AUTOFICTION

Analyzing Life Narratives through an artist’s works

Satya Prateek 07010241Vipul Garg 07010246

Vivek Sharma 07010249

AUTOFICTION

Narrative and its importance

The understanding of anything by the faculty of human reason is based on the concept of a

narrative.

When we think of narrative, we invariably think of the art associated with it.

When we talk about something, it is always through the events that unfold in that thing

that our understanding develops.

AUTOFICTION

Narrative and its importance

Many art forms have parallelly existed in the form of paintings, frescoes, manuscripts and even signs.

The output becomes hugely important in preserving the cultural richness of the

human race.

AUTOFICTION

Forms of Narrative and Place of Literature

As language evolves, we are able to find a rather accurate way of sharing our

thoughts.

With the language and the spoken word, comes an improved sense of

comprehension.

AUTOFICTION

Forms of Narrative and Place of Literature

The scope of narrative is changing from the mass narratives to smaller, personal life

narratives.

The life narrative or alternatively, the autobiography, there are only a few that

immediately strike.

AUTOFICTION

Forms of Narrative and Place of Literature

Autofiction gives the liberty of modifying certain accounts or living as a third

person.

So, we are going to present on this form of life narrative, in the forms of the works of

two very important literary figures in Fyodor Dostoevsky and John Milton.

Fyodor Dostoyevsky19th century Russian writer of realist

fiction and essays.Literary works explored human

psychology in the troubled political, social and spiritual context of 19th century Russian society.

Dostoyevsky's life was one full of misfortune and suffering life and his experiences were integrated into the characters in his pieces, both in terms of personality and ideology.

Fyodor DostoyevskyAn especially important turning point in his

life was his arrest, mock execution and imprisonment at the age of twenty-seven. This prison sentence and time in exile served to shape his perceptions and beliefs towards life, which were then incorporated into his literary works.

His exile in Siberia inspired him to write “The House of the Dead” and his own gambling compulsion while on a trip across Europe inspired “The Gambler”.

But the most personal of all of his novels would have to be “The Idiot”.

The IdiotThe Idiot tells the tale of the saintly Prince Lev

Myshkin who returns to Russia after spending several years at a Swiss sanatorium. Scorned by society for his idiocy and innocence he finds himself at the centre of a struggle between a rich, kept woman (Nastasya Filipovna) and a gorgeous, virtuous girl (Lizaveta Aglaya) who both wish to win his affection. However the tensions unleashed by the hero’s innocence, truthfulness and humility brings disaster to all he meets eventually provoking the jealousy of the merchant Rogozhin who kills Nastasya. At the end of the novel the prince, who arrived in Russia in hope of recovery and salvation, is found mad alongside her body in the company of her murderer.

His philosophyThe aim of the author was to depict the positively

good man and disclose the spiritual emptiness of a society that cannot accommodate him.

The author’s traumatic Siberian exile served to reinforce his religious beliefs and his later tour of Europe enforced his xenophobia and his idea of a spiritually bankrupt Russia sinking under the weight of Western materialism.

His first hand experience of the criminal mind helped him reach the conclusion that what was needed were not ‘good institutions’ or good ‘political systems’ but positively good men.

Reflection of self in character

The main character Prince Myshkin is far from an actual self portrait of the writer but in some ways is a sort of idealized self-projection.

He is afflicted with epilepsy just like the author and embodies the same Christian conviction, love of children, and faith in humility and compassion that were the corner stones of the writer’s own philosophical stance.

The prince is also drawn into a nerve wracking affair with a proud woman (Nastasya) much in common with the author’s painful affair with Polina Suslova.

Other details too suggest autobiographical influences : like the author Myshkin is fascinated with calligraphy, both were exiled and return to Russia after several years and Myshkin’s views on beauty, Catholicism, socialism, and the spiritual bankruptcy of the contemporary age are almost verbatim transcripts of convictions that the author himself had expressed earlier.

John Milton (1608-1674)

A republican, who was actively involved in the politics of his times, besides being a deeply religious man of words.

Authored perhaps the greatest epic in English language. A champion of reforms, his Aeropagitica is often considered as the most important work considering the freedom of the press.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

An autobiographically promiscuous writer, who, in Hamlet’s simile, unpacks his heart like a whore.

A tendency to think of himself as heroically singular right from his childhood.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)His writings dramatize the moments of his personal and moral crises, and by this virtue, are more like meditation of the self.

Plenty of his works are based on events unfolding in his life time:- Lycidas is a highlight about his confessions, on early death, un-fulfillment, fame and the value of poetry. Political ideas as strong undercurrents.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)Invokes pastoral scenes which had been out of fashion by then. The Biblical idea of the shepherd being the pastor of his flock.

Other remarkable poems include sonnets describing his blindness (Sonnet XVI), mourning the death of his wife (Sonnet XIX) and fighting against the parliament on the issue of reforms (Sonnet XII).

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

The writing style matures from being dejected by his blindness to feeling pride in his service to no reconciliation, but a sense of poignant loss, of both sight and love, finally to a prophetic nature.

John Milton (1608 – 1674) When I consider how my light is spent Ere half my days in this dark world and wide, And that one talent which is death to hide Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent To serve therewith my Maker, and present My true account, lest he returning chide, "Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?" I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent That murmur, soon replies: "God doth not need Either man's work or his own gifts: who best Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed And post o'er land and ocean without rest: They also serve who only stand and wait

SONNET XVI (On his Blindness)

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

The presence of Bible in almost every composition is the most striking feature in Milton’s works. He wrote in the post-renaissance period, and hence the interpretation of Bible became important.

Humankind offered the motivation for obeying God, by being taught that He created this world, and the freedom of will.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)PARADISE LOST :- 1658-1667The single most important epic in the English Language. The value is immediately recognized by Dryden’s comment:

“Three Poets, in three distant Ages born,Greece, Italy, and England did adorn. The First in loftiness of thought surpass'd; The Next in Majesty; in both the Last. The force of Nature cou'd no farther goe: To make a third she joynd the former two.”

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

Can be seen in many different ways, ranging from a plain narrative of the first sin to a political narrative of his era. Contrasted with other epics, it dealt more with the subject of his own times. No the founding, but a loss of an earthly paradise.

Divided into 12 books, each equally momentuous.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

Concept of Obedience and autonomy introduced and the subsequent highlight of the freedom of human will. Opposing to the Calvinist theology.

The degree of involvement of the author till this work was, and still remains, unprecedented. Reflected in Books 1,3,7,9.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

Problem of Satan when the comparative ease while talking about Satan is higher than when talking about GOD.

Political times find an apt representation.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

Later works include Paradise Regained and Samson Agonistes. Both emphasise the importance of freewill.

Temptation of Christ in the former and the story of the Biblical Samson in the latter.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

The understanding of the use of paradox is very important while studying Milton because of the profuse usage of ambiguity and puns in his writings.

Allusions, and not singular, make his reading even more exciting because sometimes there are conflicts within those allusions.

John Milton (1608 – 1674)

Importance of his writings reflected in the climax of his career, which throughout was a constant observation of the fact that liberation is not easy, but full of obstacles. Easy bondage chosen over strenuous liberty. Citizenship has to understand the true value of liberty and as a poet, and a citizen, Milton dedicated his life to creating such a citizenry.