Dictations

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Avital Ronell, known for her works like Crack Wars and The Telephone Book, confronts the enigmatic figure of Goethe in her exploration. Revered by Germanists, Goethe's legacy raises questions about what he truly represents. His dramatic entrance into life—thought to be stillborn before being revived—parallels his later death, which was met with acclaim as he became an immortal spirit. This spirit soon began to haunt literary discourse, particularly through the conversations recorded by Johann Peter Eckermann, who published two volumes detailing his exchanges with Goethe. These texts blur the lines between author and subject, as Eckermann himself becomes a creation of Goethe's influence. The master of works like Faust and Wilhelm Meister continues to resonate through the thoughts of literary giants such as Kafka, Nietzsche, and Freud, leaving an indelible mark on their works. In her first book, originally published in 1986, Ronell delves into the complex notion of spirit, a topic often overlooked by literary scholars. She begins at the precipice of this abyss, bringing the elusive concept into focus. In a new preface, she reflects on the context of the book's writing and its reception, further enriching the discourse surrounding Goethe's enduring legacy.