PHRASE

“One and the same suspicion envelope in a single embrance the book and the drug, writing and whatever works in an occult, ambiguous manner open to empiricism and chance, governed by the ways of magic and not the laws of necessity.”

What is writing? Is it a curse or a gift? Does it hold medicinal qualities, or is it a toxic drug? Derrida addresses these questions over and again, while attibuting actual “writing” to be a source of life. Writing is a shameful act if done incorrectly, but can be made honorable if the writer is careful to act in a strictly honorable manner. The myth which is writing can be applied as a well brewed medicine or just as easily as a fatal poison. Derrida will separate and explain the difference.