American Imago

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.