Postmodern love: questioning the metaphysics of desire. (25th Anniversary Issue). Catherine Belsey. New Literary History v25.

n3 (Summer 1994): pp683(23). | | S ur!e Citati n | Spanish"ren!h#apanese$erman%talian& rtu'ueseChinese (Simpli(ie))* rean Su+,e!ts Abstract: & stm )ern te-ts treat l ve in a ! mple- manner +e!ause )esire an) a.areness ( the imp ssi+ility ( (ul(illin' that )esire ! /e-ist. 0he p st/m )ern . rl)/vie. ) es n t all . simplisti! )e!larati ns ( l ve +e!ause there is ! nstant a.areness ( earlier asserti ns ( l ve. 1ari us p stm )ern n vels2 .hi!h are a pasti!he ( )i((erent 'enres2 p rtray )e!larati ns ( l ve as 3u tati ns r !itati ns. 0here are re(eren!es t either real r ima'ine) a!! unts ( the past2 .hi!h reveal & stm )ernists attitu)e t l ve an) t the past. ull !e"t :C4&56%$70 1994 # hns 7 p8ins 9niversity &ress Can:t +y me l ve. 0 the )e'ree that )ie p stm )ern ! n)iti n implies an un+ri)le) ! nsumerism2 the !ultural l 'i! ( late !apitalism2 pleasure ( r !ash2 an) a pr )u!t t 'rati(y every p ssi+le impulse / i( n t2 in)ee)2 t ! nstru!t the impulse in the (irst pla!e / l ve is a value that remains +ey n) the mar8et. ;hile se- is a ! mm )ity2 l ve +e! mes the ! n)iti n ( a happiness that !ann t +e + u'ht2 the ne remainin' +,e!t ( a )esire that !ann t +e sure ( pur!hasin' (ul(illment. < ve thus +e! mes m re pre!i us than +e( re +e!ause it is +ey n) pri!e2 an) in ! nse3uen!e its metaphysi!al !hara!ter is intensi(ie). = re than ever2 l ve has ! me t represent presen!e2 trans!en)en!e2 imm rtality2 .hat #a!3ues >erri)a !alls pr -imity2 livin' spee!h2(1) !ertainty / everythin'2 in sh rt2 that the mar8et is una+le t pr vi)e r (ails t 'uarantee. 0 the )e'ree2 h .ever2 that p stm )ernity in 'eneral2 an) >erri)a:s . r8 in parti!ular2 als represents a s8epti!al attitu)e t metaphysi!s2 a ra)i!al 3uesti nin' ( presen!e2 trans!en)en!e2 !ertainty2 an) all a+s lutes2 the p stm )ern ! n)iti n +rin's .ith it an in!re)ulity t .ar) true l ve. ;here2 .e mi'ht as82 in the li'ht ( ur e-perien!e2 the statisti!s2 ur phil s phy2 r any ) !umentary evi)en!e utsi)e p pular r man!e2 are its 'uarantees2 its ! ntinuities2 pr ( ( its a+ility t (ul(ill its un)erta8in's? @t the same time2 n am unt ( s8epti!ism ) es a.ay .ith )esire .hi!h2 i( it is the )estiny ( a si'ni(yin' r'anism2 is (ashi ne)2 +ut neither pr )u!e) n r erase)2 +y the spe!i(i! !ultural r)er .hi!h 'ives rise t ur ) u+ts. < ve thus !!upies a para) -i!al p siti n in p stm )ern !ulture: it is at n!e in(initely an) uni3uely )esira+le n the ne han)2 an) ! nspi!u usly naive n the ther. <i8e the .riter ( >erri)a:s p st!ar)s2 .e 8n . e-a!tly the pp site ( .hat .e )esire2 ( .hat .e 8n . ur )esire t +e (&C 194). ;hen "er)inan) )e Saussure )re. attenti n t the pr +lem ( translati n2 he ena+le) his rea)ers t re! 'niAe the inevita+ility ( !ultural )i((eren!e an) the imp ssi+ility ( le'islatin' ( r its res luti n. ; r)s2 Saussure p inte) ut2 ) n t ne!essarily have e-a!t e3uivalents (r m ne lan'ua'e t an ther. @s any pra!ti!in' translat r 8n .s2 n t nly nuan!es +ut pr n uns2 'en)ers2 tenses2 an) )istin!ti ns !an +e untranslata+le.(2) %t ( ll .s that meanin's are n t hel) in pla!e +y +,e!ts in the . rl)2 r +y ! n!epts in)epen)ent ( lan'ua'e. 0he si'ni(ie) (meanin') resi)es in lan'ua'e r2 m re +r a)ly2 in si'ni(yin' systems (in!lu)in' visual ima'es2 ( r instan!e) an) it is t +e ( un) n .here else. Si'ni(i!ati n is )i((erential2 +ut the )i((eren!es are n t 'uarantee) +y the . rl) r +y i)eas. 0he . rl) may +e en! untere) as resistan!e2 +ut it !ann t +e 8n .n utsi)e the systems ( )i((eren!es .hi!h )e(ine it. %)eas are an e((e!t ( )i((eren!e2 n t its !ause. 0hey are2

m re ver2 )e(erre) +y the si'ni(ier .hi!h pr )u!es them. >i((ere) an) )e(erre)2 supplante)2 rele'ate) +y the si'ni(ier2 the si'ni(ie) has n aut n my2 n su+stan!e. 0here is thus n 'uarantee that ur lin'uisti!2 si'ni(yin'2 )i((erential ! 'nitive maps are a!!urate. ;e !ann t thin82 ar'ue2 reas n2 )ispute2 r 8n . utsi)e the )i((eren!es that pre!e)e ur entry int the !ultural r)er2 an) .hi!h2 there( re2 .e have learne) (r m it in the (irst pla!e. 0his ) es n t mean that .e ma8e everythin' up2 r that .hatever .e happen t +elieve is e3ually plausi+le2 e3ually vali). %( % +elieve % !an (ly2 % am li8ely t en! unter the . rl) as resistan!e. ... %t ) es mean2 h .ever2 that .e !ann t 'uarantee the p sitive ! ntent ( .hat .e 8n . +y p intin' t s me e-tralin'uisti! 'r un) ( !ertainty. Certainty itsel( e-ists nly in the lan'ua'e that is inv 8e) t ,usti(y it. B r ) es it mean that n thin' !han'es. 4n the ! ntrary2 8n .le)'es ! lli)e an) !lash2 pr )u!in' alternative ( rms ( un)erstan)in'C resistan!es 'enerate ne. )evel pmentsC re(utati ns e((a!e l) ! nvi!ti ns. But the p ssessi n ( truth is n t an pti n. 0he Dnli'htenment t 8 a ,u)i!ial stan) n !ultural )i((eren!e. %t assesse) an) .ei'he) the meanin's an) values ta8en ( r truth in )i((erent !ultures an) ( un) many ( them .antin' / primitive2 irrati nal2 r uns!ienti(i!. But .hile it repu)iate) (un)amentalisms ( all 8in)s2 it parti!ipate) nevertheless in an ther 8in) ( metaphysi!s +y layin' !laim t a pla!e (r m .hi!h t assess an) .ei'h an) ,u)'e. 0hat pla!e2 .hi!h .as hel) t +e in)epen)ent2 +,e!tive2 pre!isely Eenli'htene)2E n . seems as !ulturally relative as the ,u)'ments themselves2 an) (r m a p stm )ern perspe!tive this ultimate ! mpla!en!y ( the Dnli'htment2 h .ever .ell intenti ne)2 has ! me t l 8 li8e the last in(irmity ( n +le min)s. 4r . rse. Be!ause truth is a le'islat r2 an) it has imp se) its values n all th se .h have ha) a m re restri!te) a!!ess t it2 .h have n t +een entitle) t a!t as its 'uarant rs / the . r8in' !lass2 the n n/;estern . rl)2 . men. @s palpa+ly as any (un)amentalism (i( less spe!ta!ularly)2 mi))le/ !lass2 .hite2 patriar!hal truth has le'itimate) e-!lusi ns2 ppressi ns2 an) vi len!eC it has ,usti(ie) appr priati n2 )ama'e2 an) )estru!ti n. @n) true l ve2 t 2 itsel( an ther 8in) ( (un)amentalism2 has le'aliAe) pr hi+iti ns2 ! er!i ns2 narr . pr prieties2 e-pr priati ns2 an) the trans( rmati n ( pe ple int pr perty. ;ith the +est ( intenti ns2 the metaphysi!al i)eal ( true l ve2 an) the ! n! mitant e(( rts ( the m )ern ;estern . rl) t ! n(ine an) ! ntain )esire .ithin the le'ality ( marria'e2 have pr )u!e)2 .e are n . in a p siti n t a!8n .le)'e2 at +est a li(etime ( surveillan!e an) sel(/surveillan!e ( r the ! uple in 3uesti n2 an) at . rst the per(e!t pp rtunity ( r ) mesti! vi len!e an) !hil) a+use2 ! n!eale) .ithin the priva!y ( the nu!lear (amily. %% < ve is thus at n!e en)lessly pursue) an) !easelessly suspe!te). Can su!h a para) -i!al value spea8 r +e sp 8en? >esire) as the ultimate ' )2 (eare) as ! nstraint2 ) u+te) as an illusi n2 p stm )ern l ve is + th silent an) 'arrul us. %t !ann t spea82 an) yet it seems that it never !eases t spea8 in late t.entieth/!entury ;estern !ulture. %t is silent2 (irst2 in re! 'niti n ( its )eep +anality. EDvery ther ni'ht2 n 012E 6 lan) Barthes p ints ut2 Es me ne says: % l ve y u.E(3) 7 . !an .e2 uni3ue an) aut n m us as .e l n' t +e2 !apture the e-tra r)inary e-perien!e ( )esire in the repetiti n ( this . rn/ ut ! mm npla!e2 this +lan8 per( rmative2 .hi!h la!8s nuan!es an) Esuppresses e-planati ns2 a),ustments2 )e'rees2 s!ruplesE? (<> 148). E% l ve y uE +literates the )i((eren!e2 the uni3ueness ( the )esire it sets ut t !apture2 an) a((irms the )i((eren!e it sets ut t e((a!e2 the 'ap +et.een % an) y u2 .hi!h ne!essarily invests the per( rman!e .ith a !ertain s litariness. @n) l ve is silent2 t 2 +e!ause it ) es n t 8n . h . t spea8. %( #a!3ues <a!an is ri'ht2 )esire inha+its the un! ns!i us2 an) its m tive is a la!82 an a+sen!e at the heart ( i)entity. %n ! nse3uen!e2 it is spee!hless2 h ll .e) .ithin the utteran!e .hi!h is a )eman) ( r l ve. %tsel( a met nym2 a )ispla!ement ( the .ant/t /+e2 )esire is una+le t name itsel(: it spea8s nly in su+stituti ns2 in (i'ures2 .ith ut 8n .in' .hat it says.

