

Dome *e(le"tions on ?a(ka "hy!ic!* and "ractica y in the techno ogy o- 4odern war-are. What + 4ean to !ay i! that thi! rea ity can )irtua y no onger be eG"erienced by an in'ivi'!al, and that Ka-3aK! wor d* -re?uent y o- !uch " ay-u ne!! and inter aced with ange !* i! the eGact co4" e4ent o- hi! era which i! "re"aring to do away with the inhabitant! o- thi! " anet on a con!iderab e !ca e. The eG"erience which corre!"ond! to that o- Ka-3a* the "ri)ate indi)idua * wi "robab y not beco4e acce!!ib e to the 4a!!e! unti !uch ti4e a! they are being done away with. Ka-3a i)e! in a "om:lementar. wor d. :+n thi! he i! c o!e y re ated to K ee* who!e wor3 in "ainting i! Cu!t a! e!!entia y so-li-ter. a! Ka-3aK! wor3 i! in iterature.; Ka-3a o--ered the co4" e4ent without being aware o- what !urrounded hi4. +- one !ay! that he "ercei)ed what wa! to co4e without "ercei)ing what eGi!t! in the "re!ent* one !hou d add that he "ercei)ed it e!!en= tia y a! an in'ivi'!al a--ected by it. Hi! ge!ture! o- terror are gi)en !co"e by the 4ar)e ou! mar#in which the cata!tro"he wi not grant u!. But hi! eG"erience wa! ba!ed !o e y on the tradition to which Ka-3a !urrenderedN there wa! no -ar= !ightedne!! or D"ro"hetic )i!ion.E Ka-3a i!tened to tradition* and he who i!ten! hard doe! not !ee. The 4ain rea!on why thi! i!tening de4and! !uch e--ort i! that on y the 4o!t indi!tinct !ound! reach the i!tener. There i! no doctrine that one cou d ab!orb* no 3now edge that one cou d "re!er)e. The thing! that want to be caught a! they ru!h by are not 4eant -or anyoneK! ear!. Thi! i4" ie! a !tate o- a--air! which negati)e y characteriAe! Ka-3aK! wor3! with great "reci!ion. :Here a negati)e characteriAation "robab y i! a together 4ore -ruit-u than a "o!iti)e one.; Ka-3aK! wor3 "re!ent! a !ic3ne!! o- tradition. Wi!do4 ha! !o4eti4e! been de-ined a! the e"ic !ide o- truth. Such a de-inition !ta4"! wi!do4 a! inherent in traditionN it i! truth in it! haggadic con!i!tency. +t i! thi! con!i!tency o- truth that ha! been o!t* Ka-3a wa! -ar -ro4 being the -ir!t to -ace thi! !ituation. 8any had acco44odated the4!e )e! to it* c inging to truth or whate)er they ha""ened to regard a! truth and* with a 4ore or e!! hea)y heart* -orgoing it! tran!4i!!ibi ity. Ka-3aK! rea geniu! wa! that he tried R<B

&ll!minations !o4ething entire y new@ he !acri-iced truth -or the !a3e o- c inging to it! tran!4i!!ibi ity* it! haggadic e e4ent. Ka-3aK! writing! are by their nature "arab e!. But it i! their 4i!ery and their beauty that they had to beco4e more than "arab e!. They do not 4ode!t y ie at the -eet o- the doctrine* a! the Haggadah ie! at the -eet o- the Ha a3ah. Though a""arent y reduced to !ub= 4i!!ion* they uneG"ected y rai!e a 4ighty "aw again!t it. Thi! i! why* in regard to Ka-3a* we can no onger !"ea3 o- wi!do4. On y the "roduct! o- it! decay re4ain. There are two@ one i! the ru4or about the true thing! :a !ort o- theo ogica whi!"ered inte igence dea ing with 4atter! di!credited and ob!o ete;N the other "roduct o- thi! diathe!i! i! -o yFwhich* to be !ure* ha! utter y !?uandered the !ub!tance o- wi!do4* but "re!er)e! it! at= tracti)ene!! and a!!urance* which ru4or in)ariab y ac3!. 7o y ie! at the heart o- Ka-3aK! -a)orite!=-ro4 Don _uiGote )ia the a!!i!tant! to the ani4a !. :Being an ani4a "re!u4ab y 4eant to hi4 on y to ha)e gi)en u" hu4an -or4 and hu4an wi!do4 -ro4 a 3ind o- !ha4eFa! !ha4e 4ay 3ee" a gent e4an who -ind! hi4!e - in a di!re"utab e ta)ern -ro4 wi"ing hi! g a!! c ean.; Thi! 4uch Ka-3a wa! ab!o ute y !ure o-@ -ir!t* that !o4eone 4u!t be a -oo i- he i! to he "N !econd* that on y a -oo K! he " i! rea he ". The on y uncertain thing i! whether !uch he " can !ti do a hu4an being any good. +t i! 4ore i3e y to he " the ange ! :co4= "are the "a!!age about the ange ! who get !o4ething to do; who cou d do without he ". Thu!* a! Ka-3a "ut! it* there i! an in-inite a4ount o- ho"e* but not -or u!. Thi! !tate4ent rea y contain! Ka-3aK! ho"eN it i! the !ource o- hi! radiant !erenity. + tran!4it to you thi! !o4ewhat dangerou! y co4"re!!ed i4ageFin the 4anner o- "er!"ecti)e reductionFwith a the 4ore ea!e a! you 4ay !har"en it by 4ean! o- the )iew! + ha)e de)e o"ed -ro4 di--erent a!"ect! in 4y Ka-3a e!!ay in the 2v'is"he *!n's"ha!61. 4ain critici!4 o- that !tudy today i! it! a"o ogetic character. To do Cu!tice to the -igure o- Ka-3a in it! "urity and it! "ecu iar beauty one 4u!t ne)er o!e !ight o- one thing@ See the "receding e!!ay. 144

S+me Reflecti+n) +n 'af7a it i! the "urity and beauty o- a -ai ure. The circu4!tance! o- thi! -ai ure are 4ani-o d. One i! te4"ted to !ay@ once he wa! certain o- e)entua -ai ure* e)erything wor3ed out -or hi4 en ro!te a! in a drea4. There i! nothing 4ore 4e4orab e than the -er)or with which Ka-3a e4"ha!iAed hi! -ai ure. n<S

8W(at 1) E0ic &(eater9 T%E RELA:E; A&;IENCE DThere i! nothing 4ore " ea!ant than to ie on a !o-a and read a no)e *E wrote a nineteenth=century narrator* indicating the great eGtent to which a wor3 o- -iction can re aG the reader who i! enCoying it. The co44on i4age o- a 4an attending a theatrica "er-or4ance i! the o""o!ite@ one "icture! a 4an who -o ow! the action with e)ery -iber o- hi! being at ra"t attention. The conce"t o- the e"ic theater* originated by Brecht a! the theoretician o- hi! "oetic "racticeQ indicate! abo)e a that thi! theater de!ire! an audience that i! re aGed and -o ow! the action without !train. Thi! audience* to be !ure* a way! a""ear! a! a co ecti)e* and thi! di--erentiate! it -ro4 the reader* who i! a one with hi! teGt. A !o* thi! audience* being a co ecti)e* wi u!ua y -ee i4"e ed to react "ro4"t y. Thi! reaction* according to Brecht* ought to be a we =con!idered and there-ore a re aGed oneF in !hort* the reaction o- "eo" e who ha)e an intere!t in the 4atter. Two obCect! are "ro)ided -or thi! intere!t. The -ir!t i! the actionN it ha! to be !uch that the audience can 3ee" a chec3 on it at crucia " ace! on the ba!i! o- it! own eG"erience. The !econd i! the "er-or4anceN it !hou d be 4ounted arti!tica y in a "e ucid 4anner. :Thi! 4an= R<0

&ll!minations ner o- "re!entation i! anything but art e!!N actua y* it "re!u""o!e! arti!tic !o"hi!tication and acu4en on the "art o- the director.; E"ic theater a""ea ! to an intere!t grou" who Ddo not thin3 without rea!on.E Brecht doe! not o!e !ight o- the 4a!!e!* who!e i4ited "ractice o- thin3ing i! "robab y de!cribed by thi! "hra!e. +n the endea)or to intere!t the audience in the theater eG"ert y* but de-inite y not by way o- 4ere cu tura in)o )e4ent* a "o itica wi ha! "re)ai ed. THE ,1OT The e"ic theater "ur"o!e! to Dde"ri)e the !tage o- it! !en!ation deri)ed -ro4 !ubCect 4atter.E Thu! an o d !tory wi o-ten do 4ore -or it than a new one. Brecht ha! con!idered the ?ue!tion o- whether the incident! that are "re!ented by the e"ic theater !hou d not a ready be -a4i iar. The theater wou d ha)e the !a4e re ation!hi" to the " ot a! a ba et teacher ha! to hi! "u"i @ hi! -ir!t ta!3 wou d be to oo!en her Coint! to the greate!t "o!!ib e eGtent. Thi! i! how the Chine!e theater actua y "roceed!. +n hi! e!!ay DThe 7ourth Wa o- ChinaE B+i(e an' +etters To'a., 6o . L6* No. &* $%B&;* Brecht !tate! what he owe! to thi! theater. +- the theater i! to ca!t about -or -a4i iar e)ent!* Dhi!torica incident! wou d be the 4o!t !uitab e.E Their e"ic eGten!ion through the !ty e o- acting* the " acard! and ca"tion!* i! intended to "urge the4 o- the !en!ationa . +n thi! )ein Brecht ta3e! the i-e o- 5a i eo a! the !ubCect o- hi! ate!t " ay. Brecht "re!ent! 5a i eo "ri4ari y a! a great teacher who not on y teache! a new "hy!ic!* but doe! !o in a new way. +n hi! hand!* eG"eri4ent! are not on y an achie)e4ent o- !cience* but a too o- "edagogy a! we The 4ain e4"ha!i! othi! " ay i! not on 5a(i eoK! recantationN rather* the tru y e"ic "roce!! 4u!t be !ought in what i! e)ident -ro4 the abe ing o- the "enu ti4ate !cene@ ^$&BB t/ &<.] A! a "ri!oner o- the +n?ui!ition* 5a i eo continue! hi! !cienti-ic wor3 unti hi! death. He !ucceed! in !4ug=g ing hi! 4ain wor3! out o- +ta y.E E"ic theater i! in eague with the cour!e o- ti4e in an entire y di--erent way -ro4 that o- the tragic theater. Becau!e !u!"en!e $<'

What &s 9:i" TheaterT be ong! e!! to the outco4e than to the indi)idua e)ent!* thi! theater can co)er the greate!t !"an! o- ri4e. :The !a4e i! true o- the ear ier 4y!tery " ay!. The dra4aturgy o- -e'i:!s or The Wil' 0!"k con!titute! the counter"o e o- e"ic dra4aturgy.; THE 2NTRA5+C HERO The 7rench c a!!ica theater 4ade roo4 in the 4id!t o- the " ayer! -or "er!on! o- ran3* who had their ar4chair! on the o"en !tage. To u! thi! !ee4! ina""ro"riate. According to the conce"t o- the Ddra4atic e e4entE with which we are -a4i iar* it !ee4ed ina""ro"riate to attach to the action on the !tage a non"artici"at=ing third "arty a! a di!"a!!ionate ob!er)er or Dthin3er.E Yet Brecht o-ten had !o4ething i3e that in 4ind. One can go e)en -urther and !ay that Brecht 4ade an atte4"t to 4a3e the thin3er* or e)ert the wi!e 4an* the hero othe dra4a. 7ro4 thi! )ery "oint o- )iew one can de-ine hi! theater a! e"ic theater. Thi! atte4"t i! ta3en -urthe!t in the character o- 5a y 5ay* the "ac3er. 5a y 5ay* the "rotagoni!t o- the " ay A 1an)s a 1an, i! nothing but an eGhibit o- the contradiction! which 4a3e u" our !ociety. +t 4ay not be too bo d to regard the wi!e 4an in the Brechtian !en!e a! the "er-ect !howca!e o- it! dia ectic!. +n any ca!e* 5a y 5ay i! a wi!e 4an. , ato a ready recogniAed the undra4atic ?ua ity o- that 4o!t eGce ent 4an* the !age. +n hi! Dia ogue! he too3 hi4 to the thre!ho d o- the dra4aN in hi! 5hai'on, to the thre!ho d o- the "a!!ion " ay. The 4edie)a Chri!t* who a !o re"re!ented the wi!e 4an :we -ind thi! in the Ear y 7ather!;* i! the untragic hero :ar e="ellen"e4 But in the !ecu ar dra4a o- the We!t* too* the !earch -or the untragic hero ha! ne)er cea!ed. +n a way! new way!* and -re?uent y in con- ict with it! theoretician!* thi! dra4a ha! di--ered -ro4 the authenticFthat i!* the 5ree3F-or4 o- tragedy. Thi! i4"ortant but "oor y 4ar3ed road* which 4ay here !er)e a! the i4age o- a tradition* went )ia Ro!=witha and the 4y!tery " ay! in the 8idd e Age!* )ia 5ry"hiu! and Ca deron in the Baro?ue ageN ater we 4ay trace it in 1enA and 5rabbe* and -ina y in Strindberg. Scene! in Sha3e!"eare are it! road!ide 4onu4ent!* and 5oethe cro!!e! it in the !econd "art $<%

&ll!minations o- Ra!st4 +t i! a Euro"ean road* but a 5er4an one a! we F"ro)ided that we 4ay !"ea3 o- a road and not o- a !ecret !4ugg er!K "ath by which the egacy othe 4edie)a and the Baro?ue dra4a ha! reached u!. +t i! thi! 4u e trac3* neg ected and o)ergrown* which co4e! to ight today in the dra4a! o- Brecht. THE +NTERR2,T+ON Brecht di--erentiate! hi! e"ic theater -ro4 the dra4atic theater in the narrower !en!e* who!e theory wa! -or4u ated by Ari!tot e. A""ro"riate y* Brecht introduce! hi! art o- the dra4a a! non=Ari!tote ian* Cu!t a! Rie4ann introduced a non=Euc idian geo4etry. Thi! ana ogy 4ay bring out the -act that it i! not a 4atter o- co4"etition between the theatrica -or4! in ?ue!tion. Rie4ann e i4inated the "ara e "o!tu ateN BrechtK! dra4a e i4inated the Ari!tote ian cathar!i!* the "urging o- the e4otion! through e4"athy with the !tirring -ate othe hero. The !"ecia character o- the re aGed intere!t o- the audience -or which the "er-or4ance! o- the e"ic theater are intended i! the -act that hard y any a""ea i! 4ade to the e4"athy o- the !"ectator!. +n!tead* the art o- the e"ic theater con!i!t! in "roducing a!toni!h4ent rather than e4"athy. To "ut it !uccinct yN in!tead oidenti-ying with the character!* the audience !hou d be educated to be a!toni!hed at the circu4!tance! under which they -unction. The ta!3 o- the e"ic theater* according to Brecht* i! not !o 4uch the de)e o"4ent o- action! a! the re"re!entation o- condition!. Thi! "re!entation doe! not 4ean re"roduction a! the theoretician! o- Natura i!4 under!tood it. Rather* the tru y i4"ortant thing i! to di!co)er the condition! o- i-e. :One 4ight !ay Cu!t a! we @ to a ienate Kver(rem'en^ the4.; Thi! di!co)ery :a ienation; o- condition! ta3e! " ace through the interru"tion o- ha""ening!. The 4o!t "ri4iti)e eGa4" e wou d be a -a4i y !cene. Sudden y a !tranger enter!. The 4other wa! Cu!t about to !eiAe a bronAe bu!t and hur it at her daughterN the -ather wa! in the act oo"ening the window in order to ca a "o ice4an. At that 4o4ent the !tranger a""ear! in the doorway. Thi! 4ean!

What &s 9:i" TheaterT that the !tranger i! con-ronted with the !ituation a! with a !tart ing "icture@ troub ed -ace!* an o"en window* the -urniture in di!array. But there are eye! to which e)en 4ore ordinary !cene! o- 4idd e=c a!! i-e oo3 a 4o!t e?ua y !tart ing. THE _2OTAB1E 5EST2RE +n one o- hi! didactic "oe4! on dra4atic art Brecht !ay!@ DThe e--ect o- e)ery !entence wa! waited -or and aid bare. And the waiting a!ted unti the crowd had care-u y weighed our !entence.E +n !hort* the " ay wa! interru"ted. One can go e)en -urther and re4e4ber that interru"tion i! one o- the -unda4enta de)ice! oa !tructuring. +t goe! -ar beyond the !"here o- art. To gi)e on y one eGa4" e* it i! the ba!i! o- ?uotation. To ?uote a teGt in)o )e! the interru"tion o- it! conteGt. +t i! there-ore under!tandab e that the e"ic theater* being ba!ed on interru"tion* i!* in a !"eci-ic !en!e* a ?uotab e one. There i! nothing !"ecia about the ?uotabi ity o- it! teGt!. +t i! di--erent with the ge!ture! which -it into the cour!e othe " ay. D8a3ing ge!ture! ?uotab eE i! one o- the !ub!tantia achie)e4ent! o- the e"ic theater. An actor 4u!t be ab e to !"ace hi! ge!ture! the way a ty"e!etter "roduce! !"aced ty"e. Thi! e--ect 4ay be achie)ed* -or in!tance* by an actorK! ?uoting hi! own ge!ture on the !tage. Thu! we !aw in /a::. 9n' how Caro a Neher* acting a !ergeant in the Sa )ation Ar4y* !ang* by way o- "ro!e ytiAing* a !ong in a !ai or!K ta)ern that wa! 4ore a""ro"riate there than it wou d ha)e been in a church* and then had to ?uote thi! !ong and act out the ge!ture! be-ore a counci o- the Sa )ation Ar4y. Si4i ar y* in The 1eas!re Taken the "arty tribuna i! gi)en not on y the re"ort o- the co4rade!* but a !o the acting out o- !o4e o- the ge!ture! o- the co4rade they are accu!ing. What i! a de)ice o- the !ubt e!t 3ind in the e"ic theater genera y beco4e! an i44ediate "ur"o!e in the !"eci-ic ca!e othe didactic " ay. E"ic theater i! by de-inition a ge!tic theater. 7or the 4ore -re?uent y we interru"t !o4eone in the act o- acting* the 4ore ge!ture! re!u t.

Ill*minati+n) THE D+DACT+C ,1AY +n e)ery in!tance* the e"ic theater i! 4eant -or the actor! a! 4uch a! -or the !"ectator!. The didactic " ay i! a !"ecia ca!e arge y becau!e it -aci itate! and !ugge!t! the interchange between audience and actor! and )ice )er!a through the eGtre4e "aucity o- the 4echanica e?ui"4ent. E)ery !"ectator i! enab ed to beco4e a "artici"ant. And it i! indeed ea!ier to " ay the DteacherE than the Dhero.E +n the -ir!t )er!ion o- +in' er#h(l!# :1indberghK! 7 ight;* which a""eared in a "eriodica * the - ier wa! !ti "re!ented a! a hero. That )er!ion wa! intended a! hi! g ori-ication. The !econd )er!ionFand thi! i! re)ea ingFowe! it! origin to the -act that Brecht re)i!ed hi4!e -. What enthu!ia!4 there wa! on both continent! on the day! -o owing thi! - ightM But thi! enthu!ia!4 "etered out a! a 4ere !en!ation. +n The Rli#ht o( the +in' er#hs Brecht endea)or! to re-ract the !"ectru4 o- the Dthri E B9r-le nis@ in order to deri)e -ro4 it the hue! oDeG"erienceE B9r(ahr!n#@ =the eG"erience that cou d be obtained on y -ro4 1indberghK! e--ort* not -ro4 the eGcite4ent o- the "ub ic* and which wa! to be con)eyed to Dthe 1indbergh!.E T. E. 1awrence* the author o- The Deven 5illars o( Wis'om, wrote to Robert 5ra)e! when he Coined the air -orce that !uch a !te" wa! -or 4odern 4an what entering a 4ona!tery wa! -or 4edie)a 4an. +n thi! re4ar3 we "ercei)e the !a4e ten!ion that we -ind in The Rli#ht o( the +in' er#hs and the ater didactic " ay!. A c erica !ternne!! i! a"" ied to in!truction in a 4odern techni?ueFhereQ that oa)iationN ater* that o- the c a!! !trugg e. Thi! !econd a"" ication 4ay be !een 4o!t -u y in 1other4 +t wa! a "articu ar y daring underta3ing to 3ee" a !ocia dra4a -ree o- the e--ect! which e4"athy "roduce! and which the audience wa! accu!to4ed to. Brecht 3new thi! and eG"re!!ed it in an e"i!to ary "oe4 that he !ent to a New Yor3 wor3ing4enK! theater when 1other wa! "roduced there. DWe ha)e been a!3ed@ Wi a wor3er under!tand thi!J Wi he be ab e to do without hi! accu!to4ed o"iate* hi! 4enta "artici"ation in !o4eone e !eK! u"ri!ing* the ri!e o- other!N the i u!ion which whi"! hi4 u" -or a Z.

What +! E"ic TheaterJ -ew hour! and ea)e! hi4 a the 4ore eGhau!ted* -i ed with )ague 4e4orie! and e)en )aguer ho"e!JE the actor 1i3e the "icture! in a -i 4* e"ic theater 4o)e! in !"urt!. +t! ba!ic -or4 i! that othe !hoc3 with which the !ing e* we =de-ined !ituation! o- the " ay co ide. The !ong!* the ca"tion!* the i-e e!! con)ention! !et o-- one !ituation -ro4 another. Thi! bring! about inter)a ! which* i- anything* i4"air the i u!ion o- the audience and "ara yAe it! readine!! -or e4"athy. The!e inter)a ! are re!er)ed -or the !"ectator!K critica reactionFto the action! o- the " ayer! and to the way in which they are "re!ented. A! to the 4anner o- "re!entation* the actorK! ta!3 in the e"ic theater i! to de4on!trate through hi! acting that he i! coo and re aGed. He too ha! hard y any u!e -or e4"athy. 7or thi! 3ind o- acting the D" ayerE o- the dra4atic theater i! not a way! -u y "re"ared. ,erha"! the 4o!t o"en=4inded a""roach to e"ic theater* i! to thin3 o- it in ter4! o- D"utting on a !how.E Brecht wrote@ DThe actor 4u!t !how hi! !ubCect* and he 4u!t !how hi4!e -. Ocour!e* he !how! hi! !ubCect by !howing hi4!e -* and he !how! hi4!e - by !howing hi! !ubCect. A though the two coincide* they 4u!t not coincide in !uch a way that the di--erence between the two ta!3! di!a""ear!.E +n other word!@ an actor !hou d re!er)e -or hi4!e - the "o!!ibi ity o- !te""ing out o- character arti!tica y. At the "ro"er 4o4ent he !hou d in!i!t on "ortraying a 4an who re- ect! about hi! "art. +t wou d be erroneou! to thin3 at !uch a 4o4ent oRo4antic +rony* a! e4" oyed by Tiec3 in hi! 5!ss in Boots4 Thi! irony ha! no didactic ai4. Ba!ica y* it de4on!trate! on y the "hi o!o"hic !o"hi!tication o- the author who* in writing hi! " ay!* a way! re4e4ber! that in the end the wor d 4ay turn out to be a theater. To what eGtent arti!tic and "o itica intere!t! coincide on the !cene o- e"ic theater wi beco4e 4ani-e!t in the !ty e o- acting a""ro"riate to thi! genre. A ca!e in "oint i! BrechtK! cyc e The 5rivate +i(e o( the 1aster *a"e4 +t i! ea!y to !ee that i- a 5er4an actor in eGi e were a!!igned the "art o- an SS 4an or a 4e4ber bD,

Ill*minati+n) o- the ,eo" eK! Court* hi! -ee ing! about it wou d be ?uite di--erent -ro4 tho!e o- a de)oted -ather and hu!band a!3ed to "ortray 8o iereK! Don (uan. 7or the -or4er* e4"athy can hard y be regarded a! an a""ro"riate 4ethod* !ince he "re!u4ab y cannot identi-y with the 4urderer! o- hi! -e ow -ighter!. Another 4ode o- "er-or4ance* which ca ! -or detach4ent* wou d in !uch ca!e! be right and -itting and "articu ar y !ucce!!-u Thi! i! the e"ic !tagecra-t. THEATER ON A DA+S The ai4! o- the e"ic theater can be de-ined 4ore ea!i y in ter4! o- the !tage than o- a new dra4a. E"ic theater a ow! -or a circu4!tance which ha! been too itt e noticed. +t 4ay be ca ed the -i ing in o- the orche!tra "it. The aby!! which !e"a=rate! the " ayer! -ro4 the audience a! it doe! the dead -ro4 the i)ing] the aby!! who!e !i ence in a " ay heighten! the !ub i4ity* who!e re!onance in an o"era heighten! the intoGicationFthi! aby!!* o- a e e4ent! o- the theater the one that bear! the 4o!t inde ib e trace! o- it! ritua origin* ha! !teadi y decrea!ed in !ig= ni-icance. The !tage i! !ti rai!ed* but it no onger ri!e! -ro4 an un-atho4ab e de"th! it ha! beco4e a dai!. The didactic " ay and the e"ic theater + atte4"t! to !it down on a dai!. iZ<

On S+me <4+tif) in Ba*,elaira . Baude aire en)i!aged reader! to who4 the reading o- yric "oetry wou d "re!ent di--icu tie!. The introductory "oe4 o- the Rle!rs '! mal i! addre!!ed to the!e reader!. Wi "ower and the abi ity to concentrate are not their !trong "oint!N what they "re-er i! !en!ua " ea!ure!N they are -a4i iar with the D!" eenE which 3i ! intere!t and rece"ti)ene!!. +t i! !trange to co4e acro!! a yric "oet who addre!!e! hi4!e - to thi!* the ea!t rewarding ty"e o- audience. There i! ocour!e a ready eG" anation -or it. Baude aire wa! anGiou! to be under!toodN he dedicate! hi! boo3 to 3indred !"irit!. The "oe4 addre!!ed to the reader end! with the !a utationN ;/.:o"rite le"!!r^8mon sem la le,8mon (rere(6 +t 4ight be 4ore -ruit-u to "ut it another way and !ay@ Baude aire wrote a boo3 which -ro4 the )ery beginning had itt e "ro!"ect o- beco4ing an i44ediate "o"u ar !ucce!!. The 3ind o- reader he en)i!aged i! de!cribed in the introductory "oe4* and thi! turned out to ha)e been a -ar=!ighted Cudg4ent. He wa! e)entua y to -ind the reader at who4 hi! wor3 wa! ai4ed. Thi! !ituation* the -act* in other word!* that the c i4ate -or yric "oetry ha! beco4e increa!ing y inho!"itab e* i! atte!ted to* a4ong other RSS

Ill*minati+n) thing!* by three -actor!. +n the -ir!t " ace* the yric "oet ha! cea!ed to re"re!ent the "oet :er se4 He no onger i! a D4in!tre *E a! 1a4artine !ti wa!N he ha! beco4e a re"re!entati)e o- a genre. :6er aine i! a concrete eGa4" e o- thi! !"ecia iAationN Ri4baud 4u!t a ready be regarded a! an e!oteric -igure* a "oet who 4aintained an e= o((i"io di!tance between hi! "ub ic and hi! wor3.; Second y* there ha! been no !ucce!! on a 4a!! !ca e in yric "oetry !ince Baude aire. :The yric "oetry o- 6ictor Hugo wa! !ti ab e to !et o-- "ower-u re)erberation! when it -ir!t a""eared. +n 5er4any* HeineK! B!"h 'er +ie'er 4ar3! a water!hed.; A! a re!u t* a third -actor wa! the greater coo ne!! o- the "ub ic e)en toward the yric "oetry that had been handed down a! "art o- it! own cu tura heritage. The "eriod in ?ue!tion date! bac3 rough y to the 4idd e o- the a!t century. Throughout it the -a4e o- the Rle!rs '! mal ha! con!tant y !"read. Thi! boo3* which wa! eG"ected to be read by the ea!t indu gent o- reader! and which wa! at -ir!t read by -ew indu gent one!* ha!* o)er the decade!* ac?uired the !tature o- a c a!!ic and beco4e one o- the 4o!t wide y "rinted one! a! we . +- condition! -or a "o!iti)e rece"tion o- yric "oetry ha)e beco4e e!! -a)orab e* it i! rea!onab e to a!!u4e that on y in rare in!tance! i! yric "oetry in ra""ort with the eG"erience o- it! reader!. Thi! 4ay be due to a change in the !tructure o- their eG"erience. E)en though one 4ay a""ro)e o- thi! de)e o"4ent* one 4ay be a the 4ore hard "ut to it to !ay "reci!e y in what re!"ect there 4ay ha)e been a change. Thu! one turn! to "hi o!o"hy -or an an!wer* which bring! one u" again!t a !trange !ituation. Since the end o- the a!t century* "hi o!o"hy ha! 4ade a !erie! o- atte4"t! to ay ho d o- the DtrueE eG"erience a! o""o!ed to the 3ind that 4ani-e!t! it!e - in the !tandardiAed* denatured i-e o- the ci)i iAed 4a!!e!. +t i! cu!to4ary to c a!!i-y the!e e--ort! under the heading o- a "hi o!o"hy o- i-e. Their "oint o- de"arture* under!tandab y enough* wa! not 4anK! i-e in !ociety. What they in)o3ed wa! "oetry* "re-erab y nature* and* 4o!t recent y* the age o- 4yth!. Di theyK! boo3 0as 9rle nis !n' 'ie 0i"ht!n# re"re!ent! one othe ear ie!t o- the!e e--ort! which end with K age! and (ungN both 4ade co44on cau!e with 7a!ci!4. iS&

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire Towering abo)e thi! iterature i! Berg!onK! ear y 4onu4enta wor3* 1atiere et mDmoire4 8ore than the other!* it "re!er)e! in3! with e4"irica re!earch. +t i! oriented toward bio ogy* The tit e !ugge!t! that it regard! the !tructure o4e4ory a! deci!i)e -or the "hi o!o"hica "attern o- eG"erience. EG"erience i! indeed a 4atter o- tradition* in co ecti)e eGi!tence a! we a! "ri)ate i-e. +t i! e!! the "roduct o- -act! -ir4 y anchored in 4e4ory than o- a con)ergence in 4e4ory o- accu4u ated and -re?uent y uncon!ciou! data. +t i!* howe)er* not at a Berg!onK! intention to attach any !"eci-ic hi!torica abe to 4e4ory. On the contrary* he reCect! any hi!torica deter4ination o- 4e4ory. He thu! 4anage! abo)e a to !tay c ear o- that eG"erience -ro4 which hi! own "hi o!o"hy e)o )ed or* rather* in reaction to which it aro!e. +t wa! the inho!"itab e* b inding age obig=!ca e indu!tria i!4. +n !hutting out thi! eG"erience the eye "ercei)e! an eG"erience o- a co4" e4entary nature in the -or4 o- it! !"ontaneou! a-teri4age* a! it were. Berg!onK! "hi o!o"hy re"re!ent! an atte4"t to gi)e the detai ! o- thi! a-teri4age and to -iG it a! a "er4anent record. Hi! "hi o!o"hy thu! indirect y -urni!he! a c ue to the eG"erience which "re!ented it!e - to Baude aireK! eye! in it! un=di!torted )er!ion in the -igure o- hi! reader. && 1atiere et memoire de-ine! the nature o- eG"erience in the '!ree in !uch a way that the reader i! bound to conc ude that on y a "oet can be the ade?uate !ubCect o- !uch an eG"erience. And it wa! indeed a "oet who "ut Berg!onK! theory oeG"erience to the te!t. ,rou!tK! wor3 A la *e"her"he '! tem:s :er'! 4ay be regarded a! an atte4"t to "roduce eG"erience !ynthetica y* a! Berg!on i4agine! it* under todayK! condition!* -or there i! e!! and e!! ho"e that it wi co4e into being natura y* ,rou!t* incidenta y* doe! not e)ade the ?ue!tion in hi! wor3. He e)en introduce! a new -actor* one that in)o )e! an i44anent criti?ue o- Berg!on. Berg!on e4"ha!iAed the antagoni!4 between the vita a"tiva and the !"eci-ic vita "ontem:lativa which ari!e! -ro4 4e4ory. But he ead! u! to be ie)e that turning to the conte4= IJ"

Ill*minati+n) " ati)e actua iAation o- the !trea4 o- i-e i! a 4atter o- -ree choice. 7ro4 the !tart ,rou!t indicate! hi! di)ergent )iew ter4i=no ogica y. To hi4* the memoire :!re o- Berg!onK! theory beco4e! a memoire involontaire4 ,rou!t i44ediate y con-ront! thi! in)o untary 4e4ory with a )o untary 4e4ory* one that i! in the !er)ice o- the inte ect. The -ir!t "age! o- hi! great wor3 are charged with 4a3ing thi! re ation!hi" c ear. +n the re- ection which introduce! the ter4 ,rou!t te ! u! how "oor y* -or 4any year!* he re4e4bered the town o- Co4bray in which* a-ter a * he !"ent "art o- hi! chi dhood. One a-ternoon the ta!te o- a 3ind o"a!try ca ed ma'eleine :which he ater 4ention! o-ten; tran!"orted hi4 bac3 to the "a!t* wherea! be-ore then he had been i4ited to the "ro4"ting! o- a 4e4ory which obeyed the ca o- attenti)ene!!. Thi! he ca ! the memoire volontaire, and it i! it! characteri!tic that the in-or4ation which it gi)e! about the "a!t retain! no trace o- it. D+t i! the !a4e with our own "a!t. +n )ain we try to conCure it u" againN the e--ort! o- our inte ect are -uti e.E There-ore ,rou!t* !u44ing u"* !ay! that the "a!t i! D!o4ewhere beyond the reach o- the inte ect* and un4i!ta3ab y "re!ent in !o4e 4ateria obCect :or in the !en!ation which !uch an obCect arou!e! in u!;* though we ha)e no idea which one it i!. A! -or that obCect* it de"end! entire y on chance whether we co4e u"on it be-ore we die or whether we ne)er encounter it.E According to ,rou!t* it i! a 4atter o- chance whether an indi)idua -or4! an i4age o- hi4!e -* whether he can ta3e ho d o- hi! eG"erience. +t i! by no 4ean! ine)itab e to be de"endent on chance in thi! 4atter. 8anK! inner concern! do not ha)e their i!!ue e!! "ri)ate character by nature. They do !o on y when he i! increa!ing y unab e to a!!i4i ate the data o- the wor d around hi4 by way oeG"erience. New!"a"er! con!titute one o- 4any e)idence! o- !uch an inabi ity. +it were the intention o- the "re!! to ha)e the reader a!!i4i ate the in-or4ation it !u"" ie! a! "art oo hi! own eG"erience* it wou d not achie)e it! "ur"o!e. But it! intention i! Cu!t the o""o!ite* and it i! achie)ed@ to i!o ate what ha""en! -ro4 the rea 4 in which it cou d a--ect the eG"erience o- the reader. The "rinci" e! oCourna i!tic in-or4ation :-re!hne!! o- the new!* bre)ity* co4"rehen!ibi ity* and* abo)e *S'

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire a * ac3 o- connection between the indi)idua new! ite4!; contribute a! 4uch to thi! a! doe! the 4a3e=u" o- the "age! and the "a"erK! !ty e. :Kar Krau! ne)er tired o- de4on!trating the great eGtent to which the ingui!tic u!age onew!"a"er! "ara yAed the i4agination o- their reader!.; Another rea!on -or the i!o ation o- in-or4ation -ro4 eG"erience i! that the -or4er doe! not enter Dtradition.E New!"a"er! a""ear in arge edition!. 7ew reader! can boa!t o- any in-or4ation which another reader 4ay re?uire o- hi4. Hi!torica y* the )ariou! 4ode! o- co44unication ha)e co4"eted with one another. The re" ace4ent o- the o der narration by in-or4ation* o- in-or4ation by !en!ation* re- ect! the increa!ing atro"hy o- eG"erience. +n turn* there i! a contra!t between a the!e -or4! and the !tory* which i! one o- the o de!t -or4! oco44unication. +t i! not the obCect o- the !tory to con)ey a ha""ening :er seY which i! the "ur"o!e o- in-or4ationN rather* it e4bed! it in the i-e o- the !toryte er in order to "a!! it on a! eG"erience to tho!e i!tening. +t thu! bear! the 4ar3! o- the !toryte er 4uch a! the earthen )e!!e bear! the 4ar3! o- the "otterK! hand. ,rou!tK! eight=)o u4e wor3 con)ey! an idea o- the e--ort! it too3 to re!tore the -igure o- the !toryte er to the "re!ent generation. ,rou!t undertoo3 thi! a!!ign4ent with 4agni-icent con!i!tency. 7ro4 the out!et thi! in)o )ed hi4 in the "ri4ary ta!3 o- re!urrecting hi! own chi dhood. +n !aying that it wa! a 4atter o- chance whether the "rob e4 cou d be !o )ed at a * he ga)e the -u 4ea!ure oit! di--icu ty. +n connection with the!e re- ection! he coined the "hra!e memoire invohntaire4 Thi! conce"t bear! the 4ar3! o- the !ituation which ga)e ri!e to itN it i! "art o- the in)entory o- the indi)idua who i! i!o ated in 4any way!. Where there i! eG"erience in the !trict !en!e o- the word* certain content! o- the indi)idua "a!t co4bine with 4ateria o- the co ecti)e "a!t. The ritua ! with their cere4onie!* their -e!ti)a ! :?uite "robab y nowhere reca ed in ,rou!tK! wor3; 3e"t "roducing the a4a ga4ation o- the!e two e e4ent! o- 4e4ory o)er and o)er again. They triggered reco ection at certain ti4e! and re4ained hand e! o4e4ory -or a i-eti4e. +n thi! way* bD%

Ill*minati+n) )o untary and in)o untary reco ection o!e their 4utua eGe u=!i)ene!!Q + +n !ee3ing a 4ore !ub!tantia de-inition o- what a""ear! in ,rou!tK! mimoire 'e Gintelli#en"e a! a by="roduct o- Berg!onK! theory* it i! we to go bac3 to 7reud. +n $%.$ 7reud "ub i!hed hi! e!!ay Be.on' the 5leas!re 5rin"i:le, which "re!ent! a corre ation between 4e4ory :in the !en!e o- the memoire involon-taire@ and con!ciou!ne!! in the -or4 o- a hy"othe!i!. The -o owing re4ar3! ba!ed on it are not intended to con-ir4 itN we !ha ha)e to content our!e )e! with in)e!tigating the -ruit-u ne!! o- thi! hy"othe!i! in !ituation! -ar re4o)ed -ro4 tho!e which 7reud had in 4ind when he wrote3 7reudK! "u"i ! are 4ore i3e y to ha)e encountered !uch !ituation!. So4e o- Rei3K! writing! on hi! own theory o4e4ory are in ine with ,rou!tK! di!tinction between in)o untary and )o untary reco ection. DThe -unction o- re4e4brance KFe'a"htnis^< Rei3 write!* Di! the "rotection o- i4"re!!ion!N 4e4ory K9rinner!n#^ ai4! at their di!integration. Re4e4brance i! e!!entia y con!er)ati)e* 4e4ory i! de!tructi)e.E 7reudK! -unda4enta thought* on which the!e re4ar3! are ba!ed* i! -or4u ated by the a!!u4"tion that Dcon!ciou!ne!! co4e! into being at the !ite o- a 4e4ory trace*E :7or our "ur"o!e!* there i! no !ub!tantia di--erence between the conce"t! 9rinner!n# and Fe'a"htnis, a! u!ed in 7reudK! e!!ay.; There-ore* Dit wou d be the !"ecia characteri!tic o- con!ciou!ne!! that* un i3e what ha""en! in a other "!ychica !y!te4!* the eGcitatory "roce!! doe! not ea)e behind a "er4anent change in it! e e4ent!* but eG"ire!* a! it were* in the "heno4enon o- beco4ing con!ciou!.E The ba!ic -or4u a o- thi! hy"othe!i! i! that Dbeco4ing con!ciou! and ea)ing behind a 4e4ory trace are "roce!!e! inco4"atib e with each other within one and the !a4e !y!te4.E Rather* 4e4ory -rag4ent! are Do-ten 4o!t "ower-u and 4o!t enduring when the incident which e-t the4 behind wa! one that ne)er entered con!ciou!ne!!.E ,ut in ,rou!tian ter4!* thi! 4ean! that on y what ha! not been eG"erienced eG" icit y and con!ciou! y* what ha! $&/

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'eimre not ha""ened to the !ubCect a! an eG"erience* can beco4e a co4"onent o- the memoire involontaire4 According to 7reud* the attribution o- D"er4anent trace! a! the ba!i! o- 4e4oryE to "roce!!e! o- !ti4u ation i! re!er)ed -or Dother !y!te4!*E which 4u!t be thought o- a! di--erent -ro4 con!ciou!ne!!. +n 7reudK! )iew* con!ciou!ne!! a! !uch recei)e! no 4e4ory trace! whate)er* but ha! another i4"ortant -unctionN "rotection again!t !ti4u i. D7or a i)ing organi!4* "rotection again!t !ti4u i i! an a 4o!t 4ore i4"ortant -unction than the rece"tion o- !ti4u iN the "rotecti)e !hie d i! e?ui""ed with it! own !tore o- energy and 4u!t abo)e a !tri)e to "re!er)e the !"ecia -or4! o- con)er!ion o- energy o"erating in it again!t the e--ect! o- the eGce!!i)e energie! at wor3 in the eGterna wor d* e--ect! which tend toward an e?ua iAation o- "otentia and hence toward de!truction.E The threat -ro4 the!e energie! i! one o- !hoc3!. The 4ore readi y con!ciou!ne!! regi!ter! the!e !hoc3!* the e!! i3e y are they to ha)e a trau4atic e--ect. ,!ychoana ytic theory !tri)e! to under!tand the nature o- the!e trau4atic !hoc3! Don the ba!i! o- their brea3ing through the "rotecti)e !hie d again!t !ti4u i.E According to thi! theory* -right ha! D!igni-icanceE in the Dab!ence oany "re"aredne!! -or anGiety.E 7reudK! in)e!tigation wa! occa!ioned by a drea4 characteri!tic o- accident neuro!e! which re"roduce the cata!tro"he in which the "atient wa! in)o )ed. Drea4! o- thi! 3ind* according to 7reud* Dendea)or to 4a!ter the !ti4u u! retroacti)e y* by de)e o"ing the anGiety who!e o4i!!ion wa! the cau!e o- the trau4atic neuro!i!.E 6a ery !ee4! to ha)e had !o4ething !i4i ar in 4ind. The coincidence i! worth noting* -or 6a ery wa! a4ong tho!e intere!ted in the !"ecia -unctioning o- "!ychic 4echani!4! under "re!ent=day condition!. :8oreo)er* 6a ery wa! ab e to reconci e thi! intere!t with hi! "oetic "roduction* which re= 4ained eGc u!i)e y yric. He thu! e4erge! a! the on y author who goe! bac3 direct y to Baude aire.; DThe i4"re!!ion! and !en!e "erce"tion! o- 4an*E 6a ery write!* Dactua y be ong in the category o- !ur"ri!e!N they are e)idence o- an in!u--iciency in 4an. . . . Reco ection i! ... an e e4enta "heno4enon which ai4! at gi)ing u! the ti4e -or organiAing the rece"tion o- !ti4u i which /i

Ill*minati+n) we initia y ac3ed.E The acce"tance o- !hoc3! i! -aci itated by training in co"ing with !ti4u i* and* i- need be* drea4! a! we a! reco ection 4ay be en i!ted. A! a ru e* howe)erF!o 7reud a!!u4e!Fthi! training de)o )e! u"on the wa3e-u con!ciou!ne!!* ocated in a "art o- the corteG which i! D!o b own out by the e--ect o- the !ti4u u!E that it o--er! the 4o!t -a)orab e !ituation -or the rece"tion o- !ti4u i. That the !hoc3 i! thu! cu!hioned* "arried by con!ciou!ne!!* wou d end the incident that occa!ion! it the character o- ha)ing been i)ed in the !trict !en!e. +- it were incor"orated direct y in the regi!try o- con!ciou! 4e4ory* it wou d !teri iAe thi! incident -or "oetic eG"erience* The ?ue!tion !ugge!t! it!e - how yric "oetry can ha)e a! it! ba!i! an eG"erience -or which the !hoc3 eG"erience ha! beco4e the nor4. One wou d eG"ect !uch "oetry to ha)e a arge 4ea!ure o- con!ciou!ne!!N it wou d !ugge!t that a " an wa! at wor3 in it! co4"o!ition. Thi! i! indeed true o- Baude aireK! "oetryN it e!tab i!he! a connection between hi4 and ,oe* a4ong hi! "redece!= !or!* and with 6a ery* a4ong hi! !ucce!!or!. ,rou!tK! and 6a= eryK! re- ection! concerning Baude aire co4" e4ent each other "ro)identia y. ,rou!t wrote an e!!ay about Baude aire the !igni-icance o- which i! e)en eGceeded by certain re- ection! in hi! no)e !. +n hi! DSituation de Baude aireE 6a ery !u"" ie! the c a!= !ica introduction to the Rle!rs '! mal4 There he !ay!@ DThe "rob e4 -or Baude aire wa! bound to be thi!@ to beco4e a great "oet* yet neither 1a4artine nor Hugo nor 8u!!et. + do not c ai4 that thi! a4bition wa! a con!ciou! one in Baude aireN but it wa! bound to be "re!ent in hi4* it wa! hi! rea!on o- !tate.E There i! !o4ething odd about !"ea3ing o- a rea!on o- !tate in the ca!e o- a "oetN there i! !o4ething re4ar3ab e about it@ the e4anci"ation -ro4 eG"erience!. Baude aireK! "oetic out"ut i! a!!igned a 4i!!ion. He en)i!ioned b an3 !"ace! which he -i ed in with hi! "oe4!. Hi! wor3 cannot 4ere y be categoriAed a! hi!torica * i3e anyone e !eK!* but it intended to be !o and under!tood it!e - a! !uch. $&.

