Deconstruction Texts - Jacques Derrida, Glas (1974, 1990)

Everyone knows that there are two sides to every story. We've seen Gossip Girl. But Glas literally has two sides. It's printed in two columns: one addresses Hegelian philosophy, the other is a close reading of the work of French author and playwright Jean Genet.

The whole thing's dizzying even by Derridean standards. But it's well worth a college try. So, indulge us, would you?

  1. What is the relationship between the text's two columns? Does the setup of Glas suggest anything about the relationship between literature and philosophy?
  2. What do you think is the value of experimental writing? What do you think Derrida was trying to accomplish by taking a chance on a strange, two-column text?