Journal article
The Reprieve: Weak Messianism and the Event in Primo Levi's Moments of Reprieve
Literature and Theology, Vol.25(2), pp.172-184
2011
Abstract
In this article, I analyse Primo Levi's work on Auschwitz, in particular his Moments of Reprieve. Against the overdetermined inhuman economy of the camp, I find that 'the reprieve' is what philosopher John D. Caputo has described as an Event, a stirring prompted by a call from alterity. Because it does not redeem or provide salvation, the reprieve is a weak form of messianism, suspending but not cancelling the camp. Because every other Other remains ultimately incomprehensible, I argue that even in the most repressive of the circumstances there remains the possibility of the reprieve.
Details
- Title
- The Reprieve: Weak Messianism and the Event in Primo Levi's Moments of Reprieve
- Authors/Creators
- E. McAvan (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Literature and Theology, Vol.25(2), pp.172-184
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press
- Identifiers
- 991005542778207891
- Copyright
- © The Author 2010
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Social Sciences and Humanities
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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