In A Thousand Plateaus, Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari explore the concept of the refrain (ritournelle) as a way to understand the territorial, rhythmic, and expressive patterns that structure and transform life. The refrain is a central idea in their philosophy, serving as a dynamic process that organizes chaos while also opening up possibilities for creation and transformation. Here’s a breakdown of their concept:
1. Origins in Music and Territory
• The refrain originates from the idea of a repetitive, rhythmic sound or melody that creates a sense of order or stability. For example:
• A child humming to soothe themselves in a frightening situation.
• A bird singing to mark its territory or attract a mate.
• These actions create a temporary space of safety or familiarity within a chaotic world—what Deleuze and Guattari call “territorialization.”
2. Three Functions of the Refrain
• Territorialization: The refrain establishes a home, a boundary, or a space of stability. It stakes out a territory.
• Deterritorialization: The refrain can break free of its original function, moving into new, unknown, or chaotic territories, opening itself to change and transformation.
• Reterritorialization: The refrain re-establishes a new order or a new sense of stability in a different context.
3. The Refrain as an Assemblage
• The refrain is not fixed or static. It is an assemblage of components (sound, rhythm, movement, expression) that interact with other forces.
• It can connect with other refrains, forming larger patterns or disrupting existing ones.
4. A Creative Force
• The refrain is a tool of creative expression and experimentation. For example, in art or music, refrains allow for variation, improvisation, and the invention of new forms.
• It allows beings to navigate and negotiate the chaos of existence, creating both identity and difference.
5. Cosmic Implications
• On a broader level, Deleuze and Guattari see the refrain as a principle of becoming and transformation that operates in the universe. It’s not limited to humans but is a universal process evident in nature, art, and even molecular interactions.
In sum, the refrain is both an act of ordering and a potential for transformation. It represents the dynamic tension between stability and change, helping us understand how life, art, and thought evolve and move between chaos and structure. It invites us to think about how patterns emerge, dissolve, and re-emerge in novel ways across all levels of existence.
