Aporia/Aporetic in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Aporia

The term “aporia” has its origins in ancient Greek philosophy and rhetoric. It comes from the Greek word “ἀπορία,” which is pronounced as “aporia” and is transliterated into the Latin alphabet as “aporia.” The word can be broken down etymologically as follows:

1. “Apo” (ἀπο): This prefix in Greek often signifies negation, perplexity, or difficulty.
2. “Oria” (ὀρία): This part of the word is related to “horos” (ὅρος), which means a boundary or limit. In the context of “aporia,” it suggests a state of being at a limit or an impasse.

Here are some possible meanings of Aporia:

Meanings of Aporia

Aspect	Meaning
Philosophical Meaning	In philosophy, it refers to a state of perplexity or an insoluble problem or paradox. It often arises when one encounters contradictory or conflicting ideas or arguments that seem to defy resolution. Philosophers use aporia to explore the limitations of human knowledge and the complexity of certain concepts.
Rhetorical Meaning	In rhetoric, it is a figure of speech where a speaker or writer expresses doubt or raises a question about a particular topic. It creates suspense, engages the audience, or highlights the complexity of an issue. It often involves the speaker presenting themselves as uncertain or perplexed, even if they know the answer.
Literary Meaning	In literature, it refers to a narrative or dramatic device where a character or narrator expresses confusion, doubt, or uncertainty about a situation or decision. This deepens characterization, builds tension, or conveys the complexity of the plot.
Mathematical and Logical Meaning	In mathematics and logic, “aporia” refers to a situation where a problem or proposition seems to lack a solution or leads to contradictory results. Mathematicians and logicians use the concept of aporia to explore the boundaries of their fields and uncover potential limitations or unresolved issues.
Ethical Meaning	In ethics, aporia refers to a moral dilemma or quandary in which a person faces conflicting moral principles or choices, and it is unclear which course of action is morally right.
Cultural and Linguistic Meaning	In some contexts, it refers to linguistic or cultural expressions of doubt or uncertainty. It is used to analyze how language and culture shape our understanding of the world.

Definition of Aporia as a Theoretical Term

In theoretical discourse, “aporia” denotes a condition marked by inherent, unresolvable contradictions or paradoxes, obstructing the emergence of a definitive resolution within a defined conceptual framework.

It serves as a symbol of epistemic uncertainty and intellectual perplexity, challenging the conventional boundaries of comprehension. Within academic contexts, it signifies a critical point where the limitations of existing knowledge become apparent, necessitating further exploration and inquiry.

Aporia: Theorists, Works, and Arguments

Theorists:

• Jacques Derrida: Derrida explored the idea in deconstructionist philosophy, emphasizing the inherent contradictions and uncertainties within language and texts.
• Plato: In Plato’s dialogues, the concept of aporia arises as characters grapple with philosophical dilemmas and contradictions in their discussions.
• Emmanuel Levinas: Levinas used aporia to describe the ethical encounter with the Other, highlighting the irreducible ambiguity and challenges in ethical relationships.

Works:

• “The Pharmakon” by Jacques Derrida: Derrida’s essay “The Pharmakon” discusses the notion of aporia in relation to the Greek concept of “pharmakon” as both remedy and poison.
• “Meno” by Plato: In Plato’s dialogue “Meno,” Socratic questioning leads to aporia as Meno and Socrates search for a definition of virtue.
• “Totality and Infinity” by Emmanuel Levinas: Levinas explores aporia in the context of ethical responsibility in this influential work.

Arguments:

• Deconstruction and Aporia: Derrida’s argument is that deconstruction reveals aporia in texts by exposing their inherent contradictions, challenging traditional interpretations.
• Socratic Elenchus: Plato’s Socratic dialogues use aporia as a pedagogical method, demonstrating that questioning can lead to intellectual impasse and deeper inquiry.
• Ethical Aporia: Levinas argues that ethical encounters with the Other often involve aporia, as the Other’s infinite alterity resists easy comprehension or assimilation.

