Jean Rousset
Encyclopedia
Jean Rousset was a Swiss
literary critic
who worked on French literature
, and in particular on Baroque
literature of the late Renaissance
and early seventeenth century
. He is sometimes grouped with the Geneva School
and with early Structuralism
.
and Marcel Raymond
and after working as a French lecturer in Halle and Munich
, became professor at the University of Geneva
. His thesis on French literature of the baroque period, published under the title La Littérature de l’âge baroque en France : Circé et le paon, was an immense critical success. It was one of the first studies to use the term "baroque" – which had been, up to that point, used exclusively in art history – to refer to literary works. Under the signs of the sorceress Circe
and the ornamental peacock (paon), and following the art historical analysis of Heinrich Wölfflin
, Rousset explored movement, instability, ostentation, decoration and metamorphosis in the plays, novels and poetry of the period. He would return to the same period in his L’Intérieur et l’extérieur : essais sur la poésie et le théâtre au XVIIe siècle.
His 1963 work, his book Forme et signification explored new theoretical possibilities; Jacques Derrida
has called it one of the principal works of early structuralism
. Distancing himself from the phenomenological approach of his friends and associates Georges Poulet and Jean-Pierre Richard
, Rousset focussed on formal elements such as narrative structure in determining the meaning of a work. He would continue on this formal and narratological
approach in his Narcisse romancier : essai sur la première personne dans le roman (which explored the role of first person narration in novels) and Le Lecteur intime. In this way, his work of this period shares many characteristics with the work of Gérard Genette
.
His later works of theory and criticism were however less centered on a purely structural approach. His "Leurs yeux se rencontrèrent" : la scène de première vue dans le roman explored the common place of "love at first sight
" in the novel. His last book, Dernier regard sur le baroque, was a final assessment of theory and theoretical debates concerning the baroque period.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
literary critic
Literary criticism
Literary criticism is the study, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. Modern literary criticism is often informed by literary theory, which is the philosophical discussion of its methods and goals...
who worked on French literature
French literature
French literature is, generally speaking, literature written in the French language, particularly by citizens of France; it may also refer to literature written by people living in France who speak traditional languages of France other than French. Literature written in French language, by citizens...
, and in particular on Baroque
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
literature of the late Renaissance
French Renaissance literature
For more information on historical developments in this period see: Renaissance, History of France, and Early Modern France.For information on French art and music of the period, see French Renaissance....
and early seventeenth century
French literature of the 17th century
17th-century French literature was written throughout the Grand Siècle of France, spanning the reigns of Henry IV of France, the Regency of Marie de Medici, Louis XIII of France, the Regency of Anne of Austria and the reign of Louis XIV of France...
. He is sometimes grouped with the Geneva School
Geneva School
The expression Geneva School refers to a group of linguists based in Geneva who pioneered modern structural linguistics and a group of literary theorists and critics working from a phenomenological perspective.-Geneva School of Linguistics:...
and with early Structuralism
Structuralism
Structuralism originated in the structural linguistics of Ferdinand de Saussure and the subsequent Prague and Moscow schools of linguistics. Just as structural linguistics was facing serious challenges from the likes of Noam Chomsky and thus fading in importance in linguistics, structuralism...
.
Biography
Jean Rousset began his studies in law, before changing to literature. He studied under Albert ThibaudetAlbert Thibaudet
Albert Thibaudet was a French essayist and literary critic. A former student of Henri Bergson, he was a professor of Jean Rousset...
and Marcel Raymond
Marcel Raymond
Marcel Raymond was a Swiss literary critic who specialized in French literature. He is generally grouped with the so-called "Geneva School".-Biography:...
and after working as a French lecturer in Halle and Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, became professor at the University of Geneva
University of Geneva
The University of Geneva is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin, as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873, it...
. His thesis on French literature of the baroque period, published under the title La Littérature de l’âge baroque en France : Circé et le paon, was an immense critical success. It was one of the first studies to use the term "baroque" – which had been, up to that point, used exclusively in art history – to refer to literary works. Under the signs of the sorceress Circe
Circe
In Greek mythology, Circe is a minor goddess of magic , described in Homer's Odyssey as "The loveliest of all immortals", living on the island of Aeaea, famous for her part in the adventures of Odysseus.By most accounts, Circe was the daughter of Helios, the god of the sun, and Perse, an Oceanid...
and the ornamental peacock (paon), and following the art historical analysis of Heinrich Wölfflin
Heinrich Wölfflin
Heinrich Wölfflin was a famous Swiss art critic, whose objective classifying principles were influential in the development of formal analysis in the history of art during the 20th century. He taught at Basel, Berlin and Munich in the generation that raised German art history to pre-eminence...
