The intention of the paper is to discuss the ‘space of literature’ as the space of the other taking the ideas of Derrida, Levinas, Blanchot, and Deleuze into account. Accordingly, the paper would consider literature as fictive institution which appears in and through writing through language. This would be analyzed through a Sinhala play ‘Maname’ written by Ediriweera Sarachchandra.
Table of Contents
1. Language and Literature: The Other in Maname
1.1 Maname
2. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Core Themes
The primary objective of this paper is to explore the "space of literature" as a space for the "other" by synthesizing philosophical frameworks from Derrida, Levinas, Blanchot, and Deleuze, and applying these concepts to the analysis of the Sinhala play 'Maname' by Ediriweera Sarachchandra.
- Deconstruction of literature as a "fictive institution" rather than a mere representation of reality.
- Examination of the "freedom to say everything" as an appeal for the other rather than a tool for political power.
- The relationship between writing, stuttering, and the expression of the powerless voice.
- Analysis of the princess character in 'Maname' as an articulation of responsibility towards the other.
- The role of "essential solitude" and "interminable" discovery within the creative literary process.
Excerpt from the Book
Maname
Sarachchandra produces his play under the title of “Maname”. In his “Maname”, the young child sent to the well known teacher Disapamok is not a Brahmin, but the son of the king of Benares. The prince becomes the cleverest and dearest student of the teacher. After completing the years of studies, the prince gets the order from his father to return to Benares. On the day of departure, prince is summoned by his teacher and awarded the title “Dhanuddhara”, as he could reach the zenith of his studies. The prince, who is worried as he has to leave his teacher and friends, bids farewell to them. In that moment, the teacher stops him for a while and say, “You are not only my cleverest student, but also my heart-won student. I’m so happy and proud of you that I can’t be satisfied with awarding only the title “Dhanuddara”. Therefore, I decided to gift my loving daughter to you as your wife. Would you like to marry my daughter?”
Summary of Chapters
Language and Literature: The Other in Maname: This chapter establishes the theoretical foundation, interpreting literature through the lens of post-structuralist thought to argue that it functions as a space for the infinite appearance of the other.
Maname: This section provides a detailed narrative analysis of the play, illustrating how the characters' actions and the play's discourse reflect the philosophical concepts of responsibility, powerlessness, and the "fictive institution" of literature.
Bibliography: A comprehensive list of the academic and primary sources utilized to support the arguments throughout the paper.
Keywords
Literature, Other, Maname, Derrida, Blanchot, Levinas, Fictive Institution, Writing, Responsibility, Powerlessness, Ediriweera Sarachchandra, Deconstruction, Alterity, Aesthetics, Sinhala Drama
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper fundamentally explores literature as the "space of the other," examining how writing acts as a medium where the infinite and the "other" can manifest, challenging traditional understandings of literature as a mere representation of reality.
Who are the key philosophers that influence this work?
The work is heavily grounded in the theories of Jacques Derrida, Emmanuel Levinas, Maurice Blanchot, and Gilles Deleuze to navigate the complex relationship between language, literature, and the other.
What is the primary objective of the analysis?
The primary goal is to redefine literature as a "fictive institution" that permits the expression of the powerless and serves as a site for responding to the appeal of the other, specifically demonstrated through the Sinhala play 'Maname'.
Which scientific or analytical method is employed?
The author employs a qualitative, post-structuralist literary analysis, using philosophical frameworks to deconstruct the narrative and thematic elements of the play 'Maname'.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body traverses the definition of literature as a "strange institution," the concept of passive resistance, the ethics of responsibility, the role of stuttering and stammering in creative writing, and a narrative breakdown of the plot of 'Maname'.
Which keywords best describe this study?
Key terms include Literature, Other, Maname, Fictive Institution, Responsibility, Deconstruction, Alterity, and Post-structuralism.
How does the author interpret the character of the princess in 'Maname'?
The princess is interpreted as a figure who, by making an appeal to spare the bandit (vedda), acknowledges her responsibility toward the other and recognizes the "powerless face" of the other, rather than merely acting out of traditional duty.
What is meant by the "fictive institution" of literature?
It refers to literature as a unique space that allows for the transgression of rules, norms, and conventional laws, enabling an infinite way of speaking and the creation of a reality that is not bound by empirical order.
Why does the author associate writing with "stuttering"?
Stuttering represents the voice of the powerless or the writer who is not trying to achieve a "universal" or "stable" language, but rather expressing the truth through a fractured, authentic, and painful articulation.
What is the significance of the "forgotten promise" in the play's climax?
The "forgotten promise" serves as the pivot for the princess's intervention; it represents a moral obligation that transcends the immediate binary of the fight, forcing a confrontation with the ethical necessity of responding to the other.
- Citation du texte
- Nimmi Menike (Auteur), 2011, Language & Literature: The Other in "Maname", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/288549
