‘‘Les livres existent pour des lecteurs’’. L’histoire des réceptions face à l’héritage lansonien.

Overview & Synopsis

Abstract: Rereading Lanson through the lens of reception studies offers twofold interest. First, this article revisits Lanson’s conception of the complex temporality of literary works and the range of their social inscriptions. His reflections on this subject did not receive the attention one might have expected. Beyond their content, the avenues opened up by Lanson are therefore also of interest to us on a self-reflexive level. Because it sheds light on the history of our discipline, the relative neglect of Lanson’s insights usefully puts into perspective certain debates that are still relevant within literary studies.