Encounters with Bergson(ism) in Spain: Reconciling Philosophy, Literature, Film and Urban Space (North Carolina Studies in the Romance Languages and Literatures, 295)

Driven by a dual analysis, Encounters with Bergson(ism) in Spain looks at French philosopher Henri Bergson (1859-1941) in Spain--his more or less direct influence on Spanish letters--and also at Bergsonism in Spain--the more indirect resonance with his methodological posture--articulated through Spanish texts as well as theoretical approaches to film and urban space. Through this twin investigation, one part historical and the other part methodological, Benjamin Fraser seeks to broaden the scope of interest in Bergson's philosophy, to emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of Bergson's thought, and to insist upon the relevance of Bergson's methodological premise to two of the most important cultural studies disciplines today--film studies and urban geography. Following an eclectic and interdisciplinary methodology that the French philosopher himself advocated, Fraser reconciles works by some of the most notable twentieth-century authors and critics with compelling aspects of Bergsonism. From novelists Pio Baroja, Miguel de Unamuno, Juan Benet and Belen Gopegui to filmmakers Victor Erice ( El sol del membrillo ), Alejandro Amenabar ( Abre los ojos ) and Carlos Saura ( Taxi ), as well as urban theorists Henri Lefebvre and Manuel Delgado Ruiz, this work takes up philosopher Gilles Deleuze's call for a "return to Bergson," pushing past the established boundaries of interdisciplinary to what lies beyond. Fans of Bergson from all disciplines will also be eager to read English translations of Bergson's lectures at the Ateneo in Madrid the 2nd and 6th of May 1916, included here as an appendix. Cover 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS 8 INTRODUCTION: BERGSON(ISM) IN SPAIN 12 PART I. THE SPANISH NOVEL 36 1. Pío Baroja: Medicine and Mysticism 38 2. Miguel de Unamuno: Against Abstract Philosophy 78 3. Juan Benet: Recalibrating Space and Time in Región 112 4. Belén Gopegui: Mental and Cartographic Space 141 PART II. FILM STUDIES 172 5. From Bergson to Deleuze: Duration and Multiplicity in Two Spanish Films 174 6. Film as the Redemption of Reality: The Importance of Iconicity/Indexicality 199 7. Carlos Saura’s Taxi: Reconciling Filmspace and Urban Space 220 PART III. URBAN THEORY 242 8. From Bergson to Lefebvre: Toward a Philosophy of the Urban 244 9. Manuel Delgado Ruiz: Theorizing the Living City 270 CONCLUSION 301 APPENDIX: Bergson’s addresses in Madrid at the Ateneo on May 2 and 6, 1916 303 REFERENCES 348 INDEX 366 A 366 B 366 C 368 D 368 E 369 F 369 G 369 H 370 I 370 J 370 K 371 L 371 M 371 N 372 O 373 P 373 Q 373 R 373 S 374 T 375 U 375 V 375 W 375 Y 375 Z 375