Literary_work_and_philosophical_contribution Benjamin_Fondane

1 literary work , philosophical contribution

1.1 symbolist , traditionalist beginnings
1.2 arghezian modernism , expressionist echoes
1.3 avant-garde critique of parochialism
1.4 jewish tradition , biblical language
1.5 surrealism, anti-communism , jewish existentialism
1.6 late poetry , drama

literary work , philosophical contribution
symbolist , traditionalist beginnings

as young writer, benjamin fondane moved several times between extremes of symbolism , neoromantic traditionalism. literary historian mircea martin analyzed first of pastiches of several, contradictory, literary sources. these influences, notes, come local traditionalists, romantics , neoromantics—octavian goga (the inspiration fondane s earliest pieces), grigore alexandrescu, vasile alecsandri, george coșbuc, Ștefan octavian iosif; french symbolists—paul verlaine; , romanian disciples of symbolism—dimitrie anghel, george bacovia, alexandru macedonski, ion minulescu. young author had special appreciation 19th century national poet, mihai eminescu. familiar eminescu s entire poetic work, 1 of young poets tried reconcile eminescu s neoromantic, ruralizing, traditionalism urban phenomenon symbolism. while fondane continued credit minulescu s radical , jocular symbolism main influence on own poems, encounter overall less significant enthusiasm eminescu; in contrast, bacovia s desolate , macabre poetry left enduring traces in fondane s work, shaping depiction of provincial environments , transforming worldview.

fondane s affiliation ovid densusianu s version of romania s symbolist current was, according literary historian dumitru micu, superficial. micu notes young fondane sent verse published magazines incompatible agendas, suggesting collaboration vieața nouă therefore incidental, that, around 1914, fondane s own style conventional symbolism . writing in 1915, poet himself explained time magazine in question ought not interpreted other conjectural. during polemic tudor teodorescu-braniște, defined himself advocate of insolent symbolism, category defined , around remy de gourmont. perspective further clarified in o lămurire..., explained how tăgăduința lui petru read: clear, although symbolist, book. is, unmistakably, symbolist. [...] symbolism doesn t mean neologism, morbid, bizarre, decadent, confusing , badly written. rather—if there talent—original, commonsensical, depth, non-imitation, lack of standard, subconscious, new , healthy. regional point of view, young fondane included bacovia in moldavian branch of romanian symbolism, or, more particularly, in jewish moldavian subsection.

the various stylistic directions of fondane s poetry came in priveliști. mircea martin reads in poet s emancipation both symbolism , traditionalism, despite being opened dedication minulescu, , against eugen lovinescu s belief such pastorals exclusively traditionalist. according martin, priveliști parts romantic predecessors abandoning descriptive , sentimentalist in pastoral conventions: seems designed on purpose confound , defy traditional mindset. similarly, writer-critic gheorghe crăciun found priveliști texts contiguous other forms of romanian modernism.

nevertheless, of volume still adheres lyricism , conventional idyll format, identifying slow rhythms of country life. these traits subsumed literary historian george călinescu special category, of traditionalist symbolism , centered on brings man closer creation s interior life . same commentator suggested concept linked modernism , traditionalism through common influence of charles baudelaire, whom fondane himself credited mystical power behind priveliști. cycle recalls fondane s familiarity pastoral poet, francis jammes. of special note ode, lui taliarh ( @ thaliarchus ), described călinescu masterpiece of priveliști. directly inspired horace s odes i.9, , seen martin fondane s integrate death life (or plenary living ), equates existence seasonal cycle:

arghezian modernism , expressionist echoes

from traditionalist core, priveliști created modernist structure of uncertainty , violent language. according mircea martin, 2 tendencies intertwined 1 find both expressed within same poem. preference vitalism , energy of wilderness, various critics assess, modernist reaction drama of world war i, rather return romantic ideals. in interval, fondane had discovered poetic revolution promoted tudor arghezi, united traditionalist discourse modernist themes, creating new poetic formats. martin notes fondane, more other, tried replicate arghezi s abrupt prosody , tooth , nail approach literary language, lacked mentor s verbal magic. same critic suggests main effect of arghezi s influence on fondane not in poetic form, in determining disciple discover himself , seek own independent voice. paul cernat sees fondane indebted arghezi s mix of cruelty , formal discipline . in contrast such assessments, călinescu saw fondane not arghezian pupil, traditionalist spiritually related ion pillat s own post-symbolist avatar. verdict implicitly or explicitly rejected other commentators: martin argued pillat s omnipresent calm joy , modulated impeccable taste , clashed fondane s tension , surprises , intelligence superior [his] talent ; cernat assessed priveliști @ antipode of pillat , jammes, themes pointed social alienation , patriarchal universe gone off rocker .