%n 0he >i((eren) #ean/"ran! is <y tar) .rites ( Ethe unsta+le state an) instant ( lan'ua'e .herein s methin' .hi!h must +e a+le t +e put int phrases !ann t yet +e.E(4) 0he )i((eren) is a !ase ( ! n(li!t .hi!h !ann t +e res lve) +e!ause n sin'le rule ( ,u)'ment is appli!a+le t + th si)es. 0. )is!ursive 'enres ! me int ! llisi n2 an) n meta/lan'ua'e is availa+le t le'islate +et.een them. <iti'ati n sm thers ne si)e r the ther2 an) in the pr !ess the e-tent ( the .r n' .hi!h has +een ) ne simply slips a.ay2 th u'h it reappears as a (eelin' in 3uest ( an i)i m. 0he )i((eren) is si'nale) +y silen!e. <y tar):s + 8 is a+ ut p liti!s2 n t l ve2 a+ ut liti'ati n as an a((irmati n ( p .er .hi!h e((a!es in,usti!e2 +ut he a!8n .le)'es an anal 'y .ith Ethe imme)iate in! mmuni!a+ility ( )esireE (> FG). &ara) -i!ally s u'ht an) ) u+te)2 an) at the same time in e-!ess ( the pp siti ns .hi!h stru!ture Dnli'htenment thin8in'2 +ey n) the alternatives ( min) an) + )y2 presen!e an) a+sen!e2 (a!t an) (i!ti n2 l ve has n satis(a!t ry meta/lan'ua'e in .hi!h t ! mmuni!ate2 i( ! mmuni!ati n is un)erst ) as (ull2 livin'2 su+stantial. 6a)i!ally heter 'ene us2 even t itsel(2 )esire !ann t +e presente)2 ma)e present. 0he v !a+ulary ( true l ve2 .ith its v .s an) ! ntra!ts2 its ! ntr ls an) ! mpla!en!ies2 suppresses this heter 'eneity2 .hi!h returns as ( r+i))en )esire. =arria'e as liti'ati n2 r the inv !ati n ( (amily values2 ((ers .hat n . seems nly a pre!ari us res luti n. %n the . r)s ( the narrat r ( #eanette ;inters n:s ;ritten n the B )y (1992)2 E=arria'e is the (limsiest .eap n a'ainst )esire. 5 u may as .ell ta8e a p p/'un t a pyth n. ... 5 u:ll still lie a.a8e at ni'ht t.istin' y ur .e))in' rin' r un) an) r un).E(5) >esire is .hat is n t sai)2 .hat !ann t +e sai). E;hat .e !ann t spea8 a+ ut2 .e must pass ver in silen!e2E ;itt'enstein state).E But para) -i!ally2 t.entieth/!entury ;estern !ulture in its entirety ! nstitutes a repu)iati n ( ;itt'enstein:s la! ni! an) apparently irre(uta+le ! n!lusi n. ;hat !ann t +e sai) a+ ve all must n t +e silen!e)2 +ut .ritten2E >erri)a replies (&C 194)2 an) his .n .ritin' !an +e rea) as a re(usal t settle ( r the silen!e .hi!h atten)s the limits ( ( rmulati n. %nstea)2 >erri)a:s te-ts inv 8e every ima'ina+le lin'uisti! an) typ 'raphi!al )evi!e t ' +ey n) the ! ntra)i!t ry p int that i( .e !ann t es!ape the lan'ua'e ( metaphysi!s2 .e !an n l n'er simply inha+it it either. ;hat is n t a+le t +e sai) is .hat presses t +e 'iven ( rm. &sy!h analysis itsel(2 ( ! urse2 )epen)s n this assumpti n: analysis is the pr !ess ( listenin' t .hat is n t sai). @n) <y tar):s p int in 0he >i((eren) is that sin!e silen!e ai)s an) a+ets in,usti!e2 E;hat is at sta8e in a literature2 in a phil s phy2 in a p liti!s perhaps2 is t +ear .itness t )i((eren)s +y (in)in' i)i ms ( r themE (> 13). >esire (in)s i)i ms in spite ( itsel(. @n) even in all its +anality it ! ntinually attra!ts an ea'er au)ien!e. E|% l ve y u: is al.ays a 3u tati n2E a!8n .le)'es the narrat r ( ;ritten n the B )yC nevertheless2 Ethe m st un ri'inal thin' .e !an say t ne an ther is still the thin' .e l n' t hearE (;B 9). %n the t.entieth !entury2 )esire is m re v lu+le than ever +e( re / in peras an) musi!als2 p ems an) p p vi)e s. %t pr )u!es a pr li(erati n ( 8n .le)'es: therapies2 se- l 'ies2 arts ( l ve. 0he nature ( )esire is )is!usse) in manuals2 ! unselin' sessi ns2 a' ny ! lumns. %t has re!ently e-ten)e) the (iel) ( its perati ns: )esire is n . 8n .n t +e a pr perty ( the very y un' an) the very l)2 as .ell as all th se in +et.een. Se-uality a!8n .le)'es n 'eneri! limits: )esire inva)es e)u!ati n an) a)vertisin'C it perva)es ma'aAines ( r men an) . men. @n) a+ ve all )esire tells st ries / at the !inema2 in the p pular press2 n televisi n (Eevery ther ni'ht2 n 012 s me ne says: % l ve y uE). < ve st ries sell li8e h t !a8esC they als .in literary priAes. @n) all this t )is'uise the unpresenta+ility ( a ! n)iti n s ! mm n2 s inevita+le2 s impr +a+le an) yet s pre!i us that .e must repeate)ly spea8 it an) hear it sp 8en. %%% 0he p stm )ern ! n)iti n mi'ht +e !hara!teriAe) as the re! 'niti n ( the impli!ati ns ( )i((eran!e (.ith an a). & stm )ern .ritin' 8n .s that metaphysi!s is n t an pti nC it ta8es ( r 'rante) that the pr !ess ( representati n !an never +e the re! nstituti n ( presen!eC it repu)iates the m )ernist n stal'ia ( r the unpresenta+le2 ine((a+le truth ( thin'sC an) it vari usly !ele+rates r stru''les .ith the pa!ity ( the si'ni(ier. & stm )ern (i!ti n pre!isely re(uses t +e silent in the

(a!e ( .hat !ann t +e sai). 4n the ! ntrary2 the imp ssi+le 'enerates an e-tra r)inary l 3ua!ity2 a pr li(erati n ( te-tuality .hi!h !alls int 3uesti n the pr prieties2 ! mpla!en!ies2 an) !ertainties ( the past. %( the si'ni(ier is a )et ur2 it is n netheless the nly tra!8 .e !an ! n(i)ently !laim t ( ll .. 0he su+,e!t is .hat spea8s2 .rites2 rea)s2 an) it is n m re than that. Silen!e is )eath. >esire lives2 then2 in its ins!ripti n. & stm )ern .ritin' triumphantly a((irms its .n !apa!ity t es!ape the limitin' pp siti ns .hi!h n!e pr mise) t )eliver the truth. %n)ee)2 the nature ( truth itsel( +e! mes the elusive sta8e in the te-tual 'ames that !hara!teriAe n vels inv 8in' hist ry2 (i!ti n representin' (a!t2 an) presentin' it as (i!ti n. >. =. 0h mas:s 0he ;hite 7 tel (1981) s!an)al usly re! unts (r m the p int ( vie. ( a vi!tim the st ry ( the massa!re ( Ba+i 5ar2 an) it ) es s +y Epla'iariAin'E @nat li *uAnets v:s Ba+i 5ar2 itsel( a . r8 ( (i!ti n2 +ase) n the ) !uments re! r)in' the event. ;here2 in .hat seems an alm st in(inite re'ress2 0he ;hite 7 tel mi'ht +e rea) as as8in'2 are .e t (in) the event itsel(? 0he unsettlin' ans.er2 ( ! urse2 is that it !ann t +e ( un)2 i( t E(in)E it is t ma8e it present2 (ull2 su+stantial2 livin'. 7ist ry is al.ays a narrative2 al.ays re! unte) (r m a p int ( vie.. 0im thy "in)ley:s "am us <ast ; r)s (1981) is an a!! unt .ritten +y DAra & un):s !reati n2 7u'h Sel.yn =au+erley2 n the .alls ( his .artime pris n2 ( the relati nship +et.een D).ar) 1%%% an) =rs. Simps n in its pers nal an) p liti!al impli!ati ns. 0his (i!ti nal pr +lematiAin' ( hist ry2 ( ur a!!ess t Ethe (a!ts2E is s ! mm n in re!ent n vels that <in)a 7ut!he n has ! ine) ( r it the term Ehist ri 'raphi! meta(i!ti n2E an) treate) it as the para)i'm !ase ( p stm )ern (i!ti n.(F) 7ist ri 'raphi! meta(i!ti n !alls int 3uesti n2 she ar'ues2 the relati nship +et.een past an) present2 event an) te-t2 +y ren)erin' !riti!al the E +vi usE )istin!ti n +et.een (a!t an) (i!ti n. %s )esire a matter ( (a!t r (i!ti n? "a!t2 sel(/evi)ently: its e((e!ts are visi+le n the sur(a!e ( the + )yC its e-perien!e !han'es lives. 4r (i!ti n? 0he r le ( (antasy in the ! nstru!ti n ( )esire !ann t +e verestimate). 0he same events2 the same + )ies2 )i((erently ima'ine)2 )i((erently interprete)2 'enerate )i((erent e((e!ts. 0he (as!inati n ( the +el ve) stems t an un8n .n )e'ree (r m meanin's an) values2 s me pers nal2 s me !ultural2 .hi!h invest this + )y2 these a!ti ns. &e ple (all in l ve .ith (ilm stars2 r .ith v i!es n the teleph ne2 r .ith the auth rs ( the + 8s they rea). 0hey ima'ine .hat is a+sent. 0his is nly mil)ly e!!entri!. E%sn:t )esire al.ays the same2E 6 lan) Barthes as8s2 E.hether the +,e!t is present r a+sent? %sn:t the +,e!t al.ays a+sent?E (<> 15). %s )esire real2 the nly reality2 r unreal2 pre!isely r man!e2 (airy tale2 a temp rary ma)ness2 an +sessi n (r m .hi!h .e re! ver (E.hat .as % thin8in' (?E)? 0he rea((irmati n ( <a.2 ( every)ay +li'ati ns an) pre !!upati ns2 !an ren)er )esire an a+sur)ity. #eanette ;inters n:s n vel 0he &assi n (198F) thr .s int relie( the issue ( )esire:s reality. 7enri:s (irst l ve is Bap le n2 a man apparently +ey n) the rea!h ( la.2 .h set ut t ! n3uer the . rl). Bap le n2 7enri e-plains2 E.as in l ve .ith himsel( an) "ran!e , ine) in. %t .as a r man!e. &erhaps all r man!e is li8e thatC n t a ! ntra!t +et.een e3ual parties +ut an e-pl si n ( )reams an) )esires that !an (in) n utlet in every)ay li(e. 4nly a )rama .ill ) an) .hile the (ire. r8s last the s8y is a )i((erent ! l ur.E(8) ;at!hin' = s! . +urn2 7enri (inally re! vers (r m his passi n an) l ve turns t e3ually +sessi nal hate an) sel(/)is'ust. 7ere the rea)er is entitle) t supp se that (antasy 'ives .ay t truth as 7enri sees the real e((e!ts ( the r man!e he has su+s!ri+e) t 2 an) returns in ! nse3uen!e t the realm ( <a.. But the st ry ( 1illanelle2 the n vel:s !r ss/)resse)2 +ise-ual2 .e+/( te) her ine2 is alt 'ether less ! nventi nal. 1illanelle (alls in l ve a!r ss the r ulette .heel .ith a . man i)enti(ie) nly as the Hueen ( Spa)es. 0hr u'h ut 1illanelle:s narrative2 l ve is (i'ure) as 'am+lin'2 the Epassi nE ( the title: E5 u play2 y u .in2 y u play2 y u l se. 5 u playE (133). < ve an) 'am+lin' are ! mpulsive2 unpre)i!ta+le2 thrillin'2 )an'er us. ;hat is at sta8e is a l ss: E;e 'am+le .ith the h pe ( .innin'2 +ut it:s the th u'ht ( .hat .e mi'ht l se that e-!ites usE (89). @n) 1illanelle re! unts the st ry ( a man .h 'am+le) ( r his li(e an) l st. 7ers is a )esire .hi!h is .ay +ey n) the pleasure prin!iple. 1illanelle l ses her heart t the Hueen ( Spa)es. 7enri has t steal int the h use an) +rin' it +a!8 t her in a ,ar. She ) es n t ta8e the same ris8 a'ain.

