Unrepresentability in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Unrepresentability

The term “unrepresentability” originates from the word “represent” with the addition of the prefix “un-,” signifying the negation of representation. The concept conveys the idea that certain phenomena, ideas, or experiences cannot be accurately or fully represented through conventional means, such as language, art, or symbols.

It is particularly relevant in postmodern and poststructuralist discourses in which scholars often grapple with the limits of representation in conveying complex or elusive concepts.

“Unrepresentability” reflects the recognition that there are aspects of reality, culture, and human experience that elude precise depiction, giving rise to philosophical and theoretical discussions about the boundaries of language and representation in various academic fields.

Meanings of Unrepresentability

Aspect	Meaning
Literal Unrepresentability	Inability to fully represent physical, sensory, or abstract phenomena, recognizing limits in describing complex aspects of reality.
Cultural Unrepresentability	Challenges in portraying cultural, historical, or subjective experiences, hindered by cultural gaps, biases, and complexities.
Epistemological Unrepresentability	Exploration of limits in human knowledge and language, suggesting areas beyond human understanding and expression.
Philosophical Unrepresentability	Struggles to convey elusive or self-contradictory philosophical ideas or paradoxes through language or symbols.
Artistic Unrepresentability	Limitations of artistic media in capturing the full essence of emotions, experiences, or abstract concepts, leading to abstract or non-representational art.
Postmodern Unrepresentability	Challenges traditional representation, emphasizes multiplicity of meanings, and questions the stability of objective reality in postmodernism.

Definition of Unrepresentability as a Theoretical Term

Unrepresentability, as a theoretical term, shows inherent limitations and complexities in representing certain phenomena or concepts through language, symbolism, or artistic mediums. It acknowledges that there are aspects of reality, culture, and thought that elude precise and complete representation due to their intricate, indescribable, or multifaceted nature. In academic discourse, unrepresentability underscores the critical examination of the boundaries and challenges encountered when attempting to articulate and convey these elusive or complex subjects within various fields of study.

Unrepresentability: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

1. Jacques Derrida: Derrida, a prominent figure in deconstruction, explored unrepresentability in his work by emphasizing the limitations of language and the idea that language cannot fully capture the complexities of meaning and reality.
2. Jean-François Lyotard: Lyotard, in his work The Postmodern Condition, argued that grand narratives and metanarratives, which aim to represent the totality of knowledge, are unrepresentable because they oversimplify and exclude diverse perspectives.
3. Maurice Blanchot: Blanchot, in his essays and fiction, delved into the challenges of representing the Other and the experience of death, highlighting the gaps and silences in language and representation.

Key Works:

1. Jacques Derrida’s Of Grammatology (1967): In this influential work, Derrida examines the limitations of language and the concept of “différance,” which points to the impossibility of fully representing meaning due to the inherent instability of signifiers.
2. Jean-François Lyotard’s The Postmodern Condition (1979): Lyotard critiques the idea of metanarratives and highlights the unrepresentability of the totality of human knowledge in the postmodern era, arguing that knowledge is fragmented and plural.
3. Maurice Blanchot’s The Space of Literature (1955): Blanchot’s essays explore the notion of the unrepresentable, particularly in the context of literature. He discusses the challenges of representing otherness and the limits of language in capturing the experience of death.

Key Arguments:

1. Language and Representation: The theorists argue that language is inherently limited in representing complex or abstract concepts, leading to gaps, ambiguities, and the need for interpretation. Unrepresentability highlights the instability of language.
2. Fragmentation and Pluralism: Unrepresentability is linked to the postmodern notion of fragmentation, where knowledge and meaning are diverse and context-dependent. This leads to the recognition that no single representation can capture the entirety of reality.
3. The Other and Alterity: The concept of the unrepresentable often arises in discussions of the Other, emphasizing the challenges of representing those who exist outside one’s own cultural or experiential context.
4. Deconstruction of Totalizing Narratives: Unrepresentability challenges grand narratives that seek to encompass all knowledge, highlighting their simplifications and exclusions. It advocates for a more nuanced and pluralistic understanding of knowledge and representation.

In short, unrepresentability theorists explore the limits of language and representation, emphasizing the fragmented nature of knowledge in the postmodern era and raising questions about the representation of complex, diverse, and Othered aspects of human experience and culture.