, Rousset explored movement, instability, ostentation, decoration and metamorphosis in the plays, novels and poetry of the period. He would return to the same period in his L’Intérieur et l’extérieur : essais sur la poésie et le théâtre au XVIIe siècle.
His 1963 work, his book Forme et signification explored new theoretical possibilities; Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida
Jacques Derrida was a French philosopher, born in French Algeria. He developed the critical theory known as deconstruction and his work has been labeled as post-structuralism and associated with postmodern philosophy...
has called it one of the principal works of early structuralism
Structuralism
Structuralism originated in the structural linguistics of Ferdinand de Saussure and the subsequent Prague and Moscow schools of linguistics. Just as structural linguistics was facing serious challenges from the likes of Noam Chomsky and thus fading in importance in linguistics, structuralism...
. Distancing himself from the phenomenological approach of his friends and associates Georges Poulet and Jean-Pierre Richard
Jean-Pierre Richard
Jean-Pierre Richard, is a French writer and literary critic.- Biography :Jean-Pierre Richard began his advanced studies at the École normale supérieure in the rue d'Ulm in 1941, passed the "agrégation" in literature in 1945, and got his doctoral degree in 1962...
, Rousset focussed on formal elements such as narrative structure in determining the meaning of a work. He would continue on this formal and narratological
Narratology
Narratology denotes both the theory and the study of narrative and narrative structure and the ways that these affect our perception. While in principle the word may refer to any systematic study of narrative, in practice its usage is rather more restricted. It is an anglicisation of French...
approach in his Narcisse romancier : essai sur la première personne dans le roman (which explored the role of first person narration in novels) and Le Lecteur intime. In this way, his work of this period shares many characteristics with the work of Gérard Genette
Gérard Genette
Gérard Genette is a French literary theorist, associated in particular with the structuralist movement and such figures as Roland Barthes and Claude Lévi-Strauss, from whom he adapted the concept of bricolage.-Life:...
.
His later works of theory and criticism were however less centered on a purely structural approach. His "Leurs yeux se rencontrèrent" : la scène de première vue dans le roman explored the common place of "love at first sight
Love at first sight
Love at first sight is a common trope in Western literature, in which a person, character, or speaker feels romantic attraction for a stranger on the first sight of them...
" in the novel. His last book, Dernier regard sur le baroque, was a final assessment of theory and theoretical debates concerning the baroque period.
Works
- 1953 - La Littérature de l’âge baroque en France : Circé et le paon
- 1963 - Forme et signification, essais sur les structures littéraires de CorneillePierre CorneillePierre Corneille was a French tragedian who was one of the three great seventeenth-century French dramatists, along with Molière and Racine...
à ClaudelPaul ClaudelPaul Claudel was a French poet, dramatist and diplomat, and the younger brother of the sculptor Camille Claudel. He was most famous for his verse dramas, which often convey his devout Catholicism.-Life:... - 1968 - L’Intérieur et l’extérieur : essais sur la poésie et le théâtre au XVIIe siècle - on Jean de SpondeJean de SpondeJean de Sponde was a Baroque French poet.- Biography :Born at Mauléon, in what is now Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Jean de Sponde was raised in an austere Protestant family in the Basque region of France with close relations with the royal court of Navarre...
and Jean de La Ceppède - 1972 - Narcisse romancier : essai sur la première personne dans le roman - on first person narration in novels
- 1981 - "Leurs yeux se rencontrèrent" : la scène de première vue dans le roman
- 1986 - Le Lecteur intime, de Balzac au journal
- 1988 - Anthologie de la Poésie baroque française - anthology
- 1990 - Passages, échanges et transpositions
- 1998 - Dernier regard sur le baroque
Further Reading
- Derrida, JacquesJacques DerridaJacques Derrida was a French philosopher, born in French Algeria. He developed the critical theory known as deconstruction and his work has been labeled as post-structuralism and associated with postmodern philosophy...
. "Force and Signification". In Writing and DifferenceWriting and DifferenceWriting and Difference is a 1967 book by French philosopher Jacques Derrida, collecting some of his early lectures and essays that established his international fame.-Structuralist Controversy:...
. Trans. Alan Bass. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1978. 3-30.
External links
- Jean Rousset site on José CortiJosé CortiJosé Corti is a book shop and publishing house located in Paris, France, and was founded in 1925.It is named after its founder, José Corticchiato ; it is one of France's most prestigious and low-profile independent publishing houses...
editions (in French)