Faithfully yours,
Roland
4. With Michel Butor
Barthes’s friendship with Butor (born in 1926) was less public than his ties to Robbe-Grillet or Philippe Sollers, yet their letter exchange reflects an almost familial intimacy between them. To get an even more concrete idea of their ties, one must read the very beautiful correspondences between Michel Butor, Georges Perros, and Pierre Klossowski, because this friendship was first of all that of a “band”: Barthes, Butor, Klossowski, Perros, a band that formed around the years 1954–55.60 What knitted them together was the piano (music for four hands with Barthes and Denise Klossowski or Georges Perros), writing, the theater.… Another way of assessing the ties between Barthes and Butor is to read Barthes’s very important text on Mobile in which he outlines—notably through the notion of work-model—the first categories of a “conceptual” vision of literary work, developed in his last course at the Collège de France, “The Preparation of the Novel.”61
Roland Barthes to Michel Butor (BNF)
Sunday, [late 1956]
My dear Michel,
I think that the major question that must be highlighted in everyone’s awareness by our latest political traumas is this one: What exactly is the nature of the USSR?62 I want to say that only a response of the deepest order, concrete, economic, and historic, would allow us to go beyond this unappeasing movement of convictions, choices, declarations, and signatures that is like a fluttering veil thrown modestly over that question in which hangs the whole future—or the death—of socialism. I’m reading much political writing all the time now; I dozed off a little on ideology and suddenly politics wakes us up—which is its cruel function. As it happens, I still know nothing, but all the same I believe that by applying oneself to learning about the political reality, some taboos—at least—collapse.
Send me something, if only a few words, like that; it makes me happy. And stay well in barbaric Helvetia.63
Yours,
R. Barthes
* * *
Monday, [March 1957]
Dear Michel,
I should have thought to send you Mythologies in Switzerland.
The term drags on, I see. Hang in there, by Easter the fight will be won. I don’t think I’ll be able to come to Switzerland: I’m giving a talk on clothing with Friedmann on April 3.64
I would love to see you, to talk with you—I’ll admit it—about myself!
Yours,
Roland
* * *
May 21, [1957]
My dear Michel,
Poulot65 tells me that you are making a quick trip to Paris for Pentecost: you’ll get in touch with me, won’t you?
I’m thinking of leaving for vacation on June 15 and coming to Geneva to spend part of a day with you. We’ll talk about it.
Could you also exchange some money for me, as we discussed? About twenty thousand francs, is that within the realm of possibility?
I am doing—all affairs coming to a close—philosophy, that is to say, more modestly—or more superbly?—I’m reading philosophy, the existentialists. We’ll talk about it.
Till soon,
Your friend,
Roland
* * *
Hendaye, Friday, [April 1958?]
I have only this souvenir from Holland66 to offer in contrast to your beautiful card from Greece, which made me happy because you seem to be happy there.67 The weather is dreadful here. I’m working well enough, half on Racine, half on my American course.68 The dean of Middlebury, M. Bourcier, who is in Paris, would like to see you, with the intention of inviting you for next year.69 He’s asking me for a note of introduction: here it is! You would be able to work well here; why not come for a short time in May? I’ll be in Paris for a few days early next month and will get in touch.
Yours faithfully,
R. Barthes
* * *
Middlebury College, Monday, [summer 1958]70
A fascinating visit of course, but not without some distress. I’ll tell you all about it. I’m thinking of you, both of you, with all my faithful affection. I think I’ll spend my final month mostly in New York, which is an absolutely sensational city.71
Yours,
R. B.
* * *
Friday, [late 1958—early 1959?]
Michel,
In the end, I’ll be spending the night tomorrow, Saturday, in Menthon, at Michel Vinaver’s,72 because I’m taking his son George there (and my American!).73
Don’t expect me Saturday, but surely Sunday; I’ll call you around noon (but be patient).
You can call me at Vinaver’s if something comes up: no. 94 at Menthon-Saint-Bernard (Haute-Savoie).
Until Sunday,
Roland
* * *
Hendaye, August 3, [1959]
My dear Michel,
I blame myself for not being able to see you during my last trip to Paris—and for not knowing a better way to tell you I understand your worries—your weariness because here the singularity of the seventeenth century would better account for that body of small contingencies that reveal to our subjectivity the very unity of what’s not going well in the world, in human relationships. All I can tell you—but you know this—is that such troubles are only left behind in the work, in that ongoing creation that we all await from you. It’s easy for me to preach, although I assure you I’m not blind to my own frailty.
How many times I’ve stopped working for days at a time because of some injury, worry, indignity, etc.
I hope the whole family is well.
