Undecidability in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Undecidability

The term “undecidability” derives its etymology from the Latin word “decidere,” meaning “to decide” or “to determine,” with the prefix “un-“ signifying negation.

In an academic context, undecidability refers to the concept that certain problems or propositions within mathematics, logic, or other formal systems cannot be definitively resolved or determined as either true or false due to inherent limitations or paradoxes within those systems.

Meanings of Undecidability

Aspect	Meaning
Narrative Ambiguity	Authors leave elements open to multiple interpretations, engaging readers.
Reader Response Theory	Literary meaning depends on individual interpretations, leading to various readings.
Intertextuality	Undecidability arises from references between texts, reliant on reader recognition.
Open Endings	Unanswered questions in novels create undecidability, encouraging reader speculation.
Postmodernism	Challenges stable meanings, emphasizing language’s inherent uncertainty.
Derridean Deconstruction	Language’s fundamental undecidability, where binary oppositions remain unresolved.
Symbolic Ambiguity	Symbols and metaphors possess multiple, contradictory interpretations, adding complexity.
Reader-Writer Relationship	Authors engage readers by leaving aspects open to interpretation.
Paradox and Irony	Employed to challenge expectations, urging readers to grapple with contradictions.
Experimental and Metafiction	Blur fiction and reality, inviting exploration of undecidable storytelling.

Definition of Undecidability as a Theoretical Term

Undecidability, as a theoretical term, refers to a condition where it is impossible to establish a definitive or unequivocal solution or outcome within a given context, often due to inherent complexity, paradox, or ambiguity.

It commonly arises in fields such as mathematics, logic, and philosophy when propositions or problems lack a determinate answer or resolution, challenging traditional notions of certainty and determinism.

Undecidability underscores the limits of formal systems and highlights the need for nuanced approaches to understanding problems that resist simple solutions or conclusive answers.

Undecidability: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Jacques Derrida: Jacques Derrida is a central figure in literary theory known for his development of deconstruction, a critical approach that emphasizes the instability of meaning in language and texts. Derrida’s work is closely associated with the concept of undecidability in literature.
2. Roland Barthes: Roland Barthes, a prominent literary theorist, explored the idea of undecidability in his essay The Death of the Author He argued that the author’s intentions should not determine a text’s meaning, and that meaning is open to interpretation by readers.
3. Julia Kristeva: Julia Kristeva’s work on intertextuality and the semiotic aspects of language contributed to the idea that texts are interconnected and open to multiple interpretations, adding to the notion of undecidability in literature.

Works:

1. Of Grammatology by Jacques Derrida: In this work, Derrida delves into the concept of deconstruction and its implications for language and writing. He argues that language is characterized by undecidability and a play of differences.
2. The Death of the Author by Roland Barthes: Barthes’ essay challenges the traditional notion of authorial authority and argues that meaning is constructed by readers. It highlights the idea that interpretations are open-ended and undecidable.
3. Kristeva’s works on intertextuality: Julia Kristeva’s writings on intertextuality, such as Desire in Language explore how texts are interconnected, and how meaning emerges from the interplay of various texts, contributing to undecidability.

Arguments:

1. Derrida’s Argument: Derrida’s theory of deconstruction posits that language is characterized by undecidability, where meaning is never fixed but is always subject to reinterpretation and play of differences.
2. Barthes’ Argument: Roland Barthes argues against the notion of the author as the sole authority on a text’s meaning. He contends that texts are open to multiple interpretations, and readers play a crucial role in constructing meaning.
3. Kristeva’s Argument: Julia Kristeva’s concept of intertextuality emphasizes the interconnectedness of texts and the ways in which meaning is generated through the interaction of multiple texts. This highlights the idea that interpretations are multifaceted and undecidable.

Undecidability, in the context of literary theory, underscores the complexity and ambiguity of texts, challenging traditional notions of fixed meaning and authorial authority. These theorists, works, and arguments collectively contribute to our understanding of undecidability in literature and literary theory.

