The experimental novel The Waves by Virginia Woolf was published in 1931. By describing the search for identity Woolf has the aim to show that identity consists of a variety of selves. For that reason the question “Who am I“ is central to all characters in the novel.
Woolf introduces a circle of friends that consists of seven people and describes the lives of the characters from childhood until they are old. Six characters, three men and three women, get voices and express themselves. The seventh, a man called Percival, does not speak, he is introduced by the other characters Susann, Jinny, Rhoda, Neville, Louis, and Bernard. The friends present themselves through their monologues, but they do not talk to each other, they just tell their own thoughts. The reader moves from consciousness to consciousness and only by the inquit formula “said [name of character]“, one can recognize who is speaking. Stylistic similarities of the monologues hint that Virginia Woolf actually intended to present the consciousness of a single person and not of six different individuals. Therefore this stylistic feature serves to illustrate the concept of a multiple self.
The focus of this essay will be on Bernard because he is “[…] the primary voice in the novel“. His search for identity will be shown and it will be illustrated how Virginia Woolf’s uses this character to illustrate the concept of an identity that consists of various elements. At the beginning Bernard’s key position in the novel will be considered. Then some aspects of Bernard’s search for identity will be discussed and at the end Bernard’s function for the unity of the novel and of identity will be shown.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Bernard’s Key Position in the Novel
3. Bernard and the Question of Identity
3.1 Bernard at College
3.2 Androgyny and Identity
3.3 Time and Identity
3.4 Bernard and the Audience – Narrative and Identity
3.5 The Epilogue
4. Bernard – The Framing and Unifying Character
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this essay is to analyze the character of Bernard in Virginia Woolf’s "The Waves," focusing on his role as the central, unifying voice through which Woolf explores the concept of a complex, multifaceted identity that develops over a lifetime.
- The construction of identity through language and narrative.
- Bernard’s key position as a storyteller and framing character.
- The influence of time, community, and social interaction on the development of the self.
- The concept of androgyny as a tool for artistic representation and neutral observation.
- The integration of multiple consciousnesses into a single, unified narrative identity.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Bernard at College
During his time at college Bernard experiences the main stage of his individualisation and separation from the other characters. Here the focus is mainly on himself.14
When entering college Bernard asks the first time, “What am I?”15. He recognizes that his self is complex and multiple and puts much emphasis on his multiplicity during college-time. He says: “I am not one and simple, but complex and many.” (56).16 In this stage of his life Bernard very much tries to define what the “Other” is, that does not constitute his identity. He asks: “What am I? […] This? No, I am that.” (56). While searching for his self Bernard mainly uses historical people like Tolstois, Byron, Hamlet or Shelley to identify with. These identifications take place particularly during his time at college.17 But finally he is not able to define his identity, he says: “But now let me ask myself the final question […] which of these people am I?” (60).
During college-time Bernard addresses himself with “you”. This “you” seems to be a stable part of his self. In contrary to the various elements that constitute his identity, which are changing, and which he is trying to integrate into his consciousness, Bernard is aware of that “you”.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces Virginia Woolf’s novel "The Waves" and outlines the focus on Bernard’s central role in illustrating the concept of a multifaceted identity.
2. Bernard’s Key Position in the Novel: This section examines Bernard’s linguistic importance and his dual role as both a character within the consciousness of the story and as a writer/commentator who unifies the diverse voices of the other characters.
3. Bernard and the Question of Identity: This chapter explores how Bernard attempts to define his own self by distinguishing it from the "Other," beginning with his childhood realization of separation.
3.1 Bernard at College: This sub-chapter details Bernard’s transition into adulthood, where he recognizes the multiplicity of his self and attempts to identify with various historical figures.
3.2 Androgyny and Identity: This part analyzes how Bernard’s androgynous nature allows him to transcend gender boundaries and act as an artist capable of representing a variety of perspectives.
3.3 Time and Identity: This section discusses how the passage of time impacts identity, moving the individual from a state of seeking definition to one of integrating experiences into a more robust, unified sense of self.
3.4 Bernard and the Audience – Narrative and Identity: This chapter highlights the critical role of narrative and social interaction, suggesting that identity is formed through the telling of stories and the presence of an audience.
3.5 The Epilogue: This final sub-chapter covers Bernard’s closing monologue, where he reflects upon his life, the connections between the characters, and his ultimate acceptance of a unified consciousness.
4. Bernard – The Framing and Unifying Character: This section evaluates the motif of the "ring" and discusses how Bernard acts as the essential "framing" device that gives the novel its coherent structure.
5. Conclusion: The concluding chapter summarizes the main findings, affirming Bernard’s role as a mediator for Woolf’s exploration of the fluid and constantly evolving nature of human identity.
Keywords
Virginia Woolf, The Waves, Bernard, Identity, Multiplicity of Self, Narrative, Androgyny, Consciousness, Unity, Storytelling, Language, Human Development, Modernist Literature, Social Interaction, Epilogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this academic essay?
The essay explores the character of Bernard in Virginia Woolf's novel "The Waves" to understand how he serves as a central vehicle for Woolf’s investigation into the nature of human identity.
What are the primary thematic fields covered in this work?
The central themes include the construction of identity through narrative, the role of language, the influence of time and social interaction, and the concept of an androgynous artistic personality.
What is the primary goal of the research?
The objective is to illustrate how Bernard evolves from a character struggling to define his place in the world to one who integrates multiple perspectives into a unified, coherent consciousness.
Which scientific or analytical method is applied?
The essay employs a text-oriented, analytical approach, examining the stylistic monologues and narrative structure of the novel to interpret the character’s psychological and philosophical development.
What is the core content of the main body chapters?
The main body investigates Bernard’s search for identity through his college experiences, his use of storytelling, his androgynous nature, and his ultimate function as the framing voice that unifies the lives of all characters.
Which keywords best characterize this essay?
Key terms include Virginia Woolf, The Waves, identity, narrative, multiple self, consciousness, and unification.
How does the author interpret Bernard’s "downfall"?
The "downfall" refers to Bernard’s realization that his identity is dependent on external communication and the "illumination of other people's eyes," making it impossible for him to achieve a truly isolated or fixed sense of self.
Why is the symbol of the "ring" significant for Bernard?
The ring symbolizes wholeness, unity, and completeness; Bernard uses this motif throughout his life to bind his fragmented experiences into a single, cohesive narrative.
- Quote paper
- Katharina Baron (Author), 2006, The Waves: Bernard as a Pattern (and Story-) Maker and Principle Spokesman - Bernard's Search for Identity, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/63138