6unnin' thr u'h 7enri:s a!! unt ( Bap le n2 his ha+its2 his )isli8es an) pre(eren!es2 is a re(rain a))resse) t the rea)er: E%:m tellin' y u st ries. 0rust meE (52 13C see als 16G). ;e ) n:t2 ( ! urse. Bap le n .as realC he +el n's t hist ryC the (a!ts !an +e !he!8e). 4n the ther han)2 &atri!82 the %rish priest .ith ne teles! pi! eye2 tells a st ry ( ' +lins .h re)u!e) his + ts verni'ht t the siAe ( a thum+nail2 an) he t a))s2 E0rust me2 %:m tellin' y u st riesE (4G). 0his time2 .e l n' t 2 +e!ause st ries are .here ' +lins pr perly +el n'. But .hen 1illanelle2 !r ss/ )resse) an) in l ve2 re! unts h . she .al8e) n .ater .ith her .e++e) (eet2 the repetiti n ( the same re(rain impli!itly p ses a 3uesti n: C ul) % .al8 n that .ater? C ul) %? % (altere) at the slippery steps lea)in' int the )ar8. %t .as B vem+er2 a(ter all. % mi'ht )ie i( % (ell in. % trie) +alan!in' my ( t n the sur(a!e an) it )r ppe) +eneath int the ! l) n thin'ness. C ul) a . man l ve a . man ( r m re than a ni'ht? % steppe) ut an) in the m rnin' they say a +e''ar .as runnin' r un) the 6ialt tal8in' a+ ut a y un' man .h :) .al8e) a!r ss the !anal li8e it .as s li). %:m tellin' y u st ries. 0rust me. (69) ;hat . ul) it mean t trust her? t )istrust her? 0his is a l ve st ry. ;here ) es l ve +el n'? @t the en) ( the n vel 7enri2 n . in l ve .ith 1illanelle2 (inally +elieves that he has )isentan'le) (a!t (r m (i!ti n2 reality (r m inventi n: % am in l ve .ith herC n t a (antasy r a myth r a !reature ( my .n ma8in'. 7er. @ pers n .h is n t me. % invente) B naparte as mu!h as he invente) himsel(. =y passi n ( r her2 even th u'h she ! ul) never return it2 sh .e) me the )i((eren!e +et.een inventin' a l ver an) (allin' in l ve. 0he ne is a+ ut y u2 the ther a+ ut s me ne else. (15F/58) 0his s un)s eminently (amiliar2 plausi+le. 0he a)vi!e ! lumns in . men:s ma'aAines . ul) say mu!h the same. 0his is h . y u re! 'niAe the real thin'. But at this m ment 7enri is ma)2 al ne2 impris ne) n a r !82 e-a!tly li8e Bap le n. %1 & stm )ern (i!ti n shamelessly mi-es 'enres. #ulian Barnes:s "lau+ert:s &arr t (1984) is a hist ri 'raphi! meta(i!ti n .hi!h is als literary !riti!ism an) at the same time a l ve st ry. "lau+ert:s narrative 9n C eur simple tells ( a l nely l) . man .h l ves a parr t2 < ul u2 has it stu((e) .hen it )ies2 ! mes t +elieve that the 7 ly $h st must have +een a parr t2 an) sees a 'iant parr t .el! me her int heaven as she )ies. ;hile he .r te it2 "lau+ert pla!e) n his )es8 a stu((e) parr t2 + rr .e) (r m the museum at 6 uen. "lau+ert:s &arr t is the st ry ( $e ((rey Braith.aite:s 3uest ( r the authenti! ri'inal < ul u. Braith.aite is n t naive. 7e is per(e!tly !lear (r m the +e'innin' a+ ut the a+sur)ity ( the )esire ( r reli!s ( the auth r2 the imp ssi+ility ( the +i 'rapher:s tas82 the in! mpleteness ( )iaries an) , urnals.(9) B r ) es he ma8e the elementary err r ( supp sin' that i( y u !an:t 'et it ri'ht2 it ( ll .s that y u !an:t 'et it .r n'. 0he literary !riti!2 >r. Dni) Star8ie2 ' t it .r n' +y misrea)in' an) misrepresentin' "lau+ert:s te-t2 in .hat Braith.aite )es!ri+es as an instan!e ( Ema'isterial ne'li'en!e t .ar)s a .riter .h must2 ne .ay an) an ther2 have pai) a l t ( her 'as +ills: (81). 0he n vel is n t naive either. %nitially there are t. !an)i)ates ( r the p siti n ( authenti! parr t. $ra)ually it emer'es that three m re are still e-tant ut ( a p ssi+le ri'inal (i(ty. &arr ts are tau'ht t tal8. 0hey repr )u!e (ra'ments ( )ial 'ue. 7 .2 Braith.aite . n)ers2 ) es the parr t )i((er (r m the .riter2 .h ! mp ses te-ts ut ( (ra'ments ( ther te-ts? (18). @n) .h

