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Quote by Roland Barthes

Work

Mourning Diary: October 26, 1977–September 15, 1979

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Author

Roland Barthes
Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes (November 12, 1915 – March 25, 1980) was a French philosopher, literary critic, semiotician, and sociologist. He was a leading figure in structuralism and post-structuralism, known for his profound insights into semiotics, cultural criticism, and literary theory. His works, such as Mythologies, S/Z, and The Death of the Author, challenged traditional notions of authorship and meaning, emphasizing the multiplicity of texts and the active role of readers. Barthes' interdisciplinary approach influenced cultural studies, media analysis, and postmodern thought, making him one of the most influential intellectuals of the 20th century. more

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“The problem, the only problem, is my mother. And she is the one of course that I am trying to get; it is to reach her that this whole journey has been undertaken. With what purpose? To mark her off, to describe, to illumine, to celebrate, to get rid, of her; and it did not work, for she looms too close, just as she always did. She is heavy as always, she weighs everything down, and yet she is indistinct, her edges melt and flow. Which means she has stuck to me as close as ever and refused to fall away, and I could go on and on and on, applying what skills I have, using what tricks I know, and it would always be the same.”

“Jicho ni kiungo cha ajabu zaidi kuliko viungo vyote katika mwili wa mwanadamu baada ya ubongo. Jicho moja linatengenezwa na viungo vidogovidogo zaidi ya milioni mbili, vinavyofanya kazi kwa pamoja bila kukosea. Macho yana nguvu ya ajabu. Huu ni wito kwa akina mama wanaonyonyesha: Usizungumze maneno mabaya mtoto wako mchanga anapokuangalia machoni wakati ananyonya ziwa lako. Neno lolote utakalomwambia, zuri au baya, pamoja na kwamba amekuwa akisikia sauti yako kwa miezi kadhaa akiwa tumboni, litajirekodi katika akili yake isiyotambua bila wewe au yeye mwenyewe kujua. Neno hilo litakuja kumuathiri baadaye atakapokuwa mkubwa. Atakapopevuka, atakapokuwa na uwezo wa kupambanua mambo, atakuwa anaota na kuwaza kile ambacho ulikuwa ukimwambia alipokuwa tumboni; na alipokuwa akinyonya na kukukodolea macho.”