Alfred Jarry

Ben Fisher (Bangor University)

Ed. by Tim Unwin, University of Bristol, David Houston Jones, University of Exeter
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.5.2.06: French Writing and Culture: Early Twentieth-century , 1900-1945.
Vol. editors: Kate Averis (University of Western Australia), Hugo Azerad (University of Cambridge), Patrick ffrench (King's College London), Edward Forman (University of Bristol), Akane Kawakami (Birkbeck, University of London), Siobhán McIlvanney (King's College London), Sinan Richards (King's College London), Tim Unwin (University of Bristol), David Williams (University of Sheffield)

Dates

Born 8 Sep 1873
Died 1 Nov 1907
Activity 1893-1907

Places

Born in France
Active in France

Activities

Primary

Novelist
Playwright / Dramatist

Other

Artist
Journalist
Librettist
Literary Critic/ Historian
Poet

Resources

Jarry's Works

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Alfred Jarry is famous above all for the monstrous character of Père Ubu, and the play

Ubu Roi

[

King Ubu

], whose controversial staging in Paris in 1896 is a widely recognised landmark in theatrical history. Jarry is also well known for the invention of the pseudo-science of Pataphysics, through which he spawned a branch of alternative philosophy and artistic appreciation. His work is extensive for such a short career, and is highly varied in character and accessibility. His self-destructive lifestyle and recklessness with firearms mark him out as one of the most memorable bohemian figures of the Parisian

Belle Epoque

, but also mask an erudite if maverick intellect. He would serve as a point of reference and inspiration for the avant-garde generations who survived or came after him.

Jarry

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2471 words

Citation: Fisher, Ben. "Alfred Jarry". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 12 June 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=5785, accessed 21 November 2024.]

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