“What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi: Summary and Critique

Introduction: “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi

“What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi first appeared in PMLA (Publications of the Modern Language Association) in January 2009, published by the Modern Language Association and accessible through JSTOR. In this seminal article, Moi explores Simone de Beauvoir’s undervalued contributions to literary theory, particularly through her essay “Que peut la littérature?” presented in 1964. Moi argues that Beauvoir’s literary philosophy, grounded in existentialism and phenomenology, offers a compelling counterpoint to poststructuralist trends that dominate feminist criticism. Beauvoir’s emphasis on literature as an act of unveiling human experience aligns with phenomenological and ordinary language philosophies, prioritizing voice, speech acts, and the situated nature of writing. Moi highlights the historical and theoretical significance of Beauvoir’s antiformalist approach, underscoring its relevance to contemporary debates on canon formation and feminist inclusivity. The article’s importance lies in recovering Beauvoir’s literary vision as a profound alternative to dominant theoretical paradigms, advocating for the integration of diverse voices and existential perspectives into literary studies.

Summary of “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi

Theoretical Terms/Concepts in “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi

Theoretical Term/Concept	Definition/Explanation	Significance in Beauvoir’s Theory
Committed Literature (littérature engagée)	Literature as an action that unveils truths and engages with human freedom and the world.	Highlights Beauvoir’s existentialist focus on literature’s role in reflecting and acting upon lived realities.
Unveiling (dévoilement)	Literature’s role in revealing the world and offering new perspectives.	Draws from phenomenology; emphasizes literature as a tool for showing situated, specific truths.
Speech Act	Language as an action in the world, rather than a static system or structure.	Aligns Beauvoir with ordinary language philosophers like Austin and Cavell; foregrounds voice and intention in literature.
Voice	The distinct, individual expression in literature that marks it as human and communicative.	Central to Beauvoir’s rejection of formalism; literature is defined by the presence of a recognizable human voice.
Detotalized Totality (totalité détotalisée)	The world as a process that cannot be grasped fully, due to the unique perspective of each individual.	Literature captures this subjective and fragmented understanding of reality.
Identification	The process through which readers engage with the author or characters to experience their perspective.	Enables readers to “taste another life,” overcoming existential isolation.
Existential Separation	The inherent solitude and distinctiveness of individual human experience.	Literature helps bridge this separation by offering insight into others’ worlds.
Realism vs. Modernism	Realism captures the world as seen by the author; modernism emphasizes fragmented, subjective truths.	Beauvoir rejects strict realism and formalist distinctions, focusing on the writer’s unique vision of the world.
Form and Content	The inseparability of how something is written (form) and what it communicates (content).	For Beauvoir, the process of finding a way to say something shapes what is being said.
Taste of Another Life	Literature’s ability to make a reader momentarily experience another’s reality while retaining their own identity.	Represents literature’s transformative power and its capacity for empathy.
Feminist Canon	Inclusion of marginalized voices, such as women and minorities, in literary tradition.	Central to Beauvoir’s defense of literature as a means of understanding diverse experiences.
Antiformalism	A rejection of the notion that literature’s value lies in its experimental or purely technical features.	Challenges poststructuralist critiques; emphasizes literature’s ethical and existential significance.

Contribution of “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi to Literary Theory/Theories

