Clang

This innovative work challenges traditional boundaries by juxtaposing philosophical and literary discourses. Clang invites readers to experience the collision of ideas.

Jacques Derrida's Clang presents a unique exploration of philosophical and literary discourse by juxtaposing the works of G. W. F. Hegel and Jean Genet. The book is formatted with parallel texts, where Hegel's ideas are presented on the left and Genet's on the right, accompanied by extensive notes and interpolations in the margins. This innovative structure challenges traditional reading and writing practices, pushing the boundaries of theoretical thinking by creating a collage of ideas that grafts together disparate concepts.

Published for the first time in French in 1974, Clang resonates with its title, evoking the sound of an alarm or death knell. It intricately weaves together Hegel's totalizing, hierarchical philosophy with Genet's autobiographical narratives that explore themes of incarceration and eroticism. By forcing these two seemingly incompatible discourses into dialogue, the book opens up new avenues for understanding the intersections of philosophy and literature, as well as the complexities of familial and perverse relationships.

Through its content and structure, Clang emphasizes the importance of encounters across ruptures of thought and experience. The text vibrates with the impact of discordant languages colliding, inviting readers to engage with the material in a way that transcends conventional boundaries. This new translation breathes fresh life into Derrida's challenging ideas, making them accessible to a contemporary audience eager to explore the depths of philosophical inquiry.