Discourses of the Fall: A Study of Pascal's Pensées

by Sara E. Melzer

"Here is a unique and penetrating postmodernist invitation to reread Pascal's Pensées. With a full control on two centuries of Pascalian hermeneutics, Sara Melzer leads her readers into a passionate quest far beyond the worn-out search for a paleontological reconstruction of the Pensées's hypothetical final form. She rightly and deeply understands Pascal's writing--écriture--as the complex story of the "Fall of Truth into language." Such a perspective gives to Pascal's fragments a rejuvenated life, a newness, a dramatic and powerful voice for our own culture. In brief, a welcome breeze of fresh air in the Pascalian world!"--Edouard Morot-Sir, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill "By approaching Pascal's Pensées from the point of view of contemporary critical theory, Melzer sheds new light on this well-known work. Her argument is clear, lucid, and cogent. She has a firm grasp of the major issues at stake in debates among literary critics. I think this is an important work that will be of interest not only to Pascal specialists but also to people who work in the general area of literary theory. . . . One of the genuine strengths of the book is the author's ability to discern the theological implications of issues that preoccupy literary theorists. This is particularly important at a time when students of theology and religion are becoming more and more interested in literary theory. They will find this analysis of Pascal very suggestive."--Mark Taylor, Williams College 

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Amelia and John · Rating 5 out of 5]

A theological take on the philosophy of language.

Melzer frames the whole Pensées study on language's insufficiency in communicating truth (by the author) and receiving truth (by the audience).

Pascal frames the cause of insufficiency in the Fall. Finally, he looks deeper into humanity by rejecting language as a proper way of grasping truth (namely, God). He identifies the heart as the way to know God, in a linguistic world of utter uncertainty.

Melzer does well in providing self-aware commentary on the Pensées. Since language is insufficient, she acknowledges her reading of Pascal will be a misreading. Overall very nuanced and thought-provoking.