is "lau+ert:s parr t? I la2 perhaps2 .h learne) s mu!h (r m him? 4r 7enry #ames an) the auth r:s ther literary )es!en)ants? 4r alternatively the pr (essi nal literary !riti!s2 .h pay their 'as +ills +y plun)erin' an) repr )u!in' his . r8? 4r is it perhaps $e ((rey Braith.aite himsel(2 .h see8s "lau+ert:s authenti! parr t2 .hile insistin' that .e !ann t have a!!ess t his authenti! li(e2 an) )is! vers that even the parr t !ann t +e ( un)? $e ((rey Braith.aite2 .h se .i(e share) Dmma B vary:s initials2 an) ! mmitte) a)ultery an) then sui!i)e2 even th u'h she )i) n t 'et int )e+t2 an) )i) n t su((er the a' ny an) in)i'nity ( )eath +y arseni! p is nin'? >r. $e ((rey Braith.aite2 .h se li(e in ! nse3uen!e is restless2 unsatis(ie)2 l nely2 li8e >r. Charles B vary:s2 r li8e "lau+ert:s2 perhaps2 ,ust p ssi+ly2 i( .e nly 8ne.. E|% l ve y u: is al.ays a 3u tati n.E %sn:t )esire inevita+ly allusive2 )erivative2 !itati nal? 7 . else ) .e learn t spea8 it2 r even t re! 'niAe it? Dvery ni'ht n 01 s me ne turns int a parr t. 7ere is 4liver2 (r m #ulian Barnes:s 0al8in' %t 4ver (1991)2 )e+atin' the impli!ati ns ( his )esire ( r $illian2 .i(e ( his (rien) Stuart: E;hat has t happen is this. $illian has t realise she l ves me. Stuart has t realise she l ves me. Stuart has t step ) .n. 4liver has t step up. B + )y must 'et hurl $illian an) 4liver must live happily ever a(ter. Stuart must +e their +est (rien). 0hat:s .hat has t happen. 7 . hi'h ) y u rate my !han!es? @s hi'h as an elephant:s eye?EJ1GK 0his tissue ( !li!hes an) 3u tati ns is ir ni!. 4liver2 .e are t un)erstan)2 is ar!h2 literary2 (lam+ yant2 8n .in'2 an) !yni!al. Dven his )esire itsel( rea)s li8e a pasti!he ( 6ene $irar):s a!! unt ( trian'ular passi n in >esire2 >e!eit an) the B vel: 4liver .ants $illian +e!ause Stuart has her. 7e als .ants her +e!ause )esire2 an) tal8 a+ ut )esire2 Etal8in' it ver2E have a l n' literary pe)i'ree stret!hin' +a!8 t the DliAa+ethan p ets an) +ey n) them t the past ral i)ylls ( 0he !ritus. 4liver a'ain: E; ul) y u ren un!e y ur l ve2 slip 'ra!e(ully (r m the s!ene2 +e! me a ' ather) an) play m urn(ully ! ns lin' musi! n y ur &anpipes all )ay .hile y ur hee)less (l !8 !h mp the su!!ulent tu(ts? &e ple ) n:t ) that. &e ple never )i). <isten2 i( y u ' (( an) +e! me a ' ather) y u never l ve) her in the (irst pla!e. 4r y u l ve) the mel )ramati! 'esture m re. 4r the ' ats. &erhaps preten)in' t (all in l ve .as merely a smart !areer m ve all .in' y u t )iversi(y int pasturin'. But y u )i)n:t l ve herE (8G). 4liver:s l ve is intimately inv lve) .ith p .er an) p ssessi n. %n a m )ernist te-t its !itati nality mi'ht lea) us t ! n!lu)e that it is s meh . n t 'enuine2 n t real. 0his n vel ) es n t all . su!h ! mpla!ent )istin!ti ns t h l). $illian2 .h has n style2 a!8n .le)'es her se)u!ti n2 her surren)er in the simplest terms: E% (eel l st.E But at n!e she turns the utteran!e int a 3u tati n: E< st an) ( un)E (13F). @n) Stuart2 .h . r8s in a +an8 an) has n ima'inati n2 laments his l st l ve +y 3u tin' &atsy Cline lyri!s. >esire .as pr +a+ly al.ays !itati nal. Certainly the DliAa+ethan p ets 8ne. this .hen they translate)2 !ite)2 a)apte)2 an) re( rmulate) &etrar!h2 n t t menti n 0he !ritus2 4vi)2 an) Catullus. @s Sha8espeare:s plays ma8e !lear2 DliAa+ethan l vers ! nventi nally in)i!ate their ! n)iti n +y .ritin' s nnets. 0his is h . .e 8n . they are in l ve. 0he v !a+ulary ( )esire shi(ts as alternative tra)iti ns ! me int vie. an) ne. s ur!es are a)apte) an) re( rmulate). ;hat is spe!i(i! t p stm )ern .ritin' is that it ( re'r un)s the !itati nality ( )esire2 a((irms it2 puts it n )isplay. @n) in ) in' s it + th spea8s )esire an) )e(ers it2 )ra.s attenti n t the l 3ua!ity2 the e-!ess ( te-tuality that ! nstitutes the p stm )ern re! 'niti n ( the impli!ati ns ( )i((eran!e (.ith an a). 0his e-pli!it !itati nality r ts )esire n t in nature2 n t in presen!e2 +ut in te-ts an) a+ ve all in (i!ti n an) the pr )u!ts ( the entertainment in)ustry. St ries pr mise a 8in) ( re)empti n: they ((er ! heren!e2 res luti n2 !l sure. 0hey appear t re! n!ile the )istin!t )is!ursive 'enres in .hi!h l ve ma8es itsel( at n!e )esire) an) ) u+te). <y tar) ma8es the same p int a+ ut the narratives .hi!h ! nstitute hist ry: EBarrative is perhaps the 'enre ( )is! urse .ithin .hi!h the heter 'eneity ( phrase re'imens2 an) even the heter 'eneity ( 'enres ( )is! urse2 have the easiest time passin' unn ti!e). 4n the ne han)2 narrative re! unts a )i((eren) r )i((eren)s an) imp ses an en) n it r them2 a ! mpleti n .hi!h is als its .n term. %ts (inality is t ! me t an en). (%t is li8e a |r un): in a t urnament.) ;herever in )ie'eti! time it st ps2 its term ma8es sense an) retr a!tively r'aniAes the re! unte) events. 0he narrative (un!ti n is re)eemin' in itsel(E (> 151). But p stm )ern narrative is at +est am+ivalent a+ ut its rea)iness t ins!ri+e re)empti n. 0he

pr mise) ! ns lati n is n t2 n the .h le2 )elivere)2 an) n t nly at the level ( pl t. >is!ursive heter 'eneity is n t e((a!e) +ut ( re'r un)e) +y the re(usal ( (irst/pers n narrati n2 +y )is! ntinuity ( time an) pla!e2 3u tati n2 allusi n2 pasti!he2 an) par )y. %n pla!e ( re)empti n2 p stm )ern l ve st ries p se a 3uesti n a+ ut the stran'e im/pers nality ( )esire. ;h is spea8in' .hen 4liver inv 8es 6 )'ers an) 7ammerstein2 r Stuart 3u tes &atsy Cline? < vers2 the te-ts pr p se2 are ther than they are2 +esi)e themselves2 )is/pla!e). 0hey a!t un!hara!teristi!ally. 0his is ne ( the reas ns .hy a r man!e .hi!h is ver is s easily ( r' tten: it .as ))ly ut ( !hara!ter. ;hat is the r le ( se-ual )i((eren!e here? > all . men share un! ns!i us pr !esses !l se) t men? "reu) an) <a!an say they ) / an) they ) n:t. > . men in l ve nee) t 3u te . men2 men men? 4r is the se-ual )i((eren!e neither here n r there? Can a . man inha+it2 appr priate2 reena!t2 !ite the )esire represente) +y > nne2 Sha8espeare2 5eats2 C le & rter? Stuart i)enti(ies .ith &atsy Cline. Can:t a sin'er ( either se- appr priate the same s n' +y s.it!hin' the pr n uns? %s h m er ti! )esire spe!ial2 m re vi lent ( r men2 ! sier ( r . men? =any h m se-uals . ul) say s 2 +ut n t all. @re heter se-ual men )istan!e) (r m the )esire represente) +y Sha8espeare2 C le & rter? ;inters n:s ;ritten n the B )y is intense2 lyri!al2 am+iti us. @n) at its heart is the eni'ma ( an unname)2 un'en)ere)2 +ise-ual narrat r/pr ta' nist .h se i)entity teases the rea)er ut ( th u'ht an) int a )esire .hi!h is pre!isely )esire ( r n thin' namea+le. 0he l ve the n vel re! r)s is pr hi+ite)2 a)ulter us2 threatene) +y )eath. %t pr mpts mis'ui)e) her i!s an) sel(/imp se) su((erin'. < ve is very e-pli!itly sh .n t +e su+,e!t t the )iale!ti! ( <a. an) )esire2 r pleasure an) +liss2 + re) m an) an-iety. 0he te-t )e! nstru!ts the )ualism ( min) an) + )y +y attri+utin' si'ni(i!ati n t the (lesh: E@rti!ula!y ( the (in'ers2 the lan'ua'e ( the )ea( an) )um+2 si'nin' n the + )y + )y l n'in'.E 0he n vel:s title itsel( p ints t a )esire sh t thr u'h .ith meanin': E;ritten n the + )y is a se!ret ! )e nly visi+le in !ertain li'htsE (;B 89). 0he an nym us pr ta' nist re! unts a su!!essi n ( previ us relati nships / early n .ith . men2 an) later in the te-t2 th u'h n t2 % thin82 in the st ry2 .ith men. 0he te-t hints n . at a male i)entity2 n . at a (emale ne. %n the en) it is imp ssi+le t +e sure. 0he narrative )epen)s n the )is! ntinuity ( the narrat r/su+,e!t2 +y turns .itty2 reas na+le (.ith the irrati nal l 'i! ( passi n)2 sel(/a!!usin'2 ! n(i)ent2 )es late2 an) al.ays ) u+lin' +a!8 n .hat has ' ne +e( re2 re! 'niAin' in! nsisten!y +ut apparently helpless t prevent it. 0he l ve st ry is the utteran!e ( a sin'le su+,e!t2 +ut this su+,e!t ) es n t ((er t spea8 (r m a sin'le pla!e. < vers spea82 an) yet in ) in' s they are sp 8en +y a lan'ua'e that pre!e)es them2 that is n t at their )isp sal2 un)er their ! ntr lC this lan'ua'e is at the same time )isperse) am n' +analities2 p etry2 the sa!re)2 tra'e)y. ;h spea8s? ;h 2 then2 is re)eeme) here? 1% @. S. Byatt:s & ssessi n. @ 6 man!e (199G) ta8es the !itati nality ( )esire a sta'e (urther +y inventin' the te-ts it !ites. 0hese (i!titi us te-ts2 h .ever2 all instan!es ( pasti!he ( ne 8in) r an ther2 are themselves pr ( un)ly allusive an) !itati nal. 0he ! ntemp rary l ve st ry & ssessi n tells ( 6 lan) an) =au) is 'enerate) +y their , int 3uest ( r the te-ts ( a l ve +et.een t. 1i!t rian p ets. ;here the )esire ( 6 lan) an) =au) is pre) minantly silent2 suspi!i us2 an) s8epti!al2J11K the E1i!t rianE te-ts2 ! pi us2 ver+ se2 spea8 n their +ehal( (r m a peri ) .hi!h +elieve) .h lehearte)ly in l ve. 6 lan) an) =au) thus inha+it a r man!e2 .hile re! 'niAin' their .n !ultural )eterminati n. E7e .as in a 6 man!e2E 6 lan) re(le!ts: Ea 6 man!e .as ne ( the systems that ! ntr lle) him2 as the e-pe!tati ns ( the 6 man!e ! ntr l alm st every ne in the ;estern . rl)2 ( r +etter r . rse2 at s me p int r an therE (& 425). =ean.hile2 h .ever2 the 1i!t rian st ry itsel( pr ves ultimately elusive2 evasive2 )i((erantial.J12K %( & ssessi n is !riti!al ( p stm )ern s8epti!ism2 it is +y n means n stal'i! ( r 1i!t rian metaphysi!s. 0he st ry +e'ins in the present2 in the 6ea)in' 6 m ( the < n) n <i+rary2 .ith an epi'raph (r m a nineteenth/!entury p em 0he $ar)en ( &r serpina. E0hese thin's are there2E the E1i!t rianE te-t res un)in'ly a((irms2 E0he 'ar)en an) the tree L 0he serpent at its r tE (& 1). %( these thin's are