Aporia and Literary Theories

Theory	Use of Aporia
Deconstruction	Jacques Derrida uses it to emphasize the presence of internal contradictions and paradoxes within texts. He argues that these aporias cannot be resolved but can be employed to expose the limitations of language and thought. It, for Derrida, represents the experience of the undecidable, the unstable, the impossible, and the unforeseeable (Derrida, 1981).
New Criticism	The New Critics employ the concept of Aporia to identify moments of uncertainty or ambiguity in texts. They view these moments as essential for interpreting a work because they allow multiple contradictory meanings to coexist within the same text. John Crowe Ransom, for example, asserts that it is the essence of poetry, creating the essential vitality of the art (Ransom, 1941).
Psychoanalysis	In psychoanalysis, Aporia describes the inherent contradiction between the conscious and unconscious mind. It represents the moment when repressed material resurfaces, leading to confusion and uncertainty. Prominent psychoanalyst Jacques Lacan uses it to signify the moment when the subject realizes the impossibility of resolving their desires.
Feminist Theory	Within feminist theory, Aporia exposes the limitations of language and thought when addressing issues of gender and sexuality. It refers to moments when dominant discourse fails to account for the experiences of marginalized groups. Judith Butler, for instance, discusses how Aporia manifests when dominant norms of gender and sexuality fail, forcing us to confront the limits of our language and thought (Butler, 1990).
Postcolonial Theory	In postcolonial theory, Aporia is used to illuminate the inherent contradictions and tensions within the discourse of colonialism. It signifies moments when the colonized subject cannot reconcile their own experiences with the dominant discourse of the colonizer. Homi Bhabha argues that it is the moment when the colonized subject realizes the contradictions within the discourse of colonialism and begins to create their own counter-discourse (Bhabha, 1994).

Examples of Aporia in Literary Criticism

1. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger: In J.D. Salinger’s novel, the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, grapples with a sense of alienation and the contradictions of adulthood. Literary critics have examined how Holden’s unresolved feelings and his inability to reconcile with the adult world represent aporia in the context of adolescent identity.
2. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston: Zora Neale Hurston’s novel explores the character Janie’s journey to self-discovery and love. Literary criticism often delves into Janie’s complex relationships and her struggle to define her identity within the societal constraints of race and gender, highlighting moments of aporia in her narrative.
3. Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner: William Faulkner’s novel is filled with narrative intricacies and multiple perspectives on the Sutpen family saga. Critics have discussed how the fragmented narrative and the elusive nature of truth in the story contribute to an aporetic reading experience, where the past remains elusive and contradictory.
4. Native Son by Richard Wright: In Richard Wright’s novel, the protagonist Bigger Thomas faces a world marked by systemic racism and oppression. Literary critics explore how Bigger’s actions and inner turmoil reveal the aporia inherent in navigating a society that denies him agency and humanity due to his race.
5. Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison: Toni Morrison’s novel features a protagonist, Macon Dead III, who embarks on a quest for self-discovery and identity. Literary analysis often focuses on Macon’s journey and the ambiguity surrounding his family’s history, illustrating moments of aporia as he seeks to reconcile his past with his present.

Suggested Readings

1. Derrida, Jacques. Of Grammatology. Translated by Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998.
2. Foucault, Michel. The Order of Things: An Archaeology of the Human Sciences. Vintage Books, 1994.
3. Harman, Graham. Circus Philosophicus. Zero Books, 2010.
4. Kristeva, Julia. Revolution in Poetic Language. Translated by Margaret Waller, Columbia University Press, 1984.
5. Lacan, Jacques. Écrits: A Selection. Translated by Alan Sheridan, Routledge, 2001.
6. Miller, J. Hillis. Topographies. Stanford University Press, 1995.
7. Plato. Phaedrus. Translated by Benjamin Jowett, Dover Publications, 1993.
8. Rancière, Jacques. The Future of the Image. Verso, 2007.
9. Ricoeur, Paul. The Rule of Metaphor: Multi-Disciplinary Studies of the Creation of Meaning in Language. Translated by Robert Czerny, University of Toronto Press, 1977.
10. Said, Edward W. Beginnings: Intention and Method. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1985.