Games and Chance in Patrick Modiano’s Writing
Abstract
Many of Patrick Modiano’s novels involve the motif of the game – predicate and space – in the narration, at characterization, thematic and structural levels. The introduction of this minor element – it never reaches the level of a trope – nonetheless informs us both about the novelistic techniques employed by Modiano and about the metaphysical considerations underpinning his writing. As such, a close reading of various episodes articulated around the motif of the game allows us to better understand the methods adopted by the novelist in the development of his characters and in the architecture of his texts. Furthermore, the insertion of the motif of the game allows us to identify and analyse the value given to chance and indeterminacy in all its forms in the Modianian novel, from which a true metaphysics, if not an ethics, of indeterminacy, can in turn be deployed.
Keywords:
Patrick Modiano, games, chance, characterisation, indeterminacyReferences
Bach, R. (1998). Recurring Characters in Modiano’s Œuvre. Dans M. Guyot-Bender et W. Vander Wolk (dir.), Paradigms of Memory: The Occupation and other Hi/Stories in the Novels of Patrick Modiano (p. 165-179). New York : Peter Lang.
Class, V. (2021). Entretien. France Culture Affaires en cours. https://www.radiofrance.fr/franceculture/podcasts/affaire-en-cours/le-billard-preoccupation-constante-des-artistesdu-xviiieme-siecle-au-xxieme-siecle-1522254
Cosnard, D. (2010). Dans la peau de Patrick Modiano. Paris : Fayard.
Guyot-Bender, M. (1999). Mémoire en dérive. Poétique et politique de l’ambiguïté chez Patrick Modiano. Paris : Lettres modernes Minard.
Lecarme, J. (2009). Variations de Modiano (autour d’Accident nocturne). Dans R.-Y. Roche (dir.), Lectures de Modiano (p. 19-45). Nantes : Éditions Décile Defaut.
Leclerc, N. (2011). Le joueur – un aventurier ? Hors d’atteinte ?, E. Carrère, et Du plus loin de l’oubli, P. Modiano. Études de littérature française des XXe et XXIe siècles (ELFe XX-XXI), 1, 171-183.
Mallarmé, S. (1998) [1897]. Jamais un coup de dés n’abolira le hasard. Dans Œuvres complètes. B. Maréchal (éd.). Paris : Gallimard.
Modiano, P. (1978). Rue des boutiques obscures. Paris : Gallimard.
Modiano, P. (1981). Une jeunesse. Paris : Gallimard.
Modiano, P. (1982). De si braves garçons. Paris : Gallimard.
Modiano, P. (1991). Fleurs de ruine. Paris : Seuil.
Modiano, P. (1992). Un cirque passe. Paris : Gallimard/Le grand livre du mois.
Modiano, P. (1997). Dora Bruder. Paris : Gallimard.
Modiano, P. (2014). Pour que tu ne te perdes pas dans le quartier. Paris : Gallimard.
Nettelbeck, C. et Hueston, P. (1986). Patrick Modiano pièces d’identité. Écrire l’entretemps. Paris : Lettres modernes Minard.
Université Massey https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2976-6993
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Papers of the journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