On So4e 8oti-! in Baude aire I= The greater the !hare o- the !hoc3 -actor in "articu ar i4"re!!ion!* the 4ore con!tant y con!ciou!ne!! ha! to be a ert a! a !creen again!t !ti4u iN the 4ore e--icient y it doe! !o* the e!! do the!e i4"re!!ion! enter eG"erience B9r(ahr!n#@, tending to re4ain in the !"here o- a certain hour in oneK! i-e B9rle nis@4 ,erha"! the !"ecia achie)e4ent o- !hoc3 de-en!e 4ay be !een in it! -unction oa!!igning to an incident a "reci!e "oint in ti4e in con!ciou!ne!! at the co!t o- the integrity o- it! content!. Thi! wou d be a "ea3 achie)e4ent o- the inte ectN it wou d turn the incident into a 4o4ent that ha! been i)ed B9rle nis@4 Without re- ection there wou d be nothing but the !udden !tart* u!ua y the !en!ation o-right which* according to 7reud* con-ir4! the -ai ure o- the !hoc3 de-en!e. Baude aire ha! "ortrayed thi! condition in a har!h i4age. He !"ea3! o- a due in which the arti!t* Cu!t be-ore being beaten* !crea4! in -right. Thi! due i! the creati)e "roce!! it!e -. Thu! Baude aire " aced the !hoc3 eG"erience at the )ery center o- hi! arti!tic wor3. Thi! !e -="ortrait* which i! corroborated by e)idence -ro4 !e)era conte4"orarie!* i! o- great !igni-icance. Since he i! hi4!e eG"o!ed to -right* it i! not unu!ua -or Baude aire to occa!ion -right. 6a e! te ! u! about hi! eccentric gri4ace!N on the ba!i! o- a "ortrait by Nargeot* ,ont= 4artin e!tab i!he! Baude aireK! a ar4ing a""earanceN C aude !tre!!e! the cutting ?ua ity he cou d gi)e to hi! !"eechN 5autier !"ea3! o- the ita iciAing Baude aire indu ged in when reciting "oetryN Nadar de!cribe! hi! Cer3y gait. ,!ychiatry 3now! trau4ato"hi e ty"e!. Baude aire 4ade it hi! bu!ine!! to "arry the !hoc3!* no 4atter where they 4ight co4e -ro4* with hi! !"iritua and hi! "hy!ica !e -. Thi! !hoc3 de-en!e i! de"icted gra"hica y in an attitude o- co4bat. Baude aire de!cribe! hi! -riend Con!tantin 5uy!* who4 he )i!it! when ,ari! i! a! ee"@ ^. . . how he !tand! there* bent o)er hi! tab e* !crutiniAing the !heet o"a"er Cu!t a! intent y a! he doe! the obCect! around hi4 by dayN how he sta s a3a. with hi! "enci * hi! "en* hi! bru!hN how he !"urt! water -ro4 hi! g a!! to the cei ing and trie! hi! "en on hi! !hirtN how he "ur!ue! hi! wor3 !wi-t y and i&C

+ u4ination! inten!e y* a! though he were a-raid that hi! i4age! 4ight e!ca"e hi4N thu! he i! co4bati)e* e)en when a one* and "arrie! hi! own b ow!.E +n the o"ening !tanAa o- hi! "oe4 D1e So ei E Baude aire ha! "ictured hi4!e - engaged in !uch a -anta!tic co4batN thi! i! "robab y the on y " ace in +es Rle!rs '! rnal that !how! the "oet at wor3. 1e ong du )ieuG -aubourg* ou "endent auG 4a!ure! 1e! "er!ienne!* abri de! !ecrete! uGure!* _uand e !o ei crue -ra""e a trait! redoub e! Sur a )i e et e! cha4"!* !ur e! toit! et e! b e!* (e )ai! 4KeGercer !eu a 4a -anta!?ue e!cri4e* 7 airant dan! tou! e! coin! e! ha!ard! de a ri4e* Trebuchant !ur e! 4ot! co44e !ur e! "a)e!* Heurtant "ar-oi! de! )er! de"ui! ongte4"! re)e!.P Shoc3 i! a4ong tho!e eG"erience! that ha)e a!!u4ed deci!i)e i4"ortance -or Baude aireK! "er!ona ity. 5ide ha! dea t with the inter!tice! between i4age and idea* word and thing* which are the rea !ite o- Baude aireK! "oetic eGcitation. Ri)-ce ha! "ointed to the !ubterranean !hoc3! by which Baude aireK! "oetry i! !ha3enN it i! a! though they cau!ed word! to co a"!e. Ri)iere ha! indi=cated !uch co a"!ing word!. Et ?ui !ait !i e! - eur! nou)e e! ?ue Ce re)e Trou)eront dan! ce !o a)e co44e une gr )e 1e 4y!ti?ue a i4ent ?ui jerait eur )igueur.Or@ Cybe e* ?ui e! ai4e* aug4ente !e! )erdure!.T A ong the o d -aubourg where the 4a!onry i! tented by Shutter!* !he tering !ecret " ea!ure!* When the crue !unK! redoub ed bea4! Are a!hing city and -ie d* roo-! and grain* + go* a one* to "ractice 4y curiou! -encing* +n e)ery corner !4e ing out the dodge! o- rhy4e* Stu4b ing o)er word! a! o)er cobb e!tone!* Co iding now and then with ong=drea4ed=o- )er!e!. t And who 3now! whether 4y drea4!K new - ower! Wi -ind within thi! !oi * wa!hed i3e a !hore* The 4y!tic nouri!h4ent that wou d gi)e the4 !trengthJ t Cybe e* who o)e! the4* aug4ent! her )erdure. $&<

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire Another eGa4" e i! thi! -a4ou! -ir!t ine@ +a servante a! #ran' "oe!r 'ont vo!s etieE jalo!se6 To gi)e the!e co)ert aw! their due out!ide hi! )er!e! a! we wa! Baude aireK! intention in hi! D:leen 'e 5aris, hi! "ro!e "oe4!. +n the dedication o- hi! co ection to the editor=in=chie- o- +a 5resse, Ar!ene Hou!!aye* Baude aire wrote@ DWho a4ong u! ha! not drea4t* in hi! a4bitiou! day!* o- the 4irac e o- a "oetic "ro!eJ +t wou d ha)e to be 4u!ica without rhyth4 and rhy4e* !u"" e and re!i!tant enough to ada"t it!e - to the yrica !tirring! o- the !ou * the wa)e 4otion! o- drea4ing* the !hoc3! o- con!ciou!ne!!. Thi! idea * which can turn into an i'ee (i=e, wi gri" e!"ecia y tho!e who are at ho4e in the giant citie! and the web o- their nu4ber e!! interconnecting re ation!hi"!.E Thi! "a!!age !ugge!t! lo in!ighY7or one thing* it te i! u! about the c o!e connection in Baude aire between the -igure o- !hoc3 and contact with the 4etro"o itan 4a!!e!. 7or another* it te ! u! what i! rea y 4eant by the!e 4a!!e!. They do not !tand -or c a!!e! or any !ort o- co ecti)eN rather* they are nothing but the a4or"hou! crowd o- "a!!er!=by* the "eo" e in the !treet.$ Thi! crowd* o- who!e eGi!tence Baude aire i! a way! aware* ha! not !er)ed a! the 4ode -or any o- hi! wor3!* but it i! i4"rinted on hi! creati)ity a! a hidden -igure* Cu!t a! it con!titute! the -igure concea ed in the -rag4ent ?uoted be-ore. We 4ay di!cern the i4age o- the -encer in itN the b ow! he dea ! are de!igned to o"en a "ath through the crowd -or hi4. To be !ure* the (a! o!r#s through which the "oet o- D1e So ei E 4a3e! hi! way are de!erted. But the 4eaning o- the hidden con-iguration :which re)ea ! the beauty o- that !tanAa to it! )ery de"th; "robab y i! thi!@ it i! the "hanto4 crowd o- the word!* the -rag4ent!* the beginning! oine! -ro4 which the "oet* in the de!erted !treet!* wre!t! the "oetic booty. $&9 That 4agnani4ou! !er)ant o- who4 you were Cea ou!.

+ u4ination! V The crowd=no !ubCect wa! 4ore entit ed to the attention o- nineteenth=century writer!. +t wa! getting ready to ta3e !ha"e a! a "ub ic in broad !trata who had ac?uired -aci ity in reading. +t beca4e a cu!to4erN it wi!hed to -ind it!e "ortrayed in the conte4"orary no)e * a! the "atron! did in the "ainting! o- the 8idd e Age!. The 4o!t !ucce!!-u author o- the century 4et thi! de4and out oinner nece!!ity. To hi4* crowd 4eant=a 4o!t in the ancient !en!eFthe crowd othe c ient!* the "ub ic. 6ictor Hugo wa! the -ir!t to addre!! the crowd in hi! tit e!@ +es 1ise-ra les, +es Travaille!rs 'e la mer4 +n 7rance* Hugo wa! the on y writer ab e to co4"ete with the !eria no)e . A! i! genera y 3nown* Eugene Sue wa! the 4a!ter o- thi! genre* which began to be the !ource o- re)e ation -or the 4an in the !treet. +n $'9/ an o)erwhe 4ing 4aCority e ected hi4 to ,ar ia4ent a! re"re!entati)e o- the city o- ,ari!. +t i! no accident that the young 8arG cho!e SueK! +es 1.stires 'e 5aris -or an attac3. He ear y recogniAed it a! hi! ta!3 to -orge the a4or"hou! 4a!!* which wa! then being wooed by an ae!thetic !ocia i!4* into the iron o- the "ro etariat. Enge !K de!cri"tion o- the!e 4a!!e! in hi! ear y writing! 4ay be regarded a! a "re ude* howe)er 4ode!t* to one o- 8arGK! the4e!. +n hi! boo3 The Con'ition o( the Workin# Class in 9n#lan', Enge ! write!@ DA city i3e 1ondon* where one can roa4 about -or hour! without reaching the beginning o- an end* without !eeing the ! ighte!t indication that o"en country i! nearby* i! rea y !o4ething )ery !"ecia . Thi! co o!!a cen= tra iAation* thi! agg o4eration o- three and a ha - 4i ion "eo" e on a !ing e !"ot ha! 4u ti" ied the !trength o- the!e three and a ha - 4i ion inhabitant! a hundred-o d. . . . But the "rice that ha! been "aid i! not di!co)ered unti ater. On y when one ha! tra4"ed the "a)e4ent! o- the 4ain !treet! -or a -ew day! doe! one notice that the!e 1ondoner! ha)e had to !acri-ice what i! be!t in hu4an nature in order to create a the wonder! o- ci)i iAation with which their city tee4!* that a hundred creati)e -acu tie! that ay dor4ant in the4 re4ained inacti)e and were !u""re!!ed. . . . There i! !o4ething di!ta!te-u about the )ery bu!t e $&&

Sp` So4e 8oti-! in Baude aire o- the !treet!* !o4ething that i! abhorrent to hu4an nature it!e -. Hundred! othou!and! o- "eo" e o- a c a!!e! and ran3! o- !ociety Co!t e "a!t one anotherN are they not a hu4an being! with the !a4e characteri!tic! and "otentia itie!* e?ua y intere!ted in the "ur!uit o- ha""ine!!J . . . And yet they ru!h "a!t one an= other a! i- they had nothing in co44on or were in no way a!!ociated with one another. Their on y agree4ent i! a tacit one@ that e)eryone !hou d 3ee" to the right o- the "a)e4ent* !o a! not to i4"ede the !trea4 o- "eo" e 4o)ing in the o""o!ite direction. No one e)en bother! to !"are a g ance -or the other!. The greater the nu4ber o- "eo" e that are "ac3ed into a tiny !"ace* the 4ore re"u !i)e and o--en!i)e beco4e! the bruta indi--erence* the un-ee ing concentration o- each "er!on on hi! "ri)ate a--air!.E Thi! de!cri"tion di--er! 4ar3ed y -ro4 tho!e to be -ound in 4inor 7rench 4a!ter!* !uch a! 5oA an* De )au* or 1urine. +t ac3! the !3i and ea!e with which the (lane!r 4o)e! a4ong the crowd and which the Courna i!t eager y earn! -ro4 hi4. Enge ! i! di!4ayed by the crowdN he re!"ond! with a 4ora reaction* and an ae!thetic one a! we N the !"eed with which "eo" e ru!h "a!t one another un!ett e! hi4. The char4 o- hi! de!cri"tion ie! in the inter!ecting o- un!ha3ab e critica integrity with an o d=-a!hioned attitude. The writer ca4e -ro4 a 5er4any that wa! !ti "ro)incia N he 4ay ne)er ha)e -aced the te4"tation to o!e hi4!e - in a !trea4 o- "eo" e. When Hege went to ,ari! -or the -ir!t ti4e not ong be-ore hi! death* he wrote to hi! wi-e@ DWhen + wa 3 through the !treet!* "eo" e oo3 Cu!t a! they do in Ber inN they wear the !a4e c othe! and the -ace! are about the !a4e=the !a4e a!"ect* but in a arge crowd.E To 4o)e in thi! crowd wa! natura -or a ,ari!ian. No 4atter how great the di!tance which an indi)idua cared to 3ee" -ro4 it* he !ti wa! co ored by it and* un i3e Enge !* wa! not ab e to )iew it -ro4 without. A! regard! Baude aire* the 4a!!e! were anything but eG= terna to hi4N indeed* it i! ea!y to trace in hi! wor3! hi! de-en!i)e reaction to their attraction and a ure. The 4a!!e! had beco4e !o 4uch a "art o- Baude aire that it i! rare to -ind a de!cri"tion o- the4 in hi! wor3!. Hi! 4o!t i4"ortant !ubCect! are hard y e)er encountered in de!cri"ti)e -or4. $&a

+ u4ination! A! DuCardin !o a"t y "ut it* he wa! D4ore concerned with i4" anting the i4age in the 4e4ory than with adorning and e aborating it.E +t i! -uti e to !earch in +es Rle!rs '! mal or in D:leen 'e 5aris -or any counter"art to the "ortraya ! o- the city which 6ictor Hugo did with !uch 4a!tery. Baude aire de!cribe! neither the ,ari!ian! nor their city. 7orgoing !uch de!cri"tion! enab e! hi4 to in)o3e the one! in the -or4 o- the other. Hi! crowd i! a way! the crowd o- a big city* hi! ,ari! i! in)ariab y o)er"o"u= ated. +t i! thi! that 4a3e! hi4 !o !u"erior to Barbier* who!e de!cri"ti)e 4ethod cau!ed a ri-t between the 4a!!e! and the city.. +n Ta lea!= :arinens the !ecret "re!ence o- a crowd i! de4on!trab e a 4o!t e)erywhere. When Baude aire ta3e! the dawn a! hi! the4e* the de!erted !treet! e4anate !o4ething o- that D!i ence o- a throngE which Hugo !en!e! in nocturna ,ari!. A! Baude aire oo3! at the " ate! in the anato4ica wor3! -or !a e on the du!ty ban3! o- the Seine* the 4a!! o- the de"arted ta3e! the " ace o- the !ingu ar !3e eton! on the!e "age!. +n the -igure! o- the 'ame ma"a re^ he !ee! a co4"act 4a!! on the 4o)e. The heroi!4 o- the wiAened o d wo4en who4 the cyc e D1e! "etite! )iei e!E -o ow! on their round!* con!i!t! in their !tanding a"art -ro4 the crowd* unab e to 3ee" it! "ace* no onger "artici"ating with their thought! in the "re!ent. The 4a!! wa! the agitated )ei N through it Baude aire !aw ,ari!. The "re!ence o- the 4a!! deter4ine! one o- the 4o!t -a4ou! co4"onent! o- +es Rle!rs '! mak +n the !onnet DA une "a!!anteE the crowd i! nowhere na4ed in either word or "hra!e. And yet the who e ha""ening hinge! on it* Cu!t a! the "rogre!! o- a !ai boat de"end! on the wind. 1a rue a!!ourdi!!ante autour de 4oi hur ait. 1ongue* 4ince* en grand deui * dou eur 4aCe!tueu!e* 2ne -e44e "a!!a* dKune 4ain -a!tueu!e Souie)ant* ba ancant e -e!ton et Kour etN Agi e et nob e* a)ee !a Ca4be de !tatue. 8oi* ie bu)ai!* cri!"e co44e un eGtra)agant* Dan! 6Q oei * cie 1de ou ger4e Toucan* 1a douceur ?ui -a!cine et e " ai!ir ?ui tue. $&'

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire 2n ec air . . . "ui! a nuitMF7ugiti)e beaute Dont e regard 4Ka -ait !oudaineroent renaitre* Nete)errai=Ce " u! ?ue dan! 8te4iteJ Ai eur!* bien oin dKiciM Tro" tardM 2amais "eut=etreM Car CKignore ou to -ui!* to ne !ai! ou Ce )ai!* S toi ?ue CKeu!!e ai4ee* & coi ?ui e !a)ai!M P +n a widowK! )ei * 4y!teriou! y and 4ute y borne a ong by the crowd* an un3nown wo4an co4e! into the "oetK! -ie d o- )i!ion. What thi! !onnet co44unicate! i! !i4" y thi!@ 7ar -ro4 eG"eriencing the crowd a! an o""o!ed* antagoni!tic e e4ent* thi! )ery crowd bring! to the city dwe er the -igure that -a!cinate!. The de ight o- the urban "oet i! o)eFnot at -ir!t !ight* but at a!t !ight. +t i! a -arewe -ore)er which coincide! in the "oe4 with the 4o4ent oenchant4ent. Thu! the !onnet !u"" ie! the -igure o- !hoc3* indeed o- cata!tro"he. But the nature o- the "oetK! e4otion! ha! been a--ected a! we . What 4a3e! hi! body contract in a tre4orF"ris:o "omrne !n e=trava#ant^ Baude aire !ay!Fi! not the ra"ture o- a 4an who!e e)ery -iber i! !u--u!ed with eros)A it i!* rather* i3e the 3ind o- !eGua !hoc3 that can be!et a one y 4an. The -act that Dthe!e )er!e! cou d on y ha)e been written in a big city*E a! Thiboudet "ut it* i! not )ery 4ean=ing-u . They re)ea the !tig4ata which i-e in a 4etro"o i! in- ict! u"on o)e. ,rou!t read the !onnet in thi! ight* and that i! why he ga)e hi! ater echo othe wo4an in 4ourning* which The dea-ening !treet wa! !crea4ing a around 4e. Ta i* ! ender* in dee" 4ourning=4aCe!tic grie-=A wo4an 4ade her way* with -a!tidiou! hand Rai!ing and !waying -e!toon and he4N Agi e and nob e* with her !tatueK! i4b!. And there wa! +* who dran3* contorted i3e a 4ad4an* Within her eye!=that iwd !3y where hurricane i! born= 5ent ene!! that -a!cinate!* " ea!ure that 3i !. A ightning=- a!h . . . then nightMFS - eeting beauty Who!e g ance a o- a !udden ga)e 4e new birth* Sha + !ee you again on y in eternityJ 7ar* -ar -ro4 hereM Too ateM or 4aybe* neverT 7or + 3now not where you - ee* you 3now not where + go* S you + wou d ha)e o)ed :o you who 3new it tooM; i&%

+ u4ination! a""eared to hi4 one day in the.-or4 o- A bertine* the e)ocati)e ca"tion D1a ,ari!ienne.E DWhen A bertine ca4e into 4y roo4 again* !he wore a b ac3 !atin dre!!. +t 4ade her "a e* and !he re!e4b ed the ty"e o- the -iery and yet "a e ,ari!ian wo4an* the wo4an who i! not u!ed to -re!h air and ha! been a--ected by i)ing a4ong 4a!!e! and "o!!ib y in an at4o!"here o- )ice* the 3ind that can be recogniAed by a certain g ance which !ee4! un!teady i- there i! no rouge on her chee3!.E Thi! i! the oo3Fe)en a! ate a! ,rou!tFo- the obCect o- a o)e which on y a city dwe er eG"erience!* which Baude aire ca"tured -or "oetry* and owhich one 4ight not in-re?uent y !ay that it wa! !"ared* rather than denied* -u -i 4ent.' VI A !tory by ,oe which Baude aire tran! ated 4ay be regarded a! the c a!!ic eGa4" e a4ong the o der )er!ion! o- the 4oti- o- the crowd. +t i! 4ar3ed by certain "ecu iaritie! which* u"on c o!er in!"ection* re)ea a!"ect! o- !ocia -orce! o- !uch "ower and hidden de"th that we 4ay count the4 a4ong tho!e which a one are ca"ab e o- eGerting both a !ubt e and a "ro-ound e--ect u"on arti!tic "roduction. The !tory i! entit ed DThe 8an o- the Crowd.E Set in 1ondon* it! narrator i! a 4an who* a-ter a ong i ne!!* )enture! out again -or the -ir!t ti4e into the hu!t e and bu!t e o- the city. +n the ate a-ternoon hour! o- an autu4n day he in!ta ! hi4!e - behind a window in a big 1ondon co--eehou!e. He oo3! o)er the other gue!t!* "ore! o)er ad)erti!e4ent! in the "a"er* but hi! 4ain -ocu! ointere!t i! the throng o- "eo" e !urging "a!t hi! window in the !treet. DThe atter i! one o- the "rinci"a thorough-are! o- the city* and had been )ery 4uch crowded during the who e day. But* a! the dar3ne!! ca4e on* the throng 4o4ent y increa!edN and by the ti4e the a4"! were we ighted* two den!e and continuou! tide! o- "o"u ation were ru!hing "a!t the door. At thi! "articu ar "eriod o- the e)ening i had ne)er be-ore been in a !i4i ar !ituation* and the tu4u tuou! !ea ohu4an head! -i ed 4e* there-ore* with a de iciou! no)e ty o- e4otion. + ga)e u"* at ength* a care o- thing! within the $0/

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire hote * and beca4e ab!orbed in conte4" ation o- the !cene without.E +4"ortant a! it i!* et u! di!regard the narrati)e to which thi! i! the "re ude and eGa4ine the !etting. The a""earance o- the 1ondon crowd a! ,oe de!cribe! it i! a! g oo4y and -it-u a! the ight o- the ga! a4"! o)erhead. Thi! a"" ie! not on y to the ri--ra-- that i! Dbrought -orth -ro4 it! denE a! night -a !. The e4" oyee! o- higher ran3* Dthe u""er c er3! o- !taunch -ir4!*E ,oe de!cribe! a! -o ow!@ DThey had a ! ight y ba d head!* -ro4 which the right ear!* ong u!ed to "en=ho ding* had an odd habit o- !tanding o-- on end. + ob!er)ed that they a way! re4o)ed or !ett ed their hat! with both hand!* and wore watche!* with !hort go d chain! o- a !ub!tantia and ancient "attern.E E)en 4ore !tri3ing i! hi! de!cri"tion o- the crowdK! 4o)e4ent!. DBy -ar the greater nu4ber o- tho!e who went by had a !ati!-ied bu!ine!!= i3e de4eanour* and !ee4ed to be thin3ing on y o- 4a3ing their way through the "re!!. Their brow! were 3nit* and their eye! ro ed ?uic3 yN when "u!hed again!t by -e ow=way-arer! they e)inced no !y4"to4 o- i4"atience* but adCu!ted their c othe! and hurried on. Other!* !ti a nu4erou! c a!!* were re!t e!! in their 4o)e4ent!* had - u!hed -ace!* and ta 3ed and ge!ticu ated to the4!e )e!* a! i- -ee ing in !o itude on account o- the )ery den!ene!! o- the co4"any around. When i4"eded in their "rogre!!* the!e "eo" e !udden y cea!ed 4uttering* but redoub ed their ge!ticu ation!* and awaited* with an ab!ent and o)erdone !4i e u"on the i"!* the cour!e o- the "er!on! i4"eding the4. +- Co!t ed* they bowed "ro-u!e y to the Co!t er!* and a""eared o)erwhe 4ed with con-u!ion.E < One 4ight thin3 he wa! !"ea3ing o- ha -=drun3en wretche!. Actua y* they were Dnob e4en* 4erchant!* attorney!* trade!4en* !toc3=Cobber!.E& ,oeK! 4anner o- "re!entation cannot be ca ed rea i!4. +t !how! a "ur"o!e y di!torting i4agination at wor3* one that re4o)e! the teGt -ar -ro4 what i! co44on y ad)ocated a! the 4ode o- !ocia rea i!4. Barbier* "erha"! one o- the be!t eGa4" e! o- thi! ty"e o- rea i!4 that eo4e to 4ind* de!cribe! thing! in a e!! eccentric way. 8oreo)er* he cho!e a 4ore tran!"arent !ubCect@ the o""re!!ed 4a!!e!. ,oe i! not concerned with the!eN he dea ! with D"eo" e*E "ure and !i4" e. 7or hi4* a! -or Enge !* `a`

&ll!minations there wa! !o4ething 4enacing in the !"ectac e they "re!ented. +t i! "reci!e y thi! i4age o- big=city crowd! that beca4e deci!i)e -or Baude aire. +- he !uccu4bed to the -orce by which he wa! drawn to the4 and* a! a (lane!r, wa! 4ade one o- the4* he wa! ne)erthe e!! unab e to rid hi4!e - o- a !en!e o- their e!!entia y inhu4an 4a3e=u". He beco4e! their acco4" ice e)en a! he di!!ociate! hi4!e - -ro4 the4. He beco4e! dee" y in)o )ed with the4* on y to re egate the4 to ob i)ion with a !ing e g ance o- conte4"t. There i! !o4ething co4"e ing about thi! a4bi)a ence where he cautiou! y ad4it! to it. ,erha"! the char4 o- hi! DCre"u!cu e du !oir*E !o di--icu t to account -or* i! bound u" with thi!. 6++ Baude aire !aw -it to e?uate the 4an o- the crowd* who4 ,oeK! narrator -o ow! throughout the ength and breadth o- nocturna 1ondon* with the (lane!r4 +t i! hard to acce"t thi! )iew. The 4an o- the crowd i! no (lane!r4 +n hi4* co4"o!ure ha! gi)en way to 4anic beha)ior. Hence he eGe4" i-ie!* rather* what had to beco4e o- the (lane!r once he wa! de"ri)ed o- the 4i ieu to which he be onged. +- 1ondon e)er "ro)ided it -or hi4* it wa! certain y not the !etting de!cribed by ,oe. +n co4"ari!on* Baude aireK! ,ari! "re!er)ed !o4e -eature! that dated bac3 to the ha""y o d day!. 7errie! were !ti cro!!ing the Seine at "oint! that wou d ater be !"anned by the arch o- a bridge. +n the year o- Baude aireK! death it wa! !ti "o!!ib e -or !o4e entre"reneur to cater to the co4-ort o- the we =to=do with a - eet o- -i)e hundred !edan chair! circu ating about the city. Arcade! where the (lane!r wou d not be eG"o!ed to the !ight o- carriage! that did not recogniAe "ede!trian! a! ri)a ! were enCoying undi4ini!hed "o"u arity.& There wa! the "ede!trian who wou d et hi4!e - be Co!t ed by the crowd* but there wa! a !o the (lane!r who de4anded e bow roo4 and wa! unwi ing to -orgo the i-e o- a gent e4an o- ei!ure. 1et the 4any attend to their dai y a--air!P* the 4an o- ei!ure can indu ge in the "era4bu ation! o- the (lane!r on y i- a! !uch he i! a ready out o- " ace. He i! a! 4uch $$.

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire out o- " ace in an at4o!"here o- co4" ete ei!ure a! in the -e)eri!h tur4oi othe city. 1ondon ha! it! 4an o- the crowd. Hi! counter"art* a! it were* i! the boy Nante H7erdinandI* o- the !treet corner* a "o"u ar -igure in Ber in be-ore the 8arch Re)o ution o- $'<'N the ,ari!ian (lane!r 4ight be !aid to !tand 4idway between the4.0 How the 4an o- ei!ure oo3! u"on the crowd i! re)ea ed in a !hort "iece by q. r. A. Ho--4ann* the a!t that he wrote* entit ed DThe Cou!inK! Corner Window.E +t antedate! ,oeK! !tory by -i-teen year! and "robab y i! one o- the ear ie!t atte4"t! to ca"ture the !treet !cene o- a arge city. The di--erence! between the two "iece! are worth noting. ,oeP! narrator ob!er)e! -ro4 behind the window oa "ub ic co--eehou!e* wherea! the cou!in i! in!ta ed at ho4e. ,oeK! ob!er)er !uccu4b! to the -a!cination o- the !cene* which -ina y ure! hi4 out!ide into the whir o- the crowd. Ho--4annK! cou!in* oo3ing out -ro4 hi! corner window* i! i44obi iAed a! a "ara yticN he wou d not be ab e to -o ow the crowd e)en i- he were in the 4id!t o- it. Hi! attitude toward the crowd i!* rather* one o!u"eriority* in!"ired a! it i! by hi! ob!er)ation "o!t at the window o- an a"art4ent bui ding. 7ro4 thi! )antage "oint he !crutiniAe! the throngN it i! 4ar3et day* and they a -ee in their e e4ent. Hi! o"era g a!!e! enab e hi4 to "ic3 out indi)idua genre !cene!. The e4" oy4ent o- thi! in!tru4ent i! thorough y in 3ee"ing with the inner di!"o!ition o- it! u!er. He wou d i3e* a! he ad4it!* to initiate hi! )i!itor into the D"rinci" e! o- the art o- !eeing*E ' Thi! con!i!t! o- an abi ity to enCoy ta lea!= vivants8E -a)orite "ur!uit o- the Bieder4eier "eriod. Edi-ying !aying! "ro)ide the inter"retation.% One can oo3 u"on the narrati)e a! an atte4"t which wa! then due to be 4ade. But it i! ob)iou! that the condition! under which it wa! 4ade in Ber in "re)ented it -ro4 being a co4" ete !ucce!!. +- Ho--4ann had e)er !et -oot in ,ari! or 1ondon* or ihe had been intent u"on de"icting the 4a!!e! a! !uch* he wou d not ha)e -ocu!ed on a 4ar3et " aceN he wou d not ha)e "ortrayed the !cene a! being do4inated by wo4enN he wou d "erha"! ha)e !eiAed on the 4oti-! that ,oe deri)e! -ro4 the !war4ing crowd! under the ga! a4"!. Actua y* there wou d ha)e been no need XB

Ill*minati+n) -or the!e 4oti-! in order to bring out the uncanny e e4ent! that other !tudent! o- the "hy!iogno4y o- the big city ha)e -e t. A thought-u ob!er)ation by Heine i! re e)ant here@ DHeineK! eye!ight*E wrote a corre!"ondent in a etter to 6arnhagen in $'B'* Dcau!ed hi4 acute troub e in the !"ring. On the a!t !uch occa!ion + wa! wa 3ing down one o- the bou e)ard! with hi4. The 4agni-icence* the i-e o- thi! in it! way uni?ue thorough-are rou!ed 4e to bound e!! ad4iration* !o4ething that "ro4"ted Heine thi! ti4e to 4a3e a !igni-icant "oint in !tre!!ing the horror with which thi! center o- the wor d wa! tinged.E VIII 7ear* re)u !ion* and horror were the e4otion! which the big=city crowd arou!ed in tho!e who -ir!t ob!er)ed it. 7or ,oe it ha! !o4ething barbaricN di!ci" ine Cu!t bare y 4anage! to ta4e it. 1ater* (a4e! En!or tire e!! y con-ronted it! di!ci" ine with it! wi dne!!N he i3ed to "ut 4i itary grou"! in hi! carni)a 4ob!* and both got a ong !" endid yFa! the "rototy"e o- tota itarian !tate!* in which the "o ice 4a3e co44on cau!e with the ooter!. 6a ery* who had a -ine eye -or the c u!ter o- !y4"to4! ca ed Dci)i iAation*E ha! characteriAed one o- the "ertinent -act!. DThe inhabitant o- the great urban center!*E he write!* Dre)ert! to a !tate o!a)ageryFthat i!* o- i!o ation. The -ee ing o- being de"endent on other!* which u!ed to be 3e"t a i)e by need* i! gradua y b unted in the !4ooth -unctioning othe !ocia 4echani!4. Any i4"ro)e4ent o- thi! 4echani!4 e i4inate! certain 4ode! o- beha)ior and e4otion!.E Co4-ort i!o ate!N on the other hand* it bring! tho!e enCoying it c o!er to 4echaniAation. The in)ention o- the 4atch around the 4idd e o- the nineteenth century brought -orth a nu4ber o- inno)ation! which ha)e one thing in co44on@ one abru"t 4o)e4ent o- the hand trigger! a "roce!! o- 4any !te"!. Thi! de)e o"4ent i! ta3ing " ace in 4any area!. One ca!e in "oint i! the te e"hone* where the i-ting o- a recei)er ha! ta3en the " ace o- the !teady 4o)e4ent that u!ed to be re?uired to cran3 the o der 4ode !. O- the count e!! 4o)e4ent! o- !witching* in!erting* "re!!ing* and the i3e* the D!na"= 4

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire "ingE o- the "hotogra"her ha! had the greate!t con!e?uence!. A touch o- the -inger now !u--iced to -iG an e)ent -or an un i4ited "eriod o- ti4e. The ca4era ga)e the 4o4ent a "o!thu4ou! !hoc3* a! it were. Ha"tic eG"erience! o- thi! 3ind were Coined by o"tic one!* !uch a! are !u"" ied by the ad)erti!ing "age! o- a new!"a"er or the tra--ic o- a big city. 8o)ing through thi! tra--ic in)o )e! the indi)idua in a !erie! o- !hoc3! and co i!ion!. At dangerou! inter!ection!* ner)ou! i4"u !e! - ow through hi4 in ra"id !ucce!!ion* i3e the energy -ro4 a battery. Baude aire !"ea3! o- a 4an who " unge! into the crowd a! into a re!er)oir oe ectric energy. Circu4!cribing the eG"erience o- the !hoc3* he ca ! thi! 4an Da kalei'os"o:e e?ui""ed with con!ciou!ne!!.E Wherea! ,oeK! "a!!er!=by ca!t g ance! in a direction! which !ti a""eared to be ai4 e!!* todayK! "ede!trian! are ob iged to do !o in order to 3ee" abrea!t o- tra--ic !igna !. Thu! techno ogy ha! !ubCected the hu4an !en!oriu4 to a co4" eG 3ind o- training. There ca4e a day when a new and urgent need -or !ti4u i wa! 4et by the -i 4. +n a -i 4* "erce"tion in the -or4 o- !hoc3! wa! e!tab i!hed a! a -or4a "rinci" e. That which deter4ine! the rhyth4 o- "roduction on a con)eyor be t i! the ba!i! o- the rhyth4 o- rece"tion in the -i 4. 8arG had good rea!on to !tre!! the great - uidity o- the connection between !eg4ent! in 4anua abor. Thi! connection a""ear! to the -actory wor3er on an a!!e4b y ine in an inde"endent* obCecti-ied -or4. +nde"endent y o- the wor3erK! )o ition* the artic e being wor3ed on co4e! within hi! range o- action and 4o)e! away -ro4 hi4 Cu!t a! arbitrari y. D+t i! a co44on characteri!tic o- a ca"ita i!t "roduction . . . c wrote 8arG* Dthat the wor3er doe! not 4a3e u!e o- the wor3ing condition!. The wor3ing condition! 4a3e u!e o- the wor3erN but it ta3e! 4achin= ery to gi)e thi! re)er!a a technica y concrete -or4.E +n wor3ing with 4achine!* wor3er! earn to co=ordinate Dtheir own 4o)e4ent! with the uni-or4 y con!tant 4o)e4ent! o- an auto4aton.E The!e word! !hed a "ecu iar ight on the ab!urd 3ind o- uni-or4ity with which ,oe want! to !add e the crowdFuni-or4itie! oattire and beha)ior* but a !o a uni-or4ity o- -acia eG"re!!ion. Tho!e !4i e! "ro)ide -ood -or thought. They are "robab y the X9

