In his famous soliloquy of Act III, Scene 1, of William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Hamlet, prince of Denmark, reveals his inner struggles and his search for identity and meaning. Confronted with and utterly disturbed by family and political problems concerning the crown of Denmark, questions, believes, social conventions and personal convictions are pressing hard on him and leave him searching for meaning and identity, trying to find for the right way through and the right way out.
To be, or not to be, that is the question -
whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
or to take arms against a sea of troubles,”. (III,1)
The question of “to be or not to be”, which is in essence the question of identity, is a widely discussed and fundamental theme of life, a topic many authors have written about and many producers have made the central theme of Hollywood movies.
The purpose of this essay is to discuss question of identity in postmodern American short stories. It will include a presentation of postmodernism in its contrast to modernism. Three short stories from different American authors will be discussed in regard to conflicts and development of identity: "Lost in the funhouse" by John Barth, "Saint Marie" taken from Louise Erdrichs "Love medicine" and "A Wife's Story" by Bharati Mukherjee. Special attention will be paid to the story of initiation.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- What is postmodernism?
- The term
- The dominant of postmodernism
- The Question of Identity in postmodern American short stories
- "Lost in the Funhouse" - a story of initiation
- What is initiation?
- "Lost in the funhouse"
- "Saint Marie" - Identity influenced by religion
- "A wife's story" - identity change as result of cultural change
- Concluding thoughts
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to explore the question of identity within the context of postmodern American short stories. It begins by contrasting postmodernism with modernism, establishing a framework for understanding the unique characteristics of postmodern literature. The essay then analyzes three short stories, examining how the characters grapple with identity conflicts and development. A significant focus is placed on the concept of initiation as a pivotal factor in shaping identity.
- Postmodernism vs. Modernism
- Identity formation and conflict
- The concept of initiation
- Influence of cultural and religious factors on identity
- Identity in the context of social change
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the essay by referencing Hamlet's soliloquy, establishing the enduring relevance of the question of identity. It frames the essay's purpose as an exploration of identity in postmodern American short stories, promising an analysis of three stories with a focus on the concept of initiation. The introduction effectively bridges the timeless nature of the identity question with its specific application within the postmodern literary context.
What is postmodernism?: This chapter delves into the complexities of defining postmodernism, acknowledging the multifaceted and sometimes contradictory nature of the term. It explores the term's emergence in the late 1950s and early 1960s, highlighting its origins in shifting cultural values and attitudes. The chapter examines the three meanings of the prefix "post"—after, anti, and continuation—emphasizing that postmodernism is not simply a reaction against modernism but a complex interplay of continuity and opposition. The chapter concludes by contrasting the epistemological dominant of modernism with the ontological dominant of postmodernism, setting the stage for the analysis of identity in the short stories.
The Question of Identity in postmodern American short stories: This chapter serves as an overview and analysis of the three short stories selected for the essay. It sets the framework for the individual story analyses that follow, emphasizing how each story explores different aspects of identity in the context of postmodern experiences. This introductory segment lays the groundwork for understanding the diverse ways in which identity is negotiated and challenged within the chosen narratives. It highlights the role of initiating experiences, religious influences, and societal changes in shaping individual identities.
Keywords
Postmodernism, identity, American short stories, initiation, modernism, cultural change, religious influence, identity conflict, ontological dominant, epistemological dominant.
FAQ: A Comprehensive Language Preview - Postmodern American Short Stories and Identity
What is the main topic of this academic text?
The text explores the theme of identity within the context of postmodern American short stories. It analyzes how characters grapple with identity conflicts and development, focusing on the role of initiation, cultural, and religious influences.
What are the key themes explored in the essay?
Key themes include postmodernism versus modernism, identity formation and conflict, the concept of initiation as a pivotal factor in shaping identity, the influence of cultural and religious factors on identity, and identity in the context of social change.
Which short stories are analyzed in the essay?
The essay analyzes three postmodern American short stories: "Lost in the Funhouse," "Saint Marie," and "A Wife's Story." Each story is examined for how it portrays different aspects of identity formation and challenges within postmodern experiences.
How does the essay define postmodernism?
The essay delves into the multifaceted nature of postmodernism, acknowledging its complexities and contradictions. It explores the term's origins and its relationship to modernism, highlighting the interplay of continuity and opposition. It contrasts the epistemological dominant of modernism with the ontological dominant of postmodernism.
What is the significance of "initiation" in the essay?
The concept of initiation is a central theme. The essay examines how initiating experiences significantly shape and influence the characters' identities throughout the analyzed short stories.
What role do cultural and religious factors play?
The essay investigates how cultural changes and religious influences impact the formation and development of identity in the context of the short stories. These factors are analyzed as contributing elements to the identity conflicts and transformations experienced by the characters.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured with an introduction, a chapter defining postmodernism, a chapter analyzing identity in the chosen short stories, and a conclusion. Each chapter offers a summary and in-depth analysis of the related topics.
What are the key takeaways from the chapter summaries?
The introduction establishes the enduring relevance of the identity question. The chapter on postmodernism clarifies its complexities and contrasts it with modernism. The chapter on short stories provides an overview and analysis of the chosen texts, highlighting the role of initiation and other factors in shaping identities.
What are the keywords associated with this text?
Keywords include Postmodernism, identity, American short stories, initiation, modernism, cultural change, religious influence, identity conflict, ontological dominant, and epistemological dominant.
What is the overall objective of the essay?
The essay aims to explore the question of identity within the context of postmodern American short stories, analyzing how characters navigate identity conflicts and development, emphasizing the role of initiation and external influences.
- Quote paper
- Lars Berghaus (Author), 2001, To be or not to be - The question of identity in selected postmodern American short stories, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/74227
