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PARTISAN REVIEW
ence of men who were more than their transcendental apperceptions.
Whether or not these philosophies were any more productive politi–
cally is another question, but at least they pointed in directions which
twentieth century man would find far more promising. Although the
excesses to which these various creeds sometimes led their followers
makes a kind of nostalgic yearning to go "Back to Kant" seem
attractive, there can be little doubt that neo-Kantianism is a thin reed
on which to build a viable social and political theory. Mandarin
idealism, in short, never was and never will be a real antidote to vulgar
idealism, despite the good intentions of its proponents then and now.
MARTIN JAY
FOR INTERPRETATION
THE GENESIS OF SECRECY: ON THE INTERPRETATION OF NAR–
RATIVE.
By
Frank Kermode.
Harvard University Press. $10.
What does it mean to read? This is the question posed by
Frank Kermode's elegant and suggestive new book as by much contem–
porary speculation on the subject of interpretation. Kermode's con–
trolling thesis is indeed fashionable among "advanced" critical circles:
that, "broadly conceived, the power to make interpretations is an
indispensable instrument of survival in the world, and it works there as
it works on literary texts." But if everything is constitutionally a matter
of interpretation, if the world and other people are woven texts to be
read, each text being a world in itself, can one ever be sure of reading
aright? Kermode parleys with both sides in the traditional
querelle
between a historical or philological perspective, bent on approximate
knowledge of the original context of the work and the intentions of its
author, and a more magical, "imperialist" attitude, seeking in a
privileged moment
to
divine or bring to lighl meanings hidden from
earlier readers and thus to recreate the classic, all the while presuppos–
ing that perception is never disinterested. Focusing this theoretical
dilemma in a secular approach to the Scriptures, he invokes Hermes, as
guardian over roads and commerce and patron of interpreters, for aid
in "going-between." But having at length consulted with the scholars,
or "insiders," he seems fin ally-"hot for secrets"-to prefer the more