Ill*minati+n) -a4i iar 3ind* a! eG"re!!ed in the "hra!e D3ee" !4i ingEN in that conteGt they -unction a! a 4i4etic !hoc3 ab!orber. DAH 4achine wor3*E it i! !aid in the abo)e conteGt* Dre?uire! ear y dri ing o- the wor3er.E Thi! dri 4u!t be di--erentiated -ro4 "ractice. ,ractice* which wa! the !o e deter4inant in cra-t!4an!hi"* !ti had a -unction in 4anu-acturing. With it a! the ba!i!* Deach "articu ar area o- "roduction -ind! it! a""ro"riate technica -or4 in e=:erien"e and slo3l. "er-ect! it.E To be !ure* it ?uic3 y cry!ta iAe! it* Da! !oon a! a certain degree o- 4aturity ha! been attained.E On the other hand* thi! !a4e 4anu-acturing "roduce! Din e)ery handicra-t it !eiAe! a c a!! o- !o=ca ed un!3i ed aborer! which the handicra-t !y!te4 !trict y eGc uded. +n de)e o"ing the great y !i4" i-ied !"ecia ty to the "oint o- )irtuo!ity at the co!t o- the wor3 ca"acity a! a who e* it !tart! turning the ac3 o- any de)e o"4ent into a !"ecia ty. +n addition to ran3! we get the !i4" e di)i!ion o- wor3er! into the !3i ed and the un!3i ed.E The un!3i ed wor3er i! the one 4o!t dee" y degraded by the dri othe 4achine!. Hi! wor3 ha! been !ea ed o-- -ro4 eG"erienceN "ractice count! -or nothing there.$/ What the 7un 7air achie)e! with it! Dodge4 car! and other !i4i ar a4u!e4ent! i! nothing but a ta!te o- the dri to which the un!3i ed aborer i! !ubCected in the -actoryFa !a4" e which at ti4e! wa! -or hi4 the entire 4enuN -or the art o- being o-- center* in which the itt e 4an cou d ac?uire training in " ace! 83e the 7un 7air* - ouri!hed conco4itant y with une4" oy4ent. ,oeK! teGt 4a3e! u! under!tand the true connection between wi dne!! and di!ci" ine. Hi! "ede!trian! act a! i- they had ada"ted the4!e )e! to the 4achine! and cou d eG"re!! the4!e )e! on y auto4atica y. Their beha)ior i! a reaction to !hoc3!. D+- Co!t ed* they bowed "ro-u!e y to the Co!t er!.E IX The !hoc3 eG"erience which the "a!!er=by ha! in the crowd corre!"ond! to what the wor3er DeG"erience!E at hi! 4achine. Thi! doe! not entit e u! to the a!!u4"tion that ,oe 3new anything about indu!tria wor3 "roce!!e!. Baude aire* at any rate* `a>

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire did not ha)e the -ainte!t notion o- the4. He wa!Q howe)er* ca"ti)ated by a "roce!! whereby the re- ecting 4echani!4 which the 4achine !et! o-- in the wor34an can be !tudied c o!e y* a! in a 4irror* in the id er. +- we !ay that thi! "roce!! i! the ga4e o- chance* the !tate4ent 4ay a""ear to be "aradoGica . Where wou d one -ind a 4ore e)ident contra!t than the one between wor3 and ga4b ingJ A ain "ut! it con)incing y when he write!@ D+t i! inherent in the conce"t o- ga4b ing * . . that no ga4e i! de"endent on the "receding one. 5a4b ing care! about no a!!ured "o!ition. . . . Winning! !ecured ear ier are not ta3en into account* and in thi! it di--er! -ro4 wor3. 5a4b ing gi)e! !hort !hri-t to the weighty "a!t on which wor3 ba!e! it!e -.E The wor3 which A ain ha! in 4ind here i! the high y !"ecia iAed 3ind :which* i3e inte ectua e--ort* "robab y retain! certain -eature! o- handicra-t; N it i! not that o- 4o!t -actory wor3er!* ea!t o- a the wor3 o- the un!3i ed. The atter* to be !ure* ac3! any touch oad)enture* o- the 4irage that ure! the ga4b er. But it certain y doe! not ac3 the -uti ity* the e4"tine!!* the inabi ity to co4" ete !o4ething which i! inherent in the acti)ity o- a wage ! a)e in a -actory. 5a4b ing e)en contain! the wor34anK! ge!ture that i! "roduced by the auto4atic o"eration* -or there can be no ga4e without the ?uic3 4o)e4ent o- the hand by which the !ta3e i! "ut down or a card i! "ic3ed u". The Co t in the 4o)e4ent o- a 4achine i! i3e the !o=ca ed "o!: in a ga4e o- chance. The 4ani"u ation o- the wor3er at the 4achine ha! no connection with the "receding o"eration -or the )ery rea!on that it i! it! eGact re"etition. Since each o"eration at the 4achine i! Cu!t a! !creened o-- -ro4 the "receding o"eration a! a "o!: in a ga4e o- chance i! -ro4 the one that "receded it* the drudgery o- the aborer i!* in it! own way* a counter"art to the drudgery othe ga4b er. The wor3 o- both i! e?ua y de)oid o- !ub!tance. There i! a ithogra"h by Sene-e der which re"re!ent! a ga4=b ing c ub. Not one o- tho!e de"icted i! "ur!uing the ga4e in the cu!to4ary -a!hion. Each 4an i! do4inated by an e4otion@ one !how! unre!trained CoyN another* di!tru!t o- hi! "artnerN a third* du de!"airN a -ourth e)ince! be igerenceN another i! getting ready to de"art -ro4 the wor d. A the!e 4ode! o- conduct 4

+ u4ination! !hare a concea ed characteri!tic@ the -igure! "re!ented !how u! how the 4echani!4 to which the "artici"ant! in a ga4e o- chance entru!t the4!e )e! !eiAe! the4 body and !ou * !o that e)en in their "ri)ate !"here* and no 4atter how agitated they 4ay be* they are ca"ab e on y o- a re- eG action. They beha)e i3e the "ede!trian! in ,oeK! !tory. They i)e their i)e! a! auto4aton! and re!e4b e Berg!onK! -ictitiou! character! who ha)e co4" ete y i?uidated their 4e4orie!. Baude aire doe! not a""ear to ha)e been a de)otee o- ga4b ing* a though he had word! o- -riend y under!tanding* e)en ho4age* -or tho!e addicted to it. The 4oti- which he treated in hi! night "iece D1e (euE wa! "art o- hi! )iew o4odern ti4e!* and he con!idered it a! "art o- hi! 4i!!ion to write thi! "oe4. The i4age o- the ga4b er beca4e in Baude aire the characteri!tica y 4odern co4" e4ent to the archaic i4age o- the -encerN both are heroic -igure! to hi4. 1udwig Borne oo3ed at thing! through Baude aireK! eye! when he wrote@ D+- a the energy and "a!!ion . . . that are eG"ended e)ery year at Euro"eK! ga4b ing tab e! . . . were !a)ed* they wou d !u--ice to -a!hion a Ro4an "eo" e and a Ro4an hi!tory -ro4 the4. But that i! Cu!t it. Becau!e e)ery 4an i! born a Ro4an* bourgeoi! !ociety !ee3! to de=Ro4aniAe hi4* and that i! why there are ga4e! o- chance and "ar or ga4e!* no)e !* +ta ian o"era!* and -a!hionab e new!"a"er!.E 5a4b ing beca4e a !toc3 di)er!ion o- the bourgeoi!ie on y in the nineteenth centuryN in the eighteenth* on y the ari!tocracy ga4b ed. 5a4e! ochance were di!!e4inated by the Na"o eonic ar4ie!* and they now beca4e "art o- D-a!hionab e i)ing and the thou!and! o- un!ett ed i)e! that are i)ed in the ba!e4ent! o- a arge city*E "art o- the !"ectac e in which Baude aire c ai4ed he !aw the heroicFDa! it i! characteri!tic o- our e"och.E +- one want! to eGa4ine ga4b ing -ro4 the "!ycho ogica a! we a! the technica "oint o- )iew* Baude aireK! conce"tion o- it a""ear! e)en 4ore !igni-icant. +t i! ob)iou! that the ga4b er i! out to win. Yet one wi not want to ca hi! de!ire to win and 4a3e 4oney a wi!h in the !trict !en!e o- the word. He 4ay be inward y 4oti)ated by greed or by !o4e !ini!ter deter4ination. At any rate* hi! -ra4e o- 4ind i! !uch that he cannot 4a3e 4uch $0P

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire u!e o- eG"erience.Q A wi!h* howe)er* i! a 3ind o- eG"erience. DWhat one wi!he! -or in oneK! youth* one ha! in abundance in o d age*E !aid 5oethe. The ear ier in i-e one 4a3e! a wi!h* the greater oneK! chance! that it wi be -u -i ed. The -urther a wi!h reache! out in ti4e* the greater the ho"e! -or it! -u -i 4ent. But it i! eG"erience that acco4"anie! one to the -ar reache! o- ti4e* that -i ! and di)ide! ti4e. Thu! a wi!h -u -i ed i! the crowning o- eG"erience. +n -o 3 !y4bo i!4* di!tance in !"ace can ta3e the " ace o- di!tance in ti4eN that i! why the !hooting !tar* which " unge! into the in-inite di!tance o- !"ace* ha! beco4e the !y4bo o- a -u -i ed wi!h. The i)ory ba which ro ! into the ne=t co4"art4ent* the ne=t card which ie! on to" are the )ery antithe!i! o- a -a ing !tar. The "eriod o- ti4e enco4"a!!ed by the in!tant in which the ight o- a !hooting !tar - a!he! -or a 4an i! o- the 3ind that (oubert ha! de!cribed with hi! cu!to4ary a!!urance. DTi4e*E he !ay!* Di! -ound e)en in eternityN but it i! not earth y* wor d y ti4e. . . . That ti4e doe! not de!troyN it 4ere y co4" ete!.E +t i! the antithe!i! o- ti4e in he * the "ro)ince o- tho!e who are not a owed to co4" ete anything they ha)e !tarted. The di!re"ute o- ga4e! o- chance i! actua y ba!ed on the -act that the " ayer hi4!e - ha! a hand in it. :An incorrigib e "atron o- a ottery wi not be "ro!cribed in the !a4e way a! the ga4b er in a !tricter !en!e.; Thi! !tarting a o)er again i! the regu ati)e idea o- the ga4e* a! it i! o- wor3 -or wage!. Thu! it i! high y 4eaning-u i- in Baude aire the !econd=handVE a SecondeEFa""ear! a! "artner o- the ga4b erN Do!.iem-toi ?ue e Te4"! e!t un Coueur a)ide _ui gagne !an! tricher* a tout cou"M eKe!t a oiM P +n another " ace* Satan hi4!e - ta3e! the " ace o- thi! !econd. The taciturn corner o- the ca)e to which the "oe4 D1e (euE re egate! tho!e who are addicted to ga4b ing undoubted y i! "art o- hi! rea 4. Kee" in 4ind that Ti4eK! a rabid ga4b er Who win! a way! without cheatingFitK! the awM d%

Illuminations 6oi a e noir tab eau ?uKen un re)e nocturne (e.)i! !e derou er !ou! 4on oei c air)oyant* 8oi=4e4e* dan! un coin de Kantre caciturne* (e 4e )i!accoude* -roid* 4uet* en)iant* En)iant de ce! gen! a "a!!ion tenace.P The "oet doe! not "artici"ate in the ga4e. He !tand! in hi! corner* no ha""ier than tho!e who are " aying. He too ha! been cheated out o- hi! eG"erienceFa 4odern 4an. The on y di--erence i! that he reCect! the narcotic! with which the ga4b er! !ee3 to !ub4erge the con!ciou!ne!! that ha! de i)ered the4 to the 4arch o- the !econd=hand.$. Et 4on coeur !Ke--raya dKen)ier 4aint "au)re ho44e . Courant a)ec -er)eur a Tabi4e beant* Et ?ui* !ou de !on !ang* "re-ererait en !o44e 1a dou eur a a 4ore et Ten-er au neantM +n thi! a!t !tanAa Baude aire "re!ent! i4"atience a! the !ub!tratu4 o- the "a!!ion -or ga4b ing. He -ound it in hi4!e - in it! "ure!t -or4. Hi! )io ent te4"er had the eG"re!!i)ene!! o- 5iottoK! &ra-"!n'ia at ,adua. +t i!Fi- one -o ow! Berg!onFthe actua iAation o- the '!ree which rid! 4anK! !ou o- ob!e!!ion with ti4e. ,rou!t !hared thi! be ie-* and -ro4 it he de)e o"ed the i-e ong eGerci!e! in which he !tro)e to bring to ight "a!t thing! !aturated with a the re4ini!cence! that had wor3ed their way into hi! "ore! during hi! !oCourn in the uncon!ciou!. ,rou!t wa! an inco4"arab e reader o- the Rle!rs '! malY -or he !en!ed that it contained 3in= Here you !ee the he i!h "icture that one night in a drea4 + !aw un-o ding be-ore 4y c air)oyant eye!N And* o)er in a corner o- thi! !i ent ca)e* 8y!e - + !aw* hunched u"* co d* 4ute* and en)ying* En)ying the!e "eo" e their tenaciou! "a!!ion. t And 4y heart too3 -rightFto en)y !o4e "oor 4an Who ran in -renAy to the !heer aby!!* Who* drun3 with the "u !ing o- hi! b ood* "re-erred 5rie- to death* and he to nothingne!!. $'/

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire dred e e4ent!. 7a4i iarity with Baude aire 4u!t inc ude ,rou!tK! eG"erience with hi4. ,rou!t write!@ DTi4e i! "ecu iar y cho""ed u" in Baude aireY on y a )ery -ew day! o"en u"* they are !igni-icant one!. Thu! it i! under!tandab e why turn! o- "hra!e! i3e One e)eningK occur -re?uendy in hi! wor3!.E The!e !igni-icant day! are day! o- co4" eting ti4e* to "ara"hra!e (oubert. They are day! o- reco ection* not 4ar3ed by any eG"erience. They are not connected with the other day!* but !tand out -ro4 ti4e. A! -or their !ub!tance* Baude aire ha! de-ined it in the notion o- the "orres:on'an"es, D+ conce"t that in Baude aire !tand! !ide by !ide and unconnected with the notion o- D4ode4 beauty.E Di!regarding the !cho ar y iterature on the "orres:on'an"es :the co44on "ro"erty o- the 4y!tic!N Baude aire encountered the4 in 7ourierK! writing!;* ,rou!t no onger -u!!e! about the arti!tic )ariation! on the !ituation which are !u"" ied by !ynae!the=!ia. The i4"ortant thing i! that the "orres:on'an"es record a conce"t o- eG"erience which inc ude! ritua e e4ent!. On y by a""ro"riating the!e e e4ent! wa! Baude aire ab e to -atho4 the -u 4eaning o- the brea3down which he* a 4odern 4an* wa! witne!!ing. On y in thi! way wa! he ab e to recogniAe in it the cha enge 4eant -or hi4 a one* a cha enge which he incor"orated in the Rle!rs '! mah +- there rea y i! a !ecret architecture in thi! boo3Fand 4any !"ecu ation! ha)e been de)oted to itFthe cyc e o- "oe4! that o"en! the )o u4e "robab y i! de)oted to !o4ething irretrie)ab y o!t. Thi! cyc e inc ude! two !onnet! who!e 4oti- i! the !a4e. The -ir!t* entit ed DCorre!"ondance!*E begin! with the!e ine!@ 1a Nature e!t un te4" e out de )i)ant! "i ier! 1ai!!ent "ar-oi! !ortir de con-u!e! "aro e!N 1Kho44e y "a!!e a tra)er! de! -oret! de !y4bo e! _ui ,ob!er)ent a)ec de! regard! -a4i ier!. Comme 'e lon#s e"hos 7!i 'e loin se "on(on'ent Dan! une tenebreu!e et "ro-onde unite* 6a!te co44e a 4iit et co44e a c arte* 1e! "ar-u4!* e! cou eur! et e! !on! !e re"ondent.P Nature i! a te4" e who!e i)ing "i ar! So4eti4e! gi)e -orth a babe o- word!P

Illuminations What Baude aire 4eant by "orres:on'en"es 4ay be de!cribed a! an eG"erience which !ee3! to e!tab i!h it!e - in cri!i!="roo- -or4. Thi! i! "o!!ib e on y within the rea 4 o- the ritua . +- it tran!cend! thi! rea 4* it "re!ent! it!e - a! the beauti-u . +n the beauti-u the ritua )a ue o- art a""ear!.$' The "orres:on'an"es are the data o- re4e4branceFnot hi!torica data* but data o- "rehi!tory. What 4a3e! -e!ti)e day! great and !igni-icant i! the encounter with an ear ier i-e. Baude aire recorded thi! in a !onnet entit ed D1a 6ie antirieure.E The i4age! o- ca)e! and )egetation* o- c oud! and wa)e! which are e)o3ed at the beginning o- thi! !econd !onnet ri!e -ro4 the war4 )a"or o- tear!* tear! oho4e!ic3ne!!. DThe wanderer oo3! into the tear=)ei ed di!tance* and hy!terica tear! Ksi"^ we u" in hi! eye!*E write! Baude aire in hi! re)iew o- the "oe4! o8ar=ce ine De!borde!=6a 4ore. There are no !i4u taneou! corre!"ondence!* !uch a! were cu ti)ated by the !y4bo i!t! ater. The 4ur4ur o- the "a!t 4ay be heard in the corre!"ondence!* and the canonica eG"erience o- the4 ha! it! " ace in a "re)iou! i-e@ 1e! hou e!* en rou ant e! i4age! de! deuG* 8e aient dKune -aJon !o enne e et 4y!ti?ue 1e! tout="ui!!ant! accord! de eur riche 4u!i?ue Aw cou eur! du couchant re- etM "ar 4e! yeuG. CKe!t a ?ue CKai )ecu* . . .P The -act that ,rou!tK! re!torati)e wi re4ain! within the i4it! o- earth y eGi!tence* wherea! Baude aireK! tran!cend! it* 4ay be regarded a! !y4"to4atic o- the inco4"arab y 4ore e e4enta and "ower-u counter-orce! that Baude aire -aced. And "rob= 8an wend! hi! way through -ore!t! o- !y4bo ! Which oo3 at hi4 with their -a4i iar g ance!. A! ong=re!ounding echoe! -ro4 a-ar Are 4ing ing in a dee"* dar3 unity* 6a!t a! the night or a! the orb o- day* ,er-u4e!* co or!* and !ound! co44ing e. The brea3er!* ro ing the i4age! o- the !3y* 8iGed* in a 4y!tica and !o e4n way* The "ower-u chord! o- their rich 4u!ic With the co or! o- the !un!et re- ected in 4y eye!. There did + i)e. * . . 182

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire ab y he nowhere achie)ed greater "er-ection than when he !ee4! re!igned to being o)erco4e by the4. DRecuei e4entE trace! the a egorie! o- the o d year! again!t the dee" !3y@ . * . 6oi! !e "encher e! de-unte! Annee! Sur e! ba con! du de * en robe! !urannee!.P +n the!e )er!e! Baude aire re!ign! hi4!e - to "aying ho4age to ti4e! out o4ind that e!ca"ed hi4 in the gui!e o- the outdated. When ,rou!t in the a!t )o u4e o- hi! wor3 re)ert! to the !en!ation that !u--u!ed hi4 at the ta!te o- a ma'eleine, he i4agine! the year! which a""ear on the ba cony a! being o)ing !i!ter! o- the year! o- Co4bray. D+n Baude aire . . . the!e re4ini!cence! are e)en 4ore nu4erou!. +t i! a""arent that they are not occa!ioned by chance* and thi!* to 4y 4ind* i! what gi)e! the4 crucia i4"ortance. There i! no one e !e who "ur!ue! the interconnected "orres:on'an"es with !uch ei!ure y care* -a!tidiou! y and yet noncha ant yFin a wo4anK! !4e * -or in!tance* in the -ragrance o- her hair or her brea!t!F"orres:on'an"es which then yie d hi4 ine! i3e Rthe aAure o- the )a!t* )au ted !3yK or Ra har=bor -u o- - a4e! and 4a!t!.PQ The!e word! are a con-e!!iona 4otto -or ,rou!tK! wor3. +t bear! a re ation!hi" to Baude aireK! wor3* which ha! a!!e4b ed the day! o- re4e4brance into a !"iritua year. But the Rle!rs '! mal wou d not be what it i! i- a it contained were thi! !ucce!!. +t i! uni?ue becau!e it wa! ab e to wre!t -ro4 the ine--icacy o- the !a4e con!o ation* the brea3down o- the !a4e -er)or* the -ai ure o- the !a4e e--ort "oe4! that are in no way in-erior to tho!e in which the "orres:on'an"es ce ebrate their triu4"h!. DS" een et idea E i! the -ir!t o- the cyc e! in +es Rle!rs '! mak The i'eal !u"" ie! the "ower o- re4e4branceN the s:leen 4u!ter! the 4u titude o- the !econd! again!t it +t i! their co44ander* Cu!t a! the de)i i! the ord o- the - ie!. One o- the D:leen "oe4!* D1e 5out du neant*E !ay!@ D1e 5rintem:s a'ora le a :er'! son o'e!r4In t +n thi! ine Baude aire eG"re!!e! ... See the dead de"arted Year! in anti?uated Dre!! eaning o)er hea)enK! ba conie!. t S"ring* the Be o)ed* ha! o!t it! !cent. i"#

&ll!minatioTis !o4ething eGtre4e with eGtre4e di!cretionN thi! 4a3e! it un4i!ta3ab y hi!. The word ;:er'!< ac3now edge! the "re!ent !tate o- co a"!e o- that eG"erience which he once !hared. The !cent i! the inacce!!ib e re-uge o- the mimoire involontaire4 +t i! un i3e y that it wi a!!ociate it!e - with a )i!ua i4ageN o- a !en!ua i4"re!!ion! it wi a y it!e - on y with the !a4e !cent. +- the recognition o- a !cent i! 4ore "ri)i eged to "ro)ide con!o ation than any other reco ection* thi! 4ay be !o becau!e it dee" y drug! the !en!e o- ti4e. A !cent 4ay drown year! in the odor it reca !. Thi! gi)e! a !en!e o- 4ea!ure e!! de!o ation to Baude aireK! )er!e. 7or !o4eone who i! "a!t eG"eriencing* there i! no con!o ation. Yet it i! thi! )ery inabi ity to eG"erience that ie! at the heart o- rage. An angry 4an DwonKt i!tenEN hi! "rototy"e Ti4on rage! again!t "eo" e indi!cri4inate yN he i! no onger ca"ab e o- te ing hi! "ro)en -riend -ro4 hi! 4orta ene4y. DKAure=)i y )ery "erce"ti)e y recogniAed thi! condition in Baude aire* ca ing hi4 Da Ti4on with the geniu! o- Arehi ochu!.E The outbrea3! o- rage are ti4ed to the tic3ing o- the !econd! to which the 4e ancho y 4an i! ! a)e. Et e Te4"! 4Keng outit 4inute "ar 4inute* Co44e a neige i44en!e =m cor"! "ri! de roideur.P The!e )er!e! -o ow i44ediate y a-ter tho!e ?uoted abo)e. +n the s:leen, ti4e beco4e! "a "ab eN the 4inute! co)er a 4an i3e !now- a3e!. Thi! ti4e i! out!ide hi!tory* a! i! that o- the memoire involontaire4 But in the s:leen the "erce"tion oti4e i! !u"er=natura y 3eenN e)ery !econd -ind! con!ciou!ne!! ready to interce"t it! !hoc3.$< E)en though chrono ogy " ace! regu arity abo)e "er4anence* it cannot "re)ent heterogeneou!* con!"icuou! -rag4ent! -ro4 re4aining within it. To ha)e co4bined recognition o- a ?ua ity with the 4ea!ure4ent o- the ?uantity wa! the wor3 o- the ca endar! in which the " ace! o- reco ection are e-t b an3* a! it were* in the -or4 o- ho iday!. The 4an who o!e! hi! ca"acity -or eG"eriencing -ee ! a! though he i! dro""ed -ro4 the ca endar. The And* 4inute by 4inute* Ti4e engu -! 4e* A! the !nowK! 4ea!ure e!! -a co)er! a 4otion e!! body. $'<

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire big=city dwe er 3now! thi! -ee ing on Sunday!N Baude aire ha! it avant la lettre in one o- the D:leen "oe4!. De! c oche! tout a cou" !autent a)ec -urie Et ancent )er! e cie un a--reuG hur e4ent* Ain!i ?ue de! e!"rit! errant! et !an! "atrie _ui !e 4ettent a geindre o"i4atre4ent.P The be !* which once were "art o- ho iday!* ha)e been dro""ed -ro4 the ca endar* i3e the hu4an being!. They are i3e the "oor !ou ! that wander re!t e!! y* but out!ide o- hi!tory. +- Baude aire in DS" eenE and D6ie antirieureE ho d! in hi! hand! the !cattered -rag4ent! o- genuine hi!torica eG"erience* Berg!on in hi! conce"tion o- the '!ree ha! beco4e -ar 4ore e!tranged -ro4 hi!tory. DBerg!on the 4eta"hy!ician !u""re!!e! death.E The -act that death i! e i4inated -ro4 Berg!onK! '!ree i!o ate! it e--ecti)e y -ro4 a hi!torica :a! we a! "rehi!torica ; order. Berg!onK! conce"t o- a"tion i! in 3ee"ing with thi!. The D!ound co44on !en!eE which di!tingui!he! the D"ractica 4anE ha! been it! god= -ather. The '!ree -ro4 which death ha! been e i4inated ha! the 4i!erab e end e!!ne!! o- a !cro . Tradition i! eGc uded -ro4 it.$B +t i! the ?uinte!!ence o- a "a!!ing 4o4ent K9rle nis^ that !trut! about in the borrowed garb o- eG"erience. The s:leen, on the other hand* eG"o!e! the "a!!ing 4o4ent in a it! na3edne!!. To hi! horror* the 4e ancho y 4an !ee! the earth re)ert to a 4ere !tate o- nature. No breath o- "rehi!tory !urround! it@ there i! no aura. Thi! i! how the earth e4erge! in the )er!e! o- D1e 5out du neantE which -o ow the one! we. ha)e ?uoted. (e conte4" e dKen ha4 e g obe en !a rondeur* Et Ce nKy cherche " u! Kabri dKune cahute.Sudden y be ! ea" -orth widi -ury* Hur ing a hideou! how ing to the !3y 1i3e wandering ho4e e!! !"irit! Who brea3 into !tubborn wai ing. t And -ro4 on high + conte4" ate the g obe in it! roundne!!N No onger do + oo3 there -or the !he ter o- a hut. $'9
h

w4ination! XI +- we de!ignate a! aura the a!!ociation! which* at ho4e in the memoire involontaire, tend to c u!ter around the obCect o- a "erce"tion* then it! ana ogue in the ca!e o- a uti itarian obCect i! the eG"erience which ha! e-t trace! o- the "racticed hand. The techni?ue! ba!ed on the u!e o- the ca4era and o!ub!e?uent ana ogou! 4echanica de)ice! eGtend the range o- the memotre volontaireM by 4ean! o- the!e de)ice! they 4a3e it "o!!ib e -or an e)ent at any ti4e to be "er4anent y recorded in ter4! o- !ound and !ight. Thu! they re"re!ent i4"ortant achie)e4ent! o- a !ociety in which "ractice i! in dec ine. To Baude aire there wa! !o4ething "ro-ound y unner)ing and terri-ying about daguer=reoty"yN he !"ea3! o- the -a!cination it eGerted a! D!tart ing and crue .E Thu! he 4u!t ha)e !en!ed* though he certain y did not !ee through the4* the connection! o- which we ha)e !"o3en. Hi! wi ingne!! a way! to grant the 4odern it! " ace and* e!"ecia y in art* to a!!ign it it! !"eci-ic -unction a !o deter4ined hi! attitude toward "hotogra"hy. Whene)er he -e t it a! a threat* he tried to "ut it down to it! D4i!ta3en de)e o"4ent!EN yet he ad4itted that the!e were "ro4oted by Dthe !tu"idity o- the broad 4a!!e!.E DThe!e 4a!!e! de4anded an idea that wou d con-or4 to their a!"iration! and the nature o- their te4"era4ent.... Their "rayer! were granted by a )enge-u god* and Daguerre beca4e hi! "ro"het.E Ne)erthe e!!* Baude aire tried to ta3e a 4ore conci iatory )iew. ,hotogra"hy !hou d be -ree to !ta3e out a c ai4 -or e"he4era thing!* tho!e that ha)e a right Dto a " ace in the archi)e! o- our 4e4ory*E a! ong a! it !to"! !hort o- the Dregion o- the intangib e* i4aginati)eE@ that o- art in which on y that i! a otted a " ace Don which 4an ha! be!towed the i4"rint o- hi! !ou .E Thi! i! !carce y a So o4onian Cudg4ent. The "er"etua readine!! o- )o itiona * di!cur!i)e 4e4ory* encouraged by the techni?ue o- 4echanica re"roductionQ reduce! the !co"e -or the " ay o- the i4agination. The atter 4ay "erha"! be de-ined a! an abi ity to gi)e eG"re!!ion to de!ire! o- a !"ecia 3ind* with D!o4e=thing beauti-u E thought o- a! their -u -i 4ent. 6a ery ha! !et -ori the condition! + thi! -u -i 4ent@ DWe recogniWe a wor3 $'&

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire o- art by the -act that no idea it in!"ire! in u!Q no 4ode o- beha)ior that it !ugge!t! we ado"t cou d eGhau!t it or di!"o!e o- it. We 4ay inha e the !4e o- a - ower who!e -ragrance i! agreeab e to u! -or a! ong a! we i3eN it i! i4"o!!ib e -or u! to rid our!e )e! o- the -ragrance by which our !en!e! ha)e been arou!ed* and no reco ection* no thought* no 4ode o- beha)ior can ob iterate it! e--ect or re ea!e u! -ro4 the ho d it ha! on u!. He who ha! !et hi4!e - the ta!3 o- creating a wor3 o- art ai4! at the !a4e e--ect.E According to thi! )iew* the "ainting we oo3 at re- ect! bac3 at u! that o- which our eye! wi ne)er ha)e their -i . What it contain! that -u -i ! the origina de!ire wou d be the )ery !a4e !tu-- on which the de!ire continuou! y -eed!. What di!tingui!he! "hotogra"hy -ro4 "ainting i! there-ore c ear* and why there can be no enco4"a!!ing "rinci" e o- DcreationE a"" icab e to both@ to the eye! that wi ne)er ha)e their -i o- a "ainting* "hotogra"hy i! rather i3e -ood -or the hungry or drin3 -or the thir!ty. The cri!i! o- arti!tic re"roduction which 4ani-e!t! it!e - in thi! way can be !een a! an integra "art o- a cri!i! in "erce"tion it!e -. What "re)ent! our de ight in the beauti-u -ro4 e)er being !ati!-ied i! the i4age o- the "a!t* which Baude aire regard! a! )ei ed by the tear! o- no!ta gia. ;A"h, '! 3arst in a #ele ten Oeiten meine D"h3ester o'er meine RranV< PFthi! dec aration o- o)e i! the tribute which the beauti-u a! !uch i! entit ed to c ai4. +n!o-ar a! art ai4! at the beauti-u and* on howe)er 4ode!t a !ca e* Dre"roduce!E it* it conCure! it u" :a! 7au!t doe! He en; out o- the wo4b o- ti4e.$& Thi! no onger ha""en! in the ca!e o- technica re"roduction. :The beauti-u ha! no " ace in it.; ,rou!t* co4" aining o- the barrenne!! and ac3 o- de"th in the i4age! o- 6enice that hi! mDmoire volontaire "re!ented to hi4* note! that the )ery word D6eniceE 4ade that wea th o- i4age! !ee4 to hi4 a! )a"id a! an eGhibition o- "hotogra"h!. +- the di!tincti)e -eature othe i4age! that ri!e -ro4 the memoire involontaire i! !een in their aura* then "hotogra"hy i! deci!i)e y i4" icated in the "heno4enon o- the Ddec ine o- the aura.E What wa! ine)i= i'0 DOh* you were in ti4e gone by 4y !i!ter or 4y wi-e.KP :5oethe.;

&ll!minations tab y -e t to be inhu4an* one 4ight e)en !ay dead y* in daguer=reoty"y wa! the :"ro onged; oo3ing into the ca4era* !ince the ca4era record! our i3ene!! without returning our gaAe. But oo3ing at !o4eone carrie! the i4" icit eG"ectation that our oo3 wi be returned by the obCect o- our gaAe. Where thi! eG"ectation i! 4et :which* in the ca!e o- thought "roce!!e!* can a"" y e?ua y to the oo3 o- the eye o- the 4ind and to a g ance "ure and !i4" e;* there i! an eG"erience o- the aura to the -u e!t eGtent. D,erce"tibi ity*E a! No)a i! "ut! it* Di! a 3ind o- attenti)e=ne!!.E The "erce"tibi ity he ha! in 4ind i! none other than that o- the aura. EG"erience o- the aura thu! re!t! on the tran!"o!ition o- a re!"on!e co44on in hu4an re ation!hi"! to the re ation!hi" between the inani4ate or natura obCect and 4an. The "er!on we oo3 at* or who -ee ! he i! being oo3ed at* oo3! at u! in turn. To "ercei)e the aura o- an obCect we oo3 at 4ean! to in)e!t it with the abi ity to oo3 at u! in return.$0 Thi! eG"erience corre= !"ond! to the data o- the memoire involontaire4 :The!e data* incidenta y* are uni?ue@ they are o!t to the 4e4ory that !ee3! to retain the4. Thu! they end !u""ort to a conce"t o- the aura that co4"ri!e! the Duni?ue 4ani-e!tation o- a di!tance.E Thi! de!ignation ha! the ad)antage o- c ari-ying the cere4onia char= acter o- the "heno4enon. The e!!entia y di!tant i! the ina""roachab e@ ina""roachabi ity i! in -act a "ri4ary ?ua ity o- the cere4onia i4age.; ,rou!tK! great -a4i iarity with the "rob e4 o- the aura re?uire! no e4"ha!i!. Ne)erthe e!!* it i! notab e that he a ude! to it at ti4e! in ter4! which co4"rehend it! theory@ DSo4e "eo" e who are -ond o- !ecret! - atter the4!e )e! that obCect! retain !o4ething o- the gaAe that ha! re!ted on the4WP :The abi ity* it wou d !ee4* oreturning the gaAe.; DThey be ie)e that 4onu4ent! and "icture! "re!ent the4!e )e! on y beneath the de icate )ei which centurie! o- o)e and re)erence on the "art o- !o 4any ad4irer! ha)e wo)en about the4. Thi! chi4era*E ,rou!t conc ude! e)a!i)e y* Dwou d change into truth i- they re ated it to the on y rea ity that i! )a id -or the indi)idua * na4e y* the wor d o- hi! e4otion!.E 6a eryK! characteriAation o- "erce"tion in drea4! a! aura i! a3in to thi! and* by )irtue o- it! obCecti)e orientation* reache! -urther. DTo !ay* RHere + !ee !uch $'%

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire and !uch an obCectK doe! not e!tab i!h an e?uation between 4e and the obCect +n drea4!* howe)er* there i! an e?uation. The thing! + !ee* !ee 4e Cu!t a! 4uch a! + !ee the4.E On a e)e with "erce"tion in drea4! i! the nature o- te4" e!* o- which Baude= a3e !aidN 1Kho44e y "a!!e a tra)er! de! -oret! de !y4bo e! _ui 7ob!er)ent a)ec de! regard! -a4i ier!.P The greater Baude aireK! in!ight into thi! "heno4enon* the 4ore un4i!ta3ab y did the di!integration o- the aura 4a3e it!e - -e t in hi! yrica "oetry. Thi! occur! in the -or4 o- a !y4bo which we encounter in the Gie3s '! mal a 4o!t in)ariab y whene)er the oo3 o- the hu4an eye i! in)o3ed. :That Baude aire did not -o ow !o4e "reconcei)ed !che4e goe! without !aying.; What i! in)o )ed here i! that the eG"ectation rou!ed by the oo3 o- the hu4an eye i! not -u -i ed. Baude aire de!cribe! eye! o- which one i! inc ined to !ay that they ha)e o!t their abi ity to oo3. Yet thi! end! the4 a char4 which to a arge* "erha"! "re= do4inant* eGtent !er)e! a! a 4ean! o- de-raying the co!t o- hi! in!tinctua de!ire!. +t wa! under the !"e o- the!e eye! that se=!s in Baude aire detached it!e - -ro4 eras4 +- in DSe ige Sehn!uchtE the ine! Keine 7e4e 4acht dich !chwierig* Ko44!t ge- ogen und gebannt4u!t be regarded a! the c a!!ic de!cri"tion o- that o)e which i! !ated with the eG"erience o- the aura* then yric "oetry cou d hard y o--er a greater cha enge to tho!e ine! than Baude aireK! (e tKadore a $Kega de a )oi3e nocturne* S )a!e de tri!te!!e* b grande taeitu4e* Et tKai4e dKautant " u!* be e* ?ue tu 4e -ui!* Et ?ue tu 4e "arai!* orne4ent de 4e! nuit!* 8an wend! hi! way through -ore!t! o- !y4bo ! . Which oo3 at 84 with their -a4i iar g ance!. tNo di!tance 4a3e! you di--icu tN you co4e - ying* and !tay under a !"e . :5oethe.; $'%

+ u4ination! , u! ironi?ue4ent accu4u er e! ieue! _ui !e"arent 4e! bra! de! i44en!ite! b eue!.P The dee"er the re4otene!! which a g ance ha! to o)erco4e* the !tronger wi be the !"e that i! a"t to.e4anate -ro4 the gaAe. +n eye! that oo3 at u! with a 4irror i3e b an3ne!! the re4otene!! re4ain! co4" ete. +t i! "reci!e y -or thi! rea!on that !uch eye! 3now nothing o- di!tance. Baude aire incor"orated the !4oothne!! o- their !tare in a !ubt e cou" et@ , onge te! yeuG dan! de! yeuG -iGe! De! Satyre!!e! ou de! NiGe!.7e4a e !atyr! and ny4"h! are no onger 4e4ber! o- the -a4i y o- 4an. Their! i! a wor d a"art. Signi-icant y* Baude aire inCected into hi! "oe4 the oo3 o- the eye encu4bered by di!tance a! re#ar' (amilier4 The "oet who -ai ed to -ound a -a4i y endowed the word (amilier with o)ertone! "er)aded by "ro4i!e and re= nunciation. He ha! o!t hi4!e - to the !"e o- eye! which do not return hi! g ance and !ub4it! to their !way without i u!ion!. Te! yeuG* i u4ine! ain!i ?ue de! bouti?ue! Et de! i-! - a4boyant! dan! e! -ete! "ub i?ue!* 2!ent in!o e44ent dKun "ou)oir e4"runte< DDu ne!!*E !ay! Baude aire in one o- hi! ear ie!t "ub ication!* Di! -re?uent y an orna4ent o- beauty. +t i! to thi! that we owe it i- eye! are !ad and tran! ucent i3e b ac3i!h !wa4"! or i- their gaAe ha! the oi y inertne!! o- tro"ica !ea!.E When !uch eye! co4e a i)e* it i! with the !e -="rotecti)e warine!! o- a wi d ani= No e!! than the nightK! )au t do + adore you* 6e!!e o- !orrow* S dee" y !i ent one* And e)en 4ore + o)e you* 4y o)e y one* Becau!e you - ee -ro4 4e and* orna4ent o- 4y night!* +ronica y you !ee4 to 4u ti" y the 4i e! That !e"arate 4y ar4! -ro4 b ue i44en!itie!. t 1et your eye! oo3 dee" y into the -iGed !tare O- Satyre!!e! or o- Ny4"h!. t Your eye!* it u" i3e !ho" window! And tree! i u4inated -or "ub ic ce ebration!* With in!o ence 4a3e u!e o- borrowed "ower. i"o

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire 4a hunting -or "rey. :Thu! the eye o- the "ro!titute !crutiniAing the "a!!er!=by i! at the !a4e ti4e on it! guard again!t the "o ice. Baude aire -ound the "hy!iogno4ic ty"e bred by thi! 3ind o- i-e de ineated in Con!tantin 5uy!K! nu4erou! drawing! o- "ro!titute!. DHer eye!* i3e tho!e o- a wi d ani4a * are -iGed on the di!tant horiAonN they ha)e the re!t e!!ne!! o- a wi d ani4a . . . * but !o4eti4e! a !o the ani4a K! !udden ten!e )igi ance.E; That the eye o- the city dwe er i! o)erburdened with "rotecti)e -unction! i! ob)iou!. 5eorg Si44e re-er! to !o4e e!! ob)iou! ta!3! with which it i! charged. DThe "er!on who i! ab e to !ee but unab e to hear i! 4uch 4ore . . . troub ed than the "er!on who i! ab e to hear but unab e to !ee. Here i! !o4ething . . . characteri!tic o- the big city. The inter"er!ona re ation!hi"! o- "eo" e in big citie! are characteriAed by a 4ar3ed y greater e4"ha!i! on the u!e o- the eye! than on that o- the ear!. Thi! can be attributed chie- y to the in!titution o- "ub ic con)eyance!. Be-ore bu!e!* rai road!* and !treetcar! beca4e -u y e!tab i!hed during the nineteenth century* "eo" e were ne)er "ut in a "o!ition o- ha)ing to !tare at one another -or 4inute! or e)en hour! on end without eGchanging a word.E There i! no daydrea4ing !urrender to -araway thing! in the "rotecti)e eye. +t 4ay e)en cau!e one to -ee !o4ething i3e " ea!ure in the degradation o- !uch abandon4ent. Thi! i! "robab y the !en!e in which the -o owing curiou! !entence! !hou d be read. +n hi! DSa on o- $'9%Q Baude aire et! the and!ca"e! "a!! in re)iew* conc uding with thi! ad4i!!ion@ D+ ong -or the return o- the diora4a! who!e enor4ou!* crude 4agic !ubCect! 4e to the !"e o- a u!e-u i u!ion. + "re-er oo3ing at the bac3dro" "ainting! o- the !tage where + -ind 4y -a)orite drea4! treated with con!u44ate !3i and tragic conci!ion. Tho!e thing!* !o co4" ete y -a !e* are -or that )ery rea!on 4uch c o!er to the truth* wherea! the 4aCority o- our and!ca"e "ainter! are iar!* "reci!e y becau!e they -ai to ie.E One i! inc ined to attach e!! i4"ortance to the Du!e-u i u!ionE than to the ;tra#i" conci!ion*E Baude aire in!i!t! on the 4agic o- di!tanceN he goe! !o -ar a! to Cudge and!ca"e! by the !tandard o- "ainting! in the booth! at -air!. Doe! he 4ean the 4agic o- di!tance to be "ierced* a! 4u!t need! $%$

&ll!minations ha""en when the !"ectator !te"! too c o!e to the de"icted !ceneJ Thi! i! e4bodied in one o- the great )er!e! o- the Rle!rs '! mal: 1e , ai!ir )a"oreuG -uira )er! rhoriAon Ain!i ?uKune !y "hide au -ond de a cou i!!e.P X# +es Rle!rs '! mal wa! the a!t yric wor3 that had a Euro"ean re"ercu!!ionN no ater wor3 "enetrated beyond a 4ore or e!! i4ited ingui!tic area. Added to thi! i! the -act that Baude aire eG"ended hi! "roducti)e ca"acity a 4o!t entire y on thi! one wor3. And* -ina y* it cannot be denied that !o4e o- hi! 4oti-!F and the "re!ent !tudy ha! dea t with the4Frender the "o!!ibi ity o- yric "oetry ?ue!tionab e. The!e three -act! de-ine Baude aire hi!torica y. They !how that he i4"erturbab y !tuc3 to hi! cau!e and !ing e=4inded y concentrated on hi! 4i!!ion. He went !o -ar a! to "roc ai4 a! hi! goa Dthe creation o- a c iche.E +n thi! he !aw the condition o- e)ery -uture "oetN he had a ow o"inion o- tho!e who were not u" to it. DDo you drin3 bee- tea 4ade o- a4bro!iaJ Do you eat cut et! -ro4 ,aro!J How 4uch do they gi)e in the "awn!ho" -or a yreJE To Baude aire* the yric "oet with a ha o i! anti?uated. +n a "ro!e "iece which ca4e to ight at a ate date* DA 1o!t Ha o*E Baude aire ha! !uch a "oet a""ear a! a !u"ernu4erary. When Baude aireK! iterary re4ain! were -ir!t eGa4ined* thi! "iece wa! reCected a! Dun!uitab e -or "ub icationEN to thi! day it ha! been neg ected by Baude aire !cho ar!hi". RWhat do + !ee* 4y dear -e owJ Yo!8hereT + -ind .o! in a " ace o- i re"ute Fa 4an who !i"! ?uinte!!ence!* who con!u4e! a4bro!iaJ Rea yM + cou dnKt be 4ore !ur"ri!ed.K ^ RYou 3now* 4y dear -e ow* how a-raid + a4 o- hor!e! and carriage!. A !hort whi e ago + wa! hurrying acro!! the bou e)ard* and a4id!t thi! 4o)ing chao! in which death co4e! ga o"ing at you -ro4 a !ide! at once + 4u!t ha)e 4ade an aw3ward 4o)e4ent* -or the ha o ! i""ed o-- 4y head and -e onto the 4uddy a!"ha t "a)e4ent. + didnKt ha)e the courage to "ic3 it u"* and the wing!. $%. Nebu ou! , ea!ure horiAonward wi - ee* (u!t i3e a !y "h behind
!

