Defense et illustration de la notion dereprésentation

Abstract

By tracing connotations of the word « representation » in history, Roger Chartier elaborates on the word’s various meanings. On the one hand, representation refers to someone or something acting in place of an absent person or object. On the other hand, representation can also refer to public presence. Furthermore, Chartier describes how collective representations and social order are closely related. Finally, Chartier touches on the problem of historical representation itself. He suggests that historical discourse may be a mere representation of the past.