The Revealed Allusion in the Fiction of Haim Be'er (Hebrew)

• In Event: Past and Future in Contemporary Israeli Fiction

Abstract

Among the handful of contemporary Hebrew writers approaching the status of modern classics, Haim Be'er stands out as the one closest to the "Jewish bookcase," a term he has largely popularized. Over the years, Be'er has remained committed to preserving the allusive poetics that characterized early modern Hebrew literature. However, this dedication poses a dilemma: how to maintain the richness of his work's allusions without risking alienating readers. Quoting from classical Hebrew literature without comment might cause readers to overlook it, and present him as an elitist or condescending author, alienating his readers. Conversely, overexplaining his allusions might paint his tone as didactic, or cause the feeling that the author assumes the readers' ignorance.

The lecture introduces the concept of "Revealed Allusion" in Be'er's oeuvre, where the origins of an allusion are discernible to readers while retaining more prodfound layers intended for the erudite. Analysis reveals a growing number of such allusions in Be'er's works since the early 2000s, coinciding with shifts in his treatment of historical poetic traditions of Hebrew literature. I will present various strategies employed by Be'er to navigate this terrain: simultaneously preserving tradition and stylistic relevance, combining didacticism and entertainment. Through such innovations, Be'er revitalizes age-old stylistic challenges, reaffirming his unique contribution to Hebrew literature.

Author

• Omer Waldman, Hebrew University of Jerusalem