-n Dome 1oti(s in Ba!'elaire decided that it hurt! e!! to o!e oneK! in!ignia than to ha)e oneK! bone! bro3en. And -urther4ore* + !aid to 4y!e -* e)ery c oud ha! a !i )er ining. Now + can go about incognito* do bad thing!* and indu ge in )u gar beha)ior i3e ordinary 4orta !. So here + a4* Cu!t i3e youMK ^ RBut you ought to re"ort the o!! o- your ha o or in?uire at the o!t=and=-ound o--ice.K ^ l wou dnKt drea4 o- it. + i3e it here. You are the on y "er!on who ha! recogniAed 4e. Be!ide!* dignity bore! 4e. And + enCoy the thought that !o4e bad "oet wi "ic3 u" the ha o and wonKt thin3 twice about adorning hi4!e - with it. There i! nothing + i3e better than to 4a3e !o4eone ha""yFe!"ecia y i- the ha""y 4an i! one + can augh at. (u!t "icture L. wearing it* or Y( WonKt that be -unnyJK ^ The !a4e 4oti- 4ay be -ound in the diarie!N on y the ending i! di--erent. The "oet ?uic3 y "ic3! the ha o u"N but now he i! bothered by the -ee ing that the incident 4ay be a bad o4en.$' The 4an who wrote the!e "iece! wa! no (lane!r4 They e4body* in ironic -or4* the !a4e eG"erience! which Baude aire "ut into thi! !entence* without any tri44ing! and in "a!!ing@ ;5er'! 'ans "e vilain mon'e, coudoye "ar e! -ou e!* je mis "onrme !n homme lasse 'on/ Goeil ne voit en arriere, 'ans les annees :ro(on'es, 7!e 'esa !sement et amert!me, et, 'evant l!i, 7!)!n ora#e o! rien 'e ne!( t(est "onten!, ni ensei#nement ni 'o!le!r< P O- a the eG"erience! which 4ade hi! i-e what it wa!* Baude aire !ing ed out hi! ha)ing been Co!t ed by the crowd a! the deci!i)e* uni?ue eG"erience. The u!ter o- a crowd with a 4otion and a !ou o- it! own* the g itter that had bedaAA ed the (lane!r, had di44ed -or hi4. To i4"re!! the crowdK! 4eanne!! u"on hi4!e -* he en)i!aged the day on which e)en the o!t wo4en* the outca!t!* wou d be ready to ad)ocate a we =ordered i-e* conde4n ibertini!4* and reCect e)erything eGce"t 4oney. Ha)ing been betrayed by the!e a!t a ie! o- hi!* Baude aire batt ed the D1o!t in thi! 4ean wor d* Co!t ed by the crowd* + a4 i3e a weary 4an who!e eye* oo3ing bac3ward!* into the de"th o- the year!* !ee! nothing but di!i u!ion and bitterne!!* and be-ore hi4 nothing but a te4"e!t which contain! nothing new* neither in!truction nor "ain.E R%B

&ll!minations crowdFwith the i4"otent rage o- !o4eone -ighting the rain or the wind. Thi! i! the nature o- !o4ething i)ed through B9r-le nis@ to which Baude aire ha! gi)en the weight o- an eG"erience B9r(ahr!n#@, He indicated the "rice -or which the !en!ation o- the 4odern age 4ay be had@ the di!integration o- the aura in the eG"erience o- !hoc3. He "aid dear y -or con!enting to thi! di!integrationFbut it i! the aw o- hi! "oetry* which !hine! in the !3y o- the Second E4"ire a! Da !tar without at4o!"here.E $%<

%Aotes t4 To endow thi! crowd with a !ou i! the )ery !"ecia "ur"o!e o- the (lane!r4 Hi! encounter! with it are the eG"erience that he doe! not tire o- te ing about. Certain re- eGe! o- thi! i u!ion are an integra "art o- Baude aireK! wor3. +t ha! continued to be an acti)e -orce to thi! day. (u e! Ro4ain!K! !nanimisme i! an ad4ired ate - owering o- it* .. Characteri!tic o- BarbierK! 4ethod i! hi! "oe4 D1ondre!E which in .< ine! de!cribe! the city* aw3ward y c o!ing with the -o owing )er!e!@ En-in* dan! un a4a! de cho!e!* !o4bre* i44en!e* 2n "eu" e noir* )i)ant et 4ourant en !i ence. De! etre! "ar 4i ier!* !ui)ant Kin!tinct -ata * Et courant a"re! $Kor "ar e bien et e 4a1P :Augu!te Barbier* &am es et :oemes, ,ari!* $'<$.; BarbierK! tendentiou! "oe4!* "articu ar y the 1ondon cyc e* +aEare, in- uenced Baude aire 4ore "ro-ound y than "eo" e ha)e been wi ing to ad4it. Baude aireK! DCre"u!cu e du !oirE conc ude! a! -o ow!@ . . . 2! - ni!!ent 1eur de!ti4e et )ont )er! e gou--re co44unN 1Kho"ita !e re4" it de eur! !ou"ir!.F, u! dKun Ne )iendra " u! chercher a !ou"e "ar-u4ee* Au coin du -eu* e !oir* au"re! dKune a4e ai4ee.Co4"are thi! with the end o- the eighth !tanAa o- BarbierK! D8ineur! de Newca!t eE@ 7ina y* within a huge and !o4ber 4a!! o- thing!* A b ac3ened "eo" e* who i)e and die in !i ence. Thou!and! o- being!* who -o ow a -ata in!tinct* ,ur!uing go d with good and e)i 4ean!. t ... their -ate Acco4" i!hed* they a""roach the co44on "itN Their !ighing! -i the ward.F 8ore than one Wi co4e no 4ore to get hi! -ragrant !ou"* At night* by the -ire!ide* neGt to a be o)ed one. R%S

&ll!minations Et " u! dKun ?ui r )ait dan! e -ond de !on a4e AuG douceur! du ogi!* a Koei b eu de !a -e44e* Trou)e au )entre du goui-re un eterne to4beau*P With a itde 4a!ter-u retouching Baude aire turn! a D4inerK! -ateE into the co44on" ace end o- big=city dwe er!. B. The 4oti- o- o)e -or a wo4an "a!!ing by occur! in an ear y "oe4 by Ste-an 5eorge* The "oet ha! 4i!!ed the i4"ortant thing@ the !trea4 in which the wo4an 4o)e! "a!t* borne a ong by the crowd. The re!u t i! a !e -=con!ciou! e egy. The "oetK! g ance!F!o he 4u!t con-e!! to hi! adyFha)e D4o)ed away* 4oi!t with ongingW be-ore they dared 4ing e with your!E :^. . . (e!"ht vor sehnen (ort-#eEo#enIeh sie in 'eine si"h E! ta!"hen tra!ten4< Ste-an 5eorge* /.mnen4 5il#er(ahrten4 Al#a al4 Ber in* $%..;. Baude aire ea)e! no doubt that he oo3ed dee" into the eye! o- the "a!!er=by. <. Thi! "a!!age ha! a "ara e in D2n (our de " uie.E E)en though it bear! another na4e* thi! "oe4 4u!t be a!cribed to Baude aire. The a!t )er!e* which gi)e! the "oe4 it! eGtraordinari y !o4ber ?ua ity* ha! an eGact counter"art in DThe 8an o- the Crowd.E ,oe write!@ DThe ray! o- the ga! a4"!* -eeb e at -ir!t in their !trugg e with the dying day* had now at ength gained a!cendancy* and threw o)er e)erything a -it-u and gari!h u!ter. A wa! dar3 yet !" endidFa! that ebony to which ha! been i3ened the !ty e o- Tertu ian.E Thi! coincidence i! a the 4ore a!toni!hing here a! the -o owing )er!e! were written in $'<B at the ate!t* a "eriod when Baude aire did not 3now ,oe. Chacun* nou! coudoyant !ur e trottoir g i!!ant* EgoiK!te et bruta * "a!!e et nou! ec abou!!e* Ou* "our courir " u! )ite* en !Ke oignant nou! "ou!!e. ,artout -ange* de uge* ob!curite du cie . Noir tab eau ?uKeut re)e e noir EAechie .9. There i! !o4ething de4onic about ,oeK! bu!ine!!4en. One i! re4inded o- 8arG* who b a4ed the D-e)eri!h y youth-u "ace o- 4a= And 4ore than one who in hi! heart o- heart! had drea4! Oho4e* !weet ho4e* and o- hi! wi-eK! b ue eye!* 7ind!* within the be y o- the "it* an e)er a!ting to4b. t Each one* e bowing u! u"on the ! i""ery !idewa 3* Se -i!h and !a)age goe! by and !" a!he! u!* Or* to run the -a!ter* gi)e! u! a "u!h a! he 4a3e! o--* 8ud e)erywhere* de uge* dar3ne!! in the !3y. A !o4ber !cene that EAe3ie the !o4ber 4ight ha)e drea4ed. $%&

On So4e 8oti-! in Baude aire teria "roductionE in the 2nited State! -or the ac3 o- Deither ti4e or o""ortunity ... to abo i!h the o d wor d o- the !"irit.E A! dar3ne!! de!cend!* Baude aire ha! Dthe har4-u de4on!E awa3en in the air D! uggi!h a! a bunch obu!ine!!4en.E Thi! "a!!age in DCre"u!cu e du !o3E 4ay ha)e been in!"ired by ,oeK! teGt. &. A "ede!trian 3new how to di!" ay hi! noncha ance "ro)ocati)e y on certain occa!ion!. Around $'</ it wa! brie- y -a!hionab e to ta3e turt e! -or a wa 3 in the arcade!. The (lane!rs i3ed to ha)e the turt e! !et the "ace -or the4. +- they had had their way* "rogre!! wou d ha)e been ob iged to acco44odate it!e - to thi! "ace. But thi! attitude did not "re)ai N Tay or* who "o"u ariAed the watchword DDown with dawd ingM*E carried the day. 0. +n 5 a!!brennerK! character the 4an o- ei!ure a""ear! a! a "a try !cion o- the "ko.en4 Nante* Ber inK! !treet=corner boy* ha! no rea!on to be!tir hi4!e -. He 4a3e! hi4!e - at ho4e on the !treet* which natura y doe! not ead hi4 anywhere* and i! a! co4-ortab e a! the "hi i!tine i! in hi! -our wa !. '. What ead! u" to thi! con-e!!ion i! re4ar3ab e. The )i!itor !ay! that the cou!in watche! the bu!t e down be ow on y becau!e he enCoy! the changing " ay o- the co or!N in the ong run* he !ay!* thi! 4u!t be tiring. +n a !i4i ar )ein* and "robab y not 4uch ater* 5ogo wrote o- a -air in the 23raineN DSo 4any "eo" e were on their way there that it 4ade oneK! eye! !wi4.E The dai y !ight oa i)e y crowd 4ay once ha)e con!tituted a !"ectac e to which oneK! eye! had to ada"t -ir!t. On the ba!i! o- thi! !u""o!ition* one 4ay a!!u4e that once the eye! had 4a!tered thi! ta!3 they we co4ed o""ortunitie! to te!t their new y ac?uired -acu tie!. Thi! wou d 4ean that the techni?ue o- +4"re!!ioni!t "ainting* whereby the "icture i! garnered in a riot o- dab! o- co or* wou d be a re- ection oeG"erience! with which the eye! o- a big=city dwe er ha)e beco4e -a4i iar. A "icture i3e 8onetK! DCathedra o- Chartre!*E which i! i3e an ant=hea" o- !tone* wou d be an i u!tration o- thi! hy"othe!i!. %. +n hi! !tory q. r. A. Hoi-4ann de)ote! edi-ying re- ection!* -or in!tance* to the b ind 4an who i-t! hi! head toward the !3y. +n the a!t ine oD1e! A)eug e!*E Baude aire* who 3new thi! !tory* 4odi-ie! Ho--4annK! re- ection! in !uch a way a! to di!"ro)e their edi-ying ?ua ityN ;J!e "her"hent-ik a! 'el, to!s "es ave!#lesT< HWhat are a tho!e b ind "eo" e oo3ing -or in the !3yJI $/. The !horter the training "eriod o- an indu!tria wor3er i!* the W

Illuminations onger that o- a 4i itary 4an beco4e!. +t 4ay be "art o- !ocietyK! "re"aration -or tota war that training i! !hi-ting -ro4 the "ractice o- "roduction to the "ractice o- de!truction. n. 5a4b ing in)a idate! the !tandard! o- eG"erience. +t 4ay be due to an ob!cure !en!e o- thi! that the D)u gar a""ea to eG"erienceE :Kant; ha! "articu ar currency a4ong ga4b er!. A ga4b er !ay! D4y nu4berE in the !a4e way a! a 4an about town !ay! D4y ty"e.E Toward the end o- the Second E4"ire thi! attitude "re)ai ed. DOn the bou e)ard! it wa! cu!to4ary to attribute e)erything to chance.E Thi! di!"o!ition i! "ro4oted by betting* which i! a de)ice -or gi)ing e)ent! the character o- a !hoc3* detaching the4 -ro4 the conteGt o- eG"erience. 7or the bourgeoi!ie* e)en "o itica e)ent! were a"t to a!!u4e the -or4 ooccurrence! at the ga4b ing tab e. $.Q The narcotic e--ect that i! in)o )ed here i! !"eci-ied a! to ti4e* i3e the 4a ady that it i! !u""o!ed to a e)iate. Ti4e i! the 4ateria into which the "hanta!4agoria o- ga4b ing ha! been wo)en. +n hi! Ra!"he!rs 'e n!its 5ourdon de 5enoui ac write!N D+ c ai4 that the 4ania -or ga4b ing i! the nob e!t o- a "a!!ion!* -or it inc ude! a the other!. A !erie! o- uc3y "o!:s gi)e! 4e 4ore " ea!ure than a non=ga4b er can ha)e in year!. ... +- you thin3 that + !ee on y "ro-it in the go d that -a ! to 4y !hare* you are 4i!ta3en. + !ee in it the " ea!ure! that it get! 4e* and + enCoy the4 -u y. They co4e too ?uic3 y to 4a3e 4e weary* and there are too 4any o- the4 -or 4e to get bored. + i)e a hundred i)e! in one. When + tra)e * it i! the way that an e ectric !"ar3 tra)e !. . . . +- + a4 !tingy and re!er)e 4y ban3 note! -or ga4b ing* it i! becau!e + 3now the )a ue o- ti4e too we to in)e!t the4 a! other "eo" e do. A certain enCoy4ent that + 4ight "er4it 4y!e - wou d co!t 4e a thou!and other enCoy4ent!. . . . + ha)e inte ectua " ea!ure! and want no other!.E +n the -ine note! on ga4b ing in hi! 2ar'in ')9:i"!re, Anato e 7rance "re!ent! a !i4i ar )iew. $B. Beauty can be de-ined in two way!@ in it! re ation!hi" to hi!tory and to nature. +n both re ation!hi"! the !e4b ance* the "rob e4atic e e4ent in the beauti-u * 4ani-e!t! it!e -. :1et u! indicate the -ir!t re ation!hi" brie- y. On the ba!i! o- it! histori"al eGi!tence* beauty i! an a""ea to Coin tho!e who ad4ired it at an ear ier ti4e. Being 4o)ed by beauty i! an a' :l!res ire, a! the Ro4an! ca ed dying. According to thi! de-inition* the !e4b ance o- beauty 4ean! that the identica obCect which ad4iration i! courting cannot be -ound in the wor3. Thi! ad4iration har)e!t! what ear ier generation! ha)e ad4ired $/

On So4e 8oti-! in Baude aire in it. Word! o- 5oethe eG"re!! here the -ina conc u!ion o- wi!do4@ DE)erything that ha! had a great e--ect can rea y no onger be e)a uated.E; Beauty in it! re ation!hi" to nat!re can be de-ined a! that which Dre4ain! true to it! e!!entia nature on y when )ei ed.E The "orres:on'an"es te u! what i! 4eant by !uch a )ei . We 4ay ca it* in a !o4ewhat daring abbre)iation* the Dre"roducing a!"ectE o- the wor3 o- art. The "orres:on'an"es con!titute the court o- Cudg4ent be-ore which the obCect o- art i! -ound to be a -aith-u re"ro= ductionFwhich* to be !ure* 4a3e! it entire y "rob e4atic. +- one atte4"ted to re"roduce thi! a:oria through anguage* one wou d de-ine beauty a! the obCect o- eG"erience in the !tate o- re!e4b ance. Thi! de-inition wou d "robab y coincide with 6a eryK! -or4u ation@ DBeauty 4ay re?uire the !er)i e i4itation owhat i! inde-inab e in obCect!.E +- ,rou!t !o readi y return! to thi! !ubCect :which in hi! wor3 a""ear! a! ti4e reco)ered;* one cannot !ay that he i! te ing any !ecret!. +t i!* rather* one o- the di!concerting -eature! o- hi! techni?ue that he re"eated y and o?uaciou! y bui d! hi! re- ection! around the conce"t o- beauty Fin !hort* the her4etic a!"ect o- art. He write! about the origin and the intention! o- hi! wor3 with a - uency and an urbanity that wou d be-it a re-ined a4ateur. Thi!* to be !ure* ha! it! counter"art in Berg!on. The -o owing "a!!age in which the "hi o!o"her indicate! a the thing! that 4ay be eG"ected -ro4 a )i!ua actua iAation o- the uninterru"ted !trea4 o- beco4ing ha! a - a)or re4ini!cent o- ,rou!t DWe can et our day=to=day eGi!tence be "er4eated with !uch a )i!ua iAation and thu!* than3! to "hi o!o"hy* enCoy a !ati!-action !i4i ar to that o- artN but thi! !ati!-action wou d be 4ore -re?uent* 4ore regu ar* and 4ore ea!i y acce!!ib e to ordinary 4orta !.E Berg!on !ee! within reach what 6a eryK! better* 5oethean under!tanding )i!ua iAe! a! the DhereE in which the inade?uate beco4e! an actua ity.P $<. +n the 4y!tica DCo o?uy o- 8ono! and 2na*E ,oe ha!* !o to !"ea3* in!erted the e4"ty ti4e !e?uence* to which the 4an in the 4ood o- D!" eenE i! abandoned* into the '!ree( and he !ee4! to regard it a! b i!! that he i! now rid oit! horror!. +t i! a D!iGth !en!eE ac?uired by the de"arted which ta3e! the -or4 oan abi ity to deri)e har4ony e)en -ro4 the e4"ty "a!!age o- ti4e. To be !ure* it i! ?uite ea!i y di!ru"ted by the rhyth4 o- the !econd=hand. DThere !ee4ed to ha)e !"rung u" in die brain that o- which no word! cou d ^. . . in 'em 'as CnE!lan#li"he 9rei#nis -3ir'4< An a u!ion to the Choru! 8y!ticu! that end! 5oetheK! Ra!stt ,art Two.FTran!. R%%

&ll!minations con)ey to the 4ere y hu4an inte igence e)en an indi!tinct conce"tion. 1et 4e ter4 it a 4enta "endu ou! "u !ation. +t wa! the 4ora e4bodi4ent o- 4anK! ab!tract idea o- Time4 By the ab!o ute e?ua iAation o- thi! 4o)e4ent=or o- !uch a! thi!Fhad the cyc e! o- the -ir4a4enta orb! the4!e )e! been adCu!ted. By it! aid + 4ea!ured the irregu aritie! o- the c oc3 u"on the 4ante * and o- the watche! o- the attendant!. Their tic3ing! ca4e !onorou! y to 4y ear!. The ! ighte!t de)iation -ro4 the true "ro"ortion . . . a--ected 4e Cu!t a! )io ation! o- ab!tract truth are wont* on earth* to a--ect the 4ora !en!e.E The deterioration o- eG"erience 4ani-e!t! it!e - in ,rou!t in the co4" ete rea iAation o- hi! u ti4ate intention. There i! nothing 4ore ingeniou! or 4ore oya than the way in which he noncha ant y and con!tant y !tri)e! to te the reader@ Rede4"tion i! 4y "ri)ate !how. $&. The 4o4ent o- !uch a !ucce!! i! it!e - 4ar3ed a! !o4ething uni?ue. +t i! the ba!i! o- the !tructura de!ign o- ,rou!tK! wor3!. Each !ituation in which the chronic er i! touched by the breath o- o!t ti4e i! thereby rendered inco4"arab e and re4o)ed -ro4 the !e?uence o- the day!. $0. Thi! endow4ent i! a we !"ring o- "oetry. Where)er a hu4an being* an ani4a * or an inani4ate obCect thu! endowed by the "oet i-t! u" it! eye!* it draw! hi4 into the di!tance. The gaAe o- nature thu! awa3ened drea4! and "u ! the "oet a-ter it! drea4. Word!* too* can ha)e an aura o- their own. Thi! i! how Kar Krau! de!cribed it@ DThe c o!er the oo3 one ta3e! at a word* the greater the di!tance -ro4 which it oo3! bac3.E $'. +t i! not i4"o!!ib e that thi! entry wa! occa!ioned by a "athogenic !hoc3. The -or4 which re ate! it to Baude aireK! wor3 i! a the 4ore re)ea ing. .//
+(.

$e #magt of %rous&' I The thirteen )o u4e! o- 8arce ,rou!tK! e la *e"her"he '! tem:i :er'! are the re!u t o- an uncon!truab e !ynthe!i! in which the ab!or"tion o- a 4y!tic* the art o- a "ro!e writer* the )er)e o- a !atiri!t* the erudition o- a !cho ar* and the !e -= con!ciou!ne!! o- a 4ono4aniac ha)e co4bined in an autobiogra"hica wor3. +t ha! right y been !aid that a great wor3! o- iterature -ound a genre or di!!o )e oneFthat they are* in other word!* !"ecia ca!e!* A4ong the!e ca!e! thi! i! one othe 4o!t un-atho4ab e. 7ro4 it! !tructure* which i! -iction* autobiogra"hy* and co44entary in one* to the !yntaG o- end e!! !entence! :the Ni e o- anguage* which here o)er- ow! and -ructi-ie! the region! o- truth;* e)erything tran!cend! the nor4. The -ir!t re)ea ing ob!er)ation that !tri3e! one i! that thi! great !"ecia ca!e o- iterature at the !a4e ti4e con!titute! it! greate!t achie)e4ent o- recent decade!. The condition! under which it wa! created were eGtre4e y unhea thy@T an unu!ua 4a ady* eGtraordinary wea th* and an abnor4a di!"o!ition. Thi! i! not a 4ode i-e in e)ery re!"ect* but e)erything about it i! eGe4" ary. The out!tanding iterary achie)e4ent o- our ti4e i! a!!igned a " ace in the heart othe i4"o!!ib e* at theW ./$

+ u4ination! centerFand a !o at the "oint o- indi--erenceFo- a danger!* and it 4ar3! thi! great rea iAation o- a D i-ewor3E a! the a!t -or a ong ti4e. The i4age o- ,rou!t i! the highe!t "hy!iogno4ic eG"re!!ion which the irre!i!tib y growing di!cre"ancy between iterature and i-e wa! ab e to a!!u4e. Thi! i! the e!!on which Cu!ti-ie! the atte4"t to e)o3e thi! i4age. We 3now that in hi! wor3 ,rou!t did not de!cribe a i-e a! it actua y wa!* but a i-e a! it wa! re4e4bered by the one who had i)ed it. And yet e)en thi! !tate4ent i! i4"reci!e and -ar too crude. 7or the i4"ortant thing -or the re4e4bering author i! not what he eG"erienced* but the wea)ing o- hi! 4e4ory* the ,ene o"e wor3 o- reco ection. Or !hou d one ca it* rather* a ,ene o"e wor3 o- -orgettingJ +! not the in)o untary reco ection* ,rou!tK! memoire involontaire, 4uch c o!er to -orgetting than what i! u!ua y ca ed 4e4oryJ And i! not thi! wor3 o- !"ontaneou! reco ection* in which re4e4brance i! the woo- and -orgetting the war-* a counter"art to ,ene o"eK! wor3 rather than it! i3ene!!J 7or here the day unra)e ! what the night wa! wo)en. When we awa3e each 4orning* we ho d in our hand!* u!ua y wea3 y and oo!e y* but a -ew -ringe! othe ta"e!try o- i)ed i-e* a! oo4ed -or u! by -orgetting. Howe)er* with our "ur"o!e-u acti)ity and* e)en 4ore* our "ur"o!i)e re4e4bering each day unra)e ! the web and the orna4ent! o- -orgetting. Thi! i! why ,rou!t -ina y turned hi! day! into night!* de)oting a hi! hour! to undi!turbed wor3 in hi! dar3ened roo4 with arti-icia i u4ination* !o that none o- tho!e intricate arabe!?ue! 4ight e!ca"e hi4. The 1atin word te=t!m 4ean! Dweb.E No oneK! teGt i! 4ore tight y wo)en than 8arce ,rou!tK!N to hi4 nothing wa! tight or durab e enough. 7ro4 hi! "ub i!her 5a i4ard we 3now that ,rou!tK! "roo-reading habit! were the de!"air o- the ty"e!etter!* The ga ey! a way! went bac3 co)ered with 4argina note!* but not a !ing e 4i!"rint had been correctedN a a)ai ab e !"ace had been u!ed -or -re!h teGt. Thu! the aw! o- re4e4brance were o"erati)e e)en within the con-ine! othe wor3. 7or an eG"erienced e)ent i! -initeFat any rate* con-ined to one !"here o- eG"erienceN a re4e4bered e)ent i! in-inite* becau!e it i! on y a 3ey to e)erything that ha""ened be-ore it and a-ter it. There i! yet ./.

The &ma#e o( 5ro!st another !en!e in which 4e4ory i!!ue! !trict wea)ing regu ation!. On y the a"t!s :!r!s o- reco ection it!e -* not the author or the " ot* con!titute! the unity o- the teGt. One 4ay e)en !ay that the inter4ittence o- author and " ot i! on y the re)er!e o- the continuu4 o- 4e4ory* the "attern on the bac3 !ide o- the ta"e!try. Thi! i! what ,rou!t 4eant* and thi! i! how he 4u!t be under!tood* when he !aid that he wou d "re-er to !ee hi! entire wor3 "rinted in one )o u4e in two co u4n! and without any "aragra"h!. What wa! it that ,rou!t !ought !o -renetica yJ What wa! at the botto4 o- the!e in-inite e--ort!J Can we !ay that a i)e!* wor3!* and deed! that 4atter were ne)er anything but the undi!turbed un-o ding o- the 4o!t bana * 4o!t - eeting* 4o!t !enti4enta * wea3e!t hour in the i-e o- the one to who4 they "ertainJ When ,rou!t in a we =3nown "a!!age de!cribed the hour that wa! 4o!t hi! own* he did it in !uch a way that e)eryone can -ind it in hi! own eGi!tence. We 4ight a 4o!t ca it an e)eryday hourN it co4e! with the night* a o!t twittering o- bird!* or a breath drawn at the !i o- an o"en window. And there i! no te ing what encounter! wou d be in !tore -or u! i- we were e!! inc ined to gi)e in to ! ee". ,rou!t did not gi)e in to ! ee". And yetFor* rather* "reci!e y -or thi! rea!onF (ean Cocteau wa! ab e to !ay in a beauti-u e!!ay that the intonation o- ,rou!tK! )oice obeyed the aw! o- night and honey. By !ub4itting to the!e aw! he con?uered the ho"e e!! !adne!! within hi4 :what he once ca ed ;^im:er(e"tion in"!ra le 'ans Gessen"e mime '! :resent< P;* and -ro4 the honeyco4b! o4e4ory he bui t a hou!e -or the !war4 o- hi! thought!. Cocteau recogniAed what rea y !hou d ha)e been the 4aCor concern o- a reader! o- ,rou!t and yet ha! !er)ed no one a! the "i)ota "oint o- hi! re- ection! or hi! a--ection. He recogniAed ,rou!tK! b ind* !en!e e!!* -renAied ?ue!t -or ha""ine!!. +t !hone -ro4 hi! eye!N they were not ha""y* but in the4 there ay -ortune a! it ie! in ga4b ing or in o)e. Nor i! it hard to !ay why thi! "ara yAing* eG" o!i)e wi to ha""ine!! which "er)ade! ,rou!tK! writing! i! !o !e do4 co4"re= 4o4ent.E ./B ^... the incurab e i4"er-ection in the )ery e!!ence o- the "re!ent

&ll!minations hended by hi! reader!. +n 4any " ace! ,rou!t hi4!e - 4ade it ea!y -or the4 to )iew thi! oe!vre, too* -ro4 the ti4e=te!ted* co4-ortab e "er!"ecti)e ore!ignation* heroi!4* a!cetici!4. A-ter a * nothing 4a3e! 4ore !en!e to the 4ode "u"i ! o- i-e than the notion that a great achie)e4ent i! the -ruit o- toi * 4i!ery* and di!a""oint4ent. The idea that ha""ine!! cou d ha)e a !hare in beauty wou d be too 4uch o- a good thing* !o4ething that their ressentiment wou d ne)er get o)er. There i! a dua wi to ha""ine!!* a dia ectic! o- ha""ine!!N a hy4nic and an e egiac -or4. The one i! the unheard=o-* the un"recedented* the height o- b i!! Y the other* the eterna re"etition* the eterna re!toration o- the origina * the -ir!t ha""ine!!. +t i! thi! e egiac idea o- ha""ine!!Fit cou d a !o be ca ed E eaticF which -or ,rou!t tran!-or4! eGi!tence into a "re!er)e o- 4e4ory. To it he !acri-iced in hi! i-e -riend! and co4"anion!hi"* in hi! wor3! " ot* unity ocharacter!* the - ow o- the narration* the " ay o- the i4agination. 8aG 2no d* one o- ,rou!tK! 4ore di!cerning reader!* -a!tened on the Dboredo4E thu! created in ,rou!tK! writing! and i3ened it to D"oint e!! !torie!.E D,rou!t 4anaged to 4a3e the "oint e!! !tory intere!ting. He !ay!@ R+4agine* dear reader* ye!terday + wa! dun3ing a coo3ie in 4y tea when it occurred to 4e that a! a chi d + !"ent !o4e ti4e in the country.K 7or thi! he u!e! eighty "age!* and it i! !o -a!cinating that you thin3 you are no onger the i!tener but the daydrea4er hi4!e -.E +n !uch !torie!FDa ordinary drea4! turn into "oint e!! !torie! a! !oon a! one te ! the4 to !o4eoneEF2no d ha! di!co)ered the bridge to the drea4. No !ynthetic inter"retation o- ,rou!t can di!regard it. Enough incon!"icuou! gate! ead into it F,rou!tK! -renetica y !tudying re!e4b ance!* hi! i4"a!!ioned cu t o!i4i arity. The true !ign! o- it! hege4ony do not beco4e ob)iou! where he !udden y and !tart ing y unco)er! !i4i aritie! in action!* "hy!iogno4ie!* or !"eech 4anneri!4!. The !i4i arity o- one thing to another which we are u!ed to* which occu"ie! u! in a wa3e-u !tate* re- ect! on y )ague y the dee"er re!e4b ance o- the drea4 wor d in which e)erything that ha""en! a""ear! not in identica but in !i4i ar gui!e* o"a?ue y !i4i ar one to another. Chi dren 3now a !y4bo o- thi! wor d@ the !toc3ing which ./<

The +4age o- ,rou!t ha! the !tructure o- thi! drea4 wor d when* ro ed u" in the aundry ha4"er* it i! a DbagE and a D"re!entE at the !a4e ti4e. And Cu!t a! chi dren do not tire o?uic3 y changing the bag and it! content! into a third thingFna4e y* a !toc3ing F,rou!t cou d not get hi! $$$ o- e4"tying the du44y* hi! !e -* at one !tro3e in order to 3ee" garnering that third thing* the i4age which !ati!-ied hi! curio!ityF indeed* a!!uaged hi! ho4e!ic3ne!!. He ay on hi! bed rac3ed with ho4e!ic3ne!!* ho4e!ic3 -or the wor d di!torted in the !tate o- re!e4b ance* a wor d in which the true !urrea i!t -ace o- eGi!tence brea3! through* To thi! wor d be ong! what ha""en! in ,rou!t* and the de iberate and -a!tidiou! way in which it a""ear!. +t i! ne)er i!o ated* rhetorica * or )i!ionaryN care-u y hera ded and !ecure y !u""orted* it bear! a -ragi e* "reciou! rea ityN the i4age. +t detache! it!e - -ro4 the !tructure o- ,rou!tK! !entence! a! that !u44er day at Ba becFo d* i44e4oria * 4u44i-iedFe4erged -ro4 the ace curtain! under 7rancoi!eK! hand!. II We do not a way! "roc ai4 oud y the 4o!t i4"ortant thing we ha)e to !ay. Nor do we a way! "ri)ate y !hare it with tho!e c o!e!t to u!* our inti4ate -riend!* tho!e who ha)e been 4o!t de)oted y ready to recei)e our con-e!!ion. +- it i! true that not on y "eo" e but a !o age! ha)e !uch a cha!teFthat i!* !uch a de)iou! and -ri)o ou!=way o- co44unicating what i! 4o!t their own to a "a!!ing ac?uaintance* then the nineteenth century did not re)ea it!e - to [o a or Anato e 7rance* but to the young ,rou!t* the in!igni-icant !nob* the " ayboy and !ocia ite Dwho !natched in "a!!ing the 4o!t a!tounding con-idence! -ro4 a dec ining age a! -ro4 another* bone=weary Swann. +t too3 ,rou!t to 4a3e the nineteenth century ri"e -or 4e4oir!. What be-ore hi4 had been a "eriod de)oid o- ten!ion now beca4e a -ie d o- -orce in which ater writer! arou!ed 4u ti-ariou! current!. Nor i! it accidenta that the two 4o!t !igni-icant wor3! o- thi! 3ind were written by author! who were "er!ona y c o!e to ,rou!t a! ad4irer! and -riend!@ the 4e4oir! o- ,rince!! C er4ont=Tonnerre and the ./Z

i u4ination! autobiogra"hica wor3 o- 1eon DaudetN the -ir!t )o u4e! o- both wor3! were "ub i!hed recent y. An e4inent y ,rou!tian in!"iration ed 1ion Daudet* who!e "o itica -o y i! too gro!! and too obtu!e to do 4uch har4 to hi! ad4irab e ta ent* to turn hi! i-e into a city. 5aris vim, the "roCection o- a biogra"hy onto the city 4a"* in 4ore than one " ace i! touched by the !hadow! o- ,rou!tian character!. And the )ery tit e o- ,rince!! C er4ont=TonnerreK! boo3* A! Tem:s 'es e7!i:a#es, wou d ha)e been unthin3ab e "rior to ,rou!t. Thi! boo3 i! the echo which !o-t y an!wer! ,rou!tK! a4biguou!* o)ing* cha enging ca -ro4 the 7aubourg Saint=5er4ain. +n addition* thi! 4e odiou! "er-or4ance i! !hot through with direct and indirect re-erence! to ,rou!t in it! tenor and it! character!* which inc ude hi4 and !o4e o- hi! -a)orite obCect! o- !tudy -ro4 the BitA. There i! no denying* o- cour!e* that thi! "ut! u! in a )ery ari!tocratic 4i ieu* and* with -igure! i3e Robert de 8onte!?uiouQ who4 ,rince!! C er4ont=Tonnerre de"ict! 4a!ter-u y* in a )ery !"ecia one at that. But thi! i! true o- ,rou!t a! we * and in hi! writing! 8onte!?uiou ha! a counter"art. A thi! wou d not be worth di!cu!!ing* e!"ecia y !ince the ?ue!tion o- 4ode ! wou d be !econdary and uni4"ortant -or 5er4any* i- 5er4an critici!4 were not !o -ond o- ta3ing the ea!y way out. Abo)e a * it cou d not re!i!t the o""ortunity to de!cend to the e)e o- the ending= ibrary crowd. Hac3 critic! were te4"ted to draw conc u!ion! about the author -ro4 the !nobbi!h 4i ieu o- hi! writing!* to characteriAe ,rou!tK! wor3! a! an interna a--air o- the 7rench* a iterary !u"" e4ent to the Almana"h 'e Fotha4 +t i! ob)iou! that the "rob e4! o- ,rou!tK! character! are tho!e o- a !atiated !ociety. But there i! not one which wou d be identica with tho!e o- the author* which are !ub)er!i)e. To reduce thi! to a -or4u a* it wa! to be ,rou!tK! ai4 to de!ign the entire inner !tructure o- !ociety a! a "hy!io ogy o- chatter. +n the trea!ury o- it! "reCudice! and 4aGi4! there i! not one that i! not annihi ated by a dangerou! co4ic e e4ent. ,ierre=_uint wa! the -ir!t to draw attention to it. DWhen hu4orou! wor3! are 4entioned*E he wrote* Done u!ua y thin3! o- !hort* a4u!ing boo3! in i u!trated Cac3et!. One -orget! about 0!n J!i=ote, 5anta#r!el, and Fil Bias8-at* ungain y to4e! in !4a ./&

