Question

A day or two after my love pronouncement, now feral with vulnerability, I sent you the passage from Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes in which Barthes describes how the subject who utters the phrase "I love you" is like "the Argonaut renewing his ship during its voyage without changing its name." Just as the Argo’s parts may be replaced over time but the boat is still called the Argo, whenever the lover utters the phrase "I love you," its meaning must be renewed by each use, as "the very task of love and of language is to give to one and the same phrase inflections which will be forever new.

What does Maggie Nelson trying to tell the readers about this passage from her book the Argonauts

Answer 1

Answer and Explanation:

In this passage from Roland Barthes by Roland Barthes, Barthes compares the act of uttering the phrase "I love you" to the story of the Argonauts. He explains that just as the parts of the ship Argo can be replaced over time without changing its name, the phrase "I love you" must be renewed with each use to maintain its meaning.

Barthes suggests that love and language have a similar task: to give the phrase "I love you" new inflections each time it is spoken. This means that each utterance of "I love you" should carry a fresh and authentic meaning, rather than relying on the initial proclamation alone.

By using the analogy of the Argonaut renewing their ship, Barthes emphasizes the importance of continually investing effort and intention into expressing love. The phrase "I love you" should not become a stagnant declaration, but rather an ever-evolving expression that reflects the ongoing emotions and experiences of the speaker.

Overall, Barthes highlights the dynamic nature of love and language, suggesting that the meaning of "I love you" should be constantly revitalized through the speaker's personal growth, evolving emotions, and the shared experiences between individuals.