Work well,
Your friend,
Roland
Etchetoa
Hendaye-Plage
* * *
Hendaye, February 14, 1960
My dear Michel,
I’m in the process of reading Degrés but I don’t think I need to wait to tell you how deeply this book affects me.74 In my view it’s your most beautiful novel, in any case the one I myself feel closest to; let me say that it’s as complete as one of Plato’s dialogues! I’m swimming in it like a fish in water, in the Ocean—perhaps also because I’ve been a teacher and teaching is basically the only technique that I like—and that I’ve been frustrated by. I also felt very close to your last text, Répertoire, the one in which you discuss how you came to the novel.75 That is me! (except I never wrote poetry or—yet—a novel!). Besides, I would really like to write—not novels but Tales. In short, all of this work of yours gives me profound pleasure.
How are you, all of you? New York? The college? You yourself? Here, really nothing new—except Algerian anguish, which isn’t new. I’m here for a few days to write a paper for the Annales on literary History.76 After which, I will put my coat back on. Nothing of note, I believe, not on the literary front or regarding friends. Work is long, subterranean, that’s it.
Yours in faithful friendship,
R. Barthes
Michel Butor to Roland Barthes
Bryn Mawr, February 16, 196077
Opening catalogues, glancing at magazines, deciphering labels, I think of you. If ever there was a country overrun by pulverulent micromythology, surely it’s this one. What prodigious material for your criticism! Which sometimes offers ludicrous glimpses that return to us.
We’re beginning to get acclimated. We were extremely tired the first few days, but now we’re bouncing back and everything is going very well, provided that Marie-Jo gets some rest.78 As for Cécile, she’s flourishing and is a great success.79 Marie M. was kind enough to rent us her car while she’s away. Marie-Jo drives very well, and that’s changing her life because even the smallest errand means going some distance. I’m setting to work on it, and also on getting a Pennsylvania driver’s license (eighty-six questions and answers to learn by heart). Since the car has an automatic transmission, I hope that I won’t have too much trouble. Moving again from Bryn Mawr to Middlebury with the second baby will probably not be uneventful. Our audacity takes people abac
k; they look on us like Martians.
At the end of the month I’m going to go and do a lecture almost every week until May (then, my family responsibilities …), which will take me as far as Los Angeles, and you can be sure that I’ll arrange to make a detour through San Francisco.
Philadelphia is a fascinating city that I find intoxicating to explore. Like all my friends, you tell me, compared to New York.… But I’m lucky enough not to know New York yet. We only passed through it, heading immediately for Bryn Mawr to rest and get settled. I have to say, that first contact was electrifying. I’ll come back full of things to say. That will allow me to bear the peace and quiet of Middlebury.
I haven’t yet begun to work. There are so many pressing issues to settle. I’m beginning to get news about Degrés, and that’s encouraging.
We’re buried under snow, with a brilliant sun. Write to us. Is everything going better for you? We have news from Georges; he seems more relaxed.80
Warm wishes,
Michel Butor
Low Buildings
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
USA
I’ll no doubt end my class on the French essayists with you. Be prepared.
Roland Barthes to Michel Butor (BNF)
Hendaye, April 11, 1960
My dear Michel,
A note, however brief, to tell you I’m thinking of you faithfully. I hope this year is progressing well, that you’re amassing your America—and preparing for your Middlebury—morally, of course.
What news here? Georges’s book, you must have received it.81 Piano with Denise, that’s becoming more relaxed, it seems to me.82 Le Nouveau Roman be damned; I’m not thinking about anything but sociology anymore, not even structuralism. I’m absorbed in various tasks. I’m going to start writing the essay on Fashion. I’m nervous. I wonder if writing it will even be possible. And nevertheless I must exorcize that. No traveling in sight. Peaceful, subterranean work (the optimistic assessment).
I hope the whole family is well.
Faithfully yours,
R. Barthes
Michel Butor to Roland Barthes
Bryn Mawr, April 17, 1960
My dear Roland,
Yes, everything is working out unbelievably well, but what acrobatics! Housing in particular this June, with the birth,83 and moving, and “practical” preparation for Middlebury. That’s beginning to take shape. We’ll have Marie-Jo’s sister come to help us. She’ll be there June 17.
I’m bombarded with letters from Bourcier and Guilloton asking me for a great many notes, book lists, an hour-by-hour schedule for my class, etc.84 You experienced that. There’s no end to it. It’s making me quite miserable because I have absolutely no time to think about it and I can’t get out of it. However much one is used to doing ten things at once, there is a limit.…
As for America, I’m filtering enormous quantities of it. I leave for Los Angeles Thursday, two lectures; Saturday morning I arrive in San Francisco, where I’ll wander about Sunday without a thought in my head. Returning here Monday, with a connection in Chicago.
I did receive Georges’s book; it’s very beautiful.85 Marcel Arland asked me to discuss it in La NRF. Unfortunately, I can’t at the moment. Do you know that Tania is expecting a baby?86 Our problems are nothing compared to theirs.
As for the essay on fashion, you know how I’m looking forward to it. The writing will be […],87 except that what you’ll have written will probably be quite different from what you’re thinking at the moment. But isn’t that the rule for any work worthy of the name?
Good luck. Send me your news soon.
