The 18th century novel Tristram Shandy written by Laurence Sterne could be described as an anti- novel since it moves away from the conventional realist novel which used to be the only predominant style in novel writing at that time. Sterne rejects the traditional narrative technique of presenting a chronological plot with beginning, middle and end and instead offers the reader a non-chronological story rather built around digressions than following a straight forward narration. In order to reveal the way in which Sterne achieves this contemporary uncommon style one has to take a closer look at the role and function of language and non-verbal elements in Tristram Shandy.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction: The Anti-Novel Approach
2. Language as Imperfect Speech
3. Hobby Horses and the Barrier to Communication
4. Non-verbal Elements and Narrative Disruption
5. Conclusion: Realistic Portrayal of the Human Mind
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines how Laurence Sterne breaks away from 18th-century narrative conventions in "Tristram Shandy" by analyzing the function of language and non-verbal elements. It investigates how Sterne challenges the "realistic" novel style of his contemporaries to present a more authentic, albeit fragmented, representation of human thought processes.
- The linguistic limitations and the failure of absolute communication.
- The role of "hobby horses" in creating interpersonal isolation.
- The significance of non-verbal narrative devices like black, blank, and marbled pages.
- The contrast between Sterne’s experimental narrative and traditional chronological storytelling.
Excerpt from the Book
The inability of expressing oneself through language is also the reason for the appearance of the hobby horses.
The inability of expressing oneself through language is also the reason for the appearance of the hobby horses. These make communication difficult since each character has a hobby horse that limits the desire for communication with others. People only talk about their own hobby horses and do not listen much to what other people say. This leads to isolation and misunderstandings. As a result the reader forms a blockade of character development and leaves the characters as he has met them at the beginning of the novel. Concerning uncle Toby, his hobby horse turns into an obsession. He is obsessed by siege and battle but cannot expose what “siege” really means and thus again shows the instability of words and language.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The Anti-Novel Approach: This section defines "Tristram Shandy" as an anti-novel that rejects traditional chronological narration in favor of digressions and non-linear storytelling.
2. Language as Imperfect Speech: This chapter discusses Sterne's critique of language, citing John Locke to illustrate that words are arbitrary and insufficient for capturing the complexities of human experience.
3. Hobby Horses and the Barrier to Communication: This chapter analyzes how individual obsessions, termed "hobby horses," create communication barriers between characters, leading to inevitable misunderstandings and isolation.
4. Non-verbal Elements and Narrative Disruption: This part explores the use of graphical elements such as asterisks, dashes, and colored pages to force the reader into active interpretation and to disrupt narrative fluency.
5. Conclusion: Realistic Portrayal of the Human Mind: The final section summarizes how Sterne’s structural chaos effectively mirrors the internal workings of the human mind, establishing the novel as a proto-modernist work.
Keywords
Tristram Shandy, Laurence Sterne, anti-novel, language, non-verbal elements, hobby horses, John Locke, narrative technique, communication, fragmentation, realism, modernism, digression, interpretation, structural unity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the experimental nature of Laurence Sterne’s "Tristram Shandy," focusing on how the author uses language and non-verbal devices to move away from 18th-century realism.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
Key themes include the insufficiency of language, the isolation caused by personal obsessions, the impact of narrative interruptions, and the representation of the human thought process.
What is the main research question of the work?
The work seeks to uncover how Sterne achieves an unconventional, proto-modernist style by analyzing his specific use of language and graphical elements within the text.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a literary-analytical approach, examining the text’s narrative structure and referencing philosophical concepts, such as Locke's theories, to interpret stylistic choices.
What is the focus of the main body?
The main body examines the failure of communication, the function of "hobby horses" for specific characters, and the disruptive role of non-verbal elements like black and marbled pages.
Which keywords characterize the work?
The most relevant terms include "anti-novel," "fragmentation," "non-verbal elements," "language philosophy," and "proto-modernist narrative."
How does the author define the "hobby horse" phenomenon?
The author interprets "hobby horses" as personal obsessions that hinder interpersonal communication, as characters prefer talking about their own interests rather than listening to others.
What is the significance of the non-verbal pages in the novel?
The author argues that these elements, such as the black or marbled pages, exist to force the reader to use their imagination, as the text provides no definitive explanation for them.
- Quote paper
- Reni Ernst (Author), 2005, The role and function of language and of non-verbal elements in Tristram Shandy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/80943