The &ma#e o( 5ro!st "rint.E The!e co4"ari!on!* o- cour!e* do not do -u Cu!tice to the eG" o!i)e "ower o- ,rou!tK! criti?ue o- !ociety. Hi! !ty e i! co4edy* not hu4orN hi! aughter doe! not to!! the wor d u" but - ing! it downFat the ri!3 that it wi be !4a!hed to "iece!* which wi then 4a3e hi4 bur!t into tear!. And unity o-a4i y and "er!ona ity* o- !eGua 4ora ity and "ro-e!!iona honor* are indeed !4a!hed to bit!. The "reten!ion! o- the bourgeoi!ie are !hattered by aughter. Their return and rea!!i4i ation by the ari!tocracy i! the !ocio ogica the4e o- the wor3. ,rou!t did not tire o- the training which 4o)ing in ari!tocratic circ e! re?uired. A!!iduou! y and without 4uch con!traint* he conditioned hi! "er!ona ity* 4a3ing it a! i4"enetrab e and re!ource-u * a! !ub4i!!i)e and di--icu t* a! it had to be -or the !a3e o- hi! 4i!!ion. 1ater on thi! 4y!ti-ication and cere4oniou!ne!! beca4e !o 4uch "art o- hi4 that hi! etter! !o4eti4e! con!titute who e !y!te4! o"arenthe!e!* and not Cu!t in the gra44atica !en!eF etter! which de!"ite their in-inite y ingeniou!* - eGib e co4"o!ition occa!iona y ca to 4ind the !"eci4en o- a etter writerK! handboo3@ D8y dear 8ada4* + Cu!t noticed that + -orgot 4y cane at your hou!e ye!terdayN " ea!e be good enough to gi)e it to the bearer othi! etter. ,.S. Kind y "ardon 4e -or di!turbing youN + Cu!t -ound 4y cane.E ,rou!t wa! 4o!t re!ource-u in creating co4" ication!. Once* ate at night* he dro""ed in on ,rince!! C er4ont=Tonnerre and 4ade hi! !taying de"endent on !o4eone bringing hi4 hi! 4edicine -ro4 hi! hou!e. He !ent a )a et -or it* gi)ing hi4 a engthy de!cri"tion o- the neighborhood and o- the hou!e. 7ina y he !aid@ DYou cannot 4i!! it. +t i! the on y window on the Bou e)ard Hau!!4ann in which there !ti i! a ight burningME E)erything but the hou!e nu4berM Anyone who ha! tried to get the addre!! o- a brothe in a !trange city and ha! recei)ed the 4o!t ong=winded direction!* e)erything but the na4e o- the !treet and the hou!e nu4ber* wi under!tand what i! 4eant here and what the connection i! with ,rou!tK! o)e o- cere4ony* hi! ad4iration o- the Due de Saint=Si4on* and* a!t but not ea!t* hi! intran!igent 7rench !"irit. +! it not the ?uinte!!ence o- eG"erience to -ind out how )ery di--icu t it i! to earn 4any thing! which a""arent y cou d be to d in )ery -ew word!J +t i! ./0

&ll!minations !i4" y that !uch word! are "art o- a anguage e!tab i!hed a ong ine! o- ca!te and c a!! and uninte igib e to out!ider!. No wonder that the !ecret anguage othe !a on! eGcited ,rou!t* When he ater e4bar3ed on hi! 4erci e!! de"iction othe :etit "lan, the Cour)oi!ier!* the De!"rit dKOriane*E he had through hi! a!!ociation with the Bibe!co! beco4e con)er!ant with the i4"ro)i!ation! o- a code anguage to which we too ha)e recent y been introduced. +n hi! year! oi-e in the !a on! ,rou!t de)e o"ed not on y the )ice o- - attery to an e4inentF one i! te4"ted to !ay* to a theo ogica FdegreeQ but the )ice o- curio!ity a! we . We detect in hi4 the re- ection o- the aughter which i3e a - a!h -ire cur ! the i"! o- the 7oo i!h 6irgin! re"re!ented on the intrado! o- 4any o- the cathedra ! which ,rou!t o)ed. +t i! the !4i e o- curio!ity. Wa! it curio!ity that 4ade hi4 !uch a great "arodi!tJ +- !o* we wou d 3now how to e)a uate the ter4 D"arodi!tE in thi! conteGt. Not )ery high y. 7or though it doe! Cu!tice to hi! aby!4a 4a ice* it !3irt! the bitterne!!* !a)agery* and "ri4ne!! o- the 4agni-icent "iece! which he wrote in the !ty e o- Ba Aac* 7 aubert* Sainte=Beu)e* Henri de Regnier* the 5oncourt!* 8iche= et* Renan* and hi! -a)orite Saint=Si4on* and which are co ected in the )o u4e 5asti"hes et melan#es4 The 4i4icry o- a 4an ocurio!ity i! the bri iant de)ice o- thi! !erie!* a! it i! a !o a -eature o- hi! entire creati)ity in which hi! "a!!ion -or )egetati)e i-e cannot be ta3en !eriou! y enough. Ortega y 5a!!et wa! the -ir!t to draw attention to the )egetati)e eGi!tence o- ,rou!tK! character!* which are " anted !o -ir4 y in their !ocia habitat* in- uenced by the "o!ition o- the !un o- ari!tocratic -a)or* !tirred by the wind that b ow! -ro4 5uer4ante! or 8&!eg i!e* and ineGtricab y intertwined in the thic3et o- their -ate. Thi! i! the en)iron4ent that ga)e ri!e to the "oetK! 4i4icry. ,rou!tK! 4o!t accurate* 4o!t con)incing in!ight! -a!ten on their obCect! a! in!ect! -a!ten on ea)e!* b o!!o4!* branche!* betraying nothing o- their eGi!tence unti a ea"* a beating o- wing!* a )au t* !how the !tart ed ob!er)er that !o4e inca cu ab e indi)idua i-e ha! i4"erce"tib y cre"t into an a ien wor d. The true reader o- ,rou!t i! con!tant y Carred by !4a !hoc3!. +n the "arodie! he -ind! again* in the gui!e o- a " ay with D!ty e!*E what a--ected hi4 in an a together di--erent way ./'

The +4age o- ,rou!t a! thi! !"iritK! !trugg e -or !ur)i)a under the ea-y cano"y o- !ociety. At thi! "oint we 4u!t !ay !o4ething about the c o!e and -ructi-ying inter"enetration othe!e two )ice!* curio!ity and - attery. There i! a re)ea ing "a!!age in the writing! o- ,rince!! C er4ont=Tonnerre. DAnd -ina y we cannot !u""re!! the -act that ,rou!t beca4e enra"tured with the !tudy o- do4e!tic !er)ant!Fwhether it be that an e e4ent which he encountered nowhere e !e intrigued hi! in)e!tigati)e -acu tie! or that he en)ied !er)ant! their greater o""ortunitie! -or ob!er)ing the inti4ate detai ! o- thing! that arou!ed hi! intere!t. +n any ca!e* do4e!tic !er)ant! in their )ariou! e4bodi4ent! and ty"e! were hi! "a!!ion.E +n the eGotic !hading! o- a (u"ien* a 8on!ieur Ai4e* a C&$e!tine A ba at* their ran3! eGtend -ro4 7rancoi!e* a -igure with the coar!e* angu ar -eature! o- St. 8artha that !ee4! to be !traight out o- a Boo3 o- Hour!* to tho!e groo4! and "hasse!rs who are "aid -or oa-ing rather than wor3ing. And "erha"! the greate!t concentration o- thi! connoi!!eur o- cere4onie! wa! re!er)ed -or the de"iction o- the!e ower ran3!. Who can te how 4uch !er)ant curio!ity beca4e "art o- ,rou!tK! - attery* how 4uch !er)ant - attery beca4e 4iGed with hi! curio!ity* and where thi! art-u co"y o- the ro e o- the !er)ant on the height! o- the !ocia !ca e had it! i4it!J ,rou!t "re!ented !uch a co"y* and he cou d not he " doing !o* -or* a! he once ad4itted* ;voir< and ;'Dsirer imiter< were one and the !a4e thing to hi4. Thi! attitude* which wa! both !o)ereign and ob!e?uiou!* ha! been "re!er)ed by 8aurice Barre! in the 4o!t a""o!ite word! that ha)e e)er been written about ,rou!t@ ;Cn :oete :ersan 'ans !ne lo#e 'e :ortiere< P There wa! !o4ething o- the detecti)e in ,rou!tK! curio!ity. The u""er ten thou!and were to hi4 a c an o- cri4ina !* a band o- con!"irator! beyond co4"are@ the Ca4orra o- con!u4er!. +t eGc ude! -ro4 it! wor d e)erything that ha! a "art in "roduction* or at ea!t de4and! that thi! "art be grace-u y and ba!h-u y concea ed behind the 3ind o- 4anner that i! !"orted by the "o i!hed "ro-e!!iona ! o- con!u4"tion. ,rou!tK! ana y!i! o- !nobbery* DA ,er!ian "oet in a "orterK! odge.E ()*

Ill*minati+n) which i! -ar 4ore i4"ortant than hi! a"otheo!i! o- art* con!titute! the a"ogee ohi! critici!4 o- !ociety. 7or the attitude o- the !nob i! nothing but the con!i!tent* organiAed* !tee y )iew o- i-e -ro4 the che4ica y "ure !tand"oint o- the con!u4er. And becau!e e)en the re4ote!t a! we a! the 4o!t "ri4iti)e 4e4ory o- natureK! "roducti)e -orce! wa! to be bani!hed -ro4 thi! !atanic 4agic wor d* ,rou!t -ound a "er)erted re ation!hi" 4ore !er)iceab e than a nor4a one e)en in o)e. But the "ure con!u4er i! the "ure eG" oiterF ogica y and theoretica y Fand in ,rou!t he i! that in the -u concretene!! o- hi! actua hi!torica eGi!tence. He i! concrete becau!e he i! i4"enetrab e and e u!i)e* ,rou!t de!cribe! a c a!! which i! e)erywhere " edged to ca4ou- age it! 4ateria ba!i! and -or thi! )ery rea!on i! attached to a -euda i!4 which ha! no intrin!ic econo4ic !igni-icance but i! a the 4ore !er)iceab e a! a 4a!3 o- the u""er 4idd e c a!!. Thi! di!i u!ioned* 4erci e!! deg a4oriAer o- the ego* o- o)e* o- 4ora !F-or thi! i! how ,rou!t i3ed to )iew hi4!e -Fturn! hi! who e i4it e!! art into a )ei -or thi! one 4o!t )ita 4y!tery o- hi! c a!!@ the econo4ic a!"ect. He did not 4ean to do it a !er)ice. Here !"ea3! 8arce ,rou!t* the hardne!! o- hi! wor3* the intran!igence o- a 4an who i! ahead o- hi! c a!!. What he acco4" i!he! he acco4= " i!he! a! it! 4a!ter. And 4uch o- the greatne!! o- thi! wor3 wi re4ain inacce!!ib e or undi!co)ered unti thi! c a!! ha! re)ea ed it! 4o!t "ronounced -eature! in the -ina !trugg e. + +n the a!t century there wa! an inn by the na4e o- DAu Te4"! ,erduE at 5renob eN + do not 3now whether it !ti eGi!t!. +n ,rou!t* too* we are gue!t! who enter through a door under=neath a !u!"ended !ign that !way! in the breeAe* a door behind which eternity and ra"ture await u!. 7ernandeA right y di!tingui!hed between a theme 'e riternite and a theme '! tem:s in ,rou!t. But hi! eternity i! by no 4ean! a " atonic or a 2to"ian oneN it i! ra"turou!. There-ore* i- Dti4e re)ea ! a new and hitherto un3nown 3ind o- eternity to anyone who beco4e! engro!!ed in it! "a!!ing*E thi! certain y doe! not enab e an indi)idua to a"= .$/

The +4age o- ,rou!t "roach Dthe higher region! which a , ato or S"inoAa reached with one beat othe wing!.E +t i! true that in ,rou!t we -ind rudi4ent! o- an enduring idea i!4* but it wou d be a 4i!ta3e to 4a3e the!e the ba!i! o- an inter"retation* a! Benoi!t= 8echin ha! done 4o!t g aring y. The eternity which ,rou!t o"en! to )iew i! con= )o uted ti4e* not bound e!! ti4e. Hi! true intere!t i! in the "a!!age o- ti4e in it! 4o!t rea Fthat i!* !"ace=boundF-or4* and thi! "a!!age nowhere ho d! !way 4ore o"en y than in re4e4brance within and aging without. To ob!er)e the interaction o- aging and re4e4bering 4ean! to "enetrate to the heart o- ,rou!tK! wor d* to the uni)er!e o- con)o ution. +t i! the wor d in a !tate o- re!e4b ance!* the do4ain o- the "orres:on'an"esM the Ro4antici!t! were the -ir!t to co4"rehend the4 and Baude aire e4braced the4 4o!t -er)ent y* but ,rou!t wa! the on y one who 4anaged to re)ea the4 in our i)ed i-e. Thi! i! the wor3 o- the memoire involontaire, the reCu)enating -orce which i! a 4atch -or the ineGorab e "roce!! o- aging. When the "a!t i! re- ected in the dewy -re!h Din!tant*E a "ain-u !hoc3 o- reCu)enation "u ! it together once 4ore a! irre!i!tib y a! the 5uer4ante! way and SwannK! way beco4e intertwined -or ,rou!t when* in the thirteenth )o u4e* he roa4! about the Co4bray area -or the a!t ti4e and di!co)er! the intertwining o- the road!. +n a trice the and!ca"e Cu4"! about i3e a chi d. !AhV 7!e le mon'e est #ran' W la "larti 'es lam:esV A!= .e!= '! so!venir 7!e le mon'e est :etitV< P ,rou!t ha! brought o-- the tre4endou! -eat o- etting the who e wor d age by a i-eti4e in an in!tant. But thi! )ery concentration in which thing! that nor4a y Cu!t -ade and ! u4ber con!u4e the4!e )e! in a - a!h i! ca ed reCu)enation. e la *e"her"he '! tem:s :er'! i! the con!tant atte4"t to charge an entire i-eti4e with the ut4o!t awarene!!. ,rou!tK! 4ethod i! actua iAation* not re- ection. He i! -i ed with the in!ight that none o- u! ha! ti4e to i)e the true dra4a! o- the i-e that we are de!tined -or. Thi! i! what age! u!Fthi! and nothing e !e. The wrin= 3 e! and crea!e! on our -ace! are the regi!tration o- the great DOh* how arge the wor d i! in the brightne!! o- the a4"!. How !4a the wor d i! in the eye! o- reco ection.E .$$

+ u4ination! "a!!ion!* )ice!* in!ight! that ca ed on u!N but we* the 4a!ter!* were not ho4e. Since the !"iritua eGerci!e! o- 1oyo a there ha! hard y been a 4ore radica atte4"t at !e -=ab!or"tion. ,rou!tK!* too* ha! a! it! center a one ine!! which "u ! the wor d down into it! )orteG with the -orce o- a 4ae !tro4. And the o)er oud and inconcei)ab y ho ow chatter which co4e! roaring out o- ,rou!tK! no)e ! i! the !ound o- !ociety " unging down into the aby!! o- thi! one ine!!. Thi! i! the ocation o- ,rou!tK! in)ecti)e! again!t -riend!hi". +t wa! a 4atter o- "ercei)ing the !i ence at the botto4 o- thi! crater* who!e eye! are the ?uiete!t and 4o!t ab!orbing. So4ething that i! 4ani-e!ted irritating y and ca"riciou! y in !o 4any anecdote! i! the co4bination o- an un"ara e ed inten!ity o- con)er!ation with an un!ur"a!!ab e a oo-ne!! -ro4 hi! "artner. There ha! ne)er been anyone e !e with ,rou!tK! abi ity to !how u! thing!N ,rou!tK! "ointing -inger i! une?ua ed. But there i! another ge!ture in a4icab e togetherne!!* in con)er!ation@ "hy!ica contact. To no one i! thi! ge!ture 4ore a ien than to ,rou!t. He cannot touch hi! reader eitherN he cou d not do !o -or anything in the wor d. +- one wanted to grou" iterature around the!e "o e!* di)iding it into the directi)e and the touching 3ind* the core o- the -or4er wou d be the wor3 o- ,rou!t* the core o- the atter* the wor3 o- ,eguy. Thi! i! ba!ica y what 7ernandeA ha! -or4u ated !o we @ DDe"th* or* rather* inten!ity* i! a way! on hi! !ide* ne)er on that o- hi! "artner.E Thi! i! de4on!trated bri iant y and with a touch o- cynici!4 in ,rou!tK! iterary critici!4* the 4o!t !igni-icant docu4ent o- which i! an e!!ay that ca4e into being on the high e)e o- hi! -a4e and the ow e)e o- hi! deathbed@ DA ,ro"o! de Baude aire.E The e!!ay i! (e!uitic in it! ac?uie!cence in hi! own 4a adie!* i44oderate in the garru ou!ne!! o- a 4an who i! re!ting* -rightening in the indi--erence o- a 4an 4ar3ed by death who want! to !"ea3 out once 4ore* no 4atter on what !ubCect. What in!"ired ,rou!t here in the -ace o- death a !o !ha"ed hi4 in hi! intercour!e with hi! conte4"orarie!@ !o !"a!4odic and har!h an a ternation o- !arca!4 and tenderne!! that it! reci"ient! threatened to brea3 down in eGhau!tion. The "ro)ocati)e* un!teady ?ua ity o- the 4an a--ect! e)en .$.

The &ma#e o( 5ro!st the reader o- hi! wor3!. Su--ice it to reca the end e!! !ucce!!ion o- ;soit 7!e . . . *Q by 4ean! o- which an action i! !hown in an eGhau!ti)e* de"re!!ing way in the ight o- the count e!! 4oti)e! u"on which it 4ay ha)e been ba!ed. And yet the!e "aratactic !e?uence! re)ea the "oint at which wea3ne!! and geniu! coincide in ,rou!t@ the inte ectua renunciation* the te!ted !3e"tici!4 with which he a""roached thing!. A-ter the !e -=!ati!-ied inwardne!! o- Ro4antici!4 ,rou!t ca4e a ong* deter4ined* a! (ac?ue! Ri)iere "ut! it* not to gi)e the ea!t credence to the ;DireXnes interie!res4< D,rou!t a""roache! eG"erience without the ! ighe!t 4eta"hy!ica intere!t* without the ! ighte!t "enchant -or con!truction* without the ! ighte!t tendency to con!o e.E Nothing i! truer than that. And thu! the ba!ic -eature o- thi! wor3* too* which ,rou!t 3e"t "roc ai4ing a! being " anned* i! anything but the re!u t o- con!truction. But it i! a! " anned a! the ine! on the "a 4 o- our hand or the arrange4ent o- the !ta4en in a ca yG. Co4" ete y worn out* ,rou!t* that aged chi d* -e bac3 on the bo!o4 o- natureFnot to drin3 -ro4 it* but to drea4 to it! heartbeat. One 4u!t "icture hi4 in thi! !tate o- wea3ne!! to under!tand how -e icitou! y (ac?ue! Ri)iere inter"reted the wea3ne!! when he wrote@ D8arce ,rou!t died o- the !a4e ineG"erience which "er4itted hi4 to write hi! wor3!. He died o- ignorance o- the wor d and becau!e he did not 3now how to change the condition! o- hi! i-e which had begun to cru!h hi4. He died becau!e he did not 3now how to 4a3e a -ire or o"en a window.E And* to be !ure* o- hi! "!ychogenic a!th4a. The doctor! were "ower e!! in the -ace o- thi! 4a adyN not !o the writer* who )ery !y!te4atica y " aced it in hi! !er)ice. To begin with the 4o!t eGterna a!"ect* he wa! a "er-ect !tage director o- hi! !ic3ne!!. 7or 4onth! he connected* with de)a!tating irony* the i4age o- an ad4irer who had !ent hi4 - ower! with their odor* which he -ound unbearab e. De"ending on the u"! and down! o- hi! 4a ady he a ar4ed hi! -riend!* who dreaded and onged -or the 4o4ent when the writer wou d !udden y a""ear in their drawing roo4! ong a-ter mi'ni#ht8 rise 'e (ati#!e and -or Cu!t -i)e 4inute!* a! he !aidFon y to !tay ti the gray o- dawn* too tired to get out o- hi! chair or interru"t hi! con)er= .$Z

&ll!minations !ation. E)en a! a writer o- etter! he eGtracted the 4o!t !ingu ar e--ect! -ro4 hi! 4a ady. DThe wheeAing o- 4y breath i! drowning out the !ound! o- 4y "en and o- a bath which i! being drawn on the - oor be ow.E But that i! not a * nor i! it the -act that hi! !ic3ne!! re4o)ed hi4 -ro4 -a!hionab e i)ing. Thi! a!th4a beca4e "art o- hi! art=i- indeed hi! art did not create it. ,rou!tK! !yntaG rhyth4ica y and !te" by !te" re"roduce! hi! -ear o- !u--ocating. And hi! ironic* "hi o!o"hica * didactic re- ection! in)ariab y are the dee" breath with which he !ha3e! o-- the weight o- 4e4orie!. On a arger !ca e* howe)er* the threatening* !u--ocating cri!i! wa! death* which he wa! con!tant y aware o-Q 4o!t o- a whi e he wa! writing. Thi! i! how death con-ronted ,rou!t* and ong be-ore hi! 4a ady a!!u4ed critica di4en!ion!F not a! a hy"ochondriaca whi4* but a! a ;realite no!velle,< that new rea ity who!e re- ection! on thing! and "eo" e are the 4ar3! o- aging. A "hy!io ogy o- !ty e wou d ta3e u! into the inner4o!t core o- thi! creati)ene!!Q No one who 3now! with what great tenacity 4e4orie! are "re!er)ed by the !en!e o- !4e * and !4e ! not at a in the 4e4ory* wi be ab e to ca ,rou!tK! !en!iti)ity to !4e ! accidenta . To be !ure* 4o!t 4e4orie! that we !earch -or co4e to u! a! )i!ua i4age!. E)en the -ree=- oating -or4! o- the memoire involontaire are !ti in arge "art i!o ated* though enig4atica y "re!ent* )i!ua i4age!. 7or thi! )ery rea!on* anyone who wi!he! to !urrender 3nowing y to the inner4o!t o)ertone! in thi! wor3 4u!t " ace hi4!e - in a !"ecia !tratu4Fthe botto44o!tFo- thi! in)o untary 4e4ory* one in which the 4ateria ! o4e4ory no onger a""ear !ing y* a! i4age!* but te u! about a who e* a4or"hou! y and -or4 e!! y* inde-inite y and weighti y* in the !a4e way a! the weight o- hi! net te ! a -i!her4an about hi! catch. S4e Fthat i! the !en!e oweight o- !o4eone who ca!t! hi! net! into the !ea o- the tem:s :er'!4 And hi! !entence! are the entire 4u!cu ar acti)ity o- the inte igib e bodyN they contain the who e enor4ou! e--ort to rai!e thi! catch. 7or the re!t* the c o!ene!! o- the !y4bio!i! between thi! "articu ar creati)ity and thi! "articu ar 4a ady i! de4on!trated 4o!t c ear y by the -act that in ,rou!t there ne)er wa! a brea3through o- that heroic de-iance with which other creati)e "eo" e ha)e

T(e Ima>e +f Pr+*)t ri!en u" again!t their in-ir4itie!. And there-ore one can !ay* -ro4 another "oint o- )iew* that !o c o!e a co4" icity with i-e and the cour!e o- the wor d a! ,rou!tK! wou d ine)itab y ha)e ed to ordinary* indo ent content4ent on any ba!i! but that o- !uch great and con!tant !u--ering. A! it wa!* howe)er* thi! 4a ady wa! de!tined to ha)e it! " ace in the great wor3 "roce!! a!!igned to it by a -uror de)oid o- de!ire! or regret!. 7or the !econd ti4e there ro!e a !ca--o d i3e 8iche ange oK! on which the arti!t* hi! head thrown bac3* "ainted the Creation on the cei ing o- the Si!tine Cha"e @ the !ic3bed on which 8arce ,rou!t con!ecrate! the count e!! "age! which he co)ered with hi! handwriting* ho ding the4 u" in the air* to the creation o- hi! 4icroco!4* .$Z

sP

(h DWor3 oC Art 3 the AAE oj 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion ;-!r (ine arts 3ere 'evelo:e', their t.:es an' !ses 3ere esta lishe', in times ver. 'i((erent (rom the :resent, . men 3hose :o3er o( a"tion !:on thin#s 3as insi#ni(i"ant in "om:arison 3ith o!rs4 B!t the amaEin# #ro3th o( o!r te"hni7!es, the a'a:ta ilit. an' :re"inon the. have attaine', the i'eas an' ha its the. are "reatin#, make it a "ertaint. that :ro(o!n' "han#es are im:en'in# in the an"ient "ra(t o( the Bea!ti(!l4 &n all the arts there is a :h.si"al "om:onent 3hi"h "an no lon#er e "onsi'ere' or treate' as it !se' to e, 3hi"h "annot remain !na((e"te' . o!r mo'ern kno3le'#e an' :o3er4 Ror the last t3ent. .ears neither matter nor s:a"e nor time has een 3hat it 3as (rom time immemorial4 We m!st e=:e"t #reat innovations to trans(orm the entire te"hni7!e o( the arts, there . a((e"tin# artisti" invention itsel( an' :erha:s even rin#in# a o!t an amaEin# "han#e in o!r ver. notion o( art<6 ,ari!. ,au 6a ery* ,+ECES S2B 1KART* D1a Con?uete de +Kubi?u3e*E

,RE7ACE When 8arG undertoo3 hi! criti?ue o- the ca"ita i!tic 4ode o- "roduction* thi! 4ode wa! in it! in-ancy. 8arG directed hi! e--ort! in !uch a way a! to gi)e the4 "rogno!tic )a ue. He went bac3 to the ba!ic condition! under ying ca"ita i!tic "roduction and through hi! "re!entation !howed what cou d be eG"ected oca"ita i!4 in the -uture. The re!u t wa! that one cou d eG"ect it not on y to eG" oit the "ro etariat with increa!ing inten!ity* but u ti4ate y to create condition! which wou d 4a3e it "o!!ib e to abo i!h ca"ita i!4 it!e -. The tran!-or4ation o- the !u"er!tructure* which ta3e! " ace P _uoted -ro4 ,au 6a ery* Aestheti"s, DThe Con?ue!t o- 2bi?uity*E tran! ated by Ra "h 8anhei4* ". ..9. ,antheon Boo3!* Bo ingen Serie!* New Yor3* $%&<. .$0

&ll!minations -ar 4ore ! ow y than that o- the !ub!tructure* ha! ta3en 4ore than ha - a century to 4ani-e!t in a area! o- cu ture the change in the condition! o"roduction. On y today can it be indicated what -or4 thi! ha! ta3en. Certain "rogno!tic re?uire4ent! !hou d be 4et by the!e !tate4ent!. %+/e?er@ t(e)e)

a.+*t t(e art +f t(e 0r+letariat after it) a))*m0ti+n +f 0+/er +r a.+*t t(e art +f a cla))le)) )+ciet3 /+*l, (a?e le)) .earin> +n t(e)e ,eman,) t(an t(e)e) a.+*t t(e ,e?el+0mental ten,encie) +f art *n,er 0re)ent c+n,iti+n) +f 0r+,*cti+nAAAA. Their dia ectic i! no
e!! noticeab e in the !u"er!tructure than in the econo4y. +t wou d there-ore be wrong to undere!ti4ate the )a ue o- !uch the!e! a! a wea"on. They bru!h a!ide a nu4ber o- out4oded conce"t!* !uch a! creati)ity and geniu!* eterna )a ue and 4y!teryFconce"t! who!e uncontro ed :and at "re!ent a 4o!t uncontro ab e; a"" ication wou d ead to a "roce!!ing o- data in the 7a!ci!t !en!e. The conce"t! which are introduced into the theory o- art in what -o ow! di--er -ro4 the 4ore -a4i iar ter4! in that they are co4" ete y u!e e!! -or the "ur"o!e! o- 7a!ci!4. They are* on the other hand* u!e-u -or the -or4u ation o- re)o utionary de4and! in the "o itic! o- art. ` +n "rinci" e a wor3 o- art ha! a way! been re"roducib e. 8an=4ade arti-act! cou d a way! be i4itated by 4en. Re" ica! were 4ade by "u"i ! in "ractice otheir cra-t* by 4a!ter! -or di--u!ing their wor3!* and* -ina y* by third "artie! in the "ur!uit o- gain. 8echanica re"roduction o- a wor3 o- art* howe)er* re"re!ent! !o4ething new. Hi!torica y* it ad)anced inter4ittent y and in ea"! at ong inter)a !* but with acce erated inten!ity. The 5ree3! 3new on y two "rocedure! o- technica y re"roducing wor3! o- art@ -ounding and !ta4"ing. BronAe!* terra cotta!* and coin! were the on y art wor3! which they cou d "roduce in ?uantity. A other! were uni?ue and cou d not be 4echanica y re"roduced. With the woodcut gra"hic art beca4e 4echanica y re"roducib e -or the -ir!t ti4e* ong be-ore !cri"t beca4e re"roducib e by "rint. The enor4ou! change! which "rinting* the 4echanica .$'

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion re"roduction o- writing* ha! brought about in iterature are a -a4i iar !tory. Howe)er* within the "heno4enon which we are here eGa4ining -ro4 the "er!"ecti)e o- wor d hi!tory* "rint i! 4ere y a !"ecia * though "articu ar y i4"ortant* ca!e. During the 8idd e Age! engra)ing and etching were added to the woodcutN at the beginning o- the nineteenth century ithogra"hy 4ade it! a""earance* With ithogra"hy the techni?ue o- re"roduction reached an e!!entia y new !tage. Thi! 4uch 4ore direct "roce!! wa! di!tingui!hed by the tracing o- the de!ign on a !tone rather than it! inci!ion on a b oc3 o- wood or it! etching on a co""er" ate and "er4itted gra"hic art -or the -ir!t ti4e to "ut it! "roduct! on the 4ar3et* not on y in arge nu4ber! a! hitherto* but a !o in dai y changing -or4!. 1ithogra"hy enab ed gra"hic art to i u!trate e)eryday i-e* and it began to 3ee" "ace with "rinting. But on y a -ew decade! a-ter it! in)ention* ithogra"hy wa! !ur"a!!ed by "hotogra"hy. 7or the -ir!t ti4e in the "roce!! o- "ictoria re"ro= duction* "hotogra"hy -reed the hand o- the 4o!t i4"ortant arti!tic -unction! which hence-orth de)o )ed on y u"on the eye oo3ing into a en!. Since the eye "ercei)e! 4ore !wi-t y than the hand can draw* the "roce!! o- "ictoria re"roduction wa! acce erated !o enor4ou! y that it cou d 3ee" "ace with !"eech. A -i 4 o"erator !hooting a !cene in the !tudio ca"ture! the i4age! at the !"eed oan actorK! !"eech. (u!t a! ithogra"hy )irtua y i4" ied the i u!trated new!"a"er* !o did "hotogra"hy -ore!hadow the !ound -i 4. The technica re"roduction o!ound wa! tac3 ed at the end o- the a!t century. The!e con)ergent endea)or! 4ade "redictab e a !ituation which ,au 6aYry "ointed u" in thi! !entence@ D(u!t a! water* ga!* and e ectricity are brought into our hou!e! -ro4 -ar o-- to !ati!-y our need! in re!"on!e to a 4ini4a e--ort* !o we !ha be !u"" ied with )i!ua or auditory i4age!* which wi a""ear and di!a""ear at a !i4" e 4o)e4ent o- the hand* hard y 4ore than a !ignE Bo:4 "it4, ". ..&;. Around $%// technica re"roduction had reached a !tandard that not on y "er4itted it to re"roduce a tran!4itted wor3! o- art and thu! to cau!e the 4o!t "ro-ound change in their i4"act u"on the "ub icN it a !o had ca"tured a " ace o- it! own a4ong the arti!tic "roc= .$Z

&ll!minations e!!e!. 7or the !tudy o- thi! !tandard nothing i! 4ore re)ea ing than the nature o- the re"ercu!!ion! that the!e two di--erent 4ani-e!tation!Fthe re"roduction owor3! o- art and the art o- the -i 4Fha)e had on art in it! traditiona -or4. t E)en the 4o!t "er-ect re"roduction o- a wor3 o- art i! ac3ing in one e e4ent@ it! "re!ence in ti4e and !"ace* it! uni?ue eGi!tence at the " ace where it ha""en! to be. Thi! uni?ue eGi!tence o- the wor3 o- art deter4ined the hi!tory to which it wa! !ubCect throughout the ti4e o- it! eGi!tence. Thi! inc ude! the change! which it 4ay ha)e !u--ered in "hy!ica condition o)er the year! a! we a! the )ariou! change! in it! owner!hi".$ The trace! o- the -ir!t can be re)ea ed on y by che4ica or "hy!ica ana y!e! which it i! i4"o!!ib e to "er-or4 on a re"roductionN change! o- owner!hi" are !ubCect to a tradition which 4u!t be traced -ro4 the !ituation o- the origina . The "re!ence o- the origina i! the "rere?ui!ite to the conce"t o- authenticity. Che4ica ana y!e! o- the "atina o- a bronAe can he " to e!tab i!h thi!* a! doe! the "roo- that a gi)en 4anu!cri"t o- the 8idd e Age! !te4! -ro4 an archi)e o- the -i-teenth century. The who e !"here o- authenticity i! out!ide technica F and* ocour!e* not on y technica Fre"roducibi ity.. Con-ronted with it! 4anua re"roduction* which wa! u!ua y branded a! a -orgery* the origina "re!er)ed a it! authorityN not !o vis W vis technica re"roduction. The rea!on i! two-o d. 7ir!t* "roce!! re"roduction i! 4ore inde"endent o- the origina than 4anua re= "roduction. 7or eGa4" e* in "hotogra"hy* "roce!! re"roduction can bring out tho!e a!"ect! o- the Dorigina that ate ^^attainab e to the na3ed eye yet acce!!ib e to the en!* which i! adCu!tab e and choo!e! it! ang e at wi . And "hotogra"hic re"roduction* with the aid o- certain "roce!!e!* !uch a! en arge4ent or ! ow 4otion* can ca"ture i4age! which e!ca"e natura )i!ion. Second y* technica re"roduction can "ut the co"y o- the origina into !ituation! which wou d be out o- reach -or the origina it!e -. Abo)e a * it enab e! the origina to 4eet the beho der ha -way* ../

The Work o( An in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion be it in the -or4 o- a "hotogra"h or a "honogra"h record. The cathedra ea)e! it! oca e to be recei)ed in the !tudio o- a o)er o- artN the chora "roduction* "er-or4ed in an auditoriu4 or in the o"en air* re!ound! in the drawing roo4. The !ituation! into which the "roduct o- 4echanica re"roduction can be brought 4ay not touch the actua wor3 o- art* yet the ?ua ity o- it! "re!ence i! a way! de"reciated. Thi! ho d! not on y -or the art wor3 but a !o* -or in!tance* -or a and!ca"e which "a!!e! in re)iew be-ore the !"ectator in a 4o)ie. +n the ca!e o- the art obCect* a 4o!t !en!iti)e nuc eu!Fna4e y* it! authenticityFi! inter-ered with wherea! no natura obCect i! )u nerab e on that !core. The authenticity o- a thing i! the e!!ence o- a that i! tran!4i!!ib e -ro4 it! beginning* ranging -ro4 it! !ub!tanti)e duration to it! te!ti4ony to the hi!tory which it ha! eG"erienced. Since the hi!torica te!ti4ony re!t! on the authenticity* the -or4er* too* i! Ceo"ardiAed by re"roduction when !ub!tanti)e duration cea!e! to 4atter. And what i! rea y Ceo"ardiAed when the hi!torica te!ti4ony i! a--ected i! the authority o- the obCect.' One 4ight !ub!u4e the e i4inated e e4ent in the ter4 DauraE and go on to !ayN that which wither! in the age o- 4echanica re"roduction i! the aura o- the wor3 o- art. Thi! i! a !y4"to4atic "roce!! who!e !igni-icance "oint! beyond the rea 4 o- art. One 4ight genera iAe by !aying@ the techni?ue o- re"roduction detache! the re"roduced obCect -ro4 the do4ain o- tradition. By 4a3ing 4any re"roduction! it !ub!titute! a " ura ity o- co"ie! -or a uni?ue eGi!tence. And in "er4itting the re"roduction to 4eet the beho der or i!tener in hi! own "articu ar !ituation* it reacti)ate! the obCect re"roduced. The!e two "roce!!e! ead to a tre4endou! !hattering o- tradition which i! the ob)er!e o- the conte4"orary cri!i! and renewa o- 4an3ind. Both "roce!!e! are inti4ate y connected with the conte4"orary 4a!! 4o)e4ent!. Their 4o!t "ower-u agent i! the -i 4. +t! !ocia !igni-icance* "articu ar y in it! 4o!t "o!iti)e -or4* i! inconcei)ab e without it! de!tructi)e* cathartic a!"ect* that i!* the i?uidation o- the traditiona )a ue o- the cu tura heritage. Thi! "heno4enon i! 4o!t "a."ab.e in the great hi!toricP* n.4-. +t eGteWd! to e)er new "o!i=tion!. +n $%$0 Abe 5ance eGc ai4ed enthu!ia!tica y@ DSha3e=

Illuminations !"eare* Re4brandt* Beetho)en wi 4a3e -i 4! ... a egend!* a 4ytho ogie! and a 4yth!* a -ounder! o- re igion* and the )ery re igion! . . . await their eG"o!ed re!urrection* and the heroe! crowd each other at the gate.E P ,re!u4ab y without intending it* he i!!ued an in)itation to a -ar=reaching i?uidation. #I During ong "eriod! o- hi!tory* the 4ode o- hu4an !en!e "erce"tion change! with hu4anityK! entire 4ode o- eGi!tence. The 4anner in which hu4an !en!e "erce"tion i! organiAed* the 4ediu4 in which it i! acco4" i!hed* i! deter4ined not on y by nature but by hi!torica circu4!tance! a! we . The -i-th century* with it! great !hi-t! o- "o"u ation* !aw the birth o- the ate Ro4an art indu!try and the 6ienna 5ene!i!* and there de)e o"ed not on y an art di--erent -ro4 that o- anti?uity but a !o a new 3ind o- "erce"tion. The !cho ar! o- the 6ienne!e !choo * Rieg and Wic3ho--* who re!i!ted the weight o- c a!!ica tradition under which the!e ater art -or4! had been buried* were the -ir!t to draw conc u!ion! -ro4 the4 concerning the organiAation o- "erce"tion at the ti4e. Howe)er -ar= reaching their in!ight* the!e !cho ar! i4ited the4!e )e! to !howing the !igni-icant* -or4a ha 4ar3 which characteriAed "erce"tion in ate Ro4an ti4e!. They did not atte4"tFand* "erha"!* !aw no wayFto !how the !ocia tran!-or4ation! eG"re!!ed by the!e change! o- "erce"tion. The condition! -or an ana ogou! in!ight are 4ore -a)orab e in the "re!ent. And i- change! in the 4ediu4 o- conte4"orary "erce"tion can be co4"rehended a! decay o- the aura* it i! "o!!ib e to !how it! !ocia cau!e!. The conce"t o- aura which wa! "ro"o!ed abo)e with re-erence to hi!torica obCect! 4ay u!e-u y be i u!trated with re-erence to the aura o- natura one!. We de-ine the aura o- the atter a! the uni?ue "heno4enon o- a di!tance* howe)er c o!e it 4ay be. +-* whi e re!ting on a !u44er a-ternoon* you -o ow with PAbe 5ance* D1e Te4"! de +Ki4age e!t )enu*E GAn "inemato#ra:hf[ i7!e, 6o . i* "". %< -* ,ari!* $%$0. ...