there2 the 8n .in' t.entieth/!entury rea)er re! 'niAes2 it is +e!ause EthereE has n l !ati n +ut !ulturally transmitte) myth l 'y2 interte-tually assem+le) an) re! nstitute). @lrea)y the $ar)en ( &r serpina is visi+ly ! mp se) ( (ra'ments ( the $ar)en ( D)en in 'eneral an) &ara)ise < st in parti!ular. &r serpina2 .e als 8n .2 is i)enti(ie) +y =ilt n as an +,e!t ( )esire2 snat!he) +y the ' ) ( the un)er. rl) t +e his +ri)e2 E.hi!h ! st Ceres all that pain L 0 see8 her thr u'h the . rl).EJ13K Ceres re'aine) her / ( r the sprin' an) summer. %n .inter she returns t the un)er. rl). &r serpina is al.ays alrea)y l st r a+ ut t +e l st. 0he p et:s name is @sh. 0he m )ern her 2 6 lan)2 is in the li+rary t l 8 ( r te-tual s ur!es ( the p em in the auth r:s ann tate) ! py ( 1i! . 6 lan) (in)s .hat l 8 li8e s me allusi ns2 +ut they are in! n!lusive. 0hey are n t ( ( ! urse) .hat he really .ants. ;hat he ) es .ant2 h .ever / en u'h t steal them (r m the li+rary / are t. une-pe!te) )ra(ts ( a letter (r m the p et t an un8n .n . man. 0hese te-ts2 ( in)eterminate status (is either auth ritative? .as either sent? n .hat !!asi n?)2 inau'urate the r man!e ( the title2 r man!e as 3uest2 r man!e as l ve st ry2 an) r man!e as sear!h ( r the elusive !hara!ter ( )esire/as/p ssessi n. %t is imp ssi+le n t t spe!ulate n the m )els ( r the (i!ti nal 1i!t rian p ets. 0ennys n? B . Br .nin'2 then? But ( ! urse i( the te-ts (it at m ments2 the li(e ) es n t. @n) Christa+el <a= tte is +vi usly m )ele) n Christina 6 ssetti / e-!ept that she +arely resem+les her in any si'ni(i!ant .ay. 6 lan) an) =au)2 h .ever2 have their literary ante!e)ents t . 6 lan) is the heir t Br .nin':s 3uestin' Chil)e 6 lan)2 himsel( a )es!en)ant ( the (airytale her .h res!ues his sister (r m the >ar8 0 .er ( Dl(lan)2 +ut als 2 perhaps2 t the me)ieval her .h ha) a Chans n .ritten ( r him. @n) =au) is 0ennys n:s =au)2 the te-t ma8es !lear2 (r m .h m she inherits a s !ial stan)in' hi'her than her l ver:s an) Ea ! l) an) !lear/!ut (a!e. . . . &er(e!tly +eauti(ul.EJ14K But ) es she n t als 2 perhaps2 .e s methin' t Christina 6 ssetti:s n vel =au)e? @n) even t 5eats:s =au) $ nne (E&allas @thene in that strai'ht +a!8 an) arr 'ant hea)EJ15K): ;hat ! ul) have ma)e her pea!e(ul .ith a min) 0hat n +leness ma)e simple as a (ire2 ;ith +eauty li8e a ti'htene) + .2 a 8in) 0hat is n t natural in an a'e li8e this2 Bein' hi'h an) s litary an) m st stern?J16K 0he .h le te-t is a tissue ( allusi ns. 0he rea)er ( & ssessi n nee)s a ' ( 1i!t rian literature as .ell as its ante!e)ents. ) . r8in' 8n .le)'e

0he n vel is m re2 h .ever2 than a 8in) ( s phisti!ate) literary 0rivial &ursuit2 an) it is s partly +e!ause it 8n .s h . t eli!it the )esire ( the rea)er +y its silen!es an)/+y its re(usal t (i- the !hara!ter ( the )esire it )elineates. ;hat is silent2 )espite Christa+el:s te-tual pr li-ity2 is the )esire ( the . men. Christa+el:s letters t @sh ! n!eal as mu!h as they sayC they are se)u!ti ns rather than )e!larati ns. 0he thir)/pers n narrati n ( the 1i!t rian l ve st ry in !hapter 15 tells m re (r m @sh:s p int ( vie. than Christa+el:s. 0he m st revealin' m ment is the a!! unt ( Christa+el !ryin' in the mi))le ( their (irst ni'ht t 'ether ( r the l ss she alrea)y anti!ipates2 an) her l ver:s a!8n .le)'ement ( her Eina!!essi+le th u'htsE (& 284). 0he m )ern l ve st ry is t l) primarily (r m 6 lan):s p int ( vie.. 0h u'h mu!h is (inally e-plaine) in the ! urse ( the narrative2 .hi!h ((ers (the illusi n () !lassi!/realist !l sure2 .hat is le(t in sha) . is Christa+el:s relati nship .ith Blan!he $l ver2 an) her l ve/an)/hatre) ( @sh a(ter their sel(/imp se) partin'2 as .ell as =au):s (inal relati nship .ith 6 lan)2 .hi!h remains t +e E. r8e) ut2E sin!e it has t +e re! n!ile) .ith =au):s Esel(/p ssessi nE (& 5G6/F). 0he . men are Christa+el <a= tte an) =au) Bailey. =au) as Christa+el:s )es!en)ant resem+les her n t nly physi!ally +ut in her (ier!e )e(en!e ( her aut n my (& 5G22 5G6). = tte an) +ailey: the !entral m un) an) the uter .all ( a !astle. B th Christa+el an) =au) inv 8e !astles as (i'ures ( their passi nately )e(en)e) is lati n. <a!an2 .h is repeate)ly 3u te) in & ssessi n2 p ints ut

that )reams ! mm nly sym+ liAe the ( rmati n ( the e' in terms ( Ea ( rtress r a sta)ium / its inner arena an) en!l sure2 surr un)e) +y marshes an) ru++ish/tips2 )ivi)in' it int t. pp se) (iel)s ( ! ntest .here the su+,e!t (l un)ers in 3uest ( the l (ty2 rem te inner !astleE .hi!h is the un! ns!i us (& 138).J1FK C ns!i us i)entity is pre!ari us2 paran i)2 threatene) .ith )isinte'rati n. J18K 0he 3u tati n is (r m <a!an:s essay n the =irr r Sta'e2 .hi!h )e(ines the inau'ural m ment ( sel(/! ns!i usness (sel(/misre! 'niti n) as the ,u+ilant assumpti n +y the in(ant +e( re the mirr r ( Ethe arm ur ( an alienatin' i)entity.EJ19K 0he i)entity is alienatin' t the e-tent that an ima'inary $estalt 8eeps at +ay the in(ant:s a!tual in!apa!ity2 the +,e!tive tur+ulen!e ( its E(ra'mente)E + )y2 +ut )ie repu)iate) tur+ulen!e an) the (ra'ments return t haunt the e' as a''ressivity2 the )eath )rive .hi!h pre!e)es Dr s an) .hi!h .ill ! me t inha+it )esire. 0he 3u tati n (r m <a!an is inv 8e) in & ssessi n +y the appr priately name) "er'us ; l((2 .h threatens t 'ive a paper n Christa+el:s un! ns!i us. ;hat is a+sur) in this pr p siti n is that the pre)at ry "er'us thin8s he has s methin' t say a+ ut the un! ns!i us ( a 1i!t rian . man p et2 an) n t the <a!anian re(eren!e. & ssessi n is a pr ( un)ly la!anian n vel2 n t nly in its e-pli!it inv !ati ns ( <a!an:s te-ts (& 14G2 25G)2 an) n t nly in its (i'urati n ( a )esire .hi!h is her i! t the )e'ree that it !ann t +e (ul(ille)2 +ut a+ ve all in its in)i!ati ns ( the e-tent t .hi!h )esire is inevita+le Ene!essity2E Christa+el !alls it2 t.i!e J& 2F61)2 an) at the same time )an'er us / +ey n) the pleasure prin!iple2 )estru!tive2 an'ry2 Ea .re!8er2E as =au) puts it (& 5GF). E> n:t (i'ht me2E @sh says2 ma8in' l ve t Christa+el. E|% must2: sai) she2 intentE (& 284). 0he imperative ( male )esire is t ta8e p ssessi n2 th u'h 6 lan) ! nstitutes a p stm )ern her in his relu!tan!e t ) s . J2GK 0he <a!an inv 8e) here is a+ ve all the 7e'elian auth r ( E0he =irr r Sta'eE an) E@''ressivity in &sy!h analysis2E +ut it is !ertainly ar'ua+le that <a!an never a+an) ne) his early insisten!e n the )ar8 ' ) in the sheep:s !l thin' ( the ' ) shepher) Dr s2 the hate an) i'n ran!e .hi!h is the pri!e pai) ( r l ve +y the si'ni(yin' human animal.J21K %n a p em palpa+ly in(luen!e) +y 6an) lph 7enry @sh2 .hi!h )ra.s n pla!es she visite) .ith him2 Christa+el <a= tte .rites a+ ut )esire. 0he p em tells ( p .er(ul2 m nstr us . men: =e)usa2 S!ylla2 7y)ra2 the Sphin-2 an) the "airy =elusine2 hal(/serpent2 hal(/m rtal2 all punishe) ( r their presumpti n. =elusine2 <a= tte:s pr ta' nist2 se)u!es +y her silen!e m rtal men2 an) 'ives them t )rin8 ( the " untain ( 0hirst. @t ni'ht =elusine (lies utsi)e the !astle 8eep: @n) ever an) a'ain a shu))erin' !ry = unts n the .in)2 a !ry ( pain an) l ss2 @n) .hirls in the .in):s s!reamin' an) is ' ne. <a= tte2 .h has l st her l ver an) her !hil)2 is n t re)eeme). 7er (inal letter t @sh2 .hi!h ((ers re! n!ilin' 8n .le)'e2 is +urie) .ith him un pene). @sh:s last messa'e t her is n t )elivere). 7er )esire is (i'ure) as un3uen!ha+le thirst2 +ey n) the alternatives ( li(e an) )eath2 salvati n an) )amna) n (& 291). 1%% =elusine .es s methin' t *eats:s <amia2 part/. man2 part/serpent2 the se)u!tive2 un!anny (i'ure )estr ye) +y the rati nal 'aAe ( the enli'htene) @p ll nius. Dlse.here a lamia is a )em ni! . man .h su!8s !hil)ren:s +l ) (4D%)). Christa+el <a= tte:s unearthly2 )an'er us2 )es late ut!ast resem+les in s me respe!ts the pr ta' nists ( @nne 6i!e:s phen menally su!!ess(ul 1ampire Chr ni!les2 .hi!h put n )isplay the relentless imperatives ( unsatis(ie) )esire. 6i!e:s vampires )ra. n .hat is presente) as an in(inite re'ress ( te-tuality: n vels an) (ilms an)2 +e( re them2 le'en)s2 myth l 'y. But they are als re)ra.n as p stm )ern (i'ures2 inha+itin' a 'l +al present .hi!h in!lu)es e-tremes ( )eprivati n an) p verty n the ne han) an) a para)ise ( ! nsumer pleasures n the ther. 0hey !an (ly2 +ut they als travel in airplanes an) .n (ast !ars. 0hey pra!ti!e telepathy an) .at!h televisi n. 0hey are a!! mplishe)2 ele'ant2 s phisti!ate)/an) )riven.

