Mutations de l'ironie dans l'œuvre de Michel Houellebecq

Abstract

Is Houellebecq a satirist ? Is it really still a question? Each new book release is an occasion for the press to reaffirm this idea. The goal of this article is to show that, in the latest novels of Houellebecq, his use of irony has greatly changed, even if that could throw off his readers. In his most recent works, irony’s ability to create ambiguity takes a back seat to its power to reveal reality. This ironic touch remains but Houellebecq has progressively modified its codes, symbols, and objectives. Without resorting to serious discourse, he offers a way to overcome postmodern deconstructionism and demands for a new lyricism marked by the hypothetical universality of feelings. The career of Houellebecq as an ironist shows the progression from a combative irony, as a rhetorical and argumentative weapon, to an empathetic irony, opening the way for a reflection on ethics and morality.

Keywords

• Houellebecq (Michel)
• irony
• change
• morality