• Existentialism and Literary Theory:
  • Highlights Beauvoir’s existentialist perspective, where literature is seen as an act of revealing the world through a situated, subjective lens. Literature is not just a mirror but a means to unveil truths and engage with the world (Moi, 2009, p. 192).
  • Aligns with existentialist concepts of freedom and responsibility, where the author appeals to the reader’s freedom to co-create meaning (Moi, 2009, p. 191).
• Phenomenology in Literature:
  • Introduces phenomenology into literary theory by framing literature as an act of dévoilement (unveiling) that reveals specific, lived realities (Moi, 2009, p. 193).
  • Draws parallels between Beauvoir’s literary theory and Martin Heidegger’s aesthetics, where literature unveils the essence of human experience in its particularity (Moi, 2009, p. 192).
• Speech Act Theory and Literature:
  • Positions Beauvoir’s theory as compatible with ordinary language philosophy, emphasizing that literature is a speech act with ethical and communicative implications (Moi, 2009, p. 192).
  • Anticipates later developments in theories of performativity and the role of language in shaping reality (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
• Feminist Literary Theory:
  • Challenges the dominance of poststructuralist feminist theory, particularly critiques of écriture féminine, by emphasizing literature’s power to convey voice and individual experience without reducing it to purely technical experimentation (Moi, 2009, p. 190).
  • Advocates for expanding the canon to include diverse voices, particularly women and minorities, as a way to enrich understanding of human experience (Moi, 2009, p. 196).
• Antiformalism and Ethical Reading:
  • Offers an antiformalist critique of literary theory by rejecting the separation of form and content, arguing that the way a story is told is inseparable from its meaning (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
  • Advocates for an ethical approach to literature, focusing on its ability to overcome existential separation and foster empathy (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
• Redefinition of Realism:
  • Redefines realism not as a static depiction of reality but as the articulation of the writer’s situated and singular perspective of the world (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
  • Challenges poststructuralist dismissal of realism, proposing instead that all literature inherently reflects the author’s unique relationship to the world (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
• Voice and Human Presence in Literature:
  • Centralizes the concept of voice in literature, where a human presence and subjective truth are necessary for literature to be distinguished from mere information (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
  • Anticipates contemporary discussions in literary ethics and theories of affect that prioritize the communicative and relational aspects of literature (Moi, 2009, p. 195).
• Bridging Literature and Knowledge:
  • Frames literature as a source of epistemological value, where reading allows individuals to “taste another life” and access different perspectives without losing their own subjectivity (Moi, 2009, p. 194).
  • Connects to feminist and postcolonial critiques of traditional knowledge systems by emphasizing literature’s role in representing marginalized voices (Moi, 2009, p. 195).

Examples of Critiques Through “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi

Literary Work	Key Concept from Moi/Beauvoir	Critique Through Moi/Beauvoir’s Lens	Reference from the Article
Virginia Woolf’s The Waves**	Voice and Human Presence	Woolf’s focus on the inner voices of her characters exemplifies Beauvoir’s idea of literature as conveying a singular, subjective truth of human experience.	Moi (2009, p. 195): Discusses Woolf’s use of interiority and its poetic nature to emphasize individuality.
Franz Kafka’s The Trial**	Existential Separation and Identification	Kafka’s exploration of alienation reflects Beauvoir’s idea of literature as overcoming existential separation by engaging readers in an unfamiliar yet shared reality.	Moi (2009, p. 194): Kafka persuades readers to experience “the heart of another world.”
Oscar Lewis’s The Children of Sanchez**	Difference Between Literature and Information	Although Lewis’s narrative provides vivid accounts, it lacks the transformative quality Beauvoir associates with literature—engaging readers in “changing universes.”	Moi (2009, p. 193): Highlights Beauvoir’s distinction between annexing voices and experiencing universes.
Honoré de Balzac’s Père Goriot**	Situated Perspective and Realism	Balzac’s detailed depictions are not merely realist representations but situated expressions of his unique vision, aligning with Beauvoir’s redefinition of realism.	Moi (2009, p. 194): Emphasizes that literature shows “the truth of [the author’s] world.”

Criticism Against “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi

• Overemphasis on Phenomenology and Existentialism
  • Critics may argue that Moi overemphasizes Beauvoir’s existential and phenomenological framework while sidelining alternative theoretical perspectives like structuralism or poststructuralism, which have also influenced literary theory.
  • This approach risks making Beauvoir’s ideas appear too narrowly situated within mid-20th-century intellectual currents.
• Underexploration of Poststructuralist Critiques
  • Moi acknowledges the poststructuralist critique of Beauvoir but does not sufficiently engage with or counter arguments that dismiss Beauvoir’s literary theory as outdated.
  • The text could delve deeper into reconciling Beauvoir’s existentialist focus with poststructuralist ideas about language and meaning (Moi, 2009, p. 191).
• Lack of Systematic Comparison with Contemporary Theorists
  • Moi mentions figures like Stanley Cavell, Roland Barthes, and Julia Kristeva but does not fully explore how Beauvoir’s theories compare or contrast with their approaches to literature.
  • Critics might feel this leaves Beauvoir’s place within broader literary theory somewhat underdefined.
• Potential Overinterpretation of Beauvoir’s Literary Contribution
  • Some might argue that Moi overstates Beauvoir’s impact as a literary theorist, framing her as “hidden” or underappreciated, when her contributions might better be classified as ancillary to her existentialist philosophy.
  • This could exaggerate the uniqueness or novelty of Beauvoir’s approach.
• Neglect of Beauvoir’s Limitations in Literary Practice
  • While Moi celebrates Beauvoir’s theoretical insights, there is little discussion of potential limitations in Beauvoir’s literary practice, such as her relatively modest reception as a novelist compared to other contemporaries like Sartre.
  • This leaves the balance between Beauvoir’s theoretical and creative contributions uneven.
• Simplification of the “Literature vs. Information” Debate
  • Moi’s treatment of Beauvoir’s distinction between literature and information could be seen as oversimplified. Critics might argue that the nuances of this distinction, particularly in the context of interdisciplinary works, deserve deeper analysis.
  • The critique of works like Oscar Lewis’s The Children of Sanchez as not fully literary may seem reductive (Moi, 2009, p. 193).
• Historical Contextual Limitations
  • Moi’s focus on Beauvoir’s 1964 lecture (Que peut la littérature?) as the central piece of evidence may narrow the scope of analysis, neglecting broader historical or cultural developments in literary theory that have evolved since then.