statements made young fondane, in explains indifference toward landscape is, , preference landscape poet himself creates it, have been traditional source critical commentary. martin notes, attitude led poet , travel writer express apathy, or boredom, in regard wild landscape, promote withdrawal rather adhesion , solitude rather communion . however, way of cultivating cosmic level of poetry, fondane s work veered synesthesia , vitalism, being commended critics tactile, aural or olfactory suggestions. in 1 such poem, cited călinescu sample of exquisite freshness , author imagines being turned ripe watermelon. these works part convention in matters of prosody (with modern treatment of alexandrines) , vocabulary (a stated preference slavic versus romance terminologies). in addition, martin, declared himself puzzled @ noting fondane not publish of accomplished poems of youth, made special note of occasional disregard romanian grammar , other artistic licenses (left uncorrected paul daniel on fondane s explicit request). of priveliști poems upon nature ostentatious sarcasm, focusing on grotesque elements, rawness , repetitiveness, attacking idyllic portrayal of peasants in traditionalist literature. martin notes in particular 1 of untitled pieces hertza region:

the bull, 1911 painting franz marc

literary historian ovid crohmălniceanu first suggest, in 1960s, underlying traits of such imagery made post-symbolist fondane expressionist poet, had detected fundamental anarchy of universe . verdict echoed , amended of other critics. martin finds applies many of fondane s poems, explosive imagery central, opines that, toned down melancholy, message blends new form of crepuscular wisdom . scholar dan grigorescu stresses neo-romantic , symbolist element dominant throughout priveliști volume and, contrary crohmălniceanu s thesis, argues fondane s projection of self nature not expressionist, rather convention borrowed romanticism (except perhaps, [...] exacerbated dilatation in scenes in terrified cattle driven town). in grigorescu s interpretation, volume has similarities pastoral expressionism of romanian writers lucian blaga , adrian maniu, wilderness paintings of franz marc, @ opposite pole morbid hallucination expressionism of h. bonciu , max blecher. indicates that, overall, fondane s contributions confuse critics following contradictory directions , mix hardly finds grounds comparison within [romanian] poetry. in contrast, paul cernat sees both fondane s poetry , ion călugăru s prose expressionist écorchés , , connects fondane s modern attitude familiarity poems of arthur rimbaud.

avant-garde critique of parochialism

the introduction of rhetorical violence within traditional poetic setting announced fondane s transition more radical wing of modernist movement. during priveliști period, in articles contimporanul, poet stated symbolism dead, , in subsequent articles drew line between original , non-original sides of romanian symbolism, becoming particularly critical of macedonski. defining programatic approach leading, through avant-garde, neoclassical modernism (or new classicism ), benjamin fondane argued: excessive: way of being innovative. perspective, mixing revolt , messages creating new tradition, relatively close contimporanul s own artistic program, , such variant of constructivism. during own transition symbolism, fondane looked on avant-garde critical distance. discussing product of tradition leading stéphane mallarmé, reproached cubism displaying limitation of range, , viewed futurism destructive (but useful having created virgin territory support constructive man ); likewise, found dada solid, limited, method of combating interwar period s metaphysical despair .

