The Power of Parabolic Reversal: The Example in Simone Weil’s Notebooks

Publication Type

Journal Article

Year of Publication

1996

Author

Evans, Christine Ann

Journal

Cahiers Simone Weil

Volume

19

Number

3

Pages

313-24

Language

English

Keywords

Aristotle
Bible
reading
rhetoric

Annotation

This essay examines Weil’s use of examples in her writing, comparing and contrasting them to their use in Aristotle and in the Christian Gospel. Ultimately Evans argues, the way examples operate in Weil’s thought are closer to the parables of the New Testament than they are to Greek rhetoric. Evans also pays attention to the use of historical examples noting how Weil’s use of them confronts or challenges the dominant historical narrative as opposed to supporting and maintaining it. Evans also comments on the importance of familiarity with Weil’s concept of ‘reading’ in the understanding of her use of example.