Lizzy Trafford
School of Humanities
William Burroughs as poet-scientist
William Burroughs challenges dualistic thinking which , for him , is fundamental to societal control . Following Alfred Korzybski , he deconstructs the philosophy of binary opposition targeting Aristotelian either / or thinking by suggesting that it contains ‘ formula [ s ]’ which cause ‘ trouble ’. Uniquely , he sets out to expose the conflict within hierarchical opposition by organising a ‘ war to extermination ’ on language . Burroughs ’ texts are poetically open and experimental , but precisely so . With military precision , he attacks instruments of control- namely the words used in oppressive discourses which structure reality and subjectivity- by cutting up language . My research focuses on Burroughs ’ post-1959 texts , and I will examine his ( biological ) operation on language ; something which has been largely neglected by Burroughs critics . By closely examining cut-up methods , my research is interdisciplinary ; the texts are underpinned by concepts and techniques used in the biological sciences and in literature . The texts address universal themes such as oppression and control and the cut-up methods encapsulate the poetic and biological essence of these themes , validating Burroughs as ‘ poet-scientist ’. The poster will include biological and literary concepts written with a lay audience in mind . I will present some of my research pictorially , as is appropriate for cut-up material .
Postgraduate Conference 2020 Page 44