Undecidability and Literary Theories

1. Deconstruction:
   • Deconstruction, a critical approach developed by Jacques Derrida, is deeply concerned with undecidability. Derrida argues that language is characterized by a play of differences, and meaning is never stable or fixed but is always in flux. He emphasizes that texts contain undecidable moments where meaning eludes definitive interpretation. Deconstructionists examine these moments of ambiguity, contradiction, and paradox to reveal the inherent instability of language and the limits of fixed meanings.
2. Reader-Response Theory:
   • Reader-response theorists, including Wolfgang Iser and Stanley Fish, explore how readers actively engage with texts and construct meaning. Undecidability is relevant in this context because it underscores the idea that different readers can arrive at multiple, often conflicting interpretations of the same text. Reader-response theorists argue that the undecidability of meaning is a fundamental aspect of literary texts, and it is the reader who ultimately decides the meaning through their interpretation.
3. Intertextuality:
   • The concept of intertextuality, popularized by Julia Kristeva, emphasizes the interconnectedness of texts. Undecidability is relevant to intertextuality because it highlights the idea that meaning is generated through the interplay of various texts. A text’s meaning is undecidable without considering its relationship to other texts. Intertextual connections contribute to the richness and ambiguity of literary interpretations.
4. The Death of the Author:
   • Roland Barthes’s essay “The Death of the Author” challenges the authority of the author in determining a text’s meaning. Barthes argues that the author’s intentions should not dictate interpretation and that readers play a crucial role in constructing meaning. Undecidability is relevant here as it underscores the idea that multiple interpretations are possible, and the author’s intent is not the final word on a text’s meaning.
5. Postmodernism:
   • Postmodern literature and critical theory often embrace undecidability as a central theme. Many postmodern works deliberately blur the boundaries between reality and fiction, play with narrative structures, and engage in metafictional techniques that challenge the notion of a single, fixed interpretation. Authors like Jorge Luis Borges, Italo Calvino, and Thomas Pynchon explore undecidability in their works.
6. Narrative Theory:
   • In narrative theory, undecidability can be relevant when examining texts that employ unreliable narrators or ambiguous narrative structures. The uncertainty surrounding the reliability of a narrator or the sequencing of events can lead to undecidability regarding the text’s true meaning or the nature of its narrative.

Undecidability, as a concept, underscores the idea that meaning in literature is not fixed but is open to multiple, contradictory, or uncertain interpretations. It challenges traditional notions of authorial authority and invites readers and critics to engage with the inherent ambiguity and complexity of literary texts. It is a central theme in many poststructuralist and postmodern approaches to literary analysis.

Undecidability in Literary Criticism

Work	Author	Description
The Trial	Franz Kafka	Kafka’s novel The Trial exemplifies undecidability through its surreal and absurd narrative. The central question of Josef K.’s alleged crime remains undecidable, reflecting existential anxiety and alienation.
House of Leaves	Mark Z. Danielewski	Danielewski’s House of Leaves explores undecidability through its complex structure, featuring narratives within narratives. The format leaves the reality of events undecidable, inviting readers to grapple with interpretation.
The Turn of the Screw	Henry James	Henry James’ novella is renowned for its ambiguity and undecidability regarding supernatural elements. It never definitively answers whether the ghosts are real or a product of imagination, creating unease and mystery.
If on a winter’s night a traveler	Italo Calvino	Calvino’s postmodern masterpiece explores undecidability through its fragmented structure. The narrative remains undecidable as readers encounter interruptions, false starts, and shifting perspectives, resisting a fixed interpretation.

In these novels, undecidability serves various purposes, from creating a sense of existential anxiety and unease to inviting readers to actively engage with the text and consider multiple interpretations. The authors use ambiguity and open-endedness as literary devices to challenge traditional narrative conventions and encourage readers to embrace the complexity of meaning in literature. Undecidability adds depth and richness to these narratives, making them ripe for critical analysis and interpretation.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. S/Z. Hill and Wang, 1974.
2. Derrida, Jacques. Glas. University of Nebraska Press, 1986.
3. Foucault, Michel. The Archaeology of Knowledge. Pantheon Books, 1972.
4. Genette, Gérard. Narrative Discourse: An Essay in Method. Cornell University Press, 1980.
5. Kafka, Franz. The Trial. Schocken Books, 1998.
6. Kristeva, Julia. Revolution in Poetic Language. Columbia University Press, 1984.
7. Pynchon, Thomas. The Crying of Lot 49. Harper Perennial, 2006.
8. Sartre, Jean-Paul. Nausea. New Directions, 2013.
9. Woolf, Virginia. To the Lighthouse. Harcourt, 1989.
10. Zizek, Slavoj. Enjoy Your Symptom!: Jacques Lacan in Hollywood and Out. Routledge, 2001.