Usually a novel contains a beginning, a middle and an end. That is what the reader expects from the majority of books. This convention is not only based on the presumption that only by this sequence of beginning, middle and end a reader will find the reading of a novel rewarding but there are also theoretical concepts demanding this structure. Mendilow points out that Aristotle was one of the first to stress the meaning of a general structure in a piece of literature. According to Aristotle
[e]in Ganzes ist, was Anfang, Mitte und Ende hat. Ein Anfang ist, was selbst nicht mit
Notwendigkeit auf etwas anderes folgt, nach dem jedoch natürlicherweise etwas anderes
eintritt oder entsteht. Ein Ende ist umgekehrt, was selbst natürlicherweise auf etwas anderes
folgt, und zwar notwendigerweise oder in der Regel, während nach ihm nichts anderes mehr
eintritt. Eine Mitte ist, was sowohl selbst auf etwas anderes folgt als auch etwas anderes nach
sich zieht.
This concept is true for realistic novels but it falls short for most of the postmodern novels.
In this paper I will show how the structure of a linear plot is given up in Peter Ackroyd’s novel Hawksmoor. The sequence of beginning, middle and end evokes that all events are linked by a chain of causality. In Hawksmoor the chain of causality and the linear concept of time are replaced by a circular concept of time. The events in the novel and in particular the murders cannot be explained by the principle of causality.
In my paper I will analyse the concept of time in Ackroyd’s novel. As a first step I will point out the relation of the novel to the historical figure Nicholas Hawksmoor and summarise briefly the two plots so that on this basis the analogies and recurrences in each plot can be better understood. Chapter 3 deals with the conception of characters because it is the repetition of characteristics, biographies and attitudes of the characters that illustrate best the linear concept of time. The character that is associated the most with this concept of time is the protagonist of the eighteenth-century plot Nicholas Dyer. Therefore, I choose this figure for a detailed analysis in chapter 4.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 0. Introduction
- 1. The Title Hawksmoor
- 2. The Plots
- 2.1 Plot A
- 2.2 Plot B
- 3. The Conception of Characters
- 3.1 The Victims
- 3.2 Dyer and Hawksmoor
- 4. Dyer's Concept of Time
- 5. Rationality vs. Irrationality
- 6. Summary
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper analyzes the concept of time in Peter Ackroyd's Hawksmoor, demonstrating how the novel departs from the traditional narrative structure of beginning, middle, and end. It examines how Ackroyd replaces linear causality with a circular concept of time, exploring the implications of this shift on the novel's plot, characters, and themes.
- The subversion of linear narrative structure and the concept of causality.
- The portrayal of time as circular rather than linear.
- The relationship between the fictional characters and the historical figure of Nicholas Hawksmoor.
- The interplay between rationality and irrationality in shaping the narrative.
- The characterization and contrasting perspectives of Nicholas Dyer.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
0. Introduction: This introductory chapter establishes the central argument of the paper: that Peter Ackroyd's Hawksmoor rejects the traditional linear narrative structure found in most novels. It contrasts the Aristotelian concept of a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end with the postmodern approach exhibited in Ackroyd's work. The introduction highlights the replacement of linear causality with a circular concept of time and previews the paper's analysis of this unconventional temporal structure, focusing on how the concept of time is represented in the novel's plot, characters, and thematic elements. The author outlines the chapter structure, previewing their analysis of the novel's title, plot structures, character development, and the contrast between rationality and irrationality, all in the context of the central theme of time.
1. The Title Hawksmoor: This chapter discusses the significance of the novel's title, linking it to the historical figure of Nicholas Hawksmoor, an architect who, despite not appearing in the narrative, casts a significant shadow over the events of the novel. The chapter explores how the real Hawksmoor's absence paradoxically creates a presence within the text, providing a framework to understand the roles of the two fictional protagonists, Nicholas Dyer, and the implied connection to the historical architect. This section sets the stage for understanding the novel's interplay between fiction and history and its implications for the thematic exploration of time.
2. The Plots: This chapter provides a summary of the two intertwined plots within Hawksmoor. It outlines the structure of both narratives, establishing the groundwork for analyzing how both plots contribute to the overarching theme of circular time. The summary details the events in each plot, setting the stage for a deeper analysis of how the temporal structure of the novel functions, how each plot intertwines, and what their respective contributions are to the novel's overall message regarding the concept of time. The chapter prepares the reader for the deeper examination of the characters and their relationship to the concept of time in subsequent chapters.
3. The Conception of Characters: This chapter analyzes the characters in Hawksmoor, focusing on recurring characteristics, biographies, and attitudes that illuminate the novel's treatment of time. It examines the victims in both plots, exploring how their characteristics and fates contribute to the overall thematic implications of circular time. The analysis also focuses on the key characters of Dyer and Hawksmoor, detailing how their actions and beliefs reflect and shape the novel's exploration of linear versus circular concepts of time. By comparing and contrasting these characters, the chapter reinforces the central theme of the novel's unconventional temporal representation.
4. Dyer's Concept of Time: This chapter delves into a detailed analysis of Nicholas Dyer, a character whose perspectives on time are central to understanding the novel's overarching theme. It explores Dyer's personal ideology and how his beliefs and actions reflect the circular concept of time presented in the novel. This chapter will provide extensive examples from the text to support the interpretation of Dyer's role in the presentation of time. The detailed analysis of this character will be instrumental in furthering the understanding of the novel's complex temporal structure and its ultimate thematic significance.
5. Rationality vs. Irrationality: This chapter examines the contrasting ideologies of rationality and irrationality presented in Hawksmoor, focusing on how this duality illustrates the rejection of progress and the singularity of events as symbols of linear time. The contrast between Enlightenment thought (represented by Christopher Wren) and Dyer's Satanism and belief in symbolic power is explored, showing how these opposing viewpoints contribute to the overall thematic exploration of time. Although a full analysis of this duality isn't possible within the scope of this paper, the chapter highlights its relevance to understanding how Ackroyd's novel undermines the traditional linear perception of time.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Postmodern novel, circular time, linear time, causality, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Nicholas Dyer, rationality, irrationality, narrative structure, characterization, historical fiction.
Hawksmoor: A Comprehensive Analysis - Frequently Asked Questions
What is this document about?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of an academic paper analyzing Peter Ackroyd's novel, Hawksmoor. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. The central focus is on how Ackroyd subverts traditional linear narrative structure and presents a circular concept of time.
What are the main themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores several key themes, including the subversion of linear narrative structure and causality; the portrayal of time as circular rather than linear; the relationship between fictional characters and the historical figure of Nicholas Hawksmoor; the interplay between rationality and irrationality; and the characterization and contrasting perspectives of Nicholas Dyer.
How does the paper analyze the novel's structure?
The paper contrasts the Aristotelian concept of a narrative with a clear beginning, middle, and end with Ackroyd's postmodern approach. It examines how the novel's circular concept of time affects its plot, characters, and themes. The analysis focuses on how the absence of the historical Hawksmoor creates a paradoxical presence within the fictional narrative.
What is the significance of the novel's title, "Hawksmoor"?
The title's significance lies in its connection to the historical figure of Nicholas Hawksmoor, an architect whose absence paradoxically shapes the narrative. The paper explores how Hawksmoor's absence creates a framework for understanding the roles of the fictional protagonists and the interplay between fiction and history.
How are the characters analyzed in the paper?
The paper analyzes the characters, focusing on recurring characteristics, biographies, and attitudes that illuminate the novel's treatment of time. It examines the victims and the key characters of Dyer and Hawksmoor, detailing how their actions and beliefs reflect and shape the novel's exploration of linear versus circular concepts of time.
What role does Nicholas Dyer play in the novel's exploration of time?
Nicholas Dyer's perspectives on time are central to understanding the novel's overarching theme. The paper delves into a detailed analysis of his personal ideology and how his beliefs and actions reflect the circular concept of time.
How does the paper address the contrast between rationality and irrationality?
The paper examines the contrasting ideologies of rationality and irrationality, focusing on how this duality illustrates the rejection of progress and the singularity of events as symbols of linear time. The contrast between Enlightenment thought and Dyer's Satanism is explored.
What are the chapter summaries included in the preview?
The preview includes chapter summaries for the introduction, the analysis of the title "Hawksmoor", the analysis of the two intertwined plots, the character analysis, the analysis of Dyer's concept of time, and the analysis of the contrast between rationality and irrationality. Each summary briefly describes the content and focus of the corresponding chapter.
What are the key words associated with this academic paper?
The key words include Postmodern novel, circular time, linear time, causality, Nicholas Hawksmoor, Nicholas Dyer, rationality, irrationality, narrative structure, characterization, and historical fiction.
- Citar trabajo
- M.A. Anke Grundmann (Autor), 2000, The concept of time in Peter Ackroyd's "Hawksmoor", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/38799