Unrepresentability and Literary Theories

1. Poststructuralism and Deconstruction: Unrepresentability is central in poststructuralist theories, particularly, in the framework of deconstruction. Scholars like Jacques Derrida emphasize the limitations of language and the inherent instability of meaning, challenging the idea that any text can fully represent a fixed, absolute truth. Unrepresentability is relevant in deconstructing binary oppositions and exposing the gaps and ambiguities in literary texts.
2. Postmodernism: In postmodern literary theory, unrepresentability aligns with the postmodern rejection of grand narratives and metanarratives. The recognition that knowledge and meaning are fragmented and context-dependent underscores the idea that no single representation can capture the complexity of reality. Authors like Jorge Luis Borges and Italo Calvino explore the elusive and often contradictory nature of representation in their works.
3. Narrative Theory: Unrepresentability challenges traditional narrative structures and linear storytelling. Narratologists, such as Gerard Genette, acknowledge that certain elements of a story may be unrepresentable within the confines of narrative, leading to discussions on narrative gaps, silences, and the limits of storytelling.
4. Feminist and Gender Studies: Unrepresentability is relevant in feminist literary theory, where it is used to examine the challenges of representing the experiences and identities of marginalized groups. Scholars analyze how certain aspects of gender, sexuality, and intersectionality may elude accurate representation due to societal biases and constraints.
5. Ethnic and Postcolonial Studies: Unrepresentability is explored in the context of representing the experiences of historically marginalized communities and postcolonial subjects. It sheds light on the limitations of representing the complex and often silenced histories, cultures, and identities of these groups.

Unrepresentability in Literary Criticism

Work	Critique
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner	Faulkner’s novel employs multiple narrators, stream of consciousness, and fragmented storytelling to depict the Compson family’s disintegration. Unrepresentability is evident in the characters’ inner thoughts and the inherent limitations of language to fully convey their experiences, especially those of Benjy Compson, who has limited verbal expression due to intellectual disabilities.
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett	In this existential play, the unrepresentability of meaning and the human condition is central. Beckett’s characters, Vladimir and Estragon, grapple with the futility of communication and the difficulty of representing the unknown or the absent Godot, embodying the idea that language often fails to convey the complexities of existence.
The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka	Kafka’s novella explores the unrepresentability of Gregor Samsa’s transformation into an insect. The narrative underscores the difficulties of portraying this profound alteration, as well as the isolation and alienation experienced by Gregor, which language struggles to capture.
Bartleby, the Scrivener by Herman Melville	In this short story, the character Bartleby represents unrepresentability in his passive resistance and his enigmatic response, “I would prefer not to.” The story examines the challenge of understanding and representing a character whose motivations and inner life remain elusive.

These literary works exemplify how unrepresentability is a recurring theme in literature, challenging traditional conventions and encouraging a deeper exploration of the limitations of language and narrative in conveying complex human experiences, psychological states, and existential dilemmas.

Term Relevant to Unrepresentability

1. Silence: A literary technique where unspoken or omitted elements convey meaning or emotions that cannot be adequately expressed through words.
2. Aporia: A state of perplexity or impasse in a text, where the author or character grapples with the inability to represent or resolve a particular issue or concept.
3. Taboo: Subjects, ideas, or words that are considered too culturally, socially, or morally sensitive to be adequately represented in literature.
4. Ineffability: The quality of being beyond expression in words; experiences that are so profound or transcendent that they defy representation.
5. Negative Capability: A term coined by John Keats, referring to an artist’s ability to embrace uncertainty and doubt without pursuing fixed answers, allowing for unrepresentable complexities in their work.
6. Gap: A deliberate absence or omission in a text to highlight the unrepresentable, creating space for interpretation and reader engagement.
7. Liminality: A state of transition or ambiguity in which conventional representations and boundaries break down, making it difficult to capture in traditional literary forms.
8. Trauma: Experiences of extreme distress or violence that may resist straightforward representation due to their emotional and psychological complexity.
9. Paradox: A literary device that involves contradictory ideas, situations, or language, often used to grapple with unrepresentable or enigmatic concepts.

Suggested Readings

1. Beckett, Samuel. Waiting for Godot. Grove Press, 1954.
2. Faulkner, William. The Sound and the Fury. Vintage, 1929.
3. Kafka, Franz. The Metamorphosis. Schocken, 1915.
4. Melville, Herman. Bartleby, the Scrivener. Dover Publications, 1853.
5. Norris, Christopher. Deconstruction: Theory and Practice. Methuen, 1982.
6. Roudinesco, Élisabeth. Jacques Lacan & Co.: A History of Psychoanalysis in France, 1925–1985. University of Chicago Press, 1990.