In the archive of longing : Susan Sontag's critical modernism

**Reads modernism and theory through Susan Sontag’s archive** This adventurous critical inquiry into Sontag's archive illuminates the intimate link between modernism and theory while also providing a fascinating reintroduction to these two movements and concepts. Mena Mitrano explores three core ideas in this study: the confusion of terms between modernism and theory; the concept of an ‘unwritten theory’ suggested by Sontag's subterranean engagement with the foremost theorists of our time (Derrida, Foucault, Deleuze, Lacan, Jameson and others) in the rawness of her journals and notebooks; and Sontag's identity as a non-traditional philosopher, through the extraordinary discipleship to Walter Benjamin. The book is driven by new archival research and will have a multi-layered impact, changing our perception of Sontag as a post-Cold War public intellectual as well as interrogating key concepts in the Humanities. **Key Features** * Original study of Susan Sontag's contribution to the development of critical thought * Opens new avenues for research in the expanding field of new modernist studies and in the field of criticism * Discusses Sontag's collaboration with Walter Benjamin which reopens the question of the author and encourages an understanding of this concept from a psychoanalytic perspective, as a transgenerational phenomenon * Includes a discussion of the role of the American avant-garde in Sontag's abandonment of philosophy and in her turn to a pioneering, more theoretical literary criticism This Adventurous Critical Inquiry Into Sontag's Archive Illuminates The Intimate Link Between Modernism And Theory While Also Providing A Fascinating Reintroduction To These Two Movements And Concepts. Mena Mitrano Explores Three Core Ideas In This Study: The Confusion Of Terms Between Modernism And Theory; The Concept Of An Unwritten Theory Suggested By Sontag's Subterranean Engagement With The Foremost Theorists Of Our Time (derrida, Foucault, Deleuze, Lacan, Jameson And Others) In The Rawness Of Her Journals And Notebooks; And Sontag's Identity As A Non-traditional Philosopher, Through The Extraordinary Discipleship To Walter Benjamin. The Book Is Driven By New Archival Research And Will Have A Multi-layered Impact, Changing Our Perception Of Sontag As A Post-cold War Public Intellectual As Well As Interrogating Key Concepts In The Humanities. Machine Generated Contents Note: 1. Thoughts About Thinking: Approaching Sontag -- 2. Aesthetic Experience And Critical Theory -- 3. The Public Intellectual -- 4. Modernism And Theory -- 5. Iconologies -- 6. Aura, Dread And The Amateur -- 7. Interlocution. Mena Mitrano. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Contents 6 Illustrations 7 Acknowledgements 9 Introduction: The Archival Relation 12 1 Thoughts about Thinking: Approaching Sontag 25 2 Aesthetic Experience and Critical Theory 41 3 The Public Intellectual 61 4 Modernism and Theory 79 5 Iconologies 105 6 Aura, Dread and the Amateur 126 7 Interlocution 151 Coda (to the Gentle Reader 175 Notes 179 Bibliography 205 Index 217