The Work o( Art m the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion your eye! a 4ountain range on the horiAon or a branch which ca!t! it! !hadow o)er you* you eG"erience the aura o- tho!e 4ountain!* o- that branch. Thi! i4age 4a3e! it ea!y to co4"rehend the !ocia ba!e! o- the conte4"orary decay o- the aura. +t re!t! on two circu4!tance!* both o- which are re ated to the increa!ing !igni-icance o- the 4a!!e! in conte4"orary i-e. Na4e y* the de!ire oconte4"orary 4a!!e! to bring thing! Dc o!erE !"atia y and hu4an y* which i! Cu!t a! ardent a! their bent toward o)erco4ing the uni?uene!! o- e)ery rea ity by acce"ting it! re"roduction.< E)ery day the urge grow! !tronger to get ho d o- an obCect at )ery c o!e range by way o- it! i3ene!!* it! re"roduction. 2n4i!ta3ab y* re"roduction a! o--ered by "icture 4ag.a=Aine! and newee ! di--er! -ro4 the i4age !een by the unar4ed eye. 2ni?uene!! and "er4anence are a! c o!e y in3ed in the atter a! are tran!itorine!! and re"roducibi ity in the -or4er. To "ry an obCect -ro4 it! !he * to de!troy it! aura* i! the 4ar3 o- a "erce"tion who!e D!en!e o- the uni)er!a e?ua ity o- thing!Q ha! increa!ed to !uch a degree that it eGtract! it e)en -ro4 a uni?ue obCect by 4ean! o- re"roduction. Thu! i! 4ani-e!ted in the -ie d o- "erce"tion what in the theoretica !"here i! noticeab e in the increa!ing i4"ortance o- !tati!tic!. The adCu!t4ent o- rea ity to the 4a!!e! and o- the 4a!!e! to rea ity i! a "roce!! o- un i4ited !co"e* a! 4uch -or thin3ing a! -or "erce"tion. IV The uni?uene!! o- a wor3 o- art i! in!e"arab e -ro4 it! being i4bedded in the -abric o- tradition. Thi! tradition it!e - i! thorough y a i)e and eGtre4e y changeab e. An ancient !tatue o- 6enu!* -or eGa4" e* !tood in a di--erent traditiona conteGt with the 5ree3!* who 4ade it an obCect o- )eneration* than with the c eric! o- the 8idd e Age!* who )iewed it a! an o4inou! ido . Both othe4* howe)er* were e?ua y con-ronted with it! uni?uene!!* that i!* it! aura. Origina y the conteGtua integration o- art in tradition -ound it! eG"re!!ion in the cu t. We 3now that the ear ie!t art wor3! originated in the !er)ice o- a ritua F-ir!t the 4agica * then the re igiou! 3ind. +t i! !igni-icant that the eGi!tence ..;

&ll!minations o- the wor3 o- art with re-erence to it! aura i! ne)er entire y !e"arated -ro4 it! ritua -unction.9 +n other word!* the uni?ue )a ue o- the DauthenticE wor3 o- art ha! it! ba!i! in ritua * the ocation o- it! origina u!e )a ue. Thi! ritua i!tic ba!i!* howe)er re4ote* i! !ti recogniAab e a! !ecu ariAed ritua e)en in the 4o!t "ro-ane -or4! o- the cu t o- beauty.& The !ecu ar cu t o- beauty* de)e o"ed during the Renai!!ance and "re)ai ing -or three centurie!* c ear y !howed that ritua i!tic ba!i! in it! dec ine and the -ir!t dee" cri!i! which be-e it. With the ad)ent o- the -ir!t tru y re)o utionary 4ean! o- re"roduction* "hotogra"hy* !i4u taneou! y with the ri!e o- !ocia i!4* art !en!ed the a""roaching cri!i! which ha! beco4e e)ident a century ater. At the ti4e* art reacted with the doctrine o- Gan :o!r Gar _ that i!* with a theo ogy o- art. Thi! ga)e ri!e to what 4ight be ca ed a negati)e theo ogy in the -or4 o- the idea o- D"ureE art* which not on y denied any !ocia -unction o- art but a !o any categoriAing by !ubCect 4atter. :+n "oetry* 8a ar4e wa! the -ir!t to ta3e thi! "o!ition.; An ana y!i! o- art in the age o- 4echanica re"roduction 4u!t do Cu!tice to the!e re ation!hi"!* -or they ead u! to an a =i4"or=tant in!ight@ -or the -ir!t ti4e in wor d hi!tory* 4echanica re="roduction e4anci"ate! the wor3 o- art -ro4 it! "ara!itica de="endence on ritua- To an e)er greater degree the wor3 o- art re"roduced beco4e! the wor3 o- art de!igned -or re"roducibi ity.0 7ro4 a "hotogra"hic negati)e* -or eGa4" e* one can 4a3e any nu4ber o- "rint!N to a!3 -or the DauthenticE "rint 4a3e! no !en!e. But the in!tant the criterion oauthenticity cea!e! to be a"" icab e to arti!tic "roduction* the tota -unction oart i! re)er!ed. +n!tead o- being ba!ed on ritua * it begin! to be ba!ed on another "racticeF"o itic!. k Wor3! o- art are recei)ed and )a ued on di--erent " ane!. Two "o ar ty"e! !tand out@ with one* the accent i! on the cu t )a ueN with the other* on the eGhibition )a ue o- the wor3.' Arti!tic "roduction begin! with cere4onia obCect! de!tined to !er)e in a cu t. One 4ay a!!u4e that what 4attered wa! their ..<

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion eGi!tence* not their being on )iew. The e 3 "ortrayed by the 4an o- the Stone Age on the wa ! o- hi! ca)e wa! an in!tru4ent o- 4agic. He did eG"o!e it to hi! -e ow 4en* but in the 4ain it wa! 4eant -or the !"irit!. Today the cu t )a ue wou d !ee4 to de4and that the wor3 o- art re4ain hidden. Certain !tatue! ogod! are acce!!ib e on y to the "rie!t in the ce aN certain 8adonna! re4ain co)ered near y a year roundN certain !cu "ture! on 4edie)a cathedra ! are in)i!ib e to the !"ectator on ground e)e . With the e4anci"ation o- the )ariou! art "ractice! -ro4 ritua go increa!ing o""ortunitie! -or the eGhibition o- their "roduct!. +t i! ea!ier to eGhibit a "ortrait bu!t that can be !ent here and there than to eGhibit the !tatue o- a di)inity that ha! it! -iGed " ace in the interior o- a te4" e. The !a4e ho d! -or the "ainting a! again!t the 4o!aic or -re!co that "receded it. And e)en though the "ub ic "re!entabi ity o- a 4a!! origina y 4ay ha)e been Cu!t a! great a! that o- a !y4"hony* the atter originated at the 4o4ent when it! "ub ic "re!entabi ity "ro4i!ed to !ur"a!! that o- the 4a!!. With the di--erent 4ethod! o- technica re"roduction o- a wor3 o- art* it! -itne!! -or eGhibition increa!ed to !uch an eGtent that the ?uantitati)e !hi-t between it! two "o e! turned into a ?ua itati)e tran!-or4ation o- it! nature. Thi! i! co4"arab e to the !ituation o- the wor3 o- art in "rehi!toric ti4e! when* by the ab!o ute e4"ha!i! on it! cu t )a ue* it wa!* -ir!t and -ore4o!t* an in!tru4ent o4agic. On y ater did it co4e to be recogniAed a! a wor3 o- art. +n the !a4e way today* by the ab!o ute e4"ha!i! on it! eGhibition )a ue the wor3 o- art beco4e a creation with entire y new -unction!* a4ong which the one we are con!ciou! o-* the arti!tic -unction* ater 4ay be recogniAed a! incidenta .Q Thi! 4uch i! certain@ today "hotogra"hy and the -i 4 are the 4o!t !er)iceab e eGe4" i-ication! o- thi! new -unction. VI +n "hotogra"hy* eGhibition )a ue begin! to di!" ace cu t )a ue a a ong the ine. But cu t )a ue doe! not gi)e way without re!i!tance. +t retire! into an u ti4ate retrench4ent@ the hu4an ..Z

+ u4ination! countenance. +t i! no accident that the "ortrait wa! the -oca "oint o- ear y "hotogra"hy. The cu t o- re4e4brance o- o)ed one!* ab!ent or dead* o--er! a a!t re-uge -or the cu t )a ue o- the "icture. 7or the a!t ti4e the aura e4anate! -ro4 the ear y "hotogra"h! in the - eeting eG"re!!ion o- a hu4an -ace. Thi! i! what con!titute! their 4e ancho y* inco4"arab e beauty. But a! 4an withdraw! -ro4 the "hotogra"hic i4age* the eGhibition )a ue -or the -ir!t ti4e !how! it! !u"eriority to the ritua )a ue. To ha)e "in"ointed thi! new !tage con!titute! the inco4"arab e !igni-icance o- Atget* who* around $%//* too3 "hotogra"h! ode!erted ,ari! !treet!. +t ha! ?uite Cu!t y been !aid o- hi4 that he "hotogra"hed the4 i3e !cene! o- cri4e. The !cene o- a cri4e* too* i! de!ertedN it i! "hotogra"hed -or the "ur"o!e o- e!tab i!hing e)idence. With Atget* "hotogra"h! beco4e !tandard e)idence -or hi!torica occurrence!* and ac?uire a hidden "o itica !igni-icance. They de4and a !"eci-ic 3ind o- a""roachN -ree=- oating conte4" ation i! not a""ro"riate to the4. They !tir the )iewerN he -ee ! cha enged by the4 in a new way. At the !a4e ti4e "icture 4agaAine! begin to "ut u" !ign"o!t! -or hi4* right one! or wrong one!* no 4atter. 7or the -ir!t ti4e* ca"tion! ha)e beco4e ob igatory. And it i! c ear that they ha)e an a together di--erent character than the tit e o- a "ainting. The directi)e! which the ca"tion! gi)e to tho!e oo3ing at "icture! in i u!trated 4agaAine! !oon beco4e e)en 4ore eG" icit and 4ore i4"erati)e in the -i 4 where the 4eaning o- each !ing e "icture a""ear! to be "re!cribed by the !e?uence o- a "receding one!. VII The nineteenth=century di!"ute a! to the arti!tic )a ue o- "ainting )er!u! "hotogra"hy today !ee4! de)iou! and con-u!ed. Thi! doe! not di4ini!h it! i4"ortance* howe)erN i- anything* it under ine! it. The di!"ute wa! in -act the !y4"to4 o- a hi!torica tran!-or4ation the uni)er!a i4"act o- which wa! not rea iAed by either o- the ri)a !. When the age o- 4echanica re"roduction !e"arated art -ro4 it! ba!i! in cu t* the !e4b ance o- it! autono4y di!a""eared -ore)er. The re!u ting change in the -unc= ..&

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion tion o- art tran!cended the "er!"ecti)e o- the centuryN -or a ong ti4e it e)en e!ca"ed that o- the twentieth century* which eG"erienced the de)e o"4ent o- the -i 4. Ear ier 4uch -uti e thought had been de)oted to the ?ue!tion o- whether "hotogra"hy i! an art. The "ri4ary ?ue!tionF whether the )ery in)ention o"hotogra"hy had not tran!-or4ed the entire nature o- artFwa! not rai!ed. Soon the -i 4 theoretician! a!3ed the !a4e i =con!idered ?ue!tion with regard to the -i 4. But the di--icu tie! which "hotogra"hy cau!ed traditiona ae!thetic! were 4ere chi dK! " ay a! co4"ared to tho!e rai!ed by the -i 4. Whence the in!en!iti)e and -orced character o- ear y theorie! o- the -i 4. Abe 5ance* -or in!tance* co4"are! the -i 4 with hierog y"h!@ DHere* by a re4ar3ab e regre!!ion* we ha)e co4e bac3 to the e)e o- eG"re!!ion o- the Egy"tian!. . . . ,ictoria anguage ha! not yet 4atured becau!e our eye! ha)e not yet adCu!ted to it. There i! a! yet in!u--icient re!"ect -or* in!u--icient cu t o-* what it eG"re!!e!.E P Or* in the word! o- Se)erin=8ar!@ DWhat art ha! been granted a drea4 4ore "oetica and 4ore rea at the !a4e ti4eM A""roached in thi! -a!hion the -i 4 4ight re"re!ent an inco4"arab e 4ean! o- eG"re!!ion. On y the 4o!t high=4inded "er!on!* in the 4o!t "er-ect and 4y!teriou! 4o4ent! o- their i)e!* !hou d be a owed to enter it! a4bience.E t A eGandre ArnouG conc ude! hi! -anta!y about the !i ent -i 4 with the ?ue!tion@ DDo not a the bo d de!cri"tion! we ha)e gi)en a4ount to the de-inition o- "rayerJE t +t i! in!tructi)e to note how their de!ire to c a!! the -i 4 a4ong the Dart!E -orce! the!e theoretician! to read ritua e e4ent! into itFwith a !tri3ing ac3 o- di!cretion. Yet when the!e !"ecu ation! were "ub i!hed* -i 4! i3e G-:inion :! li7!e and The Fol' *!sh had a ready a""eared. Thi!* howe)er* did not 3ee" Abe 5ance -ro4 ad=ducing hierog y"h! -or "ur"o!e! o- co4"ari!on* nor So)erin=8ar! -ro4 !"ea3ing o- the -i 4 a! one 4ight !"ea3 o- "ainting! by 7ra Ange ico. Characteri!tica y* e)en today u3rareactionary author! gi)e the -i 4 a !i4i ar conteGtua !igni-icanceFi- not an Abe 5ance* o:4 "it4, "". $//=$. t Se)crin=8ar!* ?uoted by Abe 5ance* o:, "k,t ". $//. _ A eGandre A4ouG* Cinema :ris, $%.%* ". .'. ..Qu

&ll!minations outright !acred one* then at ea!t a !u"ernatura one. Co44enting on 8aG ReinhardtK! -i 4 )er!ion o- A 1i's!mmer Ni#h(s 0ream, Wer-e !tate! that undoubted y it wa! the !teri e co"ying o- the eGterior wor d with it! !treet!* interior!* rai road !tation!* re!taurant!* 4otorcar!* and beache! which unti now had ob!tructed the e e)ation o- the -i 4 to the rea 4 o- art. DThe -i 4 ha! not yet rea iAed it! true 4eaning* it! rea "o!!ibi itie! .. . the!e con!i!t in it! uni?ue -acu ty to eG"re!! by natura 4ean! and with inco4"arab e "er!ua!i)ene!! a that i! -airy i3e* 4ar)e ou!* !u"ernatura .E P 6+++ The arti!tic "er-or4ance o- a !tage actor i! de-inite y "re!ented to the "ub ic by the actor in "er!onN that o- the !creen actor* howe)er* i! "re!ented by a ca4era* with a two-o d con!e?uence. The ca4era that "re!ent! the "er-or4ance o- the -i 4 actor to the "ub ic need not re!"ect the "er-or4ance a! an integra who e. 5uided by the ca4era4an* the ca4era continua y change! it! "o!ition with re!"ect to the "er-or4ance. The !e?uence o- "o!itiona )iew! which the editor co4"o!e! -ro4 the 4ateria !u"" ied hi4 con!titute! the co4" eted -i 4. +t co4= "ri!e! certain -actor! o- 4o)e4ent which are in rea ity tho!e o- the ca4era* not to 4ention !"ecia ca4era ang e!* c o!e=u"!* etc. Hence* the "er-or4ance o- the actor i! !ubCected to a !erie! o- o"tica te!t!. Thi! i! the -ir!t con!e?uence o- the -act that the actorK! "er-or4ance i! "re!ented by 4ean! o- a ca4era. A !o* the -i 4 actor ac3! the o""ortunity o- the !tage actor to adCu!t to the audience during hi! "er-or4ance* !ince he doe! not "re!ent hi! "er-or4ance to the audience in "er!on. Thi! "er4it! the audience to ta3e the "o!ition o- a critic* without eG"eriencing any "er!ona contact with the actor. The audienceK! identi-ication with the actor i! rea y an identi-ication with the ca4era. Con!e?uent y the audience ta3e! the "o!ition o- the ca4eraN it! a"= 7ranA Wer-e * DE4 So44ernaeht!trau4* Ein 7i 4 )on Sha3e!"eare und Reinhardt*E g ems Wiener 2o!rnal, cited in +! $9* No)e4ber* $%B9. ..'

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion "roach i! that o- te!ting.$/ Thi! i! not the a""roach to which cu t )a ue! 4ay be eG"o!ed. &` 7or the -i 4* what 4atter! "ri4ari y i! that the actor re"re!ent! hi4!e - to the "ub ic be-ore the ca4era* rather than re"re!enting !o4eone e !e. One o- the -ir!t to !en!e the actorK! 4eta4or"ho!i! by thi! -or4 o- te!ting wa! ,irande o. Though hi! re4ar3! on the !ubCect in hi! no)e Di Fira were i4ited to the negati)e a!"ect! o- the ?ue!tion and to the !i ent -i 4 on y* thi! hard y i4"air! their )a idity. 7or in thi! re!"ect* the !ound -i 4 did not change anything e!!entia What 4atter! i! that the "art i! acted not -or an audience but -or a 4echanica contri)anceF in the ca!e o- the !ound -i 4* -or two o- the4. DThe -i 4 actor*E wrote ,irande o* D-ee ! a! i- in eGi eFeGi ed not on y -ro4 the !tage but a !o -ro4 hi4!e -. With a )ague !en!e o- di!co4-ort he -ee ! ineG" icab e e4"tine!!N hi! body o!e! it! cor"orea ity* it e)a"orate!* it i! de"ri)ed o- rea ity* i-e* )oice* and the noi!e! cau!ed by hi! 4o)ing about* in order to be changed into a 4ute i4age* - ic3ering an in!tant on the !creen* then )ani!hing into !i ence. . . . The "roCector wi " ay with hi! !hadow be-ore the "ub ic* and he hi4!e - 4u!t be content to " ay be-ore the ca4era.E P Thi! !ituation 4ight a !o be characteriAed a! -o ow!P* -or the -ir!t ti4eFand thi! i! the e--ect o- the -i 4F 4an ha! to o"erate with hi! who e i)ing "er!on* yet -orgoing it! aura. 7or aura i! tied to hi! "re!enceN there can be no re" ica o- it. The aura which* on the !tage* e4anate! -ro4 8acbeth* cannot be !e"arated -or the !"ectator! -ro4 that o- the actor. Howe)er* the !ingu arity o- the !hot in the !tudio i! that the ca4era i! !ub!tituted -or the "ub ic. Con!e?uent y* the aura that en)e o"! the actor )ani!he!* and with it the aura o- the -igure he "ortray!. +t i! not !ur"ri!ing that it !hou d be a dra4ati!t !uch a! ,irande o who* in characteriAing the -i 4* inad)ertent y touche! on the )ery cri!i! in which we !ee the theater. Any thorough !tudy 1uigi ,irande o* Di 5ira* ?uoted by 1eon ,ierre=_uint* DSigni-ication du c-rYtna*E CArt "inDmato#ra:hi7!e, o:4 "it4t "". $<=$9. ..%

&ll!minations "ro)e! that there i! indeed no greater contra!t than that o- the !tage " ay to a wor3 o- art that i! co4" ete y !ubCect to or* i3e the -i 4* -ounded in* 4echanica re"roduction. EG"ert! ha)e ong recogniAed that in the -i 4 Dthe greate!t e--ect! are a 4o!t a way! obtained by RactingK a! itt e a! "o!!ib e. . . .Q +n $%B. Rudo Arnhei4 !aw Dthe ate!t trend ... in treating the actor a! a !tage "ro" cho!en -or it! characteri!tic! and . . . in!erted at the "ro"er " ace.E u With thi! idea !o4ething e !e i! c o!e y connected. The !tage actor identi-ie! hi4!e - with the character ohi! ro e. The -i 4 actor )ery o-ten i! denied thi! o""ortunity. Hi! creation i! by no 4ean! a o- a "ieceN it i! co4"o!ed o- 4any !e"arate "er-or4ance!. Be!ide! certain -ortuitou! con!ideration!* !uch a! co!t o- !tudio* a)ai abi ity o- -e ow " ayer!* d&eor* etc.* there are e e4entary nece!!itie! o- e?ui"4ent that !" it the actorK! wor3 into a !erie! o- 4ountab e e"i!ode!. +n "articu ar* ighting and it! in!ta ation re?uire the "re!entation o- an e)ent that* on the !creen* un-o d! a! a ra"id and uni-ied !cene* in a !e?uence o- !e"arate !hooting! which 4ay ta3e hour! at the !tudioN not to 4ention 4ore ob)iou! 4ontage. Thu! a Cu4" -ro4 the window can be !hot in the !tudio a! a Cu4" -ro4 a !ca--o d* and the en!uing - ight* i- need be* can be !hot wee3! ater when outdoor !cene! are ta3en. 7ar 4ore "aradoGica ca!e! can ea!i y be con!truedQ 1et u! a!!u4e that an actor i! !u""o!ed to be !tart ed by a 3noc3 at the door. +- hi! reaction i! not !ati!-actory* the director can re!ort to an eG"edient@ when the actor ha""en! to be at the !tudio again he ha! a !hot -ired behind hi4 without hi! being -orewarned o- it. The -rightened reaction can be !hot now and be cut into the !creen )er!ion. Nothing 4ore !tri3ing y !how! that art ha! e-t the rea 4 o- the Dbeauti-u !e4b anceE which* !o -ar* had been ta3en to be the on y !"here where art cou d thri)e. 2 The -ee ing o- !trangene!! that o)erco4e! the actor be-ore the ca4era* a! ,irande o de!cribe! it* i! ba!ica y o- the !a4e 3ind a! the e!trange4ent -e t be-ore oneK! own i4age in the 4irror.

The Work of +rt in the +ge of ,echanical Re-roduction But now the re- ected i4age ha! beco4e !e"arab e* tran!"ortab e. And where i! it tran!"ortedJ Be-ore the "ub ic.$. Ne)er -or a 4o4ent doe! the !creen actor cea!e to be con!ciou! o- thi! -act. Whi e -acing the ca4era he 3now! that u ti4ate y he wi -ace the "ub ic* the con!u4er! who con!titute the 4ar3et. Thi! 4ar3et* where he o--er! not on y hi! abor but a !o hi! who e !e -* hi! heart and !ou * i! beyond hi! reach. During the !hooting he ha! a! itt e contact with it a! any artic e 4ade in a -actory. Thi! 4ay contribute to that o""re!!ion* that new anGiety which* aeeordinC 6 to ,irande o* gri"! the actor be-ore the ca4era. The -i 4 re !"ond! to the !hri)e ing o- the aura with an arti-icia bui d=u" b the D"er!ona ityE out!ide the !tudio. The cu t o- the 4o)ie !tar* -o!tered by the 4oney o- the -i 4 indu!try* "re!er)e! not the uni?ue aura o- the "er!on but the D!"e o- the "er!ona ity*E the "hony !"e o- a co44odity. So ong a! the 4o)ie= 4a3er!K ca"ita !et! the -a!hion* a! a ru e no other re)o utionary 4erit can be accredited to todayK! -i 4 than the "ro4otion o- a re)o utionary critici!4 otraditiona conce"t! o- art. We do not deny that in !o4e ca!e! todayK! -i 4! can a !o "ro4ote re)o utionary critici!4 o- !ocia condition!* e)en o- the di!tribution o- "ro"erty. Howe)er* our "re!ent !tudy i! no 4ore !"eci-ica y concerned with thi! than i! the -i 4 "roduction o- We!tern Euro"e. +t i! inherent in the techni?ue o- the -i 4 a! we a! that o- !"ort! that e)erybody who witne!!e! it! acco4" i!h4ent! i! !o4ewhat o- an eG"ert. Thi! i! ob)iou! to anyone i!tening to a grou" o- new!"a"er boy! eaning on their bicyc e! and di!cu!!ing the outco4e o- a bicyc e race. +t i! not -or nothing that new!"a"er "ub i!her! arrange race! -or their de i)ery boy!. The!e arou!e great intere!t a4ong the "artici"ant!* -or the )ictor ha! an o""ortunity to ri!e -ro4 de i)ery boy to "ro-e!!iona racer. Si4i ar y* the new!ree o--er! e)eryone the o""ortunity to ri!e -ro4 "a!!er=by to 4o)ie eGtra. +n thi! way any 4an 4ight e)en -ind hi4!e - "art o- i wor3 o- art* a! witne!! 6erto--K! Three Don#s A o!t +enin or +)en!K Borina#e4 Any 4an today can ay c ai4 to being -i 4ed. Thi! c ai4 can be!t be e ucidated by a co4"arati)e oo3 at the hi!torica !ituation oconte4"orary iterature. 7or centurie! a !4a nu4ber o- writer! were con-ronted by .Z +

&ll!minations 4any thou!and! o- reader!. Thi! changed toward the end o- the a!t century. With the increa!ing eGten!ion o- the "re!!* which 3e"t " acing new "o itica * re igiou!* !cienti-ic* "ro-e!!iona * and oca organ! be-ore the reader!* an increa!ing nu4ber o- reader! beca4e writer!Fat -ir!t* occa!iona one!. +t began with the dai y "re!! o"ening to it! reader! !"ace -or D etter! to the editor.E And today there i! hard y a gain-u y e4" oyed Euro"ean who cou d not* in "rinci" e* -ind an o""ortunity to "ub i!h !o4ewhere or other co44ent! on hi! wor3* grie)ance!* docu4entary re"ort!* or that !ort o- thing. Thu!* the di!tinction between author and "ub ic i! about to o!e it! ba!ic character. The di--erence beco4e! 4ere y -unctiona N it 4ay )ary -ro4 ca!e to ca!e. At any 4o4ent the reader i! ready to turn into a writer. A! eG"ert* which he had to beco4e wi y= ni y in an eGtre4e y !"ecia iAed wor3 "roce!!* e)en i- on y in !o4e 4inor re!"ect* the reader gain! acce!! to author!hi". +n the So)iet 2nion wor3 it!e - i! gi)en a )oice. To "re!ent it )erba y i! "art o- a 4anK! abi ity to "er-or4 the wor3. 1iterary icen!e i! now -ounded on "o ytechnic rather than !"ecia iAed training and thu! beco4e! co44on "ro"erty.$' A thi! can ea!i y be a"" ied to the -i 4* where tran!ition! that in iterature too3 centurie! ha)e co4e about in a decade. +n cine4atic "ractice* "articu ar y in Ru!!ia* thi! change=o)er ha! "artia y beco4e e!tab i!hed rea ity. So4e o- the " ayer! who4 we 4eet in Ru!!ian -i 4! are not actor! in our !en!e but "eo" e who "ortray themselvesXma "ri4ari y in their own wor3 "roce!!. +n We!tern Euro"e the ca"ita i!tic eG" oitation o- the -i 4 denie! con!ideration to 4odern 4anK! egiti4ate c ai4 to being re"roduced. 2nder the!e circu4!tance! the -i 4 indu!try i! trying hard to !"ur the intere!t o- the 4a!!e! through i u!ion="ro4oting !"ectac e and dubiou! !"ecu ation!. XI The !hooting o- a -i 4* e!"ecia y o- a !ound -i 4* a--ord! a !"ectac e uni4aginab e anywhere at any ti4e be-ore thi!. +t "re!ent! a "roce!! in which it i! i4"o!!ib e to a!!ign to a !"ectator a )iew"oint which wou d eGc ude -ro4 the actua !cene !uch .Z.

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion eGtraneou! acce!!orie! a! ca4era e?ui"4ent* ight4g 4achinery* !ta-- a!!i!tant!* etcFun e!! hi! eye were on a ine "ara e with the en!. Thi! circu4!tance* 4ore than any other* render! !u"er-icia and in!igni-icant any "o!!ib e !i4i arity between a !cene in the !tudio and one on the !tage. +n the theater one i! we aware o- the " ace -ro4 which the " ay cannot i44ediate y be detected a! i u!ionary. There i! no !uch " ace -or the 4o)ie !cene that i! being !hot. +t! i u!ionary nature i! that o- the !econd degree* the re!u t o- cutting. That i! to !ay* in the !tudio the 4echanica e?ui"4ent ha! "enetrated !o dee" y into rea ity that it! "ure a!"ect -reed -ro4 the -oreign !ub!tance o- e?ui"4ent i! the re!u t oa !"ecia "rocedure* na4e y* the !hooting by the !"ecia y adCu!ted ca4era and the 4ounting o- the !hot together with other !i4i ar one!. The e?ui"4ent=-ree a!"ect o- rea ity here ha! beco4e the height o- arti-iceN the !ight o- i44ediate rea ity ha! beco4e an orchid in the and o- techno ogy. E)en 4ore re)ea ing i! the co4"ari!on o- the!e circu4!tance!* which di--er !o 4uch -ro4 tho!e o- the theater* with the !ituation in "ainting. Here the ?ue!tion i!@ How doe! the ca4era4an co4"are with the "ainterJ To an!wer thi! we ta3e recour!e to an ana ogy with a !urgica o"eration. The !urgeon re"re!ent! the "o ar o""o!ite o- the 4agician. The 4agician hea ! a !ic3 "er!on by the aying on o- hand!N the !urgeon cut! into the "atientK! body. The 4agician 4aintain! the natura di!tance between the "atient and hi4!e -N though he reduce! it )ery ! ight y by the aying on o- hand!* he great y increa!e! it by )irtue o- hi! au= thority. The !urgeon doe! eGact y the re)er!eN he great y di4ini!he! the di!tance between hi4!e - and the "atient by "enetrating into the "atientK! body* and increa!e! it but itt e by the caution with which hi! hand 4o)e! a4ong the organ!. +n !hort* in contra!t to the 4agicianFwho i! !ti hidden in the 4edica "ractitionerFthe !urgeon at the deci!i)e 4o4ent ab!tain! -ro4 -acing the "atient 4an to 4anN rather* it i! through the o"eration that he "enetrate! into hi4. 8agician and !urgeon co4"are to "ainter and ca4era4an. The "ainter 4aintain! in hi! wor3 a natura di!tance -ro4 rea ity* the ca4era4an "enetrate! dee" y into it! web.$< There i! a tre= 4

&ll!minations 4endou! di--erence between the "icture! they obtain. That o- the "ainter i! a tota one* that o- the ca4era4an con!i!t! o- 4u ti" e -rag4ent! which are a!!e4b ed under a new aw. Thu!* -or conte4"orary 4an the re"re!entation orea ity by the -i 4 i! inco4"arab y 4ore !igni-icant than that o- the "ainter* !ince it o--er!* "reci!e y becau!e o- the thoroughgoing "er4eation o- rea ity with 4echanica e?ui"4ent* an a!"ect o- rea ity which i! -ree o- a e?ui"4ent. And that i! what one i! entit ed to a!3 -ro4 a wor3 o- art. L++ 8echanica re"roduction o- art change! the reaction o- the 4a!!e! toward art. The reactionary attitude toward a ,ica!!o "ainting change! into the "rogre!!i)e reaction toward a Cha" in 4o)ie. The "rogre!!i)e reaction i! characteriAed by the direct* inti4ate -u!ion o- )i!ua and e4otiona enCoy4ent with the orientation othe eG"ert. Such -u!ion i! o- great !ocia !igni-icance. The greater the decrea!e in the !ocia !igni-icance o- an art -or4* the !har"er the di!tinction between critici!4 and enCoy4ent by the "ub ic. The con)entiona i! uncritica y enCoyed* and the tru y new i! criticiAed with a)er!ion. With regard to the !creen* the critica and the rece"ti)e attitude! o- the "ub ic coincide. The deci!i)e rea!on -or thi! i! that indi)idua reaction! are "redeter4ined by the 4a!! audience re!"on!e they are about to "roduce* and thi! i! nowhere 4ore "ronounced than in the -i 4. The 4o4ent the!e re!"on!e! beco4e 4ani-e!t they contro each other. Again* the co4"ari!on with "ainting i! -ruit-u . A "ainting ha! a way! had an eGce ent chance to be )iewed by one "er!on or by a -ew. The !i4u taneou! conte4" ation o- "ainting! by a arge "ub ic* !uch a! de)e o"ed in the nineteenth century* i! an ear y !y4"to4 o- the cri!i! o- "ainting* a cri!i! which wa! by no 4ean! occa!ioned eGc u!i)e y by "hotogra"hy but rather in a re ati)e y inde"endent 4anner by the a""ea o- art wor3! to the 4a!!e!. ,ainting !i4" y i! in no "o!ition to "re!ent an obCect -or !i4u taneou! co ecti)e eG"erience* a! it wa! "o!!ib e -or architeC=

The Work of +rt in the +ge of ,echanical Re-roduction ture at a ti4e!* -or the e"ic "oe4 in the "a!t* and -or the 4o)ie today. A though thi! circu4!tance in it!e - !hou d not ead one to conc u!ion! about the !ocia ro e o- "ainting* it doe! con!titute a !eriou! threat a! !oon a! "ainting* under !"ecia condition! and* a! it were* again!t it! nature* i! con-ronted direct y by the 4a!!e!. +n the churche! and 4ona!terie! o- the 8idd e Age! and at the "rince y court! u" to the end o- the eighteenth century* a co ecti)e rece"tion o"ainting! did not occur !i4u taneou! y* but by graduated and hierarchiAed 4ediation. The change that ha! co4e about i! an eG"re!!ion o- the "articu ar con- ict in which "ainting wa! i4" icated by the 4echanica re"roducibi ity o"ainting!. A though "ainting! began to be "ub ic y eGhibited in ga erie! and !a on!* there wa! no way -or the 4a!!e! to organiAe and contro the4!e )e! in their rece"tion.$' Thu! the !a4e "ub ic which re!"ond! in a "rogre!!i)e 4anner toward a grote!?ue -i 4 i! bound to re!"ond in a reactionary 4anner to !urrea i!4. L+++ The characteri!tic! o- the -i 4 ie not on y in thr

$..

which 4an "re!ent! hi4!e - to 4echanica e?ui"4ent but a !o in the 4anner in which* by 4ean! o- thi! a""aratu!* 4an can re"=re!ent hi! en)iron4ent. A g ance at occu"ationa "!ycho ogy i u!trate! the te!ting ca"acity o- the e?ui"4ent. ,!ychoana y!i! i u!trate! it in a di--erent "er!"ecti)e. The -i 4 ha! enriched our -ie d o- "erce"tion with 4ethod! which can be i u!trated by tho!e o- 7reudian theory. 7i-ty year! ago* a ! i" o- the tongue "a!!ed 4ore or e!! unnoticed. On y eGce"tiona y 4ay !uch a ! i" ha)e re)ea ed di4en!ion! o- de"th in a con)er!ation which had !ee4ed to be ta3ing it! cour!e on the !ur-ace. Since the 5s.-"ho:atholo#. o( 9ver.'a. +i(e thing! ha)e changed. Thi! boo3 i!o ated and 4ade ana yAab e thing! which had hereto-ore - oated a ong unnoticed in the broad !trea4 o- "erce"tion. 7or the entire !"ectru4 o- o"ticaI* and now a !o acou!tica * "erce"tion the -i 4 ha! brought about a !i4i ar dee"ening o- a""erce"tion. +t i! on y an ob)er!e o- thi! -act that beha)ior ite4! !hown in a 4o)ie can be ana yAed 4uch 4ore "reci!e y and -ro4 4ore .B9

+ u4ination! "oint! o- )iew than tho!e "re!ented on "ainting! or on the !tage. A! co4"ared with "ainting* -i 4ed beha)ior end! it!e - 4ore readi y to ana y!i! becau!e o- it! inco4"arab y 4ore "reci!e !tate4ent! o- the !ituation. +n co4"ari!on with the !tage !cene* the -i 4ed beha)ior ite4 end! it!e - 4ore readi y to ana y!i! becau!e it can be i!o ated 4ore ea!i y. Thi! circu4!tance deri)e! it! chie- i4"ortance -ro4 it! tendency to "ro4ote the 4utua "enetration o- art and !cience. Actua y* o- a !creened beha)ior ite4 which i! neat y brought out in a certain !ituation* i3e a 4u!c e o- a body* it i! di--icu t to !ay which i! 4ore -a!cinating* it! arti!tic )a ue or it! )a ue -or !cience. To de4on!trate the identity o- the arti!tic and !cienti-ic u!e! o- "hotogra"hy which hereto-ore u!ua y were !e"arated wi be one o- the re)o utionary -unction! o- the -i 4.E By c o!e=u"! o- the thing! around u!* by -ocu!ing on hidden detai ! o- -a4i iar obCect!* by eG" oring co44on" ace 4i ieu! under the ingeniou! guidance o- the ca4era* the -i 4* on the one hand* eGtend! our co4"rehen!ion o- the nece!!itie! which ru e our i)e!N on the other hand* it 4anage! to a!!ure u! o- an i44en!e and uneG"ected -ie d o- action. Our ta)ern! and our 4etro"o itan !treet!* our o--ice! and -urni!hed roo4!* our rai road !tation! and our -actorie! a""eared to ha)e u! oc3ed u" ho"e e!! y. Then ca4e the -i 4 and bur!t thi! "ri!on=wor d a!under by the dyna4ite o- the tenth o- a !econd* !o that now* in the 4id!t o- it! -ar=- ung ruin! and debri!* we ca 4 y and ad)enturou! y go tra)e ing. With the c o!e=u"* !"ace eG"and!N with ! ow 4otion* 4o)e4ent i! eGtended. The en arge4ent o- a !na"!hot doe! not !i4" y render 4ore "reci!e what in any ca!e wa! )i!ib e* though unc ear@ it re)ea ! entire y new !tructura -or4ation! o- the !ubCect. So* too* ! ow 4otion not on y "re!ent! -a4i iar ?ua itie! o- 4o)e4ent but re)ea ! in the4 entire y un3nown one! Dwhich* -ar -ro4 oo3ing i3e retarded ra"id 4o)e4ent!* gi)e the e--ect o- !ingu ar y g iding* - oating* !u"ernatura 4o= tion!.E P E)ident y a di--erent nature o"en! it!e - to the ca4era than o"en! to the na3ed eyeFi- on y becau!e an uncon!ciou! y "enetrated !"ace i! !ub!tituted -or a !"ace con!ciou! y eG" ored .B& Rudo - A4hei4Q lo"4 "it4, ". $B'.

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion by 4an. E)en i- one ha! a genera 3now edge o- the way "eo" e wa 3* one 3now! nothing o- a "er!onK! "o!ture during the -ractiona !econd o- a !tride. The act o- reaching -or a ighter or a !"oon i! -a4i iar routine* yet we hard y 3now what rea y goe! on between hand and 4eta * not to 4ention how thi! - uctuate! with our 4ood!. Here the ca4era inter)ene! with the re!ource! o- it! owering! and i-ting!* it! interru"tion! and i!o ation!* it! eGten!ion! and acce eration!* it! en arge4ent! and reduction!. The ca4era introduce! u! to uncon!ciou! o"tic! a! doe! "!ychoana y!i! to uncon!ciou! i4"u !e!. L+6 One o- the -ore4o!t ta!3! o- art ha! a way! been the creation o- a de4and which cou d be -u y !ati!-ied on y ater.$0 The hi! tory o- e)ery art -or4 !how! critica e"och! in which a certain art -or4 a!"ire! to e--ect! which cou d be -u y obtained on y with a changed technica !tandard* that i! to !ay* in a new art -or4. The eGtra)agance! anE cruditie! o- art wbP ` thu! a""ear* "articu ar y in the !o=ca ed d3 idAVP V=^ R ari!e -ro4 the nuc eu! o- it! riche!t hi!toric *erYc!. +n recent year!* !uch barbari!4! were abundant in r Yi!4. +t i! on y now that it! i4"u !e beco4e! di!cernib e i(adai!4 atte4"ted to create by "ictoria Fand iteraryFrYean! the e--ect! which the "ub ic today !ee3! in the -i 4* E)ery -unda4enta y new* "ioneering creation o- de4and! wi carry beyond it! goa . Dadai!4 did !o to the eGtent that it !acri-iced the 4ar3et )a ue! which are !o characteri!tic o- the -i 4 in -a)or o- higher a4bition!=though o- cour!e it wa! not con!ciou! o- !uch intention! a! here de!cribed. The Dadai!t! attached 4uch e!! i4"ortance to the !a e! )a ue o- their wor3 than to it! u!e e!!ne!! -or conte4" ati)e i44er!ion. The !tudied degradation o- their 4ateria wa! not the ea!t o- their 4ean! to achie)e thi! u!e e!!ne!!. Their "oe4! are Dword !a adE containing ob!cenitie! and e)ery i4aginab e wa!te "roduct o- anguage. The !a4e i! true o- their "ainting!* on which they 4ounted button! and tic3et!. What they intended and achie)ed wa! a re ent e!! .B0

Illuminations de!truction o- the aura o- their creation!* which they branded a! re"roduction! with the )ery 4ean! o- "roduction. Be-ore a "ainting o- Ar"K! or a "oe4 by Augu!t Stra44 it i! i4"o!!ib e to ta3e ti4e -or conte4" ation and e)a uation a! one wou d be-ore a can)a! o- DerainK! or a "oe4 by Ri 3e. +n the dec ine o4idd e=c a!! !ociety* conte4" ation beca4e a !choo -or a!ocia beha)iorN it wa! countered by di!traction a! a )ariant o- !ocia conduct.$' Dadai!tic acti)itie! actua y a!!ured a rather )ehe4ent di!traction by 4a3ing wor3! o- art the center o- !canda . One re?uire4ent wa! -ore4o!t@ to outrage the "ub ic. 7ro4 an a uring a""earance or "er!ua!i)e !tructure o- !ound the wor3 o- art othe Dadai!t! beca4e an in!tru4ent o- ba i!tic!. +t hit the !"ectator i3e a bu etQ it ha""ened to hi4* thu! ac?uiring a tacti e ?ua ity. +t "ro4oted a de4and -or the -i 4* the di!tracting e e4ent o- which i! a !o "ri4ari y tacti e* being ba!ed on change! o- " ace and -ocu! which "eriodica y a!!ai the !"ectator. 1et u! co4"are the !creen on which a -i 4 un-o d! with the can)a! o- a "ainting. The "ainting in)ite! the !"ectator to conte4" ationN be-ore it the !"ectator can abandon hi4!e - to hi! a!!ociation!. Be-ore the 4o)ie -ra4e he cannot do !o. No !ooner ha! hi! eye gra!"ed a !cene than it i! a ready changed. +t cannot be arre!ted. Duha4e * who dete!t! the -i 4 and 3now! nothing o- it! !igni-icance* though !o4ething o- it! !tructure* note! thi! circu4!tance a! -o ow!@ D+ can no onger thin3 what + want to thin3. 8y thought! ha)e been re" aced by 4o)ing i4age!.E P The !"ectatorK! "roce!! o- a!!ociation in )iew o- the!e i4age! i! indeed interru"ted by their con!tant* !udden change. Thi! con!titute! the !hoc3 e--ect othe -i 4* which* i3e a !hoc3!* !hou d be cu!hioned by heightened "re!ence o4ind.$% By 4ean! o- it! technica !tructure* the -i 4 ha! ta3en the "hy!ica !hoc3 e--ect out o- the wra""er! in which Dadai!4 had* a! it were* 3e"t it in!ide the 4ora * !hoc3 e--ect../ $%! 5eorge! Duha4e * D"enes 'e la vie (!t!re, ,ari!* $%B/* ". 9..

