SOURCE: "What Is Pataphysics?; or, Turkistan Revisited," in Alfred Jarry: The Man with the Axe, Panjandrum Books, 1984, pp. 65-71.

Lennon is an American critic. In the following excerpt, she defines pataphysics, particularly as presented in Exploits and Opinions of Doctor Faustroll, Pataphysician.]

[What is Pataphysics?] First of all, let us begin by ruling out what Pataphysics is not. It is heartening to commence with such a simple and easy task, for when it comes to the precise and accurate dissection of matters pataphysical, many are called but few are chosen.

1. Pataphysics is not an expensive and demanding sociopsychological regime. One need not attend interminable pataphysical meetings where one is not allowed to use the sanitary facilities for hours on end. In fact, one cannot attend such meetings with a pataphysically good conscience; they cannot exist and still be considered truly pataphysical.

2. Pataphysics is not the pet theory of...