Abstract

The article is divided into three sections and reconstructs Proust’s impact on Bataille’s philosophy. The first one shows how Bataille derives from Proust an atheism very much different from Nietzsche’s, but not less influential for his thought. The second part presents Bataille’s critique on Proust’s conception of Œuvre, in relation to his notion of teleology. The final part compares the episode of Mlle Vinteuil with the alleged personal experience of Proust at the brothel, providing and discussing Bataille’s reading. All sections are held together by Bataille’s urge to desecrate the object he embraces.