Classic and Modern Literature: The Scarlet Letter - Book Report/Review Example

ic and Modern Literature ical literature refers to literature that is widely recognized as having outstanding or enduring qualities, with notable examples being Shakespeare’s King Lear being considered a classical piece of English literature. The Scarlet Letter is another example of what is considered as classical American literature. In some quarters, classic literature is considered to be literature from ancient Greece and Rome, and it is to some extent true, but in the context of this paper, it will consider literature from the period starting around the 17th century AD. Classical literature refers to any literal works from the ancient and antique period in any language bearing the hallmarks of excellent quality and skill in the application of literal techniques. Modern literature is characterized by individualism, absurdity, experimentation, formalism and symbolism. Writing in the modern period entailed breaking away from the traditional approaches in literature and venturing into diverse domains and genres. Key literal influencers of modern literature include Sigmund Freud, Charles Darwin and Carl Jung among others. Disillusionment and streaming consciousness that came from World War 2 are also attributed to have contributed in the emergence of modern literature. Key elements of modern literature include satire, irony, contrasting and comparisons in an effort to illustrate and critique various aspects in society. This paper seeks to discuss classical and modern literature by evaluating a chosen literal work and determine in, which belongs to either of the periods. Kate Chopin’s short story titled Desiree’s Baby is an example of modern literature due to its employment of modern literal writing techniques. Desiree’s Baby is a short story that applies the use of American realism and naturalism that cements that story’s position as modern literature. Realism is a trend that began in French literature from early 19th century to its end and early 20th century (Hiscock 122). Authors achieve realism in their works by depictions of contemporary societal life in its most simple and natural format. The use of romanticized and stylized presentation was avoided, and authors preferred writing in the spirit of realism. Realism entails the depiction of daily banal activities and experiences to illustrate the on goings in everyday life of a given society (Hiscock 86). The lack of romantic subjectivity in writing is a hallmark of realism, where the characters are a product of social factors and their environment. These are elements make up the dramatic complications in these works, and they are what constitute realism (Hiscock 173). Naturalism is also an aspect that is employed in the short story about Desiree’s Baby. Naturalism in literature is used to indicate towards the relationship that exists between social conditions, environment and heredity in shaping human character. Naturalism seeks to duplicate believable realism in literature by applying scientific knowledge and concepts to explain an individual’s character. Authors used science to explain the nature and cause of the environment and social factors in determining an individual’s character. Kate Chopin uses realism to evoke a tableau of life in Creole Louisiana in the United States (US) (Chopin 382). Desiree’s self-exploration and self-worth is connected to her husband Armand, an aspect that illustrated by what the author regards as a devoted, long and nurtured relationship. They end up bearing a baby together, but the baby reveals traits that are similar to a quadroon or mixed race/quarter Negro (Chopin 438). Desiree’s husband who is from a very wealthy and prominent Louisiana family is disgusted by this fact, and drives Desiree away from their home. Armand cites the shame accrued from bearing a child bearing the hallmarks of having Negro blood killed the love he felt for Desiree. Desiree’s attempts to explain fell on deaf ears and in despair, she takes her baby, and she walks off into the bayou to never be heard of again. The social and economic dynamics of Creole Louisiana are depicted to have a significant influence Armand to the point of rejecting his wife in order to maintain the status quo. Armand’s actions are seen as attempts to conform to societal expectations and norms in order to be accepted by society. Desiree’s marriage is destroyed because of Armand’s perceived shame brought on by the child of ‘color’. Desiree’s social decline is followed by suicide, and the final realization by Armand that his mother was a Negro is ironical twists that must have left him devastated. This literary piece is an excellent demonstration of modern literature and the nebulous nature of racism (Chopin 481). The Sculptor’s Funeral is a short story about a fictional town of Sand City in Kansas in the US (Cather 58). It tells the story of Harvey Merrick who was a famous sculptor whose body is brought back to his birthplace for burial. There are confrontations based on social, moral and ethical standards amongst the characters in the story (Cather 85). This literary piece can be regarded as a classical piece of literature because writing styles that are reminiscent of classical literature. The Sculptor’s Funeral is suggestive in nature, this is in the sense that it appeals to a reader’s emotions and makes them reflect on their lives. The use of emotional appeal and romanticizing aspects of a story in the literature are the hallmarks of classical literature (Moss 279). Harvey’s old friend Jim Liard is seen to bear the greatest emotional burden for his friend’s death (Cather 118). According to Cather (43), he is the main character of the story and it is through him that the author brings out his theme and stylistic devices. It is through Liard that the reader is able to learn the nature and character of other people in the story. The ethics and morals of the group at the funeral are depicted and analyzed from Liard’s perspective which the author uses as their own. Liard is used to expose to the reader the corruption and moral decay that permeates the town. The author props Harvey Merrick as an exceptional character through Liard’s high regard for him and the use of anecdotes by Liard to describe his departed friend. The short story seeks to appeal to every aspect and perspective of the reader’s moral and ethical principles. This is in order to deliver and elicit their desired effect from the reader the consequences of the portrayed theme. Works Cited Cather, W. The Sculptor’s Funeral. Reprint Edition. New York: Kessinger Publishing. 2010. Print. Chopin, K. Works of Kate Chopin: Including the Awakening, at Fault, the Story of an Hour, Desiree's Baby, A Respectable Woman and More. Mobile References. 2009. Print. Hiscock, A. Reading Memory in Early Modern Literature. Illustrated Edition. London: Cambridge University Press. 2011. Print. Moss, J. Classical Literature and Its Times: Profiles of Notable Literary Works and the Historical Events That Influenced Them. 8th Illustrated Edition. Thomson Gale. 2006. Read More