the affiliation avant-garde came sharp critique of romanian culture, accused fondane of promoting imitation , parochialism. during period ended 1923 departure, young poet sparked polemic series of statements in which, reviewing impact of local francophilia, equated romania colony of france. theory proposed difference between westernization , parasitism : if foreign intellectual direction useful, alien soul danger. did not cease promote foreign culture @ home, stated complex argument need recognize differences in culture: global conclusion civilizations, viewed equal not identical, built on gourmont s theory intellectual constancy throughout human history, on philosopher henri bergson s critique of mechanism. in parallel, fondane criticized cultural setting of greater romania, noting bucharest-focused transylvanian authors became known attending capital s casa capșa restaurant. in retrospective interpretation of romanian literature, avant-garde essayist stated there precious few authors considered original, citing ion creangă, peasant writer, model of authenticity. while stating point in imagini și cărți din franța, fondane cited in favor traditionalist culture critic, historian nicolae iorga.

however, during virtual polemic poporanism (hosted sburătorul in 1922), fondane questioned originality , thraco-roman origin of romanian folklore, as, through it, historical myths surrounding latin ethnogenesis: present-day romania, of obscure origins, thraco-roman-slavic-barbarian, owes existence , present-day european inclusion fecund error [...]: idea of our latin origin [fondane s italics]. likewise, author put forth thesis according traditionalists such mihail sadoveanu , george coșbuc invoked literary themes present not in romania s archaic tradition, in slavic folklore. fondane went on draw comparison between idea of jewish chosenness , of romanian latinity, concluding both resulted in positive national goals (in case of romania , inhabitants, of becoming part of europe ). paul cernat found perspective more reasonable of contimporanul colleagues, speculated creating modernity on folkloric roots.

scholar constantin pricop interprets fondane s overall perspective of constructive critic, citing fragment of imagini și cărți din franța: let hope time come when may bring our personal contribution europe. [...] until such time, let s keep check on continuous assimilation of foreign culture [...]; let s therefore return cultural criticism. commenting @ length on probable motivations of fondane s discourse, cernat suggests that, many of avant-garde colleagues, fondane experienced peripheral complex , merging bovarysme , frustrated ambition. according cernat, poet surpassed moment after experiencing success in france, , decision have priveliști printed @ home intended special tribute romania , language. there pronounced difference between fondane s french , romanian work, discussed critics , fondane himself. elements of continuity highlighted in crăciun s account: french literature , culture signified fundoianu process of clarification , self-definition, not change of identity.

jewish tradition , biblical language

several of fondane s exegetes have discussed links between apparent traditionalism , classical themes of either secular jewish culture or judaism, focus on hasidic roots. according swedish researcher tom sandqvist (who discusses jewish background of many romanian avant-garde authors , artists), hasidic , kabbalah connection enhanced both pantheistic vision of tăgăduința lui petru , ein sof-like emptiness suggested in priveliști. paul cernat argued traditionalist elements in fondane s work reflected hasidism experienced in galicia or bukovina, direct influence of iacob ashel groper. according george călinescu s analysis (originally stated in 1941), fondane s origin within rural minority of romanian jews (and not urban jewish mainstream) of special psychological interest: poet jew moldavia, jews have pastoral professions, nevertheless prevented tradition of market agglomerations enjoying sincerity of rustic life. fond memory of judaic practice notably intertwined priveliști pastorals:

fondane expanded on interest in jewish heritage in prose , drama. various pre-1923 articles, including obituary pieces elias schwartzfeld , avram steuerman-rodion, speak @ length jewish ethics (which fondane described unique , idealistic), assimilation , jewish nationalism. offer answer antisemitism, including case, relying on proof of jewish exogamy, against theories distinct semitic race. in other such pieces, comments @ length on groper s yiddishist literature , corrects opinions expressed on same topic common friend gala galaction. explains in context, groper quelled adolescent identity crisis, helping him find core judaism, more vital him political scope of zionism. during these dialogues, fondane recalled, first discovered interest in philosophy: played sophist , paradoxical , abstract, in front of sentimental groper. antithesis inspired core essay in iudaism și elenism, fondane writes @ length hostile dialogue between jewish philosophy, in search of fundamental truths, , greek thought, ultimate value of beauty.