Representative Quotations from “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi with Explanation

Quotation	Explanation
“Literature is an activity carried out by human beings, for human beings, with the aim of unveiling the world for them, and this unveiling is an action.” (p. 73)	This quote highlights Beauvoir’s definition of literature as a dynamic, human-centered process. It aligns with her existentialist view that literature actively engages with the world and reveals truths rather than existing as an abstract, self-contained entity.
“Reality is not a fixed entity; it is a becoming; it is… a spinning of singular experiences that intertwine and overlap while still remaining separate.” (p. 80)	Beauvoir rejects the notion of reality as static. Instead, she argues that literature captures the fluid, dynamic, and subjective nature of human experience. This view contrasts with structuralist notions of fixed linguistic systems defining reality.
“That is the miracle of literature, which distinguishes it from information: that an other truth becomes mine without ceasing to be other.” (p. 82-83)	Beauvoir asserts that literature bridges existential separation, allowing readers to experience another’s truth while maintaining their own identity. This unique form of communication surpasses mere factual information by evoking empathy and connection.
“There is no literature if there is no voice, that is to say, language that bears the mark of somebody.” (p. 79)	Beauvoir emphasizes the centrality of voice in literature, rejecting depersonalized or purely formalist approaches. Voice, in her view, conveys the author’s situated perspective, ensuring the text resonates as a human experience.
“For reading to ‘take,’ I have to identify with someone: with the author; I have to enter into his world, and his world must become mine.” (p. 82)	This statement underscores Beauvoir’s innovative notion of identification, not as psychological fusion but as occupying another’s perspective while retaining individuality. Literature thus becomes a transformative act of entering another’s universe.
“Language reintegrates us into the human community; unhappiness that finds the words to express itself is no longer a radical exclusion: it becomes less intolerable.” (p. 91-92)	Here, Beauvoir links literature to existential consolation. By giving voice to anguish and solitude, literature mitigates alienation and fosters a shared human experience, reflecting her belief in its ethical and communal power.
“The world is ‘a detotalized totality.'” (p. 76)	Beauvoir’s existentialist framework shapes this phrase, suggesting that while the world appears as a coherent whole, individuals can only perceive fragments based on their unique, situated experiences. Literature reflects this fragmented yet interconnected reality.
“The point of literature is to overcome separation.” (p. 78)	This succinct statement encapsulates Beauvoir’s view of literature as a bridge across the existential isolation of individuals. Through shared narratives and perspectives, it fosters understanding and empathy.
“Writing unveils truths in the world.” (p. 75)	Beauvoir rejects purely aesthetic or self-referential notions of literature, instead positioning it as a pragmatic and ethical act that reveals meaningful truths about human existence.
“To find a way of telling a story, Beauvoir notes, is at once to find a rhythm and a subject matter.” (p. 84-85)	Beauvoir dissolves the dichotomy between form and content, asserting that the way a story is told inherently shapes its meaning. This antiformalist stance connects literary technique with existential expression.

Suggested Readings: “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist” by Toril Moi

1. Moi, Toril. “What Can Literature Do? Simone de Beauvoir as a Literary Theorist.” PMLA, vol. 124, no. 1, 2009, pp. 189–98. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/25614258. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
2. Moi, Toril. “How the French Read.” New Literary History, vol. 44, no. 2, 2013, pp. 309–17. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24542597. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
3. Moi, Toril. “THE ADVENTURE OF READING: LITERATURE AND PHILOSOPHY, CAVELL AND BEAUVOIR.” Literature and Theology, vol. 25, no. 2, 2011, pp. 125–40. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23927546. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.
4. de Beauvoir, Simone, et al. “WHAT CAN LITERATURE DO?” “The Useless Mouths” and Other Literary Writings, edited by Margaret A. Simons and Marybeth Timmermann, University of Illinois Press, 2011, pp. 197–210. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5406/j.ctt13x1m7b.20. Accessed 16 Dec. 2024.