The Work of +rt in the +ge of ,echanical Re-roduction L6 The 4a!! i! a 4atriG -ro4 which a traditiona beha)ior toward wor3! o- art i!!ue! today in a new -or4. _uantity ha! been tran!4uted into ?ua ity. The great y increa!ed 4a!! o- "artici"ant! ha! "roduced a change in the 4ode o"artici"ation. The -act that the new 4ode o- "artici"ation -ir!t a""eared in a di!= re"utab e -or4 4u!t not con-u!e the !"ectator. Yet !o4e "eo" e ha)e aunched !"irited attac3! again!t "reci!e y thi! !u"er-icia a!"ect. A4ong the!e* Duha4e ha! eG"re!!ed hi4!e - in the 4o!t radica 4anner. What he obCect! to 4o!t i! the 3ind o- "artici"ation which the 4o)ie e icit! -ro4 the 4a!!e!. Duha4e ca ! the 4o)ie Da "a!ti4e -or he ot!* a di)er!ion -or uneducated* wretched* worn=out creature! who are con!u4ed by their worrie! . . . * a !"ectac e which re?uire! no concentration and "re!u""o!e! no inte igence . . .* which 3ind e! no ight in the heart and awa3en! no ho"e other than the ridicu ou! one o- !o4eday beco4ing a R!tarP in 1o! Ange e!.E P C ear y* thi! i! at botto4 the !a4e ancient a4ent that the 4a!!e! !ee3 di!traction wherea! art de4and! concentration -ro4 the !"ectator. That i! a co44on" ace. The ?ue!tion re4ain! whether it "ro)ide! a " at-or4 -or the ana y!i! o- the -i 4. A c o!er oo3 i! needed here. Di!traction and concentration -or4 "o ar o""o!ite! which 4ay be !tated a! -o ow!@ A 4an who concentrate! be-ore a wor3 o- art i! ab!orbed by it. He enter! into thi! wor3 o- art the way egend te ! o- the Chine!e "ainter when he )iewed hi! -ini!hed "ainting. +n contra!t* the di!tracted 4a!! ab!orb! the wor3 o- art. Thi! i! 4o!t ob)iou! with regard to bui ding!. Architecture ha! a way! re"re!ented the "rototy"e o- a wor3 o- art the rece"tion o- which i! con!u44ated by a co ecti)ity in a !tate odi!traction. The aw! o- it! rece"tion are 4o!t in!tructi)e. Bui ding! ha)e been 4anK! co4"anion! !ince "ri4e)a ti4e!. 8any art -or4! ha)e de)e o"ed and "eri!hed. Tragedy begin! with the 5ree3!* i! eGtingui!hed with the4* and a-ter centurie! it! Dru e!E on y are re)i)ed. The e"ic "oe4* which had it! origin Duha4e * o:4 "it4, ". 9'. 2,%

Ill*minati+n) in the youth o- nation!* eG"ire! in Euro"e at the end o- the Renai!!ance. ,ane "ainting i! a creation o- the 8idd e Age!* and nothing guarantee! it! uninterru"ted eGi!tence. But the hu4an need -or !he ter i! a!ting. Architecture ha! ne)er been id e. +t! hi!tory i! 4ore ancient than that o- any other art* and it! c ai4 to being a i)ing -orce ha! !igni-icance in e)ery atte4"t to co4"rehend the re ation!hi" o- the 4a!!e! to art. Bui ding! are a""ro"riated in a two-o d 4anner@ by u!e and by "erce"tionFor rather* by touch and !ight. Such a""ro"riation cannot be under!tood in ter4! o- the attenti)e concentration o- a touri!t be-ore a -a4ou! bui ding. On the tacti e !ide there i! no counter"art to conte4" ation on the o"tica !ide. Tacti e a""ro"riation i! acco4" i!hed not !o 4uch by attention a! by habit. A! regard! architecture* habit deter4ine! to a arge eGtent e)en o"tica rece"tion. The atter* too* occur! 4uch e!! through ra"t attention than by noticing the obCect in incidenta -a!hion. Thi! 4ode o- a""ro"riation* de)e o"ed with re-erence to architecture* in certain circu4!tance! ac?uire! canonica )a ue. 7or the ta!3! which -ace the hu4an a""aratu! o- "erce"tion at the turning "oint! o- hi!tory cannot be !o )ed by o"tica 4ean!* that i!* by conte4" ation* a one. They are 4a!tered gradua y by habit* under the guidance o- tacti e a""ro"riation. The di!tracted "er!on* too* can -or4 habit!. 8ore* the abi ity to 4a!ter certain ta!3! in a !tate o- di!traction "ro)e! that their !o ution ha! beco4e a 4atter ohabit. Di!traction a! "ro)ided by art "re!ent! a co)ert contro o- the eGtent to which new ta!3! ha)e beco4e !o ub e by a""erce"tion. Since* 4oreo)er* indi)id= ua ! are te4"ted to a)oid !uch ta!3!* art wi tac3 e the 4o!t di--icu t and 4o!t i4"ortant one! where it i! ab e to 4obi iAe the 4a!!e!. Today it doe! !o in the -i 4. Rece"tion in a !tate o- di!traction* which i! increa!ing noticeab y in a -ie d! o- art and i! !y4"to4atic o- "ro-ound change! in a""erce"tion* -ind! in the -i 4 it! true 4ean! o- eGerci!e. The -i 4 with it! !hoc3 e--ect 4eet! thi! 4ode orece"tion ha -way. The -i 4 4a3e! the cu t )a ue recede into the bac3ground not on y by "utting the "ub ic in the "o!ition o- the critic* but a !o by the -act that at the 4o)ie! .</

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion thi! "o!ition re?uire! no attention. The "ub ic i! an eGa4iner* but an ab!ent= 4inded one. E,+1O52E The growing "ro etarianiAation o- 4odern 4an and the increa!ing -or4ation o4a!!e! are two a!"ect! o- the !a4e "roce!!. 7a!ci!4 atte4"t! to organiAe the new y created "ro etarian 4a!!e! without a--ecting the "ro"erty !tructure which the 4a!!e! !tri)e to e i4inate. 7a!ci!4 !ee! it! !a )ation in gi)ing the!e 4a!!e! not their right* but in!tead a chance to eG"re!! the4!e )e!..$ The 4a!!e! ha)e a right to change "ro"erty re ation!N 7a!ci!4 !ee3! to gi)e the4 an eG"re!!ion whi e "re!er)ing "ro"erty. The ogica re!u t o- 7a!ci!4 i! the introduction oae!thetic! into "o itica i-e. The )io ation o- the 4a!!e!* who4 7a!ci!4* with it! R!hrer cu t* -orce! to their 3nee!* ha! it! counter"art in the )io ation o- an a""aratu! which i! "re!!ed into the "roduction o- ritua )a ue!. A e--ort! to render "o itic! ae!thetic cu 4inate in one thing@ war. War and war on y can !et a goa -or 4a!! 4o)e4ent! on the arge!t !ca e whi e re!"ecting the traditiona "ro"erty !y!te4. Thi! i! the "o itica -or4u a -or the !ituation. The techno ogica -or4u a 4ay be !tated a! -o ow!@ On y war 4a3e! it "o!!ib e to 4obi iAe a o- todayK! technica re!ource! whi e 4aintaining the "ro"erty !y!te4. +t goe! without !aying that the 7a!ci!t a"othe o!i! o- war doe! not e4" oy !uch argu4ent!. Sti * 8arinetti !ay! in hi! 4ani-e!to on the Ethio"ian co onia war@ D7or twenty= !e)en year! we 7uturi!t! ha)e rebe ed again!t the branding owar a! antiae!thetic. . . . According y we !tate@ . . . War i! beau ti-u becau!e it e!tab i!he! 4anK! do4inion o)er the !ubCugated 4achinery by 4ean! o- ga! 4a!3!* terri-ying 4ega"hone!* - a4e thrower!* and !4a tan3!. War i! beauti-u becau!e it initiate! the drea4t=o- 4eta iAation o- the hu4an body. War i! beauti-u be cau!e it enriche! a - owering 4eadow with the -iery orchid! o4achine gun!. War i! beauti-u becau!e it co4bine! the gun-ire* the cannonade!* the -ire* the !cent!* and the !tench o"utre-action into a !y4"hony. War i! beauti-u becau!e it create! .<$

&ll!minations new architecture* i3e that o- the big tan3!* the geo4etrica -or4ation - ight!* the !4o3e !"ira ! -ro4 burning )i age!* and 4any other!. . . . ,oet! and arti!t! o7uturi!4M . . . re4e4ber the!e "rinci" e! o- an ae!thetic! o- war !o that your !trugg e -or a new iterature and a new gra"hic art . . . 4ay be i u4ined by the4ME Thi! 4ani-e!to ha! the )irtue o- c arity. +t! -or4u ation! de!er)e to be acce"ted by dia ectician!. To the atter* the ae!thetic! o- todayK! war a""ear! a! -o ow!N +the natura uti iAation o- "roducti)e -orce! i! i4"eded by the "ro"erty !y!te4* the increa!e in technica de)ice!* in !"eed* and in the !ource! o- energy wi "re!! -or an unnatura uti iAation* and thi! i! -ound in war. The de!tructi)ene!! o- war -urni!he! "roo- that !ociety ha! not been 4ature enough to incor"orate techno ogy a! it! organ* that techno ogy ha! not been !u--icient y de)e o"ed to co"e with the e e4enta -orce! o- !ociety. The horrib e -eature! o- i4"eria i!tic war-are are attributab e to the di!cre"ancy between the tre4endou! 4ean! o"roduction and their inade?uate uti iAation in the "roce!! o- "roductionFin other word!* to une4" oy4ent and the ac3 o- 4ar3et!. +4"eria i!tic war i! a rebe ion o- techno ogy which co ect!* in the -or4 o- Dhu4an 4ateria *E the c ai4! to which !ociety ha! denied it! natura 4ateria . +n!tead o- draining ri)er!* !ociety direct! a hu4an !trea4 into a bed o- trenche!N in!tead o- dro""ing !eed! -ro4 air" ane!* it dro"! incendiary bo4b! o)er citie!N and through ga! war-are the aura i! abo i!hed in a new way. ;Riat ars8:ereat m!n'!s< !ay! 7a!ci!4* and* a! 8arinetti ad4it!* eG"ect! war to !u"" y the arti!tic grati-ication o- a !en!e "erce"tion that ha! been changed by techno ogy. Thi! i! e)ident y the con!u44ation o- ;Rart :o!r 5art,)< 8an3ind* which in Ho4erK! ti4e wa! an obCect o- conte4" ation -or the O y4"ian god!* now i! one -or it!e -. +t! !e -=a ienation ha! reached !uch a degree that it can eG"erience it! own de!truction a! an ae!thetic " ea!ure o- the -ir!t order. Thi! i! the !ituation o- "o itic! which 7a!ci!4 i! rendering ae!thetic. Co44uni!4 re!"ond! by "o iticiAing art. .<.

Tioles `. O- cour!e* the hi!tory o- a wor3 o- art enco4"a!!e! 4ore than thi!. The hi!tory o- the D8ona 1i!a*E -or in!tance* enco4"a!!e! the 3ind and nu4ber o- it! co"ie! 4ade in the $0th* $'th* and $%th centurie!. .. ,reci!e y becau!e authenticity i! not re"roducib e* the inten!i)e "enetration o- certain :4echanica ; "roce!!e! o- re"roduction wa! in!tru4enta in di--erentiating and grading authenticity. To de)e o" !uch di--erentiation! wa! an i4"ortant -unction o- the trade in wor3! o- art. The in)ention o- the woodcut 4ay be !aid to ha)e !truc3 at the root o- the ?ua ity o- authenticity e)en be-ore it! ate - owering. To be !ure* at the ti4e o- it! origin a 4edie)a "icture o- the 8adonna cou d not yet be !aid to be Dauthentic.E +t beca4e DauthenticE on y during the !ucceeding centurie! and "erha"! 4o!t !tri3ing y !o during the a!t one. B. The "oore!t "ro)incia !taging o- Ra!st i! !u"erior to a 7au!t -i 4 in that* idea y* it co4"ete! with the -ir!t "er-or4ance at Wei4ar. Be-ore the !creen it i! un"ro-itab e to re4e4ber traditiona content! which 4ight co4e to 4ind be-ore the !tageF-or in!tance* that 5oetheK! -riend (ohann Heinrich 8erc3 i! hidden in 8e"hi!to* and the i3e. <. To !ati!-y the hu4an intere!t o- the 4a!!e! 4ay 4ean to ha)e oneK! !ocia -unction re4o)ed -ro4 the -ie d o- )i!ion. Nothing guarantee! that a "ortraiti!t o- today* when "ainting a -a4ou! !urgeon at the brea3-a!t tab e in the 4id!t o- hi! -a4i y* de"ict! hi! !ocia -unction 4ore "reci!e y than a "ainter othe $0th century who "ortrayed hi! 4edica doctor! a! re"re!enting thi! "ro-e!!ion* i3e Re4brandt in hi! DAnato4y 1e!!on.E 9. The de-inition o- the aura a! a Duni?ue "heno4enon o- a di!tance howe)er c o!e it 4ay beE re"re!ent! nothing but the -or4u ation o- the cu t )a ue o- the wor3 o- art in categorie! o- !"ace and ti4e "erce"tion. Di!tance i! the o""o!ite o- c o!ene!!. The e!!entia y di!tant obCect i! the una""roachab e one. 2na""roachabi ity i! indeed a 4aCor ?ua ity o- the cu t i4age. True to it! nature* it re4ain! Ddi!tant* howe)er c o!e it 4ay be.E The c o!ene!! which one 4ay gain -ro4 it! !ubCect 4atter doe! not i4"air the di!tance which it retain! in it! a""earance. /,

&ll!minations &. To the eGtent to which the cu t )a ue o- the "ainting i! !ecu ariAed the idea! o- it! -unda4enta uni?uene!! o!e di!tinctne!!. +n the i4agination o- the beho der the uni?uene!! o- the "heno4ena which ho d !way in the cu t i4age i! 4ore and 4ore di!" aced by the e4"irica uni?uene!! o- the creator or o- hi! creati)e achie)e4ent. To be !ure* ne)er co4" ete y !oN the conce"t oauthenticity a way! tran!cend! 4ere genuinene!!. :Thi! i! "articu ar y a""arent in the co ector who a way! retain! !o4e trace! o- the -eti!hi!t and who* by owning the wor3 o- art* !hare! in it! ritoa "ower.; Ne)erthe e!!* the -unction othe conce"t o- authenticity re4ain! deter4inate in the e)a uation o- artN with the !ecu ariAation o- art* authenticity di!" ace! the cu t )a ue o- the wor3. 0. +n the ca!e o- -i 4!* 4echanica re"roduction i! not* a! with iterature and "ainting* an eGterna condition -or 4a!! di!tribution. 8echanica re"roduction i! inherent in the )ery techni?ue o- -i 4 "roduction. Thi! techni?ue not on y "er4it! in the 4o!t direct way but )irtua y cau!e! 4a!! di!tribution. +t en-orce! di!tribution becau!e the "roduction o- a -i 4 i! !o eG"en!i)e that an indi)idua who* -or in!tance* 4ight a--ord to bay a "ainting no onger can a--ord to buy a -i 4. +n $%.0 it wa! ca cu ated that a 4aCor -i 4* in order to "ay it! way* had to reach an audience o- nine 4i ion. With the !ound -i 4* to be !ure* a !etbac3 in it! internationa di!tribution occurred at -ir!t@ audience! beca4e i4ited by anguage barrier!. Thi! coincided with the 7a!ci!t e4"ha!i! on nationa intere!t!. +t i! 4ore i4"ortant to -ocu! on thi! connection with 7a!ci!4 than on thi! !etbac3* which wa! !oon 4ini4iAed by !ynchroniAation. The !i4u taneity o- both "heno4ena i! attributab e to the de"re!!ion. The !a4e di!turbance! which* on a arger !ca e* ed to an atte4"t to 4aintain the eGi!ting "ro"erty !tructure by !heer -orce ed the endangered -i 4 ca"ita to !"eed u" the de)e o"4ent o- the !ound -i 4. The introduction o- the !ound -i 4 brought about a te4"orary re ie-* not on y becau!e it again brought the 4a!!e! into the theater! but a !o becau!e it 4erged new ca"ita -ro4 the e ectrica indu!try with that o- the -i 4 indu!try. Thu!* )iewed -ro4 the out!ide* the !ound -i 4 "ro4oted nationa intere!t!* but !een -ro4 the in!ide it he "ed to internationa iAe -i 4 "roduction e)en 4ore than "re)iou! y. '. Thi! "o arity cannot co4e into it! own in the ae!thetic! o- +dea i!4. +t! idea o- beauty co4"ri!e! the!e "o ar o""o!ite! without di--erentiating between the4 and con!e?uent y eGc ude! their "o arity. Yet in Hege thi! "o arity announce! it!e - a! c ear y a! "o!!ib e .<<

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion within the i4it! o- +dea i!4. We ?uote -ro4 hi! 5hiloso:h. o( /istor.: D+4age! were 3nown o- o d. ,iety at an ear y ti4e re?uired the4 -or wor!hi"* but it cou d do without ea!ti(!l i4age!. The!e 4ight e)en be di!turbing. +n e)ery beauti-u "ainting there i! a !o !o4ething non!"iritua * 4ere y eGterna Q but it! !"irit !"ea3! to 4an through it! beauty. Wor!hi""ing* con)er!e y* i! con= cerned with the wor3 a! an obCect* -or it i! but a !"irit e!! !tu"or o- the !ou . . . . 7ine art ha! ari!en ... in the church ...* a though it ha! a ready gone beyond it! "rinci" e a! art.E 1i3ewi!e* the -o owing "a!!age -ro4 The 5hiloso:h. o( Rine Art indicate! that Hege !en!ed a "rob e4 here. DWe are beyond the !tage o- re)erence -or wor3! o- art a! di)ine and obCect! de!er)ing our wor!hi". The i4"re!!ion they "roduce i! one o- a 4ore re- ecti)e 3ind* and the e4otion! they arou!e re?uire a higher te!t. . . .QF5. W. 7. Hege * The 5hiloso:h. o( Rine Art, tran!.* with note!* by 7. ,. B. O!4a!ton* 6o . i* ". $.* 1ondon* ro.o. The tran!ition -ro4 the -ir!t 3ind o- arti!tic rece"tion to the !econd characteriAe! the hi!tory o- arti!tic rece"tion in genera . A"art -ro4 that* a certain o!ci ation between the!e two "o ar 4ode! o- rece"tion can be de4on!trated -or each wor3 o- art. Ta3e the Si!tine 8adonna. Since Hubert 5ri44eK! re!earch it ha! been 3nown that the 8adonna origina y wa! "ainted -or the "ur"o!e o- eGhibition. 5ri44eK! re!earch wa! in!"ired by the ?ue!tionN What i! the "ur"o!e o- the 4o ding in the -oreground o- the "ainting which the two cu"id! ean u"onJ How* 5ri44e a!3ed -urther* did Ra"hae co4e to -urni!h the !3y with two dra"erie!J Re!earch "ro)ed that die 8adonna had been co44i!!ioned -or the "ub ic ying=in=!tate o- ,o"e SiGtu!. The ,o"e! ay in !tate in a certain !ide cha"e o- St. ,eterK!. On that occa!ion Ra"hae K! "icture had been -a!tened in a niche i3e bac3ground o- the cha"e * !u""orted by the co--in. +n thi! "icture Ra"hae "ortray! the 8adonna a""roaching the "a"a co--in in c oud! -ro4 the bac3ground o- the niche* which wa! de4arcated by green dra"e!. At the ob!e?uie! o- SiGtu! a "re=e4inent eGhibition )a ue o- Ra"hae K! "icture wa! ta3en ad)antage o-. So4e ti4e ater it wa! " aced on the high a tar in the church o- the B ac3 7riar! at ,iacenAa. The rea!on -or thi! eGi e i! to be -ound in the Ro4an rite! which -orbid the u!e o- "ainting! eGhibited at ob!e?uie! a! cu t obCect! on the high a tar. Thi! regu ation de)a ued Ra"hae K! "icture to .<!

&ll!minations !o4e degree. +n order to obtain an ade?uate "rice ne)erthe e!!* the ,a"a See re!o )ed to add to the bargain the tacit to eration o- the "icture abo)e the high a tar. To a)oid attention the "icture wa! gi)en to the 4on3! o- the -ar=o-"ro)incia town. %. Berto t Brecht* on a di--erent e)e * engaged in ana ogou! re - ection!N D+- the conce"t o- Rwor3 o- artK can no onger be a"" ied to the thing that e4erge! once the wor3 i! tran!-or4ed into a co4 4odity* we ha)e to e i4inate thi! conce"t with cautiou! care but without -ear* e!t we i?uidate the -unction o- the )ery thing a! we . 7or it ha! to go through thi! "ha!e without 4enta re!er)ation* and not a! nonco44itta de)iation -ro4 the !traight "athN rather* what ha""en! here with the wor3 o- art wi change it -unda4enta y and era!e it! "a!t to !uch an eGtent that !hou d the o d conce"t be ta3en u" again=and it wi * why notJFit wi no onger !tir any 4e4ory o- the thing it once de!ignated.E $/. DThe -i 4 . . . "ro)ide!For cou d "ro)ideFu!e-u in!ight into the detai ! o- hu4an action!. . . . Character i! ne)er u!ed a! a !ource o- 4oti)ationN the inner i-e o- the "er!on! ne)er !u"" ie! the "rinci"a cau!e o- the " ot and !e do4 i! it! 4ain re!u t.E :Berto t Brecht* Gers!"he, DDer Dreigro!chen"roAe!!*E ". .&'.; The eG"an!ion o- the -ie d o- the te!tab e which 4echanica e?ui"4ent bring! about -or the actor corre!"ond! to the eGtraordinary eG"an!ion o- the -ie d o- the te!tab e brought about -or the indi)idua through econo4ic condition!. Thu!* )ocationa a"titude te!t! beco4e con!tant y 4ore i4"ortant. What 4atter! in the!e te!t! are !eg4enta "er-or4ance! o- the indi)idua The -i 4 !hot and the )ocationa a"titude te!t are ta3en be-ore a co44ittee o- eG"ert!. The ca4era director in the !tudio occu"ie! a " ace identica with that o- the eGa4iner during a"titude te!t!. $$. Rudo - A4hei4* Rilm ah ?!nst, Ber in* $%B.* "". $0& -. +n thi! conteGt certain !ee4ing y uni4"ortant detai ! in which the -i 4 director de)iate! -ro4 !tage "ractice! gain in intere!t. Such i! the atte4"t to et the actor " ay without 4a3e=u"* a! 4ade a4ong other! by Dreyer in hi! 2eanne '6Ar"4 Dreyer !"ent 4onth! !ee3ing the -orty actor! who con!titute the +n?ui!itor!K tribuna . The !earch -or the!e actor! re!e4b ed that -or !tage "ro"ertie! that are hard to co4e by. Dreyer 4ade e)ery e--ort to a)oid re!e4b ance! o- age* bui d* and "hy!iogno4y. +- the actor thu! beco4e! a !tage "ro"erty* thi! atter* on the other hand* -re?uent y -unction! a! actor. At ea!t it i! not unu!ua -or the -i 4 to a!!ign a ro e to the !tage "ro"erty. .<&

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion +n!tead o- choo!ing at rando4 -ro4 a great wea th o- eGa4" e!* et u! concentrate on a "articu ar y con)incing one. A c oc3 that i! wor3ing wi a way! be a di!turbance on the !tage. There it cannot be "er4itted it! -unction o4ea!uring ti4e. E)en in a natura i!tic " ay* a!trono4ica ti4e wou d c a!h with theatrica ti4e. 2nder the!e circu4!tance! it i! high y re)ea ing that the -i 4 canQ whene)er a""ro"riate* u!e ti4e a! 4ea!ured by a c oc3. 7ro4 thi! 4ore than -ro4 4any other touche! it 4ay c ear y be recogniAed that under certain circu4!tance! each and e)ery "ro" in a -i 4 4ay a!!u4e i4"ortant -unction!. 7ro4 here it i! but one !te" to ,udo)3inK! !tate4ent that Dthe " aying o- an actor which i! connected with an obCect and i! bui t around it ... i! a way! one o- the !tronge!t 4ethod! o- cine4atic con!truction.E :W* ,udo)3in* Rilmre#ie !na Ritmman!skri:t, Ber in* $%.'* ". 12S4@ The -i 4 i! the -ir!t art -or4 ca"ab e ode4on!trating how 4atter " ay! tric3! on 4an. Hence* -i 4! can be an eGce ent 4ean! o- 4ateria i!tic re"re!entation. $.. The change noted here in the 4ethod o- eGhibition cau!ed by 4echanica re"roduction a"" ie! to "o itic! a! we . The "re!ent cri!i! o- the bourgeoi! de4ocracie! co4"ri!e! a cri!i! o- the condition! which deter4ine the "ub ic "re!entation o- the ru er!. De4ocracie! eGhibit a 4e4ber o- go)ern4ent direct y and "er!ona y be-ore the nationK! re"re!entati)e!. ,ar ia4ent i! hi! "ub ic. Since the inno)ation! o- ca4era anaP recording e?ui"4ent 4a3e it "o!!ib e -or the orator to beco4e audib e and )i!ib e to an un i4ited nu4ber o"er!on!* the "re!entation o- the 4an o- "o itic! be-ore ca4era and recording e?ui"4ent beco4e! "ara4ount. ,ar ia4ent!* a! 4uch a! theater!* are de!erted. Radio and -i 4 not on y a--ect the -unction o- the "ro-e!!iona actor but i3ewi!e the -unction o- tho!e who a !o eGhibit the4!e )e! be-ore thi! 4echanica e?ui"4ent* tho!e who go)ern. Though their ta!3! 4ay be di--erent* the change a--ect! e?ua y the actor and the ru er. The trend i! toward e!tab i!hing contro ab e and tran!-erab e !3i ! under certain !ocia condition!. Thi! re!u t! in a new !e ection* a !e ection be-ore the e?ui"4ent -ro4 which the !tar and the dictator e4erge )ictoriou!. $B. The "ri)i eged character o- the re!"ecti)e techni?ue! i! o!t. A dou! HuG ey write!@ DAd)ance! in techno ogy ha)e ed . . . to )u garity. . . . ,roce!! re"roduction and the rotary "re!! ha)e 4ade "o!!ib e the inde-inite 4u ti" ication o- writing and "icture!. 2ni)er!a education and re ati)e y high wage! ha)e created an enor4ou! "ub ic who 4

+ u4ination! 3now how to read and can a--ord to buy reading and "ictoria 4atter. A great indu!try ha! been ca ed into eGi!tence in order to !u"" y the!e co44oditie!. NowQ arti!tic ta ent i! a )ery rare "heno4enonN whence it -o ow! . . . that* at e)ery e"och and in a countrie!* 4o!t art ha! been bad. But the "ro"ortion otra!h in the tota arti!tic out"ut i! greater now than at any other "eriod. That it 4u!t be !o i! a 4atter o- !i4" e arith4etic. The "o"u ation o- We!tern Euro"e ha! a itt e 4ore than doub ed during the a!t century. But the a4ount oreading=and !eeingF4atter ha! increa!ed* + !hou d i4agine* at ea!t twenty and "o!!ib y -i-ty or e)en a hundred ti4e!. +- there were a 4en o- ta ent in a "o"u a= tion o- O 4i ion!* there wi "re!u4ab y be in 4en o- ta ent a4ong .L 4i ion!. The !ituation 4ay be !u44ed u" thu!Q 7or e)ery "age o- "rint and "icture! "ub i!hed a century ago* twenty or "erha"! e)en a hundred "age! are "ub i!hed today. But -or e)ery 4an o- ta ent then i)ing* there are now on y two 4en ota ent. +t 4ay be o- cour!e that* than3! to uni)er!a education* 4any "otentia ta ent! which in the "a!t wou d ha)e been !ti born are now enab ed to rea iAe the4!e )e!. 1et u! a!!u4e* then* that there are now three or e)en -our 4en ota ent to e)ery one o- ear ier ti4e!. +t !ti re4ain! true to !ay that the con!u4"tion o- readingFand !eeingF4atter ha! -ar out!tri""ed the natura "roduction o- gi-ted writer! and draught!4en. +t i! the !a4e with hearing=4atter. ,ro!"erity* the gra4o"hone and the radio ha)e created an audience o- hearer! who con!u4e an a4ount o- hearing=4atter that ha! increa!ed out o- a "ro"ortion to the increa!e o- "o"u ation and the con!e?uent natura increa!e ota ented 4u!ician!. +t -o ow! -ro4 a thi! that in a the art! the out"ut o- tra!h i! both ab!o ute y and re ati)e y greater than it wa! in the "a!tN and that it 4u!t re4ain greater -or Cu!t !o ong a! the wor d continue! to con!u4e the "re!ent inordinate ?uantitie! o- reading=4atter* !eeing=4atter* and hearing=4atter.EF A dou! HuG ey* Be.on' the 1e=i7!e Ba., A Traveller)s 2o!rnal, 1ondon* $%<%* "". .0< --. 7ir!t "ub i!hed in $%B<. Thi! 4ode o- ob!er)ation i! ob)iou! y not "rogre!!i)e. $<. The bo dne!! o- the ca4era4an i! indeed co4"arab e to that othe !urgeon. 1uc Durtain i!t! a4ong !"eci-ic technica ! eight! o- hand tho!e Dwhich are re?uired in !urgery in the ca!e o- certain di--icu t o"eration!. + choo!e a! an eGa4" e a ca!ei -ro4 oto=rhino= aryngo ogyN ... the !o=ca ed endona!a "er!"ecti)e "rocedureN or .<'

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion + re-er to the acrobatic tric3! o- arynG !urgery which ha)e to be "er-or4ed -o owing the re)er!ed "icture in the aryngo!co"e. + 4ight a !o !"ea3 o- ear !urgery which !ugge!t! the "reci!ion wor3 o- watch4a3er!. What range o- the 4o!t !ubt e 4u!cu ar acrobatic! i! re?uired -ro4 the 4an who want! to re"air or !a)e the hu4an bodyQ We ha)e on y to thin3 o- the couching o- a cataract where there i! )irtua y a debate o- !tee with near y - uid ti!!ue* or o- the 4aCor abdo4ina o"eration! : a"aroto4y;.EF1uc Durtain* o:4 "it, $9. Thi! 4ode o- ob!er)ation 4ay !ee4 crude* but a! the great theoretician 1eonardo ha! !hown* crude 4ode! o- ob!er)ation 4ay at ti4e! be u!e-u y adduced. 1eonardo co4"are! "ainting and 4u!ic a! -o ow!@ D,ainting i! !u"erior to 4u!ic becau!e* un i3e un-ortunate 4u!ic* it doe! not ha)e to die a! !oon a! it i! born. . * . 8u!ic which i! con!u4ed in the )ery act o- it! birth i! in-erior to "ainting which the u!e o- )arni!h ha! rendered eterna .E :Trattato +* .%.; $&. Renai!!ance "ainting o--er! a re)ea ing ana ogy to thi! !ituation. The inco4"arab e de)e o"4ent o- thi! art and it! !igni-icance re!ted not ea!t on the integration o- a nu4ber o- new !cience!* or at ea!t o- new !cienti-ic data. Renai!!ance "ainting 4ade u!e o- anato4y and "er!"ecti)e* o- 4athe4atic!* 4eteoro ogy* and chro4ato ogy. 6a ery write!@ DWhat cou d be -urther -ro4 u! than the !trange c ai4 o- a 1eonardo to who4 "ainting wa! a !u"re4e goa and the u ti4ate de4on!tration o- 3now edgeJ 1eonardo wa! con)inced that "ainting de4anded uni)er!a 3now edge* and he did not e)en !hrin3 -ro4 a theoretica ana y!i! which to u! i! !tunning becau!e o- it! )ery de"th and "reci!ion. . . .EF ,au 6a ery* 5ie"es s!r 5art, DAutour de Corot*E ,ari!* ". $%$. $0. DThe wor3 o- art*E !ay! Andre Breton* Di! )a uab e on y in !o -ar a! it i! )ibrated by the re- eGe! o- the -uture.E +ndeed* e)ery de)e o"ed art -or4 inter!ect! three ine! o- de)e o"4ent. Techno ogy wor3! toward a certain -or4 oart. Be-ore the ad)ent o- the -i 4 there were "hoto boo3 et! with "icture! which - itted by the on oo3er u"on "re!!ure o- the thu4b* thu! "ortraying a boGing bout or a tenni! 4atch. Then there were the ! ot 4achine! in baAaar!=* their "icture !e?uence! were "roduced by the turning o- a cran3. Second y* the traditiona art -or4! in certain "ha!e! o- their de)e o"4ent !trenuou! y wor3 toward e--ect! which ater are e--ort e!! y attained by the new one!. Be-ore the ri!e o- the 4o)ie the .<%

&ll!minations Dadai!t!K "er-or4ance! tried to create an audience reaction which Cha" in ater e)o3ed in a 4ore natura way* Third y* un!"ectacu ar !ocia change! o-ten "ro4ote a change in rece"ti)ity which wi bene-it the new art -or4. Be-ore the 4o)ie had begun to create it! "ub ic* "icture! that were no onger i44obi e ca"ti)ated an a!!e4b ed audience in the !o=ca ed ?aiser:anorama4 Here the "ub ic a!!e4b ed be-ore a !creen into which !tereo!co"e! were 4ounted* one to each beho der. By a 4echanica "roce!! indi)idua "icture! a""eared brie- y be-ore the !tereo!co"e!* then 4ade way -or other!. Edi!on !ti had to u!e !i4i ar de)ice! in "re!enting the -ir!t 4o)ie !tri" be-ore the -i 4 !creen and "roCection were 3nown. Thi! !tri" wa! "re!ented to a !4a "ub ic which !tared into the a""aratu! in which the !ucce!!ion o- "icture! wa! ree ing o--. +ncidenta y* the in!titution o- the ?aiser:anorama !how! )ery c ear y a dia ectic o- the de)e o"4ent. Short y be-ore the 4o)ie turned the rece"tion o- "icture! into a co ecti)e one* the indi)idua )iewing o- "icture! in the!e !wi-t y out4oded e!tab i!h4ent! ca4e into " ay once 4ore with an inten!ity co4"arab e to that o- the ancient "rie!t be= ho ding the !tatue o- a di)inity in the ce a. $'. The theo ogica archety"e o- thi! conte4" ation i! the awarene!! obeing a one with oneK! 5od. Such awarene!!* in the heyday o- the bourgeoi!ie* went to !trengthen the -reedo4 to !ha3e o-- c erica tute age. During the dec ine o- the bourgeoi!ie thi! awarene!! had to ta3e into account the hidden tendency to withdraw -ro4 "ub ic a--air! tho!e -orce! which the indi)idua draw! u"on in hi! co44union with 5od. $%. The -i 4 i! the art -or4 that i! in 3ee"ing with the increa!ed threat to hi! i-e which 4odern 4an ha! to -ace. 8anK! need to eG"o!e hi4!e - to !hoc3 e--ect! i! hi! adCu!t4ent to the danger! threatening hi4. The -i 4 corre!"ond! to "ro-ound change! in the a""erce"ti)e a""aratu!Fchange! that are eG"erienced on an indi)idua !ca e by the 4an in the !treet in big=city tra--ic* on a hi!torica !ca e by e)ery "re!ent=day citiAen. ./. A! -or Dadai!4* in!ight! i4"ortant -or Cubi!4 and 7uturi!4 are to be gained -ro4 the 4o)ie. Both a""ear a! de-icient atte4"t! o- art to acco44odate the "er)a!ion o- rea ity by the a""aratu!. +n contra!t to the -i 4* the!e !choo ! did not try to u!e the a""aratu! a! !uch -or the arti!tic "re!entation o- rea ity* but ai4ed at !o4e !ort o- a oy in the Coint "re!entation o- rea ity and a""aratu!. +n Cubi!4* .9/

The Work o( Art in the A#e o( 1e"hani"al *e:ro'!"tion the "re4onition that thi! a""aratu! wi be !tructura y ba!ed on o"tic! " ay! a do4inant "artN in 7uturi!4* it i! the "re4onition o- the e--ect! o- thi! a""aratu! which are brought out by the ra"id !e?uence o- the -i 4 !tri". .$. One technica -eature i! !igni-icant hereQ e!"ecia y with regard to new!ree !* the "ro"agandi!t i4"ortance o- which can hard y be o)ere!ti4ated. 8a!! re"roduction i! aided e!"ecia y by the re"roduction o- 4a!!e!. +n big "arade! and 4on!ter ra ie!* in !"ort! e)ent!* 6 and in war* a o- which nowaday! are ca"tured by ca4era and !ound recording* the 4a!!e! are brought -ace to -ace with the4!e )e!. Thi! "roce!!* who!e !igni-icance need not be !tre!!ed* i! inti4ate y connected with the de)e o"4ent o- the techni?ue! o- re"roduction and "hotogra"hy. 8a!! 4o)e4ent! are u!ua y di!cerned 4ore c ear y by a ca4era than by the na3ed eye. A birdK!=eye )iew be!t ca"ture! gathering! o- hundred! othou!and!. And e)en though !uch a )iew 4ay be a! acce!!ib e to the hu4an eye a! it i! to the ca4era* the i4age recei)ed by the eye cannot be en arged the way a negati)e i! en arged. Thi! 4ean! that 4a!! 4o)e4ent!* inc uding war* con!titute a -or4 o- hu4an beha)ior which "articu ar y -a)or! 4echanica e?ui"4ent. f

&(e)e) +n t(e P(il+)+0(3 +f WiSt+r3 + The !tory i! to d o- an auto4aton con!tructed in !uch a way that it cou d " ay a winning ga4e o- che!!* an!wering each 4o)e o- an o""onent with a counter4o)e. A "u""et in Tur3i!h attire and with a hoo3ah in it! 4outh !at be-ore a che!!board " aced on a arge tab eQ A !y!te4 o- 4irror! created the i u!ion that thi! tab e wa! tran!"arent -ro4 a !ide!. Actua y* a itt e hunchbac3 who wa! an eG"ert che!! " ayer !at in!ide and guided the "u""etK! hand by 4ean! o- !tring!. One can i4agine a "hi o!o"hica counter"art to thi! de)ice. The "u""et ca ed Dhi!torica 4ateria i!4E i! to win a the ti4e. +t can ea!i y be a 4atch -or anyone i- it en i!t! the !er)ice! o- theo ogy* which today* a! we 3now* i! wiAened and ha! to 3ee" out o- !ight. && DOne o- the 4o!t re4ar3ab e characteri!tic! o- hu4an nature*E write! 1otAe* Di!* a ong!ide !o 4uch !e -i!hne!! in !"eci-ic in!tance!* the -reedo4 -ro4 en)y which the "re!ent di!" ay! toward the -uture.E Re- ection !how! u! that our i4age o- ha""i= .SB

Illuminations ne!! i! thorough y co ored by the ti4e to which the cour!e o- our own eGi!tence ha! a!!igned u!. The 3ind o- ha""ine!! that cou d arou!e en)y in u! eGi!t! on y in the air we ha)e breathed* a4ong "eo" e we cou d ha)e ta 3ed to* wo4en who cou d ha)e gi)en the4!e )e! to u!. +n other word!* our i4age oha""ine!! i! indi!!o ub y bound u" with the i4age o- rede4"tion. The !a4e a"" ie! to our )iew o- the "a!t* which i! the concern o- hi!tory. The "a!t carrie! with it a te4"ora indeG by which it i! re-erred to rede4"tion. There i! a !ecret agree4ent between "a!t generation! and the "re!ent one. Our co4ing wa! eG"ected on earth. 1i3e e)ery generation that "receded u!* we ha)e been endowed with a 3eak 8e!!ianic "ower* a "ower to which the "a!t ha! a c ai4. That c ai4 cannot be !ett ed chea" y. Hi!torica 4ateria i!t! are aware o- that. + A chronic er who recite! e)ent! without di!tingui!hing between 4aCor and 4inor one! act! in accordance with the -o owing truth@ nothing that ha! e)er ha""ened !hou d be regarded a! o!t -or hi!tory. To be !ure* on y a redee4ed 4an3ind recei)e! the -u ne!! o- it! "a!tFwhich i! to !ay* on y -or a redee4ed 4an3ind ha! it! "a!t beco4e citab e in a it! 4o4ent!. Each 4o4ent it ha! i)ed beco4e! a "itation a Gor're '! jo!r-ma that day i! (udg4ent Day. &G Deek (or (oo' an' "lothin# (irst, then the ?in#'om o( Fo' shall e a''e' !nto .o!4 Hege * $'/0 The c a!! !trugg e* which i! a way! "re!ent to a hi!torian in- uenced by 8arG* i! a -ight -or the crude and 4ateria thing! without which no re-ined and !"iritua thing! cou d eGi!t. Ne)erthe e!!* it i! not in the -or4 o- the !"oi ! which -a to the )ictor that the atter 4a3e their "re!ence -e t in the c a!! !trugg e. They .9<