tăgăduința lui petru, believed mircea martin sample of fondane s debt andré gide, first of works take inspiration bible (in case, looking beyond talmud). biblical in subject, monologul lui baltazar has been interpreted crohmălniceanu negative comment on nihilism , Übermensch theory, notions embodied protagonist belshazzar, legendary ruler of babylon during jewish captivity. fondane s progressive focus on jewish biblical sources mirrored christian interests of mentor arghezi. arghezi, fondane wrote series of psalms—although, according martin, tone cadenced , solemn 1 expect confrontation or touching confession . however, martin notes, jewish author either adopted or anticipated (depending on reliability of manuscripts dating) arghezi s poetry of exhortation , curses, in ugliness, baseness , destitution speak directly divinity. these sentiments found in fondane s psalmul leprosului, same critic identifies series masterpiece :

surrealism, anti-communism , jewish existentialism

throughout , beyond participation in surrealist milieus (an affiliation illustrated filmmaker , popularizer activities, rather literary creation), benjamin fondane remained existentialist, following lev shestov s views on human condition. came critique of scientific method , rationalism human explanations of world, notably outlined in own faux traité d esthétique. developed independently shestovist thought, overall objection toward abstract projects has been likened essayist gina sebastian alcalay later stances of andré glucksmann or edgar morin. these attitudes shaped assessments of surrealism. in 1 of integral chronicles, fondane himself explained movement, described superior dada s joyous suicide , had created new continent rediscovery of dreams. poet , critic armelle chitrit notes that, in part, fondane s later dissidence motivated on existentialist level, since surrealism had stopped asking questions ; instead, notes, fondane believed neither in reason nor in system based on it. folly, wrote, perpetuate attempt make man , history cohabitable. 1 of [s]hestov s rare disciples, sets powers of life against of chaos. fondane wrote claude sernet, rimbaud le voyou in part @ attempt @ preventing other surrealists confiscating rimbaud s mythical status. according romanian-born writer lucian raicu, somber tone , allusive language clues fondane had nightmarish vision of political , intellectual climate. shestovist interpretation, opposing existence ideas, contested intellectual figure raymond queneau: himself former surrealist, queneau suggested fondane relying on blind faith, having distorted perspective on science, literature , human intellect. furthermore, noted that, under influence of lucien lévy-bruhl, fondane described reality exclusively in primitivist terms, realm of savagery , superstition.

fondane s objection communist flirtations of main surrealist wing had roots in earlier discourse: before leaving romania, fondane had criticized socialism modern myth, symptomatic of generalized desecration, suggesting leninist , labor zionist projects economically unsound. admired emil cioran rejection of modern ideology, poet argued critical distance imposed between artists , social structures, and, although reacted against bourgeois culture, concluded communism carried greater risk independent mind. in particular, objected marxist theory on base , superstructure: although planned address writers congress spoke of marxian economics being justified reality, argued economic relationships not used explain historical developments. critique of soviet union equally bourgeois society came argument futurism, not surrealism, transform art communist version of voluntarism.

fondane found himself opposed general trend of intellectual partisanship, , took pride in defining himself politically independent skeptic. around 1936, reacted against julien benda s rationalist political essays, overall critique of intellectual passions, describing them revived , excruciatingly boring versions of positivism, ignoring primary, anti-totalitarian, agenda. however, la conscience malheureuse (with essays on shestov, edmund husserl, friedrich nietzsche , søren kierkegaard) noted fondane s own contribution debate surrounding popular front activities , rise of fascism: titled after concept in hegelian philosophy, referred thinking process generating own divisions, referred possibility of thinkers interact larger world, beyond subjectivity.

rallying himself main trends of jewish existentialism, poet remained critical of other existentialist schools, such of martin heidegger , jean-paul sartre, believing them overly reliant on dialectics, , therefore on rational thought; likewise, citing kierkegaard reference point, fondane criticized jean wahl not discussing existential philosophy act of faith. dislike secular existentialism outlined in text authored shortly before 1944 arrest, spoke of bible being, whether or not wants , original reference existential philosophy. geneviève tissier-fondane later recalled husband profoundly jewish death, not abide formal regulation within halakha tradition. approach implied measure of ecumenism: jacques maritain, cultivated relationship fondane across religious , philosophical divides, described friend disciple of shestov 1 inhabited gospel ; fondane himself explained maritain shestov , himself aiming new judaic philosophy equally indebted christianity of kierkegaard, martin luther , tertullian. critical of maritain s worldview, remained passionate reader of work; in contrast, geneviève attested maritains beliefs shaped own, leasing church.

