The Dismemberment of Orpheus

Ihab Hassan presents a profound study of literary evolution in The Dismemberment of Orpheus, Volume 1. This work of literary criticism utilizes the metaphor of Orphic dismemberment and regeneration to examine a radical crisis within art, language, and consciousness. Hassan traces a critical lineage from Sade through the works of Hemingway, Kafka, Genet, and Beckett. By analyzing how these authors navigate a world where the modern Orpheus sings on a lyre without strings, the text explores the foundations of postmodern literature.

This volume integrates literary history, biography, and critical analysis to connect avant-garde movements like Dada and Surrealism with existentialism. The text examines a wide array of 20th century figures, including Jarry, Breton, Sartre, and Camus, alongside American writers such as Salinger and Ginsberg. Through the lens of semiotics and theory, Hassan connects these literary shifts to broader developments in art, music, and philosophy, providing a comprehensive look at the postmodern temper.