SOURCE: Said, Edward, M.-R. Logan, Eugenio Donato, et al. “An Exchange on Deconstruction and History.” boundary 2 8, no. 1 (fall 1979): 65-74.

In the following conversation following a presentation, Said, Logan, Donato, and others discuss some theoretical implications of deconstruction for the study of history.

EDWARD Said:

I'm sorry, I'm not sure that I can be as brief as you would like, because I have a number of things to say on what both of the speakers have said. I think these things are important for the general discussion of critical theory that we have been having here. Now, as you know, I have a great admiration for both of your work, and certainly I find absolutely nothing to disagree with on what you said about Flaubert and the whole question of the end of history as you discussed it, Eugenio. But let me preface what I have to say...