late poetry , drama

the spiritual crisis experienced in france probable reason why fondane refused write poems between 1923 , 1927. stated in various contexts, mistrusted innate ability of words convey tragedy of existence, describing poetry best tool rendering universal wordless scream , ultimate reality , or eternal expression of things ephemeral. in essays, suggested invention of art, invention of theory , rhetoric, had deprived poets of existential function; beyond letting guided art, argued, writers needed confirm principles of life, negative positive, exist. saw poets waging unequal battle both scientific perspectives , moralism, urging them place unique faith in mysterious virtue of poetry, in existential virtue poetry upholds . rimbaud le voyou in part study of how, during self-exile harar, rimbaud had not merely abandoned poetry sake of adventure, rather transformed lifestyle poetry of incertitude , personal ambition. fondane explained in baudelaire et l expérience du gouffre, poet , thinker evidence abyss faced, , alleviate own anxiety, through use of irony: laugh in face of tragedy, or disappear!

according cernat, articles integral show fondane ally of anti-political , lyrical side of surrealism, poet placing trust in negative-soteriological, liberating function of poetry . impact of existentialist philosophy traced cine-poems martin stanton (who called pieces amazing ). in contrast surrealists, fondane did not believe in need circulate poems universal messages, rather saw them basis personal relationship reader: not time print. poetry seeking friends, not audience. [...] poetry few—or not @ all. chitrit, parallels fondane s definitions similar views of romanian poet , holocaust survivor paul celan, concludes: closest can come seeing contemporary poetry. fondane s other literary works evidence impact of philosophical preoccupations. le féstin de balthazar, writer modified earlier monologul adopting shestivist themes (introducing allegorical characters discuss aristotelianism, capitalism , revolution) , introducing elements burlesque. conceived in 1918 , completed in 1933, philoctète reworked sophocles play of same title, interpreting through style of gide s dramas.

ulysse epic poem in free verse, first such work in fondane s career, , testing format later adopted in titanic , l exode. although quite similar voronca s own work, used homer s odyssey pretext comment on social alienation, included additional allegory of jewishness (according critic petre răileanu, voronca had stripped own text of jewish symbolism, in hope of not entering competition fondane). fondane s 1933 text echoes earlier intertextual homeric references (present in poems wrote in 1914), but, adventurous escapism, opposes ithaca metaphor—an ideal of stability in assumption of 1 s destiny. claude sernet referred ulysse painful , sober, cry of anxiety, of revolt , resignation, fraternal , noble song mankind . poem fondane s comment on wandering jew story (the mythical figure rescaled urban ulysses), and, according cultural historian andrei oișteanu, reinterprets christian prejudice jews being eternal witnesses of christ s passion. together, such motifs intimated writer s own experiences, leading various commentators conclude jewish ulysses . italian academic gisèle vanhese, connects lyrical discourse fondane s experience of abyss concept, notes ocean waters vehicles of nomadism in ulysse, while, in titanic, same environment serves metaphor of dying.

in cioran s account, benjamin fondane lived final years permanently aware of misfortune happen , , built complicity unavoidable . same noted german romanian poet , cioran exegete dieter schlesak, suggests: fondane man wished bear absolute uncertainty of outside; exists intermittent, not continuous, reality. [true misfortune] boredom of faint unliving, [...] of things implied, these being ones [fondane] hated. fondane s visions history , role of poetry notably outlined in l exode, portion of dedicated powerlessness of jews in front of prejudice. according oișteanu, text, narrative voice speaks of sufferings , defects common in humans, inspired famous monologue in william shakespeare s merchant of venice. part, called astonishingly prophetic , cynical apocalyptic chitrit, reads:

similar themes being explored super flumina babylonis cycle, described sernet terrible foreshadowing of events peoples , continents sink, author himself dragged without possibility of return. writing entirety of fondane s french poetry (le mal des fantômes), poet , language theorist henri meschonnic argued romanian author unique in depicting revolt , flavor of life mixed sense of death .