Michel Tournier’s novel “La goutte d’or” (“The Golden Drop”) stands out as a remarkable piece in modern literature, akin to a grand palace that shapes the architecture of contemporary storytelling. This novel delves into the intricate cultural dialogue between the Self and the Other, specifically examining the relationship between the Arab East and the European West.

In our exploration, we focus on “La goutte d’Or” as a rich setting to study how the literary world of the novel interacts with the art of photography. A central question guides our inquiry: How effectively can photography reflect the essence of the Arab Self in its relationship with the Western/French Other?

To address this question, we will approach the text from two angles: one that analyzes its narrative and semiotic elements, and another that applies a cultural critical lens. This combination will help foster a deeper understanding and energize our analytical thinking about the novel.