the literary text should continue to deflect theory, dixit un tal west-pavlov

Some sophisticated literature today is written, perversely enough, to reflect not merely reality, but literary theory. Such texts are intricate, pretentious—and generally self-impoverishing. The literary text, like the world itself, should continue to “deflect” theory, not reproduce it. Literature has always outstripped theory in its adherence to the wonders of complexity. At its best, in turn, theory, “flimsy” theory, is a perplexed attempt to confront the exciting complexities of reality, and in that spirit should acknowledge its debts to the literary text. To pin down literature to literary theory, whether in writing or reading, is to miss the point.

Space in theory: Kristeva, Foucault, Deleuze", Russel West-Pavlov