A question of listening : Nancean resonance and listening in the work of Charlie Chaplin
In this thesis, I use a close reading of the silent films of Charlie Chaplin to examine a question of listening posed by Jean-Luc Nancy, âIs listening something of which philosophy is capableâ (Nancy 2007:1)? Drawing on the work of Nancy, Jacques Derrida and Gayatri Spivak, I consider a claim that philosophy has failed to address the topic of listening because a logocentric tradition claims speech as primary. In response to Derridaâs deconstruction of logocentrism, Nancy complicates the problem of listening by distinguishing between <em>lâeÂŽcoute</em> and <em>lâentente</em>. <em>LâeÂŽcoute </em>is an attending to and answering the demand of the other and <em>lâentente</em> is an understanding directed inward toward a subject. Nancy could deconstruct an undervalued position of <em>lâeÂŽcoute</em>, making listening essential to speech. I argue, Nancy rather asks what kind of listening philosophy is capable of. To examine this question, I focus on the peculiarly dialogical figure derived from Chaplin that communicates meaning without using speech. This discussion illustrates how Chaplin, in the role of a silent figure, listens to himself (<em>il sâeÂŽcoute</em>) as other. Chaplinâs listening
Giunta, Carolyn Sara
Jean-Luc Nancy ; Charlie Chaplin ; Jacques Derrida ; Gayatri Spivak ; Listening ; Logocentrism ; Resonance
A question of listening : Nancean resonance and listening in the work of Charlie Chaplin. In this thesis, I use a close reading of the silent films of Charlie Chaplin to examine a question of listening posed by Jean-Luc Nancy, âIs listening something of which philosophy is capableâ (Nancy 2007:1)? Drawing on the work of Nancy, Jacques Derrida and Gayatri Spivak, I consider a claim that philosophy has failed to address the topic of listening because a logocentric tradition claims speech as primary. In response to Derridaâs deconstruction of logocentrism, Nancy complicates the problem of listening by distinguishing between <em>lâeÂŽcoute</em> and <em>lâentente</em>. <em>LâeÂŽcoute </em>is an attending to and answering the demand of the other and <em>lâentente</em> is an understanding directed inward toward a subject. Nancy could deconstruct an undervalued position of <em>lâeÂŽcoute</em>, making listening essential to speech. I argue, Nancy rather asks what kind of listening philosophy is capable of. To examine this question, I focus on the peculiarly dialogical figure derived from Chaplin that communicates meaning without using speech. This discussion illustrates how Chaplin, in the role of a silent figure, listens to himself (<em>il sâeÂŽcoute</em>) as other. Chaplinâs listening
question listening resonance listen work use close_reading silent film examine question listen pose jean luc_nancy listen something philosophy capable drawing work derrida consider claim_philosophy fail_address topic listen tradition claim speech primary response derrida deconstruction complicate problem listen distinguish attend answer demand direct inward toward subject could deconstruct position make listen essential speech argue rather ask kind listen philosophy capable examine question focus peculiarly dialogical figure derive communicate mean without use speech discussion illustrate role silent figure listen other listening