Theses on the 5hiloso:h. o( /istor. 4ani-e!t the4!e )e! in thi! !trugg e a! courage* hu4or* cunning* and -ortitude. They ha)e retroacti)e -orce and wi con!tant y ca in ?ue!tion e)ery )ictory* "a!t and "re!ent* o- the ru er!. A! - ower! turn toward the !un* by dint o- a !ecret he iotro"i!4 the "a!t !tri)e! to turn toward that !un which i! ri!ing in the !3y ohi!tory. A hi!torica 4ateria i!t 4u!t be aware o- thi! 4o!t incon!"icuou! o- a tran!-or4ation!. k The true "icture o- the "a!t - it! by. The "a!t can be !eiAed on y a! an i4age which - a!he! u" at the in!tant when it can be recogniAed and i! ne)er !een again. DThe truth wi not run away -ro4 u!EN in the hi!torica out oo3 o- hi!torici!4 the!e word! o- 5ott-ried Ke er 4ar3 the eGact "oint where hi!torica 4ateria i!4 cut! through hi!torici!4. 7or e)ery i4age o- the "a!t that i! not recogniAed by the "re!ent a! one o- it! own concern! threaten! to di!a""ear irretrie)ab y. :The good tiding! which the hi!torian o- the "a!t bring! with throbbing heart 4ay be o!t in a )oid the )ery 4o4ent he o"en! hi! 4outh.; VI To articu ate the "a!t hi!torica y doe! not 4ean to recogniAe it Dthe way it rea y wa!E :Ran3e;. +t 4ean! to !eiAe ho d o- a 4e4ory a! it - a!he! u" at a 4o4ent o- danger. Hi!torica 4ateria i!4 wi!he! to retain that i4age o- the "a!t which uneG"ected y a""ear! to 4an !ing ed out by hi!tory at a 4o4ent o- dan= ger. The danger a--ect! both the content o- the tradition and it! recei)er!. The !a4e threat hang! o)er both@ that o- beco4ing a too o- the ru ing c a!!e!. +n e)ery era the atte4"t 4u!t be 4ade anew to wre!t tradition away -ro4 a con-or4i!4 that i! about to o)er"ower it. The 8e!!iah co4e! not on y a! the redee4er* he co4e! a! the !ubduer o- Antichri!t. On y that hi!torian wi ha)e the gi-t o- -anning the !"ar3 o- ho"e in the "a!t who i! -ir4 y con)inced that even the 'ea' wi not be !a-e -ro4 the ene4y i- he win!. And thi! ene4y ha! not cea!ed to be )ictoriou!. 6AA

i u4ination! 6++ Con!ider the dar3ne!! and the great co d +n thi! )a e which re!ound! with 4y!ery. 8Brecht* the three"enny o"era To hi!torian! who wi!h to re i)e an era* 7u!te de Cou ange! reco44end! that they b ot out e)erything they 3now about the ater cour!e o- hi!tory. There i! no better way o- characteriAing the 4ethod with which hi!torica 4ateria i!4 ha! bro3en. +t i! a "roce!! o- e4"athy who!e origin i! the indo ence o- the heart* a"e'ia, which de!"air! o- gra!"ing and ho ding the genuine hi!torica i4age a! it - are! u" brie- y. A4ong 4edie)a theo ogian! it wa! regarded a! the root cau!e o- !adne!!. 7 aubert* who wa! -a4i iar with it* wrote@ !Te! 'e #ens 'evineront "om ien il a (all(r itre triste :o!r ress!s"her Cartha#e416 6 The nature o- thi! !adne!! !tand! out 4ore c ear y i- one a!3! with who4 the adherent! ohi!torici!4 actua y e4"athiAe. The an!wer i! ine)itab e@ with the )ictor. And a ru er! are the heir! o- tho!e who con?uered be-ore the4. Hence* e4"athy with the )ictor in)ariab y bene-it! the ru er!. Hi!torica 4ateria i!t! 3now what that 4ean!. Whoe)er ha! e4erged )ictoriou! "artici"ate! to thi! day in the triu4"ha "roce!!ion in which the "re!ent ru er! !te" o)er tho!e who are ying "ro!trate. According to traditiona "ractice* the !"oi ! are carried a ong in the "roce!!ion. They are ca ed cu tura trea!ure!* and a hi!torica 4ateria i!t )iew! the4 with cautiou! detach4ent. 7or without eGce"tion the cu tura trea!ure! he !ur)ey! ha)e an origin which he cannot conte4" ate without horror. They owe their eGi!tence not on y to the e--ort! o- the great 4ind! and ta ent! who ha)e created the4* but a !o to the anony4ou! toi o- their conte4"orarie!. There i! no docu4ent o- ci)i iAation which i! not at the !a4e ti4e a docu4ent o- barbari!4. And Cu!t a! !uch a docu4ent i! not -ree o- barbari!4* barbari!4 taint! a !o the 4anner in which it wa! tran!4itted -ro4 one owner to another. A hi!torica 4ateria i!t there-ore di!!oci= D7ew wi be ab e to gue!! how !ad one had to be in. order to re!u!citate Carthage.E ./

Theses on the ;5hiloso:h. o( /istor. ate! hi4!e - -ro4 it a! -ar a! "o!!ib e. He regard! it a! hi! ta!3 to bru!h hi!tory again!t the grain. 6+++ The tradition o- the o""re!!ed teache! u! that the D!tate o- e4ergencyE in which we i)e i! not the eGce"tion but the ru e. We 4u!t attain to a conce"tion ohi!tory that i! in 3ee"ing with thi! in!ight. Then we !ha c ear y rea iAe that it i! our ta!3 to bring about a rea !tate o- e4ergency* and thi! wi i4"ro)e our "o!ition in the !trugg e again!t 7a!ci!4. One rea!on why 7a!ci!4 ha! a chance i! that in the na4e o- "rogre!! it! o""onent! treat it a! a hi!torica nor4. The current a4aAe4ent that the thing! we are eG"eriencing are D!ti E "o!!ib e in the twentieth century i! not "hi o!o"hica . Thi! a4aAe4ent i! not the beginning o3now edgeFun e!! it i! the 3now edge that the )iew o- hi!tory which gi)e! ri!e to it i! untenab e. &` 8ein 7 uge i!t Au4 Schwung bereit* ich 3ehrte gern Auruc3* der4 h ieb ich auch ebendige [eit* ich hiitte wenig 5 uc3. F5erhard Scho e4* D5ra!! )o4 Ange u!E P A K ee "ainting na4ed DAnge u! No)u!E !how! an ange oo3ing a! though he i! about -o 4o)e away -ro4 !o4ething he i! -iGed y conte4" ating. Hi! eye! are !taring* hi! 4outh i! o"en* hi! wing! are !"read. Thi! i! how one "icture! the ange o- hi!tory. Hi! -ace i! turned toward the "a!t. Where we "ercei)e a chain oe)ent!* he !ee! one !ing e cata!tro"he which 3ee"! "i ing wrec3age u"on wrec3age and hur ! it in -ront o- hi! -eet. The ange wou d i3e to !tay* awa3en the dead* and 4a3e who e what ha! been !4a!hed. But a !tor4 i! b owing -ro4 ,aradi!eC it ha! 8y wing i! ready -or - ightY + wou d i3e to turn bac3* +- + !tayed ti4e e!! ti4e* + wou d ha)e itt e uc3. .Za

&ll!minations got caught in hi! wing! with !uch )io ence that the ange can no onger c o!e the4. Thi! !tor4 irre!i!tib y "ro"e ! hi4 into the -uture to which hi! bac3 i! turned* whi e the "i e o- debri! be-ore hi4 grow! !3yward. Thi! !tor4 i! what we ca "rogre!!. 2 The the4e! which 4ona!tic di!ci" ine a!!igned to -riar! -or 4editation were de!igned to turn the4 away -ro4 the wor d and it! a--air!. The thought! which we are de)e o"ing here originate -ro4 !i4i ar con!ideration!. At a 4o4ent when the "o itician! in who4 the o""onent! o- 7a!ci!4 had " aced their ho"e! are "ro!trate and con-ir4 their de-eat by betraying their own cau!e* the!e ob!er)ation! are intended to di!entang e the "o itica wor d ing! -ro4 the !nare! in which the traitor! ha)e entra""ed the4. Our con!ideration "roceed! -ro4 the in!ight that the "o itician!K !tubborn -aith in "rogre!!* their con-idence in their D4a!! ba!i!*PK and* -ina y* their !er)i e integration in an uncontro ab e a"= "aratu! ha)e been three a!"ect! o- the !a4e thing. +t !ee3! to con)ey an idea othe high "rice our accu!to4ed thin3ing wi ha)e to "ay -or a conce"tion ohi!tory that a)oid! any co4=" icity with the thin3ing to which the!e "o itician! continue to adhere. `& The con-or4i!4 which ha! been "art and "arce o- Socia De4ocracy -ro4 the beginning attache! not on y to it! "o itica tactic! but to it! econo4ic )iew! a! we . +t i! one rea!on -or it! ater brea3down. Nothing ha! corru"ted the 5er4an wor3ing c a!! !o 4uch a! the notion that it wa! 4o)ing with the current. +t regarded techno ogica de)e o"4ent! a! the -a o- the !trea4 with which it thought it wa! 4o)ing. 7ro4 there it wa! but a !te" to the i u!ion that the -actory wor3 which wa! !u""o!ed to tend toward techno ogica "rogre!! con!tituted a "o itica achie)e4ent. The o d ,rote!tant ethic! o- wor3 wa! re!urrected a4ong .9'

Theses on the 5hiloso:h. o( /istor. 5er4an wor3er! in !ecu ariAed -or4. The 5otha ,rogra4 P a ready bear! trace! o- thi! con-u!ion* de-ining abor a! Dthe !ource o- a wea th and a cu ture.E S4e ing a rat* 8ar* countered that ^... the 4an who "o!!e!!e! no other "ro"erty than hi! abor "owerE 4u!t o- nece!!ity beco4e Dthe ! a)e o- other 4en who ha)e 4ade the4!e )e! the owner!. * . .Q Howe)er* the con-u!ion !"read* and !oon therea-ter (o!e- DietAgen "roc ai4edN DThe !a)ior o- 4odern ti4e! i! ca ed wor3. The . . . i4"ro)e4ent. .. o- abor con!titute! the wea th which i! now ab e to acco4" i!h what no redee4er ha! e)er been ab e to do.E Thi! )u gar=8arGi!t conce"tion o- the nature o- abor by"a!!e! the ?ue!tion o- how it! "roduct! 4ight bene-it the wor3er! whi e !ti not being at their di!"o!a . +t recogniAe! on y the "rogre!! in the 4a!tery o- nature* not the retrogre!!ion o- !ocietyN it a ready di!" ay! the technocratic -eature! ater encountered in 7a!ci!4. A4ong the!e i! a conce"tion o- nature which di--er! o4inou! y -ro4 the one in the Socia i!t 2to"ia! be-ore the $'<' re)o ution. The new conce"tion o- abor a4ount! to the eG" oitation o- nature* which with nai)e co4" acency i! contra!ted with the eG" oitation o- the "ro etariat. Co4"ared with thi! "o!iti)i!tic conce"tion* 7ourierK! -anta!ie!* which ha)e !o o-ten been ridicu ed* "ro)e to be !ur"ri!ing y !ound. According to 7ourier* a! a re!u t o- e--icient coo"erati)e abor* -our 4oon! wou d i u4inate the earth y night* the ice wou d recede -ro4 the "o e!* !ea water wou d no onger ta!te !a ty* and bea!t! o- "rey wou d do 4anK! bidding. A thi! i u!trate! a 3ind o- abor which* -ar -ro4 eG" oiting nature* i! ca"ab e o- de i)ering her o- the creation! which ie dor4ant in her wo4b a! "otentia !. Nature* which* a! DietAgen "ut! it* DeGi!t! grati!*E i! a co4" e4ent to the corru"ted conce"tion o- abor. The 5otha Congre!! o- $'09 united the two 5er4an Socia i!t "artie!* one ed by 7erdinand 1a!!a e* the other by Kar 8arG and Wi he 4 1ieb3necht. The "rogra4* dra-ted by 1ieb3necht and 1a!!a e* wa! !e)ere y attac3ed by 8arG in 1ondon. See hi! DCriti?ue o- the 5otha ,rogra4.E .Z%

&ll!minations :II We nee' histor., !t not the 3a. a s:oile' loa(er in the #ar'en o( kno3le'#e nee's it4 NietA!che* o- the u!e and abu!e o- hi!tory Not 4an or 4en but the !tragg ing* o""re!!ed c a!! it!e - i! the de"o!itory ohi!torica 3now edge. +n 8arG it a""ear! a! the a!t en! a)ed c a!!* a! the a)enger that co4" ete! the ta!3 o- iberation in the na4e o- generation! o- the downtrodden. Thi! con)iction* which had a brie- re!urgence +n the S"artaci!t grou"*P ha! a way! been obCectionab e to Socia De4ocrat!. Within three decade! they 4anaged )irtua y to era!e the na4e o- B an?ui* though it had been the ra ying !ound that had re)erberated through the "receding century. Socia De4ocracy thought -it to a!!ign to the wor3ing c a!! the ro e o- the redee4er o-uture generation!* in thi! way cutting the !inew! o- it! greate!t !trength. Thi! training 4ade the wor3ing c a!! -orget both it! hatred and it! !"irit o- !acri-ice* -or both are nouri!hed by the i4age o- en! a)ed ance!tor! rather than that oiberated grandchi dren. L+++ E)ery day our cau!e beco4e! c earer and "eo" e get !4arter. FWi he 4 DietAgen*
D+E RE1+5+ON DES SO[+A1DE8OKRAT+E

Socia De4ocratic theory* and e)en 4ore it! "ractice* ha)e been -or4ed by a conce"tion o- "rogre!! which did not adhere to rea ity but 4ade dog4atic c ai4!. ,rogre!! a! "ictured in the 4ind! o- Socia De4ocrat! wa!* -ir!t o- a * the "rogre!! o- 4an3ind it!e - :and not Cu!t ad)ance! in 4enK! abi ity and 3now = edge;. Second y* it wa! !o4ething bound e!!* in 3ee"ing with the in-inite "er-ectibi ity o- 4an3ind. Third y* "rogre!! wa! regarded a! irre!i!tib e* !o4ething that auto4atica y "ur!ued a !traight or !"ira cour!e. Each o- the!e "redicate! i! contro)er!ia and o"en 1e-ti!t grou"* -ounded by Kar 1ieb3necht and Ro!a 1uGe4burg at the beginning o- Wor d War + in o""o!ition to the "ro=war "o icie! o- the 5er4an Socia i!t "arty* ater ab!orbed by the Co44uni!t "arty. .&/

The!e! on the ,hi o!o"hy o- Hi!tory to critici!4. Howe)er* when the chi"! are down* critici!4 4u!t "enetrate beyond the!e "redicate! and -ocu! on !o4ething that they ha)e in co44on. The conce"t o- the hi!torica "rogre!! o- 4an3ind cannot be !undered -ro4 the conce"t o- it! "rogre!!ion through a ho4ogeneou!* e4"ty ti4e. A criti?ue o- the conce"t o- !uch a "rogre!!ion 4u!t be the ba!i! o- any critici!4 o- the conce"t o"rogre!! it!e -. XIV -ri#in is the #oal4 Kar Krau!* worn +N 6ERSEN* 6o . + Hi!tory i! the !ubCect o- a !tructure who!e !ite i! not ho4ogeneou!* e4"ty ti4e* but ti4e -i ed by the "re!ence o- the now K2etEtEeh^46 Thu!* to Robe!"ierre ancient Ro4e wa! a "a!t charged with the ti4e o- the now which he b a!ted out o- the continuu4 o- hi!tory. The 7rench Re)o ution )iewed it!e - a! Ro4e reincarnate. +t e)o3ed ancient Ro4e the way -a!hion e)o3e! co!tu4e! o- the "a!t. 7a!hion ha! a - air -or the to"ica * no 4atter where it !tir! in the thic3et! o- ong agoN it i! a tigerK! ea" into the "a!t. Thi! Cu4"* howe)er* ta3e! " ace in an arena where the ru ing c a!! gi)e! the co44and!. The !a4e ea" in the o"en air ohi!tory i! the dia ectica one* which i! how 8arG under=!tood the re)o ution. L6 The awarene!! that they are about to 4a3e the continuu4 o- hi!tory eG" ode i! characteri!tic o- the re)o utionary c a!!e! at the 4o4ent o- their action. The great re)o ution introduced a new ca endar. The initia day o- a ca endar !er)e! a! a hi!torica ti4e= a"!e ca4era. And* ba!ica y* it i! the !a4e day that 3ee"! recur= ring in the gui!e o- ho iday!* which are day! o- re4e4brance. Thu! the ca endar! do not 4ea!ure ti4e a! c oc3! doN they are BenCa4in !ay! ;2etEtEeW1 and indicate! by the ?uotation 4ar3! that he doe! not !i4" y 4ean an e?ui)a ent to Fe#en3art, that i!* "re!ent. He c ear y i! thin3ing o- the 4y!tica n!n" stems4 .&$

&ll!minations 4onu4ent! o- a hi!torica con!ciou!ne!! o- which not the ! ighte!t trace ha! been a""arent in Euro"e in the "a!t hundred year!. +n the (u y re)o ution an incident occurred which !howed thi! con!ciou!ne!! !ti a i)e. On the -ir!t e)ening o-ighting it turned out that the c oc3! in tower! were being -ired on !i4u taneou! y and inde"endent y -ro4 !e)era " ace! in ,ari!. An eye=witne!!* who 4ay ha)e owed hi! in!ight to the rhy4e* wrote a! -o ow!@ _ui e croiraitM on dit* ?uKirrite! eontre Kheure De nou)eauG (o!ue! au "ied de cha?ue tour* Tiraient !ur e! cadran! "our arreter e Cour.P `G& A hi!torica 4ateria i!t cannot do without the notion o- a "re!ent which i! not a tran!ition* but in which ti4e !tand! !ti and ha! co4e to a !to". 7or thi! notion de-ine! the "re!ent in which he hi4!e - i! writing hi!tory. Hi!torici!4 gi)e! the Deterna E i4age o- the "a!tN hi!torica 4ateria i!4 !u"" ie! a uni?ue eG"erience with the "a!t. The hi!torica 4ateria i!t ea)e! it to other! to be drained by the whore ca ed DOnce u"on a ti4eE in hi!torici!4K! borde o. He re4ain! in contro o- hi! "ower!* 4an enough to b a!t o"en the continuu4 o- hi!tory. L6++ Hi!torici!4 right y cu 4inate! in uni)er!a hi!tory. 8ateria i!tic hi!toriogra"hy di--er! -ro4 it a! to 4ethod 4ore c ear y than -ro4 any other 3ind. 2ni)er!a hi!tory ha! no theoretica ar4ature. +t! 4ethod i! additi)eN it 4u!ter! a 4a!! odata to -i the ho4ogeneou!* e4"ty ti4e* 8ateria i!tic hi!toriogra"hy* on the other hand* i! ba!ed on a con!tructi)e "rinci" e. Thin3ing in)o )e! not on y the - ow o- thought!* but their arre!t a! we . Where thin3ing !udden y !to"! in a con-iguration "regnant with ten!ion!* it gi)e! that con-iguration a !hoc3* by which it cry!ta = Who wou d ha)e be ie)ed itM we are to d that new (o!hua! at the -oot o- e)ery tower* a! though irritated with ti4e it!e -* -ired at the dia ! in order to !to" the day. .&.

Theses on the 5hiloso:h. o( /istor. iAe! into a 4onad. A hi!torica 4ateria i!t a""roache! a hi!torica !ubCect on y where he encounter! it a! a 4onad. +n thi! !tructure he recogniAe! the !ign o- a 8e!!ianic ce!!ation o- ha""ening* or* "ut di--erent y* a re)o utionary chance in the -ight -or the o""re!!ed "a!t. He ta3e! cogniAance o- it in order to b a!t a !"eci-ic era out o- the ho4ogeneou! cour!e o- hi!toryFb a!ting a !"eci-ic i-e out o- the era or a !"eci-ic wor3 out o- the i-ewor3. A! a re!u t o- thi! 4ethod the i-ewor3 i! "re!er)ed in thi! wor3 and at the !a4e ti4e cance ed PN in the i-ewor3* the eraN and in the era* the entire cour!e o- hi!tory. The nouri!hing -ruit o- the hi!torica y under!tood contain! ti4e a! a "reciou! but ta!te e!! !eed. L6+++ D+n re ation to the hi!tory o- organic i-e on earth*E write! a 4odern bio ogi!t* Dthe "a try -i-ty 4i ennia o- homo sa:iens con!titute !o4ething i3e two !econd! at the c o!e o- a twenty=-our=hour day. On thi! !ca e* the hi!tory o- ci)i iAed 4an3ind wou d -i one=-i-th o- the a!t !econd o- the a!t hour.E The "re!ent* which* a! a 4ode o- 8e!!ianic ti4e* co4"ri!e! the entire hi!tory o- 4an3ind in an enor4ou! abridg4ent* coincide! eGact y with the !tature which the hi!tory o4an3ind ha! in the uni)er!e. A Hi!torici!4 content! it!e - with e!tab i!hing a cau!a connection between )ariou! 4o4ent! in hi!tory. But no -act that i! a cau!e i! -or that )ery rea!on hi!torica . +t beca4e hi!torica "o!thu4ou! y* a! it were* through e)ent! that 4ay be !e"arated -ro4 it by thou!and! o- year!. A hi!torian who ta3e! thi! a! hi! "oint o- de"arture !to"! te ing the !e?uence o- e)ent! i3e the bead! o- a ro!ary. +n!tead* he gra!"! the con!te ation which hi! own era ha! -or4ed with a de-inite ear ier one. Thu! he e!tab i!he! a conce"tion o- the "re!ent a! the Dti4e o- the nowE which i! !hot through with chi"! o- 8e!!ianic ti4e. The Hege ian ter4 a!(he en in it! three-o d 4eaning@ to "re!er)e* to e e)ate* to cance . .&B

+ u4ination! v The !ooth!ayer! who -ound out -ro4 ti4e what it had in !tore certain y did not eG"erience ti4e a! either ho4ogeneou! or e4"ty. Anyone who 3ee"! thi! in 4ind wi "erha"! get an idea o- how "a!t ti4e! were eG"erienced in re4e4branceFna4e y* in Cu!t the !a4e way. We 3now that the (ew! were "rohibited -ro4 in)e!tigating the -uture. The Torah and the "rayer! in!truct the4 in re4e4brance* howe)er. Thi! !tri""ed the -uture o- it! 4agic* to which a tho!e !uccu4b who turn to the !ooth!ayer! -or en ighten4ent. Thi! doe! not i4" y* howe)er* that -or the (ew! the -uture turned into ho4ogeneou!* e4"ty ti4e. 7or e)ery !econd o- ti4e wa! the !trait gate through which the 8e!!iah 4ight enter. .&<

9'itors Note BenCa4inK! wor3 con!i!tM o- two boo3! on 5er4an iteratureFhi! di!!ertation on DThe Conce"t o- Art Critici!4 in 5er4an Ro4antici!4E B0er Be#ri(( 'er ?!nstkritik in 'er 'e!ts"hen *omanttk, Bern* $%./; and DThe Origin o- 5er4an TragedyE B0er Crs:r!n# 'es 'e!ts"hen Tra!ers:iels, Ber in* $%.';Fo- two boo3! o- genera re- ection! in the -or4 o- !hort e!!ay! or a"hori!4!FDOne= Way StreetKP B9in ahnstrasse, Ber in* $%.'; and DA Ber in Chi dhood around $%//Q BBerliner ?in' eit !m Ne!nEehnh!n'ert. written during the ate thirtie! and "ub i!hed "o!thu4ou! y* 7ran3-urt* $%9/;Fand o- a great nu4ber o- iterary and critica e!!ay!* boo3 re)iew!* and co44entarie!. The chie- "ur"o!e o- thi! co ection i! to con)ey the i4"ortance o- BenCa4in a! a iterary critic. +t contain! the -u = ength e!!ay! with two )ery regrettab e eGce"tion!Fthe !tudy o- D5oetheK! 9le"tive A((inities< :"ub i!hed in Hugo )on Ho-4ann!tha,! Ne!e 0e!ts"he Bekra#e in two in!ta 4ent!* $%.< and $%.9; and the artic e on DKar Krau!E :in the Rrank(!rter Oeh!n#, $%B$;. Since Kar Krau! i! !ti "ractica y un3nown in Eng i!h=!"ea3ing countrie! and !ince the 5oethe e!!ay con!i!t! to a arge eGtent o- a "o e4ic again!t 7riedrich 5undo -K! Foethe, e?ua y un3nown* the!e two e!!ay! wor d ha)e needed !o 4any eG" anatory note! that the thru!t o- the teGt it!e - wou d ha)e been ruined. The tran! ation o- the teGt -o ow! the two=)o u4e 5er4an edition oBenCa4inK! writing! which* under the tit e D" ri(ten, wa! edited and introduced by Theodor W. Adorno and "ub i!hed by the Suhr3a4" 6eriag in $%99. The tide o- the "re!ent co ection* but not it! content* i! identica with the tit e o- a !e ection -ro4 the D"hri(ten, "ub i!hed by Suhr3a4" in $%&$N BenCa4in hi4!e had a""ro)ed thi! tit e -or an ear ier !e ection o- !o4e o- hi! wor3!. The 5er4an teGt i! chie- y drawn -ro4 the "ub i!hed teGt! in )ariou! 4agaAine! and new!"a"er!. ,ro-e!!or Adorno "oint! out in hi! +ntroduction that it i! not de-initi)e@ in the -ew in!tance! where the origina 4anu!cri"t! cou d be con!u ted* it turned out that BenCa4inK! handwriting wa! di--icu t to read* and a! -or the ty"e!cri"t! and "rinted new!"a"er or 4agaAine co"ie!* they Dun?ue!tionab y contain nu4erou! error!.E +n the on y ca!e in which + wa! ab e to co4"are the origina 4anu!cri"t .&!

&ll!minations with the "rinted teGt* DThe!e! on the ,hi o!o"hy o- Hi!tory*E which BenCa4in ga)e 4e !hordy be-ore hi! deathQ + -ound 4any i4"ortant )ariant!. A! + 4entioned in the +ntroduction :Note 0;* 4anu!cri"t!* ty"e!cri"t!* and re"rint! o- BenCa4inK! wor3 are !cattered. 8o!t 4anu!cri"t! are in the "o!!e!!ion o- ,ro-e!!or Theodor W. Adorno in 7ran3-urtN a nu4ber o- etter! and 4anu!cri"t! are in the Ea!t 5er4an [entra archi) in ,ot!da4. ,ro-e!!or 5er!ho4 Seho e4 in (eru!a e4 "o!!e!!e! a co ection o- re"rint! and carbon co"ie! o- ty"e!cri"t!. The two=)o u4e D" ri(ten doe! not contain die co ected wor3!. 1arge "ortion! o- what BenCa4in con!idered hi! 4ain oeu)re* D,ari!* the Ca"ita o- the Nineteenth Century*E !ee4 to ha)e been -ini!hed in 4anu!cri"t* and a nu4ber ohi! e!!ay! and re)iew!* "ub i!hed during hi! i-eti4e* ha)e not been re"rinted. Two )o u4e! o- etter!* edited by T. W. Adorno and 5* Seho e4* were "ub i!hed in $%&&N a co ection o- e!!ay! on Brecht* which inc ude! !e)era "re)iou! y un"ub i!hed artic e! and note! on DCon)er!ation! with Brecht*E a !o a""eared in $%&& under the editor!hi" o- Ro - Tiede=4ann. 7ina y* a co ection o- 5er4an etter!* written between $0'B and $'BB* with co44entarie! and -ir!t "ub i!hed under the "!eudony4 Dede) Ho A with the tide 0e!ts"he 1ens"hen in SwitAer and in $%B&* ha! been rei!!ued in 5er4any. The origina !ource! o- the e!!ay! "ub i!hed in tibi! co ection are a! -o ow!@ D2n"ac3ing 8y 1ibraryE@ +heraris"he Welt, $%B$. DThe Ta!3 o- the Tran! atorE.P hi! introduction to hi! tran! ation oBaude aireK! Ta lea!= :arisiens, Heide berg* $%.B. DThe Storyte erE@ -rient !n' -kEi'ent, $%B&. D7ranA Ka-3aE@ 2!'is"he *!n's"ha!, $%B<. DSo4e Re- ection! on Ka-3aE@ the teGt i! ba!ed u"on a etter to Seho e4* dated ,ari!* (une $.* $%B'N now "ub i!hed in Brie(e, ++* 09&=&<. DWhat +! E"ic TheaterJE@ 1ass !n' Wert, $%B%. DOn So4e 8oti-! in Baude aireE@ Oeits"hri(t (!r DoEial(ors"h!n#, 6+++* $=.* $%B%. DThe +4age o- ,rou!tE@ +heraris"he Welt, $%.%. 2SS

E,it+rB) N+te DThe Wor3 o- Art in the Age o- 8echanica Re"roductionE@ Oeits"hri(t (!r DoEial(ors"hm#, 6* i* mS, DThe!e! on the ,hi o!o"hy o- Hi!toryE@ co4" eted in !"ring $%</* -ir!t "ub i!hed in Ne!e *!n's"ha!, &i* B* $%9/. .>$

Inde. of Thames Adorno* Theodor Wie!engrund* $%/B= * 5er4an "ro-e!!or o- "hi o!o"hy and !ocio ogy* .* $/=$B* $9* $0* 9.* 9B* .&9 -. An!e 4 o- Canterbury* St.* $/BB=$$/%* Scho a!tic "hi o!o"her* $.' Arnhei4* Rudo -* $%/<= * 5er4an=born A4erican educator* "!ycho ogi!t* and art hi!torian* .B/* .B& a.* .<& Arnobiu!* ca. A.D. B//* ear y Chri!tian a"o ogi!t* $B$ A4ouG* A eGandre* $''<= * 7rench no)e i!t* e!!ayi!t* " aywright* ..0 Ar"* Han!* $''0=$%&&* A !atian !cu "tor* "ainter* "oet* .B' Atget* Eugene* $'9&=$%.0* 7rench "hotogra"her* ..& Aure)i y* (u e! Barbey dK* $'/'=$''%* 7rench 4an o- etter!* $'< Bacho-en* (ohann (a3ob* $'$9=$''0* Swi!! "hi o!o"her and archaeo ogi!t* -a4ou! author o- 1!tterre"ht !n' Crreli#ion, &.* $B/ -. Ba Aac* Honore de* $0%%=$'9/* &<* ./' Barbier* Henri Augu!te* $'/9=$''.* 7rench "oet and !atiri!t* $&'* $0$* $%9 Barre!* 8aurice* $'&.=$%.B* 7rench writer and "ub ici!t* ./% Baude aire* Char e!* $'.$=$'&0* <* $$* 9.* 9<* $99=.//* .$. Beetho)en* 1udwig )an* $00/=$'.0* ... Benoi!t=8echin* (ac?ue!* $%/$= * 7rench hi!torian* di" o4at* and 4an oetter!* .$$ .&%

&n'e= o( Names Berg!on* Henri* $'9%=$%<$* 7rench "hi o!o"her* $90 -.* $&/* $0'* $'/* $'9* $%% Bertra4* Ern!t* $''<= * 5er4an "hi o ogi!t* iterary hi!torian* and e!!ayi!t* 4e4ber o- the 5eorge circ e* % Bibe!co* ,rince!! 8arthe* $''0= Q no)e i!t and " aywright* ,rou!tK! -riend* ./' B an?ui* 1oui! Augu!te* $'/9=$''$* 7rench re)o utionary !ocia i!t and "ub ici!t* .&/ B och* Ern!t* $''9= * 5er4an "hi o!o"her and writer* 9B Borchardt* Rudo -* $'00=$%<9* 5er4an "oet and e!!ayi!t* %* B< -.* '$ Borne* 1udwig* $0'&=$'B0* 5er4an "ub ici!t and !atiri!t* $0' Bo!* Char e! du* $''.= $%B%* 7rench iterary critic* e!!ayi!t* tran! ator* # Brecht* Berto t* $'%'=$%9&* 5er4an " aywright and "oet* .* $/* $< -.* <9* 9. --.* $<0=$9<* .<&* .&& Breton* Andre* $'%&=$%&&* 7rench !urrea i!t writer* .<% Brod* 8aG* $''<=$%&'* ,rague=born 5er4an no)e i!t* 9B* n&* $.$* $.& Ca deron de a Barea* ,edro* $&//=$&'$* S"ainK! greate!t dra4atic author* $<% Cha" in* Char e!* $''%= * .9/ Cicero* 8arcu! Tu iu!* $/&=<B B.C* Ro4an orator* !tate!4an* and "hi o!o"her* . C audeM* ,au * $'&'=$%99* 7rench "oet* dra4ati!t* and di" o4at* $&B C er4ont=Tonnerre* E i!abeth :de 5ra4ont;* $'09= * 7rench author* biogra"her o- ,rou!t* ./9 --.* ./% Cocteau* (ean* $''%=$%&B* 7rench "oet and 4an o- etter!* ./B Daguerre* 1oui!* $0'%=$'9$* 7rench "ainter and in)entor o- the daguerreoty"e* $'& Daudet* 1eon* $'&0=$%<.* 7rench Courna i!t and writer* ./& De )au* A -red* $'.9=$'&0* 7rench writer* author o- !tudie! o- ,ari! and a dictionary o- 7rench ! ang* $&0 Derain* Andre* $''/=$%9<* 7rench ,o!ti4"re!!ioni!t "ainter* .B' De!borde!=6a 4ore* 8arce ine* $0'9=$'9%* 7rench "oet* $'*. DietAgen* (o!e-* $%th=century !ocia i!t* .9% DietAgen* Wi he 4* $%th=century !ocia i!t* .&/ .0/

+ndeG o- Na4e! Di they* Wi he 4* $'BB=$%$$* 5er4an "hi o!o"her and hi!torian oidea!* $9& Do!toe)!3y* 7edor 8i3hai o)ichQ $'.$=$''$*%.*$/&*$.< Dreyer* Car Th** $''%=$%&'* Dani!h -i 4 director* .<& Duha4e * 5eorge!* $''<= * 7rench no)e i!t* critic* " aywright* .B' -. DuCardin* -idouard* $'&$=$%<%* 7rench !y4bo i!t "oet* e!!ayi!t* iterary criticQ $&' Durtain* 1uc* $''$=$%9%* 7rench "oet* e!!ayi!t* no)e i!t* .<'M. Eddington* Arthur Stan ey* $''.=$%<<* Eng i!h a!trono4er and "hy!ici!t* $<. Edi!on* Tho4a!* $'<0=$%B$* .9/ Enge !* 7riedrich* $'./=$'%9* 5er4an !ocia i!t and !ocia hi!torian* $&& o* $0$ En!or* (a4e!* $'&/=$%<%* Be gian "ainter and etcher* $0< 7ernandeA Arda)in* 1oui!* $'%$= * S"ani!h "oet* dra4ati!t* tran! ator o- 7rench iterature* .$/* .$. 7 aubert* 5u!ta)e* $'.$=$''/* 7rench no)e i!t* ./'* .9& 7ourier* 7rancoi!* $00.=$'B0* 7rench !ocio ogi!t and "hi o!o"her* $'$* .9% 7rance* Anato e* $'<<=$%.<* 7rench "oet* no)e i!t* !atiri!t* <.* &/* &.* $%'* ./9 7reud* Sig4und* $'9&=$%B%*$&/=$&B* .B9 7u!te de Cou ange!* Nu4a Deni!* $'B/=$''%* 7rench hi!torian* .9& 5a i eo* $9&<=$&<.*$<' 5ance* Abe * $''%= * 7rench actor* -i 4 director* and author* ..$ -.* ..0 5autier* Theo"hi e* $'$$=$'0.* 7rench art and dra4a critic* $&B 5eorge* Ste-an* $'&'=$%BB* 5er4an "oet* tran! ator o- Baude aire* Sha3e!"eare* Dante* and conte4"orary "oet!* % -.* 0&* '/* $%& 5er!tae3er* 7riedrich* $'$&=$'0.* 5er4an author o- ad)enture !torie!* *'9 5ide* Andre* $'&%=$%9$* ./* $&< 5 a!!brenner* Ado -* $'$/=$'0&* 5er4an !atiri!t* $%0 5oethe* (ohann Wo -gang )on* $0<%=$'B.* B* 0 --.* $.* $<* $0* <& -.* '/* $.B* $<%* $0%* $'0 n.* $'% n.* $%% wa`

+ndeG o- Na4e! 5ogo * Ni3o ai* $'/%=$'9.* Ru!!ian author o- rea i!tic !torie! and " ay!* $%0 5o d!tein* 8oritA* r''o= * 5er4an=(ewi!h writer and Courna i!t* B/ -.* B< 5oncourt* Ed4ond :$'..=$'%&; and (u e! :$'B/=$'0/;* 7rench no)e i!t! and cu tura hi!torian!* brother!* ./' 5or3y* 8aGi4* $'&'=$%B&* Ru!!ian writer o- !hort !torie!* no)e !* " ay!* biogra"hie!* $/$ 5otthe -* (ere4ia!* $0%0=$'9<* Swi!! "ro!e writer* '9 -.* $/B 5oA an* 1oon* $'/&=$'&&* 7rench " aywright* $&0 5rabbe* Chri!tian Dietrich* $'/$=$'B&* 5er4an dra4ati!t* $<% 5ra)e!* Robert Ran3e* $'%9= * Eng i!h "oet and no)e i!t* $9. 5reco* E+* i9<'J=i&i<* $.$ 5ri44* A bert 1udwig* $%th=century 5er4an editor o- egend! and -airy ta e!* &B 5ri44e* Hubert* $'&<=$%<.* 5er4an orienta i!t and art hi!torian* .<9 5roethuy!en* Bernhard* $'0/=$%<&* !ocio ogi!t and cu tura hi!torian* $.0 5ry"hiu!* Andrea!* $&$&=$&&<* 5er4an baro?ue "oet and " aywright* $<% 5undo -* 7riedrich* $''/=$%B$* 5er4an iterary hi!torian* 4e4ber othe 5eorge circ e* % 5uy!* Con!tantin* $'/.=$'%.* Dutch=born "ainter and i u!trator othe 7rench !cene* 9.* $&B*$%$ Haa!* Wi y* $'%$= * 5er4an dra4a and iterary critic* editor o+iteraris"he Welt, $.0 -.* $B$ Ha4ann* (ohann 5eorg* $0B/=$0''* 5er4an writer and theo ogian* B0.9< Ha4!un* Knot* $'9%=$%9P* Norwegian writer* $.0 Hau--* W8he 4* $'/.=$'.0* 5er4an "oet and !tory writer* $/% Hau!!4ann* Baron 5eorge! Eugene* $'/%=$'%$* 7rench "re-ect and town " anner* $% Hebe * (ohann ,eter* $0&/=$'.&* Swi!!=born 5er4an "oet* editor and author o- a 4anac !tor3!* '9 -.* %< -.* $/$* $/& Hege * 5eorg Wi he 4 7riedrich* $00/=$'B$* 5er4an "hi o!o"her* &0*$&0* .<< -. Heidegger* 8artin* $''0= * 5er4an "hi o!o"her* B9* <$* <&* hi Hei4ann* 8oritA* $'&'=$%.9* 5er4an editor and writer* $// .0.

+ndeG o- Na4e! Heine* Heinrich* $0%0=$'9&* 5er4an yric "oet and iterary critic* .B*$9&* $0< Herodotu!* 9th century B.C.* 5ree3 hi!torian* '% He!!e * 7ranA* 5er4an tran! ator and editor* < Hir!ch* E4i * anti?uarian boo3 dea er and co ector* &< -. Ho--4ann* q. r. x.* $00&=$'..* 5er4an 4u!ic critic* co4"o!er* and writer o-anta!tic ta e!* $0$. $%0 Ho-4ann!tha * Hugo )or* *'y. Au!trian "oet* " aywright* and e!!ayi!t* . -.* 0 -.* %* $&* ..* <&* .&9 Ho der in* 7riedrieh* $00/=$'<B* 5er4an "oet* tran! ator o- ,indar* So"hoc e!* and 1atin "oet!* 0&* 0'* '/ -. Ho A* Det e)* "!eudony4 o- BenCa4in* .&& Ho4er* ancient 5ree3 "oet* $<* .<. Hor3hei4er* 8aG* $'%9= * "ro-e!!or o- "hi o!o"hy and !ocio ogy* $/ Hou!!aye* Ar!ene* $'$9=$'%&* 7rench no)e i!t* iterary critic* Courna i!t* $&9 Hugo* 6ictor* $'/.=$''9* 7rench "oet and no)e i!t* $9&* $&.* $&&* $&' Hu4bo dt* Baron Wi he 4 )on* $0&0=$'B9* 5er4an "hi o ogi!t and di" o4at* B0* 9< HuG ey* A dou!* $'%<=$%&B* Eng i!h no)e i!t and e!!ayi!t* .<0 -. +)en!* (ori!* $'%'= * Dutch -i 4 director* .B$ (oubert* (o!e"h* $09<=$'.<* 7rench 4ora i!t* $0% (ung* C. 5.* $'09=$%&$* Swi!! "!ychiatri!t* $9& Ka-3a* 7nnA* $''B=$%.<* . -.* $0* $%* .&* .%=B<* B&Q B%P]Q <9Q <%Q 9B PP\Q ui=$<9 Kant. +44anue * $0.<=$'/<*<*<.*$%' Ke er* 5ott-ried* $'$%=$'%/* Swi!! yric and e"ic "oet and "ro!e writer* .99 Kier3egaard* Soren* $'$B=$'99* Dani!h "hi o!o"her and writer on theo ogy* $.' Ki" ing* Rudyard* $'&9=$%B&* $/$ K age!* 1udwig* $'0.=$%9&* 5er4an "hi o!o"her* gra"ho ogi!t* and cu tura hi!torian* $9& K ee* ,au * $'0%=$%</* Swi!! "ainter* $B* $<B* .90 .$B

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