0h u'h they have an!ient r ts2 vampires ! me t pr minen!e in ;estern !ulture t .ar) the en) ( the seventeenth !entury2 at the m ment ( the Dnli'htenment.J22K @ss !iate) primarily .ith Dastern Dur pe2 that stran'e territ ry (amiliar (r m travelers: tales2 +ut seen as ,ust +ey n) the rea!h ( the ne. 8n .le)'es +ein' pr )u!e) in the ;est2J23K vampires initially h ver un!ertainly +et.een the realms ( (a!t an) (i!ti n. 0hese mysteri us2 alien (i'ures haunt a !ulture .hi!h is +usy ri))in' itsel( internally ( superstiti n an) irra) nality. 1ampires emer'e (r m the Dast t (as!inate the enli'htene) ;est. 0 the )e'ree that they +lur the pp siti ns n .hi!h !lear rati nal thin8in' an) empiri!ist +servati n )epen)2 vampires ! me in )ue ! urse t represent everythin' that the Dnli'htenment !ann t re! 'niAe. <i(e is the pp site ( )eath: me)i!al s!ien!e )epen)s n the a+ility t )e(ine the )istin!ti n. But vampires are the un/)ea)C they ) n t +el n' .ith the livin'C they spen) their )ays in their ! ((ins an) inha+it the ni'htC they have n pr per pla!e. 1ampires have a material e-isten!e an) they +rin' a+ ut material e((e!ts2 +ut at the same time they !ast n sha) . an) are n t re(le!te) in mirr rs: they e-!ee) the alternatives ( presen!e an) a+sen!e. Bl ) )rin8in' is e-pli!itly er ti!. < ve an) hate are ! nventi nally antitheti!al2 +ut vampire l ve is simultane usly malev lent: it ta8es p ssessi n ( the +,e!t ( )esire an) in ! nse3uen!e )estr ys it. @!! r)in' t 0h mas <a3ueur2 anat my )e(ines men an) . men as pp site se-es ( r the (irst time in the ei'hteenth !entury.J14K 1ampire se-uality imme)iately )e! nstru!ts this ne.ly esta+lishe) pp siti n: + th male an) (emale vampires penetrate their vi!tims2 +ut nly a(ter they have +een penetrate) +y an ther vampireC mean.hile2 it is the passive vi!tim .h pr vi)es the vital (lui).J25K = re ver2 the +el ve) in )ue ! urse +e! mes the !hil)2 +lurrin' (amilial )i((eren!e. %n Britain interest in vampires intensi(ie) in the late seventeenth !entury2 ,ust as the .it!h !raAe +e'an t su+si)e. @n ut+rea8 ( Dast Dur pean vampirism .as e-tensively rep rte) in the ;estern press in the 1F2Gs an) 1F3GsC the last British statute a'ainst .it!h!ra(t .as repeale) in 1F36. 0his ! n!urren!e may +e m re than ! in!i)ental. ;it!h!ra(t .as hel) t +e real2 a p ssi+le pra!ti!e in a . rl) ) minate) +y the supernatural. By ! ntrast2 the earliest appearan!es ( the vampire2 in travelers: tales an) ne.spaper a!! unts2 ten) t +e e-pli!itly te-tual2 a matter ( rep rt r re! r)2 n t +elie( r empiri!al reality. %n 16F9 the vampire is Ea preten)e) )em n2 sai) t )eli'ht in su!8in' human +l )E (my itali!s).J26K @n a!! unt ( the 0ravels ( 3 Dn'lish $entlemen in 1F34 l !ates vampires in Ser+ia2 an) .hile ma8in' )ue ! n!essi ns t Dn'lish s8epti!ism2 attri+utes +elie( in them t a su!!essi n ( ( rei'n auth rities: 0hese 1ampyres are supp se) t +e the + )ies ( )e!ease) pers ns2 animate) +y evil spirits2 .hi!h ! me ut ( the 'raves2 in the ni'ht time2 su!8 the +l ) ( many ( the livin'2 an) there+y )estr y them. Su!h a n ti n .ill2 pr +a+ly2 +e l 8e) up n as (a+ul us an) e-pl )e)2 +y many pe ple in Dn'lan)C h .ever2 it is n t nly ! untenan!e) +y Bar n 1alvas r2 an) many Carni leAe n +lemen2 'entlemen2 et!.2 as .e .ere in( rme)2 +ut li8e.ise a!tually em+ra!e) +y s me .riters ( ' ) auth rity. =. # . 7enr. I p(ius2 )ire!t r ( the $ymnasium ( Dssen2 a pers n ( 'reat eru)iti n2 has pu+lishe) a )issertati n up n them2 .hi!h is e-tremely learne) an) !uri us2 (r m .hi!h .e shall +e' leave t trans!ri+e the ( ll .in' para'raph.... 0hese spe!tres are rep rte) t have in(este) several )istri!ts ( Ser+ia.... %n 1F322 .e ha) a relati n ( s me ( the (eats in the nei'h+ rh ) ( Cass viaC an) the pu+li!8 prints t 8 n ti!e ( the tra'e)ies they a!te) in the +annat ( 0emes.aer2 in the year 1F38. (581/82) 0e-tual in)etermina!y thus invests these early vampires. 0hey are n t li8ely t +e !re)i+le t Dn'lish rea)ersC n the ther han) they are m re than peasant superstiti n2 sin!e they are v u!he) ( r +y 'entlemen an) s!h lars. But they are i)enti(ie) at ne rem ve2 a matter ( ther pe ple:s +elie(s2 a phen men n that the travelers are in( rme) a+ ut +y thers2 that they rea) a+ ut in . r8s ( eru)iti n r ne.spapers2 .here vampires are sai) t play a part in tra'e)ies. 0he 0ravels .as n t pu+lishe) until 181G. By 18192 .hen & li) ri pu+lishe) his %ntr )u!ti n t 0he 1ampre. @ 0ale2 vampires are an Dastern Esuperstiti nE .hi!h has 'iven rise t Emany . n)er(ul st ries2E +ut a !ase ( vampirism in 7un'ary .as !re)i+ly rep rte) in the < n) n # urnal ( 1F32.J2FK Beither (ully

plausi+le as (a!t2 n r easily )ismisse) as (i!ti n2 vampires are ! nsistently !itati nal: they e-ist in 3u tati n mar8s2 in st ries2 in passa'es trans!ri+e) (r m ther te-ts. >urin' the ! urse ( the nineteenth !entury2 h .ever2 vampires are pr 'ressively rele'ate) t (i!ti n. 1ampires2 p sitivism assures us2 ) n t e-istC they are n nsense2 n n/sense. But they remain (as!inatin' t a !ulture that ! n(ines sense t antithesis2 re)u!es )i((eren!e t pp siti n 0he sym+ li! <a.2 insistin' n .hat is l 'i!al2 !lear2 separate2 at the same time pr )u!es a ! n!epti n ( the invasi n ( the ther int the sel(/same. 9n/)ea)2 in/human2 )is/pla!e): these pre(i-es +ear .itness t the unpresenta+le. <an'ua'e in its .n stru!ture 'enerates phantasms .hi!h e-!ee) the alternatives it ((ers. 0he m re enthusiasti!ally reas n ((ers t p li!e it2 the m re the sym+ li! r)er 'ives rise t the un!anny. 1ampires have survive) (r m a vanishe) pastC they represent everythin' that the s!ienti(i!2 rati nal 8n .le)'es ( the Dnli'htenment repress. @n) yet they are )istur+in'ly (amiliar2 re! 'niAa+le as a lin'uisti! p ssi+ility2 'limpse) in the interval that the sym+ li! r)er h ll .s .ithin itsel(. Bram St 8er:s >ra!ula (189F) has +e! me the !lassi! te-t (r m .hi!h s many su+se3uent vampire st ries2 an) parti!ularly (ilms2 are )es!en)e). 0he nineteenth/!entury a!! unt rea((irms2 ( ! urse2 the Dnli'htenment values its (i!ti nal (i'ures !all int 3uesti n. Bram St 8er:s st ry is narrate) (r m the p int ( vie. ( >ra!ula:s ;estern2 mi))le/!lass2 heter se-ual pp nents2 an) (r m this perspe!tive vampires are une3uiv !ally evil. 0hey are threatenin'2 .e are invite) t un)erstan)2 h .ever se)u!tive they may als +e2 n t least +e!ause they li+erate an un+ri)le) an) v ra!i us er ti!ism2 espe!ially in . men2 .h se (eelin's u'ht t +e m ral2 n t se-ual. 1ampires release un! ns!i us )esireC they suspen) the sym+ li! <a.. &r (ess r 1an 7elsin'2 the ) !t r/la.yer/ phil s pher .h represents Dnli'htenment 8n .le)'e an) values2 sel(lessly saves lives an) puts his vast s!h larship t . r8 in )e(ense ( the .ea8: the imme)iate pr ,e!t is a+ ve all t res!ue the . men (r m themselves. ;hen >ra!ula m ves t < n) n2 1an 7elsin' re! 'niAes that he must +e 8ept at +ay2 )riven ut2 )estr ye). ;hat is at sta8e n . is n less than ;estern !iviliAati n. ;ith the e-terminati n ( >ra!ula the un!anny is (inally e-!lu)e)2 +ut n t +e( re its pla!e has +een )elineate) in ! nsi)era+le )etail in the te-t. @nne 6i!e:s p stm )ern m ve is t ma8e the vampire spea82 t tell its .n st ry (r m this un!anny pla!e2 .ith ut simply reversin' the ri'inal pp siti n. %n ther . r)s2 it is n t s mu!h that the rea)er is n . invite) t en) rse the vampire2 i)enti(y .ith it2 an) (ill it .ith ima'ine) presen!e2 as that .e 'limpse .hat it . ul) +e li8e t !!upy a spa!e .hi!h !ann t e-ist. %n @nne 6i!e:s (i!ti n the vampire remains mysteri us2 utsi)e2 evil2 (antasti!2 'r un)e) nly in ther te-ts. (0his is espe!ially s in %ntervie. .ith the 1ampire J19F6K2 .here the human intervie.er re'isters ur n rms2 8eeps them +e( re us.) But in the -ym r n ( its alien pr -imity t the rea)er2 the vampire:s thirst ( r +l ) here ! nstitutes the (i'ure (. the )esire ( the 4ther2 that un! ns!i us2 )rivin' imperative2 .hi!h is +ey n) the pleasure prin!iple an) .hi!h has n name. @nne 6i!e:s p stm )ern vampires are para) -i!ally ethi!al2 t rmente) !reatures2 p ssesse) +y a str n' sense ( their .n evil. %ntervie. .ith the 1ampire is an a!! unt ( < uis:s relu!tan!e t a!8n .le)'e the impli!ati ns ( his .n vampire i)entity. @t (irst he !an +ear nly t 8ill animals ( r survival2 +ut 'ra)ually he re! 'niAes that the +l ) he )rin8s must +e human2 that he must ta8e human li(e in r)er t live: % 8ne. pea!e nly .hen % 8ille)2 nly ( r that minuteC an) there .as n 3uesti n in my min) that the 8illin' ( anythin' less than a human +ein' +r u'ht n thin' +ut a va'ue l n'in'2 the )is! ntent .hi!h ha) +r u'ht me !l se t humans2 t .at!h their lives thr u'h 'lass. % .as n vampire. @n) in my pain2 % as8e) irrati nally2 li8e a !hil)2 C ul) % n t return? C ul) % n t +e human a'ain? Dven as the +l ) ( that 'irl .as .arm in me an) % (elt that physi!al thrill an) stren'th2 % as8e) that 3uesti n. 0he (a!es ( humans passe) me li8e !an)le (lames in the ni'ht )an!in' n )ar8 .aves. % .as sin8in' int the )ar8ness. % .as .eary ( l n'in'.(28) But learnin' t 8ill human +ein's ) es n t heal the split +et.een a remem+ere) humanity .hi!h is irretrieva+ly l st an) an imm rtal nature .hi!h nly sharpens the per!epti n ( that l ss2 the

