Articles in a Collection
Abstract:
This presentation offers a rapid overview of the reasons
for a palpable gap between American and French literary
critics, which are especially noticeable in XVIIth century
studies. Without entering into a debate for or against the
one approach or the other, I propose to analyze the
structural social reasons behind American influenced-
criticism as I practice it. The purpose of this presentation
would be first of all to understand the pressures of the
academic market, which are now part of university life,
and which dictate and privilege certain forms of
knowledge and ways of thinking over others. I then trace
their consequences in the mapping of recent
interdisciplinary approaches, which characterize the
American academy today, while examining certain
examples of research produced in this current spirit.
Finally, I would reflect upon the future of the nature of
XVIIth century studies on both sides of the Atlantic.