Le jeu de l'ambiguïté et du mot : ambiguïté intentionnelle et jeu de mots chez Apollinaire, Prévert, Tournier et Beckett

Toorn, N. van der (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

This dissertation focuses on the literary function of the ambiguities and wordplay in the work of Apollinaire, Prévert, Tournier and Beckett, showing that this function is much broader than the humour and entertainment function usually associated with such language play. In the work of these writers, ambiguities and puns often generate serious reflections or tragic plots. Moreover, these language games are so central to the works under investigation that they reflect or underlie their very structures. This use of language is common to all texts explored here, despite their significant diversity in terms of execution and design.
This study of the interrelation between ambiguity and wordplay on the one hand and structure on the other, is grounded in close reading. This approach was selected for the insight it can offer into the intentions of the writers under investigation, and for being well suited to the kinds of invitations to interpretation extended by the authors themselves. It is evident that all four approach the idea of authorship with the conviction that the role of the author is both insignificant and inconceivable without the additional complicity and involvement of the reader, from whom they require a co-creative effort.

• Ambiguity
• Wordplay
• Anagrammatics
• Onomastics
• Apollinaire
• Prévert
• TournierBeckett

• All authors: Toorn, N. van der
• Supervisor: Smith, P.J.
• Co-supervisor: Schulte Nordholt, A.E.
• Committee: Dijk, Y. van; Korthals Altes, E.J.; Montrans-van Oers, M.A.E. van; Houppermans, J.M.M.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Leiden Centre for the Arts in Society (LUCAS), Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University
• Date: 2019-01-15