a.areness that vampires !ann t +e re)eeme). @nne 6i!e:s ) me)2 )ivi)e) !entral (i'ures revere the <a. that they are una+le t 8eep. 0hey are in ! nse3uen!e pr ( un)ly un.illin' t !reate ne. vampires. @n) in 0he Hueen ( the >amne) (1988) their m ral missi n is t save humanity (r m .h lesale slau'hter. = re ver2 vampires l ve intensely2 +ise-ually2 an) p lym rph usly: they 8iss ea!h ther (ten.(29) But se-ual inter! urse is n t an pti n: the supreme er ti! e-perien!e is )rin8in' +l ). 1ampires als (all in l ve .ith m rtals2 +ut t )rin8 their +l ) is t )estr y them / r t )amn them. %t is p ssi+le ( r vampires t e-!han'e +l ) .ith ea!h ther2 +ut this !ir!ulati n ( the same +l ) ) es n t n urish: ( r survival they nee) m rtal vi!tims. 0hey are thus ! mpelle) t !ause )eath2 an) their )ea)ly ! mpulsi n is a s ur!e ( simultane us rapture an) shame2 e!stasy an) sel(/)is'ust. %t represents the ultimate )e+asement2 pleasure ra)i!ally )iv r!e) (r m l ve. B !l sure is availa+le t vampires2 n p ssi+le res luti n ( the ! ntra)i!ti ns they represent: She st ) listenin' t the +l ) insi)e her2 an) marvelin' in a !raAe)2 )espairin' .ay that it ! ul) still re(resh her an) stren'then her2 even n .. Sa)2 'rie(/stri!8en2 she l 8e) at the l vely star8 .il)erness en!ir!lin' the temple2 she l 8e) up at the l se an) +ill .in' !l u)s. 7 . the +l ) 'ave her ! ura'e2 h . it 'ave her a m mentary +elie( in the sheer ri'htness ( the universe / (ruits ( a 'hastly2 un( r'iva+le a!t. %( the min) !an (in) n meanin'2 then the senses 'ive it. <ive ( r this2 .ret!he) +ein' that y u are. (3G) 0he (riss n the vampire &an) ra:s e-perien!e eli!its here is n t ne ( h rr r. %n "reu)ian terms2 ( r vampires the imperatives ( se- an) survival are reunite)2 +y priAin' apart )esire an) l ve. %n <a!anian terms2 nee) an) )eman) are e-pli!itly separate)2 s that <a!an:s 'ap +e! mes a !hasm. 1ampires are ! mpelle) t see8 a pr hi+ite) pleasure utsi)e the <a. that they !ann t repu)iate. >esire is n t represse)2 +ut a perpetual2 ! ns!i us ! n)iti n2 an) it is a+ ve all the )esire t re'ain humanity2 ( r all its limitati ns an) ! ntra)i!ti ns. 0he vampire <estat is2 he tells us2 Ean an'uishe) an) hun'ry +ein' .h + th l ves an) )etests this invin!i+le imm rtal shell in .hi!h %:m l !8e)E (3/4). E0 +e human2 that:s .hat m st ( us l n' ( r. %t is the human .hi!h has +e! me myth t usE (528). But ir ni!ally2 .hen in 0he 0ale ( the B )y 0hie( (1992) <estat re'ains a human + )y2 he !ann t +ear its r'ani! ina)e3ua!ies. =ean.hile2 the human (i'ures in the st ries l n' t +e imm rtal. >esire is thus seen t +e ( rever un(ul(ille). @ te-tual (i!ti n2 p rtraye) as +ey n) the alternatives ( li(e an) )eath2 l ve an) hate2 ' ) an) evil2 @nne 6i!e:s vampire is surely the type ( the p stm )ern l ver: at n!e s8epti!al an) i)ealiAin'2 an) there( re restless2 unsatis(ie)2 )is/pla!e) an)2 in the last analysis2 s litary. =ean.hile2 E< ve never )ies2E pr !laime) the p sters ( r "ran!is " r) C pp la:s hi'h/!amp (ilm versi n ( Bram St 8er:s >ra!ula (1992). 0he title insists n the te-tuality ( the m vie:s ri'ins. 0his2 it appears t !laim2 is the real2 true2 authenti! / .hi!h is t say te-tual/>ra!ula2 a(ter s many shams. ;ith !hara!teristi! p stm )ern ir ny2 it then ra)i!ally re.rites Bram St 8er:s st ry t ma8e >ra!ula a (allen an'el m tivate) +y an imm rtal passi n. Bevertheless2 as a l ve st ry the (ilm appears !l ser in spirit t the 1i!t rian peri ) than t ur p stm )ernity. 0he s!reen ins!ri+es r man!e in every ther sh t2 n t nly in the !uri usly n nspe!i(i! se-uality it p rtrays2 +ut in re!urrin' ima'es ( mist an) )ar8ness irra)iate) +y the m n2 +y li'htnin'2 r +y (lames. 0h u'h there are m ments ( ma!a+re ! me)y2 an) instan!es ( pasti!he2 this is apparently a (ully 1i!t rian2 E perati!E a!! unt ( a )esire .hi!h (in)s (ul(illment in )eath. 0he (ilm als ! mes a!r ss as a ! mment n the se-ual ina)e3ua!ies ( British men. =ina 7ar8er 'la)ly ris8s )amnati n ( r her a)ulter us 0ransylvanian l ver2 .h .illin'ly )ies in ! nse3uen!e2 at her han)s an) in her arms. @s the (ilm en)s2 he is at pea!e at last2 .e are t un)erstan)2 an) she is trans(i'ure). 0h se .ere the )aysM @ !ertain )issatis(a!ti n .ith the en)in' perhaps +etrays the 'ap +et.een that . rl) an) ur .n. < ve is a 1i!t rian value. 0he nineteenth !entury supp se) that the pr +lem

.as repressi n: )esire release) .as there( re )esire (ul(ille). @t the en) ( the t.entieth !entury .e 8n . +etter / r . rse. 0he !lima- ( C pp la:s (ilm is 'l ri usly metaphysi!al2 an) h pelessly ana!hr nisti!. But then the (ilm itsel( is e-pli!itly2 sel(/! ns!i usly a ! stume $ thi!2 spe!ta!ular (antasy2 e-trava'ant mel )rama:(31) it never invite) us t ima'ine ( r an instant that it .as tellin' the truth. @n) that2 perhaps2 is the 8ey t the p stm )ernity ( this te-t: it insists n its .n (i!ti nality. %t there( re (ee)s ur l n'in' ( r i)eal l ve2 ur hun'er ( r metaphysi!s2 .hile at the same time ta8in' a!! unt ( ur s8epti!ism2 ur in!re)ulity t .ar) r man!e. Simultane usly s phisti!ate) an) naive2 the (ilm 'ives us + th .hat .e 8n . an) its ! nverse2 .hat .e )esire2 in a sin'le e-pensive an) +eauti(ul pa!8a'e. 5 u !an have it all2 i( nly at the !inema. 1%%% % sh ul) have li8e) t .rite a+ ut the . r8 ( 0 ni = rris n2 a+ ut her ins!ripti n ( the ! nstant )ispla!ement .hi!h is the ! n)iti n ( @(ri!an @meri!ans2 .hether they !h se2 li8e #a)ine in 0ar Ba+y (1981)2 t 'ravitate t .ar) .hite !ulture2 r attempt2 li8e S n in the same n vel2 a return t a +la!8 !ulture .hi!h n l n'er permits the realiAati n ( their )esires. % sh ul) have li8e) t treat her inv !ati n ( the unh mely2 an) the unheimli!h2 in the st ries she tells ( .hat ( r @(ri!an @meri!ans ! nstitutes / an) (ails t ! nstitute / h me.(32) % sh ul) )early have li8e) t ! nsi)er h . 0he Bluest Dye (19F9) re! r)s the !ultural ! nstru!ti n ( the +,e!t ( an unattaina+le +ut +sessi nal )esire2 an) t )is!uss the +rilliant a!! unt in Bel ve) (198F) ( the im+ri!ati n ( the )ea)ly past ( slavery in a present .hi!h !ann t in ! nse3uen!e realiAe the p ssi+ilities ( li(e. % sh ul) have li8e) t ) all this2 +ut % have a (ear ( appearin' t ! l niAe her . r82 r at least ( seemin' t preempt the . r8 ( @(ri!an @meri!an !riti!s. 0he pr +lem is n t that = rris n:s . r8 E+el n'sE t them r in)ee) t any ne. But .hat she .rites a+ ut in!lu)es the .hite e-pr priati n ( +la!8 e-perien!e an) % am a(rai) t repeat that pr !ess. 0 ma8e her (i!ti n . r8 ( r me2 t 'et it t )e(ine )esire n my +ehal(2 mi'ht .ell +e ne ( rm ( su!h e-pr priati nC t analyAe 0 ni = rris n2 .h .rites a+ ut +la!8 e-perien!e2 is t a)van!e int an area ! nstru!te) in the (irst instan!e +y th se pi neerin' @(ri!an @meri!an (eminists .h have ) ne s mu!h t put +la!8 . men:s .ritin' n the !riti!al a'en)a. %t is n t simply that % ) n:t have the 8n .le)'e / ( hist ry2 ( slavery2 ( slave narratives: % pr +a+ly ) n:t2 +ut % ! ul) learn. @n) it is n t a matter ( e-perien!e. 0his essay is n t a+ ut e-perien!e: it is a+ ut ins!ripti ns2 rhet ri!s2 te-ts. 0he pr +lem ( .ritin' n = rris n is p liti!al. ;hen men +e'an t a)van!e their !areers +y .ritin' a+ ut (eminism an) (eminist !riti!ism2 r +y pr )u!in' (eminist rea)in's2 s me (eminists at least (elt that this .as a spa!e .e ha) !arve) ut ( r urselves2 in the (a!e ( ! nsi)era+le instituti nal pp siti n2 an) that until the p .er relati ns +et.een the se-es ha) e3ualiAe) themselves a little2 men mi'ht perhaps ,ust +e ' ) en u'h t leave it t us. @(ter all2 they ha) the .h le ( the rest ( the (iel) ( literature t analyAe (an) in the ' ) l) )ays ( patriar!hy that ha) apparently +een 3uite en u'h). @'ain the 3uesti n .as n t ne ( 8n .le)'e r e-perien!e: it .as p liti!al. 0here is n reas n .hy men sh ul) n t un)erstan) (eminist p liti!s r rea) (eminist te-ts. 4n the ! ntrary2 .e .ant them t +e attentive t (eminism. But .e ) n:t .ant them t ! l niAe it2 t ta8e it ver. % have rea) 0 ni = rris n:s . r8 .ith the !l sest attenti n. But +y )ra.in' an anal 'y .ith the p siti n ( (eminism2 % ! n!lu)e that at this sta'e ( hist ry % u'ht t (eel a !ertain inhi+iti n a+ ut settin' ut t su+stantiate in a )etaile) analysis the !ase % sh ul) li8e t ma8e a+ ut 0 ni = rris n an) p stm )ern l ve2 .hi!h is2 ( ! urse2 that n + )y in the . rl) )e(ines it +etter2 .ith 'reater su+tlety r lyri!ism. &erhaps ne )ay. %n the meantime2 t .rite a+ ut 0 ni = rris n:s . r8 remains ( r me an +,e!t ( un(ul(ille) )esire. B40DS

