Singularity and Transnational Poetics [Hardcover]

Over the past decade singularity has been a prominent term in a broad range of fields, ranging from philosophy to literary and cultural studies to science and technology studies. This volume intervenes in this broad discussion of singularity and its various implications, proposing to explore the term for its specific potential in the study of literature.

Singularity and Transnational Poeticsbrings together scholars working in the fields of literary and cultural studies, translation studies, and transnational literatures. The volumes central concern is to explore singularity as a conceptual tool for the comparative study of contemporary literatures beyond national frameworks, and by implication, as a tool to analyze human existence. Contributors explore how singularity might move our conceptions of cultural identity from prevailing frameworks of self/other toward the premises of being as singular plural. Through a close reading of transnational literatures from Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and South Africa, this collection offers a new approach to reading literature that will challenge a readers established notions of identity, individuality, communicability, and social cohesion.

PART I: Opening  1. Singularity and Transnational Poetics Birgit Mara Kaiser  PART II: Literature in the Transnation  2. Literature and the Profane Community in Jean-Luc NancysBeing Singular Plural Bart Philipsen  3. Nancy, Djebar and the Singularity of LiteratureJane Hiddleston  4. Contemporary Afrikaans Fiction and English Translation: Singularity and the Question of Minor Languages Derek Attridge  5. The Singularity of the Event: Gilles Deleuze, Paul Virilio, Fran?ois JullienR?da Bensma?a  PART III: Singularity in/of/as Transculturl£#