Very best,
Michel Butor
Roland Barthes to Michel Butor (BNF)
June 6, 1960
My dear Michel,
A note, as always a bit hurried, life being as disappointing in Paris as in the USA. I imagine you’re about to reach Middlebury; at least you’ll be able to rest there (except for always having to change places at meals, which is mentally exhausting). And afterward, we’ll have the pleasure of seeing you again. Here everything goes on, everything perseveres as ever. In principle, I’ve finished the preparation for my Fashion.88 I’m going to write it up over the summer in Hendaye; first, I’m taking a very classical two-week vacation in Italy. Nothing on the literary front, at least to my knowledge (which is very limited), except the very beautiful, very important Kafka by Marthe Robert.89 We had the Prix de Mai and I deserted the Nouveau Roman for Velan’s Je, which earned me R.Grilletist wrath.90 I’m focusing only on this essay on Fashion, putting aside other work and even other interests for later; I can only ever be involved in one thing at a time: once more, a lack of openness! My ecumenicalism may only be diachronic.
Our friends are going their own sweet ways, from Poulot to Pierre.91 Pierre really seems to be working on his third Roberte.92 Poulot is always the one to whom I owe a letter!93 It has been a very long time since I’ve seen him. And there you have it.
This is only to say you’re always in my thoughts. We’re waiting for you.
Roland
* * *
[Hendaye,] Friday, [December 30, 1960]
My dear Michel, I’m wishing you all a good, happy, productive year. I’m sorry not to have seen you at all this term, but you were traveling and so was I; and work took up the rest of it. Until soon—although I’m leaving again for Canada until the beginning of February.94
Faithfully yours,
R. Barthes
* * *
March 2, 1962
My dear Michel,
A quick glance at the article by Kanters in Le Figaro littéraire puts an end to my laziness and prompts me to thank you for Mobile.95 And to tell you that I myself love it.96 You can well imagine, of course; you know there’s nothing better, to my mind, than that very beautiful “dossier” that turns on itself, that epic catalogue whose ancestor (but you see it’s a distant one) might be the wonderful descriptions from Greek tragedy or those of the Dutch painters I love so much; you’ve known how to say how full the world is, and I consider your work to be very novel for that. Kanters is an idiot; he believes that literature is meant to express something, there are “rules” for books, etc. He doesn’t know that, on the contrary, literature consists of struggling with language and it’s always right to carry that struggle to its extremes. He writes what Sarcey undoubtedly would have written on Mallarmé’s Le Coup de dés.97 Basically it’s all very good, because it’s very clear.
Until soon?
Warm wishes to all of you,
Roland
* * *
Sunday, November 25, 1962
My dear Michel,
Your card made me happy. Happy as well that your exile’s coming to an end and that you’ll be among us once again.98 Of course you’ll find Paris in its usual state: the intellectuals (like me) overworked, literature quite lifeless, it seems, the “Revue internationale” on the (delicious) edge of the abyss.99 All the same, the essential thing for me once again this term is my seminar.100 It’s very unwieldy, it’s a lot of work for me, but the work pleases me. If I only had that, life would be fine all in all; but there is all the rest of it, the maintenance activities, all that kills you, like the people of Antiquity, “for lack of knowing how to say no.”101
Come home with an American novel. We’re waiting for you.
Yours,
Roland
* * *
Wednesday, February 19, [1964]
Dear Michel,
I was happy to have word from you on your arrival.102 I hope that you’re now settled in and already at work; tell me a bit about what you’re doing. For over two months I’ve been more removed from life than ever, not just my social life, but my relationships. I’m working hard, although on nothing important, piles of old things to finish up, but nevertheless I’m going to get through them and I think I’m finally going to have a free summer, free to do something for myself (maybe for the first time in my life
). That’s my big plan. Michelet had his vita nuova at about fifty; I’m approaching fifty and I have the same desire. I’m thinking, I’m resolving that I haven’t yet written—that I’m going to write.103
Don’t forget me in my Paris retreat, as I don’t forget you in yours.
Faithful affection to you both,
Roland Barthes
Michel Butor to Roland Barthes
Berlin, March 8, 1964
My dear Roland,
Many thanks for your letter and your book.104 I’m going to make a quick trip to Paris from March 16 to 20, and I would love to see you. You’re going to receive an invitation from M. Jean-Pierre Delarge, director of Éditions Universitaires, for cocktails on the nineteenth, a party to celebrate the publication of a small work that R. M. Albérès wrote on me.105 If you come to it, you’ll make many people happy who are excited to meet you, but I’d much rather see you quietly if you have time, for example, for dinner the evening before, Wednesday March 18. Send me word in Paris to let me know if that’s possible.
I saw Georges Poulot during my last trip through, around February 15.106 He was going to […]107 to see his father before quite a serious operation. I received a very worried letter. He moved to Douarnenez.
As for me, I’m immersed in Montaigne. I hope to have outlined a three-part preface before the sixteenth, and hand in the written manuscript by the first.108
Best wishes,
Michel Butor
* * *
Berlin, June 2, 1964
My dear Roland,
It has been a very long time since we’ve had news from you, and we miss it.