(1) See #a!3ues >erri)a2 0he & st Car): "r m S !rates t "reu) an) Bey n)2 tr. @lan Bass (Chi!a' 2 198F)2 pp. 19F2 194C herea(ter !ite) in te-t as &C. (2) See "er)inan) )e Saussure2 @ C urse in $eneral <in'uisti!s2 tr. ;a)e Bas8in (< n) n2 19F4)2 pp. 116/1F. (3) 6 lan) Barthes2 @ < ver:s >is! urse: "ra'ments2 tr. 6i!har) 7 .ar) (< n) n2 19F9)2 p. 151C herea(ter !ite) in te-t as <>. (4) #ean/"ran! is <y tar)2 0he >i((eren): &hrases in >ispute2 tr. $e r'es 1an >en @++eele (=an!hester2 1988)2 p. 13C herea(ter !ite) in te-t as >. (5) #eanette ;inters n2 ;ritten n the B )y (< n) n2 1992)2 pp. F8/F9C herea(ter !ite) in te-t as ;B. (6) <u).i' ;itt'enstein2 0ra!tatus < 'i! /&hil s phi!us2 e). an) tr. >. ". &ears an) B. ". =!$uinness (< n) n2 19F2)2 p. 151. (F) <in)a 7ut!he n2 @ & eti!s ( & stm )ernism: 7ist ry2 0he ry2 "i!ti n (Be. 5 r82 1988)2 p. 5 an) passim. (8) #eanette ;inters n2 0he &assi n (< n) n2 1988)2 p. 13C herea(ter !ite) in te-t. (9) See #ulian Barnes2 "lau+ert:s &arr t (< n) n2 1985)2 pp. 122 382 65C herea(ter !ite) in te-t. (1G) #ulian Barnes2 0al8in' %t 4ver (< n) n2 1992)2 p. 8GC herea(ter !ite) in te-t. (11) See @.S.Byatt2 & ssessi n: @ 6 man!e (< n) n2 1991)2 pp. 26F2 423C herea(ter !ite) in te-t as &. (12) >i((erantial is >erri)a:s term ( r the )i((ere)2 )e(erre) e-!han'e .hi!h ! nstitutes E! mmuni!ati nE (&C2 p. 54). (13) # hn =ilt n2 &ara)ise < st2 4.2F1/F22 in # hn =ilt n2 e). Stephen 4r'el an) # nathan $ l)+er' (4-( r)2 199G)2 p. 42F. (14) @l(re) 0ennys n2 E=au): @ = n )rama2E in 0he & ems ( 0ennys n2 e). Christ pher 6i!8s (< n) n2 1969)2 %l. F8/F9. (15) ;. B. 5eats2 EBeauti(ul < (ty 0hin's2E in C lle!te) & ems (< n) n2 1958)2 p. 348C herea(ter !ite) in te-t. (16) ;. B. 5eats2 EB Se! n) 0r y2E in C lle!te) & ems2 p. 1G1. (1F) #a!3ues <a!an2 E0he =irr r Sta'e2E in D!rits: @ Sele!ti n2 tr. @lan Sheri)an (Be. 5 r82 19FF)2 p. 5. (18) 0he "ren!h ren)ers the metaph ri! t p 'raphy mar'inally less +s!ure: Ela ( rmati n )u ,e se sym+ lise niri3uement par un !amp retran!he2 v ire un sta)e2 / )istri+uant )e %:arene interieure a s n en!einte2 a s n p rt ur )e 'ravats et )e mare!a'es2 )eu- !hamps )e lutte pp ses u le su,et s:empetre )ans la 3uete )e l:altier et l intain !hateau interieur2 ) nt la ( rme ... sym+ lise le !aE (#a!3ues <a!an2 E<e Sta)e )u mirr r2E in D!rits J&aris2 1966K2 p. 9F). (19) #a!3ues <a!an2 E0he =irr r Sta'e2E p. 4. (2G) 6 lan) ha) t +e ma)e sli'htly m re Emas!ulineE ( r the @meri!an D)iti n (see ;ashin't n & st B 8 ; rl)2 222 n . 382 2G Sept. 1992). % am 'rate(ul t <ena C .en 4rlin ( r this in( rmati n. (21) <a!an2 D!rits: @ Sele!ti n2 pp. 2452 265. " r a 7e'elian rea)in' ( <a!an see 6i!har) B th+y2 >eath an) >esire. &sy!h analyti! 0he ry in <a!an:s 6eturn t "reu) (Be. 5 r82 1991). (22) See =ilan 1. >imi!2 E1ampir mania in the Di'hteenth Century: 0he 4ther Si)e ( the Dnli'htenment2E in =an an) Bature: &r !ee)in's ( the2 Cana)ian S !iety ( r Di'hteenth/!entury Stu)ies2 32 e). 6 +ert #ames =errett (D)m nt n2 1984)2 pp. 1/22C an) Christ pher "raylin'2 1ampyresE. < r) Byr n t C unt >ra!ula (< n) n2 1992)2 pp. 19/36. (23) 0ransylvania: n the ther si)e ( the ( rest. Bram St 8er ha) a!!ess t Dmily $erar):s travel + 82 0he <an) Bey n) the " rest (Be. 5 r82 1888)(see <e nar) ; rl)2 0he @nn tate) >ra!ula JBe. 5 r82 19F5K2 -iii/-iv). (24) See 0h mas <a3ueur2 =a8in' Se-: B )y an) $en)er (r m the $ree8s t "reu) (Cam+ri)'e2 =ass.2 199G). (25) " r a +rilliant te-tual analysis ( the )iss luti n ( 'en)er in >ra!ula see Christ pher Cra(t2 E*iss =e .ith 0h se 6e) <ips:: $en)er an) %nversi n in Bram St 8er:s >ra!ulla2E 6epresentati ns2 8 (1984)2 1GF/33. (26) *atharina =. ;ils n2 E0he 7ist ry ( the ; r) |1ampire2:E # urnal ( the 7ist y ( %)eas2 46 (1985)2 58GC herea(ter !ite) in te-t. (2F) # hn ;illiam & li) ri2 0he 1ampyre: @ 0ale (< n) n2 1819)2 pp. -i-/--. (28) @nne 6i!e2 %ntervie. .ith the 1ampire2 (< n) n2 19FF)2 p. 9F. (29) 0his !hara!teristi! is anti!ipate) in ECarmillaE (18F2). E0he vampire is pr ne t +e (as!inate) .ith an en'r ssin' vehemen!e2 resem+lin' the passi n ( l ve2 +y parti!ular pers ns. %n pursuit ( these it .ill e-er!ise ine-hausti+le patien!e an) strata'em2 ( r a!!ess t a parti!ular +,e!t may +e +stru!te) in a hun)re) .ays. %t .ill never )esist until it has satiate) its passi n2 an) )raine) the very li(e ( its ! vete) vi!tim. . . . %n these !ases it seems t yearn ( r s methin' li8e sympathy an) ! nsent. %n r)inary nes it ' es )ire!t t its +,e!t2 verp .ers .ith vi len!e2 an) stran'les an) e-hausts (ten at a sin'le (east.E Sheri)an <e "anu2 ECarmilla2E in %n a $lass >ar8ly ($l u!ester2 199G)2 pp. 312/13. (3G) @nne 6i!e2 0he Hueen ( the >amne) (< n) n2 199G)2pp.8G/81C herea(ter !ite) in te-t. (31) 0he (ilm intr )u!es elements (r m (airytale: ( r e-ample2 in C pp la:s versi n <u!y:s (amily is arist !rati!2 .hile =ina is a p r s!h ltea!her. >ra!ula2 mean.hile2 is i)enti(ie) as her Eprin!e.E (32) Bar+ara # hns n2 E:@estheti!: an) |6app rt: in 0 ni = rris n:s Sula2E0e-tual

&ra!ti!e2 F (1993)2 165/F2. #ource $itation: Belsey2 Catherine. E& stm )ern l ve: 3uesti nin' the metaphysi!s ( )esire. (25th @nniversary %ssue).E New Literary History 25.n3 (Summer 1994): 683(23). Academic OneFile. 0h ms n $ale. 9niversity ( the ;it.atersran). 28 =ay. 2GGF Nhttp:LLG/(in).'ale'r up.! m.inn pa!..its.a!.Aa:8GLit-Lin( mar8.) ?O! ntentSetP%@C/ > !umentsOtypePretrieveOta+%>P0GG2Opr )%)P@4BDO) !%)P@15F112G4Os ur!eP'aleOsr!pr )P@4BDOuser$r upBamePu .Qit.Oversi nP1.GR. !homson %ale &ocument 'umber: @15F112G4