Concentric points of view and concealed points of view Focalization in the service of Aurevillian aesthetics

Focalization is a neglected aspect of Aurevillian narratology, in contrast to polyphony. While polyphony and polyscopy are linked, we must nevertheless give an account of the latter. In Barbey’s narratives, gazes are directed concentrically toward a main character whose point of view is concealed. An obscure center thus appears in the narrative, which has all the appearance of a black hole. We link this device to the “esthétique du soupirail” and to figurative poetics.