Des métaphores vivantes pour bleuir les imaginaires

Abstract

The sea, traditionally perceived through a metaphorical lens rich in myths and symbols, is now being recontextualized by scholars in the blue humanities. These researchers emphasize the necessity of recognizing its physical and biological materiality as a cradle of plurispecific life. The obsolete ideal of an infinite and pure sea has contributed to destructive practices such as overfishing and the use of the oceans as global dumps. The blue turn therefore calls for a reevaluation of our maritime representations to better preserve ecosystems. This article explores current debates on metaphors in ecological humanities and examines marine meta­phors in the novel Héliosphera by Wilfried N’Sondé. It highlights the relevance of cross-fertilizing Paul Ricœur’s concept of “lively metaphor” (1975) and Serpil Oppermann’s notion of “living metaphor”, (2022) offering a new perspective on the interaction between language and marine materiality.