Interior Intersubjectivity: Hortense Spillers's Theory of “the One”

Abstract

Abstract There is much in Hortense Spillers's work to celebrate—from black feminism to literary criticism. One of her crucial contributions, however, has received little, if any, scholarly attention. Calvin Warren calls this a black discourse theory. Although we've focused on “the American Grammar Book” and its discursive violence, her proposed “solution” to this violence is virtually neglected. These remarks are intended to foreground this intervention by reconstructing her discourse theory of “the One” and “Interior Intersubjectivity.” In particular Warren notes the influence of Jürgen Habermas on her discourse theory, and how both find psychoanalysis beneficial in the task of restoring speech and addressing muteness. In short, this reconstruction provides a brief overview of the theoretical infrastructure rather than an exhaustive exposition and assessment.