Comparison between Light in August and Dangling Man - Essay Example

English Literature 19 June Comparative Analysis of Light in August by William Faulkner and Dangling Man by Saul Bellow Introduction Every piece of Literature is inspired from reality, although the writer uses his power of imagination to mould his interpretation of reality into fiction. Moreover it is an intriguing amalgamation of various components i.e. literary elements such as themes, symbolism and narrative techniques that are amalgamated together in order to provide the readers with a perfect blend of reality and fiction. Consequently the two novelists; William Faulkner and Saul Bellow are observed to be utilizing these literary elements as a tool to enhance the beauty of their depiction in their respective texts. In his novel Light in August William Faulkner explores the multi-faceted dimensions of human reality and psychology through the behavior of his various characters living in a small town of Jefferson. The novel is an attempt to depict the emotional existence of every individual although violence, lack of education, poverty, racism and other factors conspire to make the lives of the characters/human beings tragic. The writer does not present the reader with any judgment in fact he simply states facts in the form of history of every individual and such a depictions asserts the writer’s philosophy i.e. man is a product of his surrounding and up-bringing. Hence it is observed that almost all the characters of the novel they carry some form of guilt, humiliation or shame because of their past yet they struggle to survive some incessantly, others successfully, and still others do not succeed at all though all of them are seeking for salvation, a place to call their own and forgiveness. The novel Dangling Man is set in Chicago it depicts the life experiences of a man named Joseph who desires to become a part of the military surviving World War II however his Canadian nationality hinders his goal. Through his character the writer again tries to explore the psychology of an individual who is not only facing trouble in life because of his current idleness but also he presents the readers with a chance to try and understand the problems faced by an individual who is not only frustrated because of his joblessness but also that inertia has made his life stagnant leaving him in a limbo. Dangling Man can be interpreted as a novel that has existentialist strains and comprises of modernist literary techniques in the representations of an alienated hero who is hostile towards his environment and the apparently absurd world. Moreover the political backdrop can also be perceived as a comment on the impact of the Holocaust on the American Jewish Community. 2. Stylistic And Linguistic Comparison Although the two novelists present the readers with entirely different plot and settings yet it is observed that the stylistic and linguistic techniques that have been used by the two writers provide an interesting comparison to understand the writing style of both William Faulkner and Saul Bellow. 2.1. Narrative Techniques In Dangling Man Bellow uses first person narration style as it is depicted in the form of a journal. Although it inhibits the readers to form an opinion based solely on Joseph’s reiteration and he does not gives voice to any of the female characters. Yet it provides the readers with an interesting analysis of an individual’s conversation with himself hence revealing the deepest secrets, insecurities and the frustrations of the protagonist. On contrary Faulkner’s depiction of the novel is in third person yet he does not follow a linear style of narration. Hence events are recounted from multi-perspectives as it is observed that first an incident is narrated by one character and then another angle is revealed through the narration of another character. Ultimately the readers realize that no one approach emerges as complete or reliable, hence depriving the readers from having a full version of reality. However a multiplicity of subjective truths emerges constantly in the text that dissects and relates to the events, at times erroneously or in a biased manner. Although regardless of the difference in the styles of narration yet a common characteristic of the two novels is that both lack coherence and there is a sense of unreliability on the narration of characters which leads to confusion. Title plays a significant role in defining a text because the title of every piece of literature provides the readers with some hints about the ensuing incidents. Consequently it is observed that both the titles adhere to the context of the novel where Dangling Man hints about a tale of a man who is in a limbo or is dangling or is undergoing a transitional period the reference to August in the title Light in August can be interpreted as a hint about rebirth or rejuvenation for some and death or an end for others. 2.2. Symbolism Some of the major symbols which can be inferred as a comment on the conventions of the society in Light in August include the, ‘killing of the sheep and the street’. The killing of the sheep is an important symbol as it foreshadows the future of Joe Christmas. Although according to the context of the novel it has a cathartic effect on the character as he is disgusted with the reality of female reproduction cycle yet figuratively it also insinuates that Joe is a character who is aggressive to an extent that when provoked he can go to all extremes of violence. Moreover it also foreshadows the two murders i.e. of his foster father and Joanna Burden that seal his fate and ultimately lead to self-destruction. On the other hand street can been perceived as an important symbol because it implies different meaning for Lena and Joe Chrisman. For Joe Christmas it is stated in the text that, “Joe “entered the street which was to run for fifteen years” (67) here it denotes the tiresome and bitter journey of Joe to his self-destruction or death. On contrary for Lena it denotes her personal journey in hope for a better future. In the Dangling Man it is observed that the most significant symbol is the dangling man Joseph himself because he represents every individual who is faced with the feeling of inertia and hardships regarding his career and life in general. As it is also mentioned in the text, “There is nothing to do but wait, or dangle, and grow more and more dispirited. It is perfectly clear to me that I am deteriorating, storing bitterness and spite which eat like acids at my endowment of generosity and good will” (15). He also symbolizes a revolt against any and every institution which tries to restrict human growth as Donoghue also says, The Dangling Man is not an outsider or stranger, but a man in an interim situation in which action is merely motion drained of meaning…his quest is the search for the strength to overcome the fear of choice, and avoid public institutions whose claims are hostile to the imagination and to individual autonomy (175). 3. Thematic Concerns Some of the major themes that are dealt with in both the novels include race, importance of history/past, alienation, fate and free will and gender. Issues of race are a common thematic concern that is dealt with in both the novels. Faulkner explicitly talks about the hardships and the injustices inflicted on individuals with dark skin through the character of Joe Christmas who was a biracial. Constant references to his skin color are made throughout the text such as, “He watched his body grow white out of the darkness like a Kodak print emerging from the liquid” (76) this gives a description of his mixed skin while at another place it is stated, “His face was gaunt, the flesh a level dead parchment color (89) which connotes that he easily passes as a white. On the other hand Bellow makes slight references to racism through the issue of Joseph’s inability to become a part of the military because of his Canadian nationality. Visiting history/past is a major thematic concern that the two writers write about in almost similar manner because the characters of the both the novels revisit history as a method for introspection as well as to explain their respective human behaviors. Alienation is another important theme that is discussed in both the novels. Joseph states, “I, in this room, separated, alienated, distrustful, find in my purpose not an open world, but a closed hopeless jail. My perspective ends in the walls” (2). These lines not only describe alienation as a form of torture but it also leads to frustration and over all sense of failure hence breaking an individual’s spirit. While Faulkner depicts alienation through the life styles of his character such Byron, Lena, Joe Christmas and Hightower. Byron has a strategy of keeping himself detached from the world to avoid tension and Lena is a character who is a single unmarried mother who has been abandoned yet during her quest of searching for the father of her child that she is better off without him. On the other hand Joe Christmas and Hightower live in a world of their own making ignoring the outside world because they have learnt the hard way that human beings cannot be trusted. Both the novels comprise of existentialist strains as the characters ponder about the limits of the free will of humans. Both the writers are of the point of view that although man may assert that he is free yet regardless of their denial there is no Free Will and man is bound by some form of shackles that hinder his movement. For example Joseph can be compared to Dostoevskys Underground Man, who is trapped in a vicious circle of inertia that feeds his “bitterness and spite” (10). While although Christmas never takes responsibility of killing Miss Burden yet he pays for his actions by going to jail, then running away and by ultimately by being killed he is punished for his crime. Gender issue is also a theme that is explored in the two novels. Faulkner in his novel presents a very stereotypical image of women i.e. his female characters are meek and relatively powerless in comparison to men. Moreover society’s definition of good and bad women is also apparent from the lines, Because the town believed that the ladies knew the truth, since it believed that bad women can be fooled by badness, since they have to spend some of their time not being suspicious. But that no good woman can be fooled by it because, by being good herself, she does not need to worry anymore about hers or anybody elses goodness; hence she has plenty of time to smell out sin (36). Under this context it is understandable that the reason Miss Burden was an outcast was because of her loose ways and extramarital affairs with men. While in Bellow’s narration female characters do not get a voice yet he depicts the modern woman who has the capability of supporting her family as she tells Joseph that, “that it is no burden and that she wants me to enjoy this liberty, to read and to do all the delightful things I will be unable to do in the Army”(8) although Joseph takes this sacrifice as a threat to his masculinity and does not exactly like not being the bread winner yet he does nothing to change his situation other than feeling irritated by Iva’s job. 4. Conclusion It is observed that although the two writers deal with similar themes and their style of depiction is a little similar yet the two writers retain their individuality and uniqueness of their respective writing styles. Moreover both writers present the readers with a plethora of insights about human psychology besides the setting of each novel also acts as a lens for the readers to explore the historic customs, conventions and culture. Works Cited Bellow, Saul. Dangling Man. New York: Penguin Books, 2006. Print. Donoghue, Denis. Commitment and the Dangling Man. New York: Macmillan, 1968. Print. Faulkner, William. Light in August. Michigan: University of Michigan Press, 2002. Print. Read More