Heidegger in the Literary World: Variations on Poetic Thinking

Poets, novelists, and playwrights have significantly influenced Martin Heidegger's philosophical thought, as explored in this collection of essays. It highlights the ways in which Heideggerian concepts, motifs, and concerns have been taken up in literary and poetic writing since the middle of the 20th century, offering new perspectives and insights into the relationship between philosophy and literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Martin Heidegger's philosophical ideas have had a profound impact on the world of literature, with poets, novelists, and playwrights taking center stage in their reception. This collection of essays explores the diverse and often unexpected ways in which Heideggerian concepts, motifs, and concerns have been incorporated into literary and poetic writing since the mid-20th century. Scholars from various regions, including the Americas, Asia, and Europe, delve into the intellectual connections between Heidegger and notable literary figures such as John Ashbery, Julia de Burgos, Paul Celan, Elfriede Jelinek, and Velimir Khlebnikov. The volume showcases the remarkable creativity that emerges from these poetic and literary interpretations of Heidegger's thinking, offering fresh avenues for critical engagement in contemporary philosophical and literary discourse.

Introduction:
Martin Heidegger's philosophical ideas have had a profound influence on the world of literature, with poets, novelists, and playwrights taking center stage in their reception. This collection of essays explores the diverse and often unexpected ways in which Heideggerian concepts, motifs, and concerns have been incorporated into literary and poetic writing since the mid-20th century. Scholars from various regions, including the Americas, Asia, and Europe, delve into the intellectual connections between Heidegger and notable literary figures such as John Ashbery, Julia de Burgos, Paul Celan, Elfriede Jelinek, and Velimir Khlebnikov. The volume showcases the remarkable creativity that emerges from these poetic and literary interpretations of Heidegger's thinking, offering fresh avenues for critical engagement in contemporary philosophical and literary discourse.

Heideggerian Concepts in Literary and Poetic Writing:
Poets have been particularly adept at capturing the essence of Heideggerian concepts through their use of language and imagery. For instance, John Ashbery's poetry often explores the themes of temporality, embodiment, and the relationship between humans and the natural world, drawing upon Heidegger's ideas about the nature of being and the significance of dwelling. Similarly, Julia de Burgos's poetry explores the complexities of identity, memory, and the trauma of history, drawing upon Heidegger's notion of the "event" and the idea of the "self-constituting."

Novelists have also found ways to incorporate Heideggerian ideas into their works. Paul Celan's novel "The Tin Drum" is a prime example of this, as it explores the nature of time, memory, and the Holocaust through the lens of Heidegger's philosophy. Celan's use of language and imagery is particularly striking, as he creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty that mirrors the complexities of Heidegger's thinking.

Playwrights have also been influenced by Heidegger's ideas, particularly in their exploration of the human condition and the nature of existence. Elfriede Jelinek's play "The Mother" is a powerful example of this, as it explores the relationship between mother and child, the nature of guilt, and the complexities of identity through the lens of Heidegger's philosophy.

Intellectual Constellations between Heidegger and Literary Figures:
The essays in this collection also explore the intellectual constellations between Heidegger and selected literary figures. Scholars analyze the ways in which Heidegger's ideas resonate with the themes and motifs of these literary works, highlighting the ways in which they contribute to our understanding of Heidegger's philosophy. For instance, they examine how Heidegger's concept of the "event" is echoed in the works of John Ashbery, who uses poetic language to capture the fleeting and ephemeral nature of experience. They also explore how Heidegger's notion of the "self-constituting" is reflected in the poetry of Julia de Burgos, who explores the idea of identity as a process of self-creation.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this collection of essays offers a fresh and insightful perspective on the relationship between Martin Heidegger's philosophical ideas and the world of literature. It demonstrates the immense creativity that emerges from these poetic and literary traces and disseminations of Heidegger's thinking, offering new and fruitful ways to critically intervene in current philosophical and literary debates. By exploring the intellectual constellations between Heidegger and selected literary figures, this volume sheds light on the ways in which literature can contribute to our understanding of philosophical ideas and vice versa. As such, it is a valuable resource for scholars and students of philosophy, literature, and the arts alike.

Weight: 485g
Dimension: 230 x 153 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538162576