Minne, teknik och död. Teknikfilosofiska läsningar av Jacques Roubauds Quelque chose noir (1986) och W. G. Sebalds Austerlitz (2001)

Abstract

This paper examines the works Quelque chose noir (1986) by Jacques Roubaud and Austerlitz (2001) by W. G. Sebald through the lens of philosophy of technology. Employing the theories of the philosopher Jacques Derrida and the literary scholar Friedrich Kittler, the representation of and the complex relationship between memory, technics and death is illustrated and untangled in respective literary work. Regarding Quelque chose noir, the study shows how notions of "living memory" and death relates to technics through Derrida’s scheme of the relationship and the analogy between the psychic and non-psychic apparatus, and how Roubaud’s use of "possible worlds" connects with technical artefacts, their Derridean supplementary aspect, and lastly Kittler’s concept of "the oblivion of technics". In W. G. Sebald’s Austerlitz, the study sheds a light on how the protagonist Jacques Austerlitz’ lack of memory or forgetfulness can be understood in terms of Derrida’s concept of technics as supplement and the psychic "lack" it is supposed to compensate. In Austerlitz, the paper also examines how the metaphysical views on time and "the dead" which characters such as Austerlitz express, can be viewed as a result of their engagement with technical artefacts, and as grounded both in their conceptions of the supplementary nature of technics and Kittler’s "oblivion of technics". Finally, the paper situates Derrida’s différance and technics as supplement in Austerlitz’ engagement with the Theresienstadt fragment.