ABSTRACT

This article assesses the place of allegory in a literary field influenced by weak theory. As an ancient form of expression that encrypts ulterior meanings, allegory requires claims that would seem to supersede the restricted and descriptive methods of contemporary criticism. Drawing from the oeuvre of Walter Benjamin and setting it to work through the art collection of the Hollywood icon Mary Pickford, I argue that allegory’s respect for deterioration can actually support the restrictedness of critical claims, and that its image of ruin provides a strong emblem for weak theory.

中文翻译：

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毁灭的象征：弱理论时代寓言的命运

摘要

本文评估了寓言在受弱理论影响的文学领域中的地位。作为一种隐含意义的古老表达形式，寓言需要的声明似乎可以取代当代批评的限制性和描述性方法。从沃尔特·本杰明 (Walter Benjamin) 的全部作品中汲取灵感，并将其运用到好莱坞偶像玛丽·皮克福德 (Mary Pickford) 的艺术收藏中，我认为寓言对退化的尊重实际上可以支持批判性主张的限制性，并且它的毁灭形象为弱理论。