Date: Mon, 21 Aug 1995 22:21:10 -0400 (EDT)
Subject: Re: MB: Bataille-Blanchot




Regarding the chain of influence between Bataille and Blanchot, I would 
be inclined to take the side of the former. However, a recent reading of 
the new (to me) release of the writings of Laure serves to remind me that 
none of the personalities we associate with a complicit 
relationship--Bataille, Blanchot, Leiris, Callois, 
Lacan,Klossowski--existed in a vacuum. As their frequent (often 
incestual) reliance upon the bibliographical support of their neighbors 
attests, there was an on-going dialogue between them. The College of 
Sociology, Acephale, and other attempts to render their relationship in 
formal, public forms are examples of this. Although I would readily admit 
that I hold a special fondness for Bataille over ther rest, I think it is 
safe to say that his work had a great deal of influence on the rhetoric 
of the others. It is just as safe to say however, that the influence of 
"the rest" is felt in Bataille's work. I refer once again to the passage 
in The Inner Experience (a former, but recent post on the same subject), 
as well as to later works. 

One obvious sharing of ideas between B and Bl. occurs in The Accursed 
Share under the discussion of de Sade and Sovereignity. A side-by-side 
reading of Blanchot's essay on Sade (I have it in Grove's edition of 
_Justine,Philosophy in the Bedroom, and other Writings_ by the M.d.S) and 
Bataille's discussion in The Accursed Share makes it difficult to 
determine who is the former. I feel a dose of caution is in order 
however (remembering Derrida's "Envois"), the problem may rest in the 
question of precedence and influence. 

Once again (between apologies for such a long post) I think the lesson of 
Laure is important. Her take on the ecstasy of communication (_not_ 
Baudrillard) is prior to Bataille's, but like Kafka's (and Sade's) wish 
to have their lifework remain invisible, this wish takes a lugubrious 
turn to find its way onto our library shelves. (blah blah) My interest 
rests in the success or failure of the respective contributions--not who 
came first.

Eric