Abstract:

In this article the authors discuss the work of German author Thomas Melle in relation to his manic-depressive experiences. In the autobiographical book The World at My Back Melle demonstrates how a dysregulation of language is essential to understanding the nature of his manic episodes. Furthermore, Melle explains how he used writing literature as a response to challenges posed by his manic experiences. In this article, the authors explore this link in detail. First the authors investigate the specific dysregulations of language in Melle’s episodes of mania. Based on The World at My Back, three characteristic language disruptions are discerned in the course of his manic episodes: language disintegrates, narrative consistency breaks down, and there is a breakdown of subject and ego. Subsequently, the authors discuss the literary strategies Melle employs throughout his oeuvre and how these address these three aspects of language disruption. Eight literary strategies are identified, which cluster into three broad genres: implicitly autobiographical fiction, explicitly fictional autobiography, and eventually new realism. Starting from Lacan, the authors discuss how Melle’s literary strategies aim at remedying a major issue that accompanies his manic experiences: the workings of language itself. During and in the wake of his autobiographic writing, Melle develops ways of treating language, of keeping language in check, through which he eventually manages to restore his faith in language. The authors discuss Melle’s writing practice and relate it to Lacan’s concept of the sinthome.

摘要：

在这篇文章中，作者讨论了德国作家托马斯·梅勒 (Thomas Melle) 的作品，以及他的躁狂抑郁经历。在自传体《我背后的世界》中，梅勒展示了语言失调对于理解他躁狂发作的本质至关重要。此外，梅勒还解释了他如何利用文学写作来应对躁狂经历带来的挑战。在本文中，作者详细探讨了这个链接。首先，作者调查了梅勒躁狂发作时具体的语言失调。改编自《我背后的世界》在他的躁狂发作过程中，可以看出三种典型的语言破坏：语言瓦解、叙事一致性破坏以及主体和自我的崩溃。随后，作者讨论了梅勒在其全部作品中采用的文学策略，以及这些策略如何解决语言破坏的这三个方面。确定了八种文学策略，分为三大流派：含蓄的自传小说、明确的虚构自传和最终的新现实主义。作者从拉康开始，讨论了梅勒的文学策略如何旨在解决伴随他的狂躁经历的一个主要问题：语言本身的运作。在自传写作期间和之后，梅勒发展了处理语言、控制语言的方法，通过这些方法，他最终恢复了对语言的信心。作者讨论了梅勒的写作实践，并将其与拉康的“sinthome”概念联系起来。