tropisme

The term "tropism" in French literature, particularly as seen in Nathalie Sarraute's work, refers to the involuntary response of the human mind to external stimuli. This concept, distinct from biological tropism, focuses on a general, unmodified reaction that bypasses "character" development.1

In French literature, particularly within the context of the nouveau roman or antinovel, writers like Sarraute aimed to move away from traditional plot and dialogue. Instead, they explored "chosisme," a focus on things in themselves, and tropism, the fundamental human response to stimuli. This approach emphasizes perception over chronology and seeks to represent the universe as indifferent to human emotions. This literary movement sought to remove the "pathetic fallacy" from fiction, where the universe reflects human emotions.1