Literature Analysis For centuries writers have been creating storylines to capture the imagination of the people of their timeframe. During this time, many different styles have been utilized to convey stories of merit to the masses. Two periods that produced literature with differing styles are the Baroque and the Impression periods. Upon review, it is clear that writers during each period embraced the methods of their time. Though many stylistic differences between these writings appear to the reader, upon closer examination of two key pieces of literature, one from each timeframe, one might easily conclude that the style extremes between them are really different sides of the same coin. First, it is important to review the general differences in styles and techniques between Baroque and Impressionistic literature. Baroque literature exhibits a strong attention to detailed settings and character development accompanied by metaphors and underlying themes, which are largely religious due to financial backing and the social climate of the time (Farrer, 2014). The novel, Don Quixote de la Mancha, which was written by Miguel de Cervantes, is a great example of Baroque literature (Spanish Books, 2011). Conversely, and much like the visual artists of the Impression period provided viewers with many opportunities to actively engage in the creative process by creating art work that was particularly ambiguous; literary impressionists wrote stories that presented enough vagueness to allow the reader to use his or her imagination to fill the intentional gaps within the writing (Vaughn). Polish Author, Joseph Conrad, made a marked contribution to literary impressionism. Possibly Conrad s most well-known work, Heart of Darkness, exemplifies the aforementioned elements of style that are commonly found in Impressionism.
Baroque literature, which is largely associated with seventeenth century Spain, developed during a social climate that was fueled by religion. Also, wars with France greatly influenced the styles utilized by writers of Baroque literature (Spanish Books, 2011). With a general societal air of pessimism due to the lack of fulfillment of the implied promises of the preceding period, many writers employed common symbolism which included clocks and other elements that convey time passing (Spanish Books, 2011). Miguel Cervantes writing depicts themes common to the Baroque style, in which emphasis is placed on detailed descriptions of settings and characters, with advanced usage of metaphor. This style of writing engages the reader by providing a vivid picture evoked by words. Cervantes masterfully employs this technique, while allowing the reader room for interpretation of comparisons throughout the story. Literary Impressionism styles and techniques really took hold in the early nineteenth century (Saunders, 2004-14). With a backdrop of the philosophers who emerged in the preceding Neo-Impressionism period, artists and writers alike began to develop methods that were unconventional and thematically displayed the results of thinking outside of the box. This period represents a strong movement away from the focus of Realism and the detailed descriptions that can be found in Baroque literature. Impressionist literature expresses larger themes with less concrete descriptions than Baroque literature, allowing readers to form their own visualizations throughout the story. Joseph Conrad s Heart of Darkness provides a quintessential example of literary Impressionism. Conrad s narrative is written in the first person voice and describes the events as they occur, which leaves a lot of room for the reader to speculate about the thoughts and motives of all characters. Additionally, the lack of grossly detailed descriptions surrounding the setting provides the reader the opportunity to imagine the remaining elements thereof. In
other words and much like the visual arts of this time period, literary Impressionism depicts a story that meets the imagination of the reader for completion. Though Conrad and Cervantes used different styles, their works have some things in common. Some of the commonalities between these two pieces of literature include the following: Don Quixote and Heart of Darkness are both works of fiction, they both have a male protagonist and they both are rich with symbolism. Also, both works address the idea of evil that is inherent in their governing systems and in going with the flow of these systems. Baroque literature like Don Quixote and Impressionistic literature like Heart of Darkness each had an influence on literature that followed. The term quixotic, which refers to inappropriate idealism or romanticism, was coined and became a part of world lexicon in the 1800 s (Cruz). While initially Cervantes contemporaries viewed Don Quixote as almost comical, the advent of Freudian psychology served as a backdrop for a more psychoanalytical approach to evaluating the duplicitous nature of the protagonist, Don Quixote (Cruz). One of the most noted writers who were influenