Blog for LIT330, Fragments of Rationality: Modern and Postmodern Literature and Theory, Fall 2010, Chester College of New England, Instructor Dr. Monica O'Brien
Monday, September 27, 2010
Prompt #4: farts and sucking stones
How does Beckett deconstruct the traditional form of the novel? Please give specific examples. Can you think of other novels you've read that do this?
Beckett uses Moran's problems with leaving his home to look for Molloy as a way to mock the arch-typical "journey" and the framing of detective novels. Moran is given his assignment early on to seek out Molloy and yet he meanders around at home, held up by his son and other inconveniences for dozens of pages. The "journey" begins with the hero finding the resolve to leave home. With Moran, it is not a matter of resolve but minor and comical frustrations that keep him from leaving. This mockery is made all the better in the way that Moran's journey is never complete-- not from tragic failure but a seeming lack of interest to continue.
Beckett deconstructs the traditional form of the novel with the portrayal of the physical novel itself. Beckett’s Molloy, within the first half of the novel, has a tremendous lack of dialogue structure (or attributes) to show the dialogue is occurring. The lack of this attribute mixes the dialogue and description together and in doing so creates a stream of conscious like form and flow to the novel. This is amplified due to Molloy’s self-questioning of his own memories and thoughts. The traditional form of the novel would describe ideas and situations clearly and efficiently so that the reader can understand thoroughly. However, this does not apply to Molloy in entirety.
Molloy’s structure is deconstructed again in the second half of the novel where paragraph breaks appear (after being non-existent within the first half of the novel), and disappear later on.
To be honest, I cannot recall a novel that has deconstructed the norms and expectations of the traditional novel as Molloy has. Molloy was challenging for me to read and to understand. I had to constantly reread passages to obtain a grasp at the information provided to me through the text/characters. However, after reading and finishing Beckett’s Molloy, I have a greater confidence in believing if I was given another difficult novel to read, I am better prepared for such a challenge.
I agree with you Jess, the way Molloy is written is completely out of the norm when it comes to structure. However I don't find it completely out of the ordinary atleast when it comes to the books that we've read so far this semester. His novel like "As I Lay Dying" is written to connect to the way that we think and see things inside our heads to get in touch with our inner thoughts and feelings and put that on the page. It deconstructs the traditional novel because it is not dealing with "realism" but is dealing with raw reality. It being difficult to read goes right along with reality as well. People in general ARE difficult to read, we are complex creatures with many layers and emotions that are built up from our expeirences throughout our lives. I believe Molloy is successful in mirroring this fact. I think the fact that the second half of the novel is disconnected with the first half also goes right along with real life. People tend to change over time and do feel disconnected with the person that they might have been earliar in their lives. Noone can say they've had the same feelings, thoughts, or stayed the same person throughout their entire life.
Beckett uses Moran's problems with leaving his home to look for Molloy as a way to mock the arch-typical "journey" and the framing of detective novels. Moran is given his assignment early on to seek out Molloy and yet he meanders around at home, held up by his son and other inconveniences for dozens of pages. The "journey" begins with the hero finding the resolve to leave home. With Moran, it is not a matter of resolve but minor and comical frustrations that keep him from leaving. This mockery is made all the better in the way that Moran's journey is never complete-- not from tragic failure but a seeming lack of interest to continue.
ReplyDeleteBeckett deconstructs the traditional form of the novel with the portrayal of the physical novel itself. Beckett’s Molloy, within the first half of the novel, has a tremendous lack of dialogue structure (or attributes) to show the dialogue is occurring. The lack of this attribute mixes the dialogue and description together and in doing so creates a stream of conscious like form and flow to the novel. This is amplified due to Molloy’s self-questioning of his own memories and thoughts. The traditional form of the novel would describe ideas and situations clearly and efficiently so that the reader can understand thoroughly. However, this does not apply to Molloy in entirety.
ReplyDeleteMolloy’s structure is deconstructed again in the second half of the novel where paragraph breaks appear (after being non-existent within the first half of the novel), and disappear later on.
To be honest, I cannot recall a novel that has deconstructed the norms and expectations of the traditional novel as Molloy has. Molloy was challenging for me to read and to understand. I had to constantly reread passages to obtain a grasp at the information provided to me through the text/characters. However, after reading and finishing Beckett’s Molloy, I have a greater confidence in believing if I was given another difficult novel to read, I am better prepared for such a challenge.
I agree with you Jess, the way Molloy is written is completely out of the norm when it comes to structure. However I don't find it completely out of the ordinary atleast when it comes to the books that we've read so far this semester. His novel like "As I Lay Dying" is written to connect to the way that we think and see things inside our heads to get in touch with our inner thoughts and feelings and put that on the page. It deconstructs the traditional novel because it is not dealing with "realism" but is dealing with raw reality. It being difficult to read goes right along with reality as well. People in general ARE difficult to read, we are complex creatures with many layers and emotions that are built up from our expeirences throughout our lives. I believe Molloy is successful in mirroring this fact. I think the fact that the second half of the novel is disconnected with the first half also goes right along with real life. People tend to change over time and do feel disconnected with the person that they might have been earliar in their lives. Noone can say they've had the same feelings, thoughts, or stayed the same person throughout their entire life.
ReplyDeleteJodie