Transnational French Studies: Postcolonialism and Littérature-monde (Francophone Postcolonial Studies)

The 2007 manifesto in favour of a 'Littérature-monde en français' has generated new debates in both 'francophone' and 'postcolonial' studies. Praised by some for breaking down the hierarchical division between 'French' and 'Francophone' literatures, the manifesto has been criticized by others for recreating that division through an exoticizing vision that continues to privilege the publishing industry of the former colonial métropole. Does the manifesto signal the advent of a new critical paradigm destined to render obsolescent those of 'francophone' and/or 'postcolonial' studies? Or is it simply a passing fad, a glitzy but ephemeral publicity stunt generated and promoted by writers and publishing executives vis-à-vis whom scholars and critics should maintain a skeptical distance? Does it offer an all-embracing transnational vista leading beyond the confines of postcolonialism or reintroduce an incipient form of neocolonialism even while proclaiming the end of the centre/periphery divide? In addressing these questions, leading scholars of 'French', 'Francophone' and 'postcolonial' studies from around the globe help to assess the wider question of the evolving status of French Studies as a transnational field of study amid the challenges of globalization. Acknowledgements vii Introduction: What Does Littérature-monde Mean for French, Francophone and Postcolonial Studies? 1 Alec G. Hargreaves, Charles Forsdick and David Murphy FROM WORLD LITERATURE TO LITTÉRATURE-MONDE: GENRE, HISTORY AND THE GLOBALIZATION OF LITERATURE Francophone World Literature (Littérature-monde), Cosmopolitanism and Decadence: ‘Citizen of the World’ without the Citizen? 15 Deborah Jenson From Weltliteratur to World Literature to Littérature-monde: The History of a Controversial Concept 36 Typhaine Leservot Littérature-monde in the Marketplace of Ideas: A Theoretical Discussion 49 Mounia Benalil The Postcolonial Manifesto: Partisanship, Criticism and the Performance of Change 67 David Murphy POSTCOLONIALISM, POLITICS AND THE ‘BECOMING-TRANSNATIONAL’ OF FRENCH STUDIES ‘On the Abolition of the French Department’? Exploring the Disciplinary Contexts of Littérature-monde 89 Charles Forsdick Francophonie: Trash or Recycle? 109 Lydie Moudileno (Not) Razing the Walls: Glissant, Trouillot and the Post-Politics of World ‘Literature’ 125 Chris Bongie The ‘Marie NDiaye Affair’ or the Coming of a Postcolonial Evoluée 146 Dominic Thomas (R)Evolutions 164 Thomas C. Spear Littérature-monde and Old/New Humanism 178 Jane Hiddleston MAPPING LITTÉRATURE-MONDE Littérature-monde, or Redefining Exotic Literature? 195 Jean-Xavier Ridon From Littérature voyageuse to Littérature-monde via Migrant Literatures: Towards an Ethics and Poetics of Littérature-monde through French-Australian Literature 209 Jacqueline Dutton Littérature-monde and the Space of Translation, or, Where is Littérature-monde? 227 Jeanne Garane Littérature-monde or Littérature océanienne? Internationalism versus Regionalism in Francophone Pacific Writing 240 Michelle Keown The World and the Mirror in Two Twenty-first-Century Manifestos: ‘Pour une “littérature-monde” en français’ and ‘Qui fait la France?’ 258 Laura Reeck The Post-Genocidal African Subject: Patrice Nganang, Achille Mbembe and the Worldlinesss of Contemporary African Literature in French 274 Michael Syrotinski Afterword: The ‘World’ in World Literature 287 Emily Apter Appendix: Toward a ‘World-Literature’ in French 296 Notes on Contributors 301 In March 2007 France's Le Monde Published A 'manifesto For A World Literature In French, ' A Proposal To Recast Francophone Literature As 'world Literature Written In French.' Signed By A Multinational Group Of Forty-four Authors -- Many From Former French Colonies -- The Manifesto Has Drawn Mixed Reactions. Praised By Some For Breaking Down The Hierarchical Division Between French And Francophone Literature, It Has Been Criticized By Others For Recreating That Division Through The Exoticism Of The Francophone Body Of Work. In Transnational French Studies, Leading Scholars Address This Debate And Assess The Wider Question Of The Evolving Status Of French, Francophone, And Postcolonial Studies Amid The Challenges Of Globalization. -- Book Jacket. Introduction : What Does Littérature-monde Mean For French, Francophone And Postcolonial Studies? / Alec G. Hargreaves, Charles Forsdick And David Murphy -- Francophone World Literature (littérature-monde), Cosmopolitanism And Decadence : Citizen Of The World Without The Citizen? / Deborah Jenson -- From Weltliteratur To World Literature To Littérature-monde : The History Of A Controversial Concept / Typhaine Leservot -- Littérature-monde In The Marketplace Of Ideas : A Theoretical Discussion / Mounia Benalil -- The Postcolonial Manifesto : Partisanship, Criticism And The Performance Of Change / David Murphy -- On The Abolition Of The French Department? : Exploring The Disciplinary Contexts Of Littérature-monde / Charles Forsdick -- Francophonie : Trash Or Recycle? / Lydie Moudileno -- (not) Razing The Walls : Glissant, Trouillot And The Post-politics Of World Literature / Chris Bongie -- Edited By Alec G. Hargreaves, Charles Forsdick, David Murphy. Includes Bibliographical References. The 2007 manifesto in favour of a 'LitteÌ#x81;rature-monde en francÌʹais' has generated new debates in both 'francophone' and 'postcolonial' studies. Praised by some for breaking down the hierarchical division between 'French' and 'Francophone' literatures, the manifesto has been criticized by others for recreating that division through an exoticizing vision that continues to privilege the publishing industry of the former colonial meÌ#x81;tropole. Does the manifesto signal the advent of a new critical paradigm destined to render obsolescent those of 'francophone' and/or 'postcolonial' studies? Or is it simply a passing fad, a glitzy but ephemeral publicity stunt generated and promoted by writers and publishing executives vis-aÌ€-vis whom scholars and critics should maintain a skeptical distance? Does it offer an all-embracing transnational vista leading beyond the confines of postcolonialism or reintroduce an incipient form of neocolonialism even while proclaiming the end of the centre/periphery divide? In addressing these questions, leading scholars of 'French', 'Francophone' and 'postcolonial' studies from around the globe help to assess the wider question of the evolving status of French Studies as a transnational field of study amid the challenges of globalization