Le paradoxe énonciatif du Thésée gidien

André Gide’s Thésée and its enunciative features are explored. The analysis indicates that the death of Thésée’s son, Hippolyte, is not to be viewed as a negative aspect. Paratext, incipit and Thésée’s arguments concur to demonstrate that Hippolyte’s death was instrumental: virtually entrusting his beloved son with his memories, the king of Athens slyly arrogates himself the right to enhance the narrative trhough his own favourite topics (such as his love affairs) and to pursue his progressive ideology. Hadn’t Hippolyte died, Thésée would have entrusted his spiritual heritage to him, but with his son’s death, he can now commit his beliefs to the human race.