Skip to main content
Read page text
page 4
This edition published in the UK and the USA in 2013 by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road, London N7 9DP email: info@iconbooks.com www.introducingbooks.com Sold in the UK, Europe and Asia by Faber & Faber Ltd, Bloomsbury House, 74–77 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DA or their agents Distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball, Office B4, The District, 41 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock 7925 Distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, PO Box 8500, 83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065 Distributed in the USA by Publishers Group West, 1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 Distributed in Canada by Publishers Group Canada, 76 Stafford Street, Unit 300 Toronto, Ontario M6J 2S1 Previously published in the UK and Australia in 1999 and 2006 ISBN: 978-184831-204-3 Text copyright © 2013 Icon Books Ltd Illustrations copyright © 2005 Piero The author and artist have asserted their moral rights. Originating editor: Richard Appignanesi No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Printed and bound in the UK by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc
page 5
“I Have a Question to Ask …” In 1975, when he was 62, Roland Barthes asked … who does not feel how natural it is in france to be catholic, married, and academically well qualified? Since he was himself a Protestant, a homosexual and had never taken a doctorate, his question was obviously an ironic and personal comment on himself. More importantly, however, it underlined two of the main concerns running through the whole of his work: the need to distinguish between nature and culture; and the care we need to take in the correct use of words. 3

Page Text

View plaintext

“I Have a Question to Ask …”

In 1975, when he was 62, Roland Barthes asked …

who does not feel how natural it is in france to be catholic, married, and academically well qualified?

Since he was himself a Protestant, a homosexual and had never taken a doctorate, his question was obviously an ironic and personal comment on himself.

More importantly, however, it underlined two of the main concerns running through the whole of his work: the need to distinguish between nature and culture; and the care we need to take in the correct use of words.

3

read next page

My Bookmarks

Buy this Book
Skip to main content