The Pessimistic Perspective of the Modernists Writers - Research Paper Example

 Modernism in literature was a literary revolution that was brought about in the beginning of the 20 century when the writers began to revolt against the idealistic notions that were an integral part of the Victorian literature. The optimistic view of life that was depicted in Victorian literature was put to an end by the modernist writers towards the beginning of the year1900. According to john Carey’s (2006) perspective of Victorian literature and the modernist movement ‘The intellectuals could not, of course, actually prevent the masses from attaining literacy. But they could prevent them reading literature by making it too difficult for them to understand and this is what they did. The early twentieth century saw a determined effort, on the part of the European intelligentsia, to exclude the masses from culture. In England this movement has become known as modernism’ (p.16-17). Modernism can be defined as an era of literature that presented a total opposite interpretation of life than the one presented in the Victorian literature. So in other words modernist literature was a literature revolting against the stereotypical norms of the society and a process of redefining life i.e. projecting the harsh side of human reality. In the preface to an anthology entitled The Modern Tradition Richard Ellmann and Charles Feidleson, Jr. state, ‘modernism strongly implies some sort of historical discontinuity, either a liberation from inherited patterns or at another extreme deprivation and disinheritance. Such a definition of modernism places it squarely within the register of post-romanticism’ (2007,p. 233-234). Modernism redefines the definition of self. It is a break through from the confines of the society. Victorian literature presents a romantic and idealistic side of life that in reality does not exists and this is one of the reason that modern writers rebelled against it. It is a self exploration which reflects the bleak and the dark side of life and fundamentally talks about alienation, loss and despair. Along with the representation of life as unordered and the belief that there is no absolutely truth i.e. everything is relative; there is no importance of history and institution for them. In this process of modernization the preconceived political, religious and social views are also questioned. Hence modernism concerns itself with the sub-conscious and celebrates an individual’s existence and his inner strengths. Some of the major thematic concerns of modernist literature include self identity, liberation of women, the relationship of an individual with his history or past and projection of an individual’s inner conflict i.e. the tug of war between the conscious and the sub-conscious mind. This conflict is usually presented by the use of complex narrative structure. Use of stream of consciousness is another important tool used by the writers to reflect desolation, despair and over all mind frame of an individual. Stream of consciousness is defined as the process of imagination in which one thought leads to another totally different thought moreover it is not necessary that one thought should be in coherence with the next. Hence it is a distorted process of thought formation symbolic of an individual. James Joyce and Katherine Mansfield are two of the modernist writers who incorporate all these themes in their works as observed in the case of ‘Bliss’ by Katherine Mansfield and ‘A portrait of an artist as a young man’ by James Joyce. When the word ‘bliss’ is analyzed it is observed that the word connotes optimism and is interpreted in terms of contentment and happiness. However Mansfield makes use of this word in both negative and positive terms positive because it indicates bertha’s sexual awareness and liberation and negative because towards the end the secret of her husband’s affair is unveiled. Although the story is left open ended however it leads the readers to conclude that nothing in life guarantees complete happiness. Every turning point in life holds a new surprise that leads to more suffering and pain and this is a very modernist idea because for them the glass is half empty unlike the Victorian writers who saw the glass as half full. ‘A portrait of an artist as a young man’ is a novel about a man Stephen and his road to self discovery. The novel is also observed to have autobiographical streaks as the protagonist resembles to his author. The mind set of the young man that is presented in the story also resembles to Joyce’s personal point of view of life. James Joyce’s novel and Mansfield’s prose share a lot of similarities. The manners in which they present their ideas reflect their modern thinking and perspective. The common thematic concerns that are found in both the stories include the depiction of the new liberated woman, self discovery, use of symbolic language and myths, relationship between man and woman, personal conflict and oscillation between old stereotypical moral values and the new ideas and also both the endings of the texts bear similarities. Although it is observed that both the authors talk about liberation of women yet the manner in which they depict it seems to be different. Katherine Mansfield concerns herself about the sexual freedom of women. Patricia L. Moran (1996) says about Mansfield’s depiction of sexual liberation that, ‘The plot’s exaggerated promise of reversal occludes another narrative movement, a movement in which questions of desire knowledge and female sexuality insistently circulate’ (p. 40). Moreover it is observed that this sexual awareness is also interlinked with the title of the story i.e. bliss. This bliss can also be a desire for and acceptance of physical satisfaction. As it is also stated in the text, ‘For the first time in her life Bertha Young desired her husband’(2009,p.114). This reflects her desire as well as the freedom she fells once she has accepted it. This is a very modern idea because earlier there was no concept of women or even men to talk about desires so openly. On the other hand Joyce’s depiction of women liberation is in terms of women having the freedom of speech and the independence of speaking her mind. As stated in the text, ‘Dante was a clever woman and well read’(2004,p.3). Also on the dinner table conversation Dante is observed to be openly voicing her point of view. Joyce presents Dante’s character as an amalgamation of the new and the stereotypical woman. The comment about Dante being well read further illustrates the new woman because earlier in the Victorian times there was no concept of literate women. He gives her the freedom of speech that is symbolic of individuality yet at the same time her defense of the Catholic believes reflects the ingrained moral values and shows the connection of modern man woman with her roots. This acceptance of the fact that a human being cannot boycott from his roots is also observed in Mansfield’s story as apparent from the over all life style projected in the story. Which includes the brought up of a child with a Nanny’s help as stated,’ How absurd it was. Why have a baby if it has to be kept - not in a case like a rare, rare fiddle - but in another woman's arms?’ (2009,p.108). Although this seems ‘absurd’ yet Bertha can not do anything about it. The decorum that has to be maintained even with in your circle of friends and although one accepts her sexuality but cannot say it out loud even in front of other women as observed in the story caught in that circle of unearthly light, understanding each other perfectly, ‘creatures of another world, and wondering what they were to do in this one with all this blissful treasure that burned in their bosoms and dropped…’(2009,p.113). at another point it is mentioned, ‘Bertha knew, suddenly, as if the longest, most intimate look had passed between them’ (2009,p.112). this shows there mutual acceptance of the new fire. The characters in her stories react to one another; in doing so the stories quietly but forcefully illustrate the impossibility of existing outside the social relations (Mary Ann Gillies and Aurelea Denise Mahood, 2007, p.50). Modern literature presented the world with the new definition of self and individuality. Self discovery is another theme that is found in both the works of the writers yet they retain their own unique style in depicting it. Mansfield’s stories explore the conflict between traditional roles and contemporary viewpoints (Mary Ann Gillies and Aurelea Denise Mahood, 2007, p.50). This is a very pertinent description of Mansfield’s characterization. She fundamentally concerns herself with women and their freedom. This particular prose deals with the sexual self discovery of Bertha. As also observed that when the story commences it is mentioned, ‘But in her bosom there was still that bright glowing place - that shower of little sparks coming from it’ (2009,p.107). This is the foreshadowing of the eminent realization that is going to occur later in the story. Joyce’s technique of depiction of Stephen’s process of self discovery is similar to Mansfield’s yet different. In the first chapter of the novel the author starts dropping hints about his protagonist’s different nature as well as his personal acceptance of this different which is a technique used by both the authors i.e. to drop hints about the upcoming self realization. As the text states, ‘…he was different from others…’(2004,p.67). then again the hints of his hidden talents in the field of art are also apparent even when he was young boy when he recite to himself the words of a song, ’Bury me in the old churchyard,’ and then it is stated ‘A tremor passed over his body. How sad and how beautiful! He wanted to cry quietly but not for himself: for the words, so beautiful and sad, like music’(2004,p.22). This reiterates his love for language and this is the point where the readers start realizing that there is a possibility for him to turn up differently than his fellow students. At another place it is also mentioned, ‘To discover the mode of life or of art whereby his spirit could express itself in unfettered freedom’(2004,p.267). this further clarifies the idea of individuality presented in the novel. On the other hand the concept of self discovery presented by James Joyce in his novel can be an inspiration for all human beings without constraint of the differences between the two sexes while Mansfield’s idea of individuality is observed to have a lot of feministic streaks. Although modernism appears to have no connection with the set stereotypical norms of the society and history on the whole yet it explores history in relation with an individual’s identity through use of myths and a lot of symbolic references and this is a concept that both the authors are observed to be using in their respective works. For example Stephen’s surname that Joyce uses in the novel i.e. Dedalus is taken from Greek mythology. In Greek Mythology Daedalus was a master craftsman and inventor. He had been stuck in the maze because of King Mino’s deception however he was able to find a way out of that maze. Joyce also takes his inspiration from this concept as his Dedalus as mentioned in the novel,’ He was destined to learn his own wisdom apart from others or to learn the wisdom of others himself wandering among the snares of the world’(2004,p.175). Stephen is also observed to be bearing another similarity with the myth i.e. he was also entrapped in a labyrinth that was mapped out by his elders however towards the end he is able to attain his freedom hence living up to the meaning of his name. Moreover this tendency of achieving his freedom was in him even when he was a young. As observed in chapter 1 where he realizes that someone had to raise a voice against the prefects of studies actions and he says, ‘the prefect of studies was a priest but that was unfair’ and decides ‘(2004,p.31).He would go up and tell the rector that he had been wrongly punished’ (2004,p.32).and hence he was able to make his point about the unjust treatment although if he would have been like his fellow students he would never have had the courage to do so. On the other hand the use of the pear tree in Bliss is symbolic of fertility and because its shape resembles to the bosom of a woman it also represents female sexuality. As Patricia L. Moran (1996) also says, ‘The shape of pear is evocative of female body.’(p.41) In the text it is stated, ‘and the two women stood side by side looking at the slender, flowering tree. Although it was so still it seemed, like the flame of a candle, to stretch up, to point, to quiver in the bright air, to grow taller and taller as they gazed…’(2009,p.113). The use of a candle also symbolizes the manner in which this new discovery engulfs the three women in its glory and splendor. This comment reiterates the importance of the pear tree in relation with this new realization. So it is observed that both the authors in their own way draw connections with history to explain their protagonists’ identities. The use of stream of consciousness is another major modernists theme that is very common in Joyce’s works however in Mansfield’s prose the conflict between the sub-conscious and conscious mind is more prominent. The use of stream of consciousness in Stephen’s case depicts Joyce’s idea of the chaos that surrounds man and the resulting confusion and disillusionment. For example, ‘The fellows all were silent…He thought of the dark silent sacristy… It was not the chapel but still you had to speak under your breath. It was a holy place… the evening of the Procession to the little altar in the wood. A strange and holy place. The boy that held the censer had swung it lifted by the middle chain to keep the coals lighting. That was called charcoal: and it had burned quietly as the fellow had swung it gently and had given off a weak sour smell.’(2004,p.23) This excerpt from the text reflects Stephen’s stream of consciousness where one thought leads to another hence depicting chaos and confusion. Moreover in the novel it is observed that at a lot of instances Joyce makes use of this technique which also creates confusion for the readers to keep track of the action taking place in the novel. In the bliss the oscillation between Bertha’s conscious and sub conscious mind is apparent from the comment, ‘All that happened seemed to fill again her brimming cup of bliss. And still, in the back of her mind, there was the pear tree.’(2009,p.112) This can be compared to Joyce’s use of stream of consciousness because just as Stephen’s mind had a tendency of shifting from the present in to the world of imagination similarly while sitting at the dinning table Bertha is also not able to stop herself from letting her mind wander and think about the pear tree and the people around her rather than participating in the conversation. Both the writers make use of complex narrative structure. This includes confusing plot descriptions, abrupt beginnings and creation of a whole story out of a common event or talking about unimportant things. In Mansfield case she just illustrates a single day of Bertha’s life however it turns out to be the most important day of her life as she gets to know about her husband’s infidelity as mentioned in the story, ‘His lips said: "I adore you," and Miss Fulton laid her moonbeam fingers on his cheeks and smiled her sleepy smile.’(2009,p.115) While on the other hand Joyce depicts the making of an artist but he basically focuses on the outside influences that make Stephen in an individual that he finally becomes. Hence they make an effort in order to make their readers realize that every individual’s life is important and life is unpredictable. The manner in which the titles of both the works and the resulting formation of the readers’ point of view about each story before it commence is also very different. James Joyce’s title ‘A portrait of an artist as a young man’ is very self explanatory. It gives the readers an impression that it would be a story depicting a journey of self discovery and just after reading the title readers who are aware of Joyce’s background can also draw connections with his past. While on the other hand Mansfield’s title does not gives away anything. The word ‘bliss’ brings in mind optimism and happiness which ironically Bertha relishes in when the story begins however it is short lived as her dream shatters when she sees her husband with Miss Fulton. The characterization of the protagonists of both the authors is very different. Joyce projects Stephen as an individual who prefers his own company over the company of other individuals as stated in the novel, ‘He gave them ear only for a time but he was happy only when he was far from them, beyond their call, alone or in the company of phantasmal comrades.’(2004,p.89) While on the other hand Mansfield projects her protagonist who adores her social life as stated, ‘And friends - modern, thrilling friends, writers and painters and poets or people keen on social questions - just the kind of friends they wanted.’(2009,p.110) At another point it is mentioned, ‘They were so frank with each other - such good pals. That was the best of being modern.’(2009,p.114) Hence this shows that although both the authors belonged to same era yet their definition of modernism and good life is very different. The second chapter of the novel begins with the comment, ‘Uncle Charles smoked such black twist that at last his nephew suggested to him to enjoy his morning smoke in a little outhouse at the end of the garden.’(2004,p.36) while bliss begins with the line, ‘Although Bertha Young was thirty she still had moments like this when she wanted to run instead of walk.’(2009,p.107) Hence both the writers make use of this technique in order to set a fast pace of the novel and prose respectively. Also it gives the readers an insight of the mind set of the writers who have shifting thought process. Since modernism was about condemning and revolting against the preconceived religious norms as well, Joyce makes use of this concept in his novel. He not only redefines the meaning of God for an individual man but also projects true hatred for religious preaching of the earlier times. He states in the novel, ‘God was God’s name just as his name was Stephen. It made him feel very tired… it made him feel his head very big.’(2004,p.10) This comment gives a very apt description of the understanding of God for a modern man. This explanation again reiterates the modern man’s dilemma of being lost and confused. At the dinner table conversation Mr. Dedalus says, ‘a priest ridden Godforsaken race.’(2004,p.21) This line illustrates the hatred of modern man for the institution of religion and its preaching. On the other hand Mansfield is observed to avoid making any comment or judgment on religious or political institutions. The endings of the two novels are also very different from one another. Mansfield ends the story with the line, ‘And then she was gone, with Eddie following, like the black cat following the grey cat…  But the pear tree was as lovely as ever and as full of flower and as still.’(2009,p.115) Hence the story is left open ended and leads the readers to draw their personal conclusion. While Joyce ends the novel as, ‘Old father, old artificer, stand me now and ever in good stead’(2004,p.236) which tells the readers that Stephen was successful in discovering his identity and individualism. This difference in the endings again illustrates the perception of life for the two authors. Joyce conveys his modern view of life i.e. in life nothing is impossible. To bring about a change and live a life with an individual definition it is necessary to have the courage and then anything is possible. While Mansfield presents the idea that life is very unpredictable and fate plays a cruel game with humans. Hence they do not have a right to be extremely happy because the very next moment might shatter an individual’s joy. This is reflective of the pessimistic perspective of the modernists’ writers as they do not romanticize life and project a realistic and harsh picture of human reality. Hence it observed that although both the writers belonged to the same era yet they differ in their interpretation of life and projection of ideas. This difference in their interpretations provides the readers with a variety of new meanings and ideas to explore. However both of their perspectives bespeak the modern definition of life and in their own unique style they make use of modern themes and techniques to illustrate their point of views. References Carey, J., 2002. The intellectuals and the masses. California: Academy Chicago.  Gillies, A. M. and Mahood, D. A., 2007. Modernist literature: an introduction. Trowbridge: Cromwell Press. Joyce, J., 2004. A portrait of an artist as a young man. New York: Barnes & Nobel Books. Liska, V. and Eysteinsson, A., 2007. Modernism, Volume 1. Philadelphia: John Benjamins North America. Mansfield, k.,2009. The short stories of Katherine Mansfield. Digireads.com Publishing Moran, L. P.,1996. Word of mouth: body language in Katherine Mansfield and Virginia Woolf. Virginia: University Press of Virginia.   Read More