Familiarity with a few key concepts can aid in gaining a toehold into his refreshingly original thought. Unlike many other French theorists, Girard isn’t deliberately obscure. But the specialized terminology that has accreted over decades to explain his concepts can make his writing appear even more daunting. As our editor Joseph Bottum noted earlier this week, “The article is a dense and difficult piece by a member of the Académie française, and different readers will have differing interpretations.”Ĭomprehending Girard’s work is certainly no easy task. Unfortunately, too many of our readers may not intially grasp the appeal of his work. First Things is delighted to be able to share with our readers an original essay and an exclusive interview with René Girard, one the most intriguing and influential thinkers of modern times.