‘A contradiction in essence’: Eroticism and the Creation of the Self in Henry Miller
The intention of this paper is, in the first, to demonstrate that Miller’s work has been labeled ‘erotic’, and that this obscures the true contribution of his work – but that as much as it obscures his work, this label also provides us an avenue to access it. In the second, it is to explore what actually constitutes the ‘erotic’, how this is featured in Miller’s work, and how it functions as an analytic tool to reveal what is significant in that work. Lastly, with specific regard to the works Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, the intention is to examine the journey undertaken by the narrator, wherein a transition is made from an object-based eroticism to an objectless eroticism of writing – and this done with the intention of revealing the significance of Miller’s work, which is in its use as a blueprint for self-creation through an artistic practice.
Eroticism, self, Georges Bataille, Henry Miller, Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn, Arts and Humanities, Comparative Literature, Metaphysics, Modern Literature, Philosophy
City University of New York - City College
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