The Return of the Author

Eugen Simion challenges the notion that an author's life is irrelevant to their literary creations, arguing against prominent twentieth-century critics. He examines how even those who reject traditional biographical criticism, such as Proust, Malraux, and Barthes, ultimately draw from their own experiences to gain insights into their writing. Simion's analysis highlights the intricate connection between a writer's personal history and their artistic expression, suggesting that understanding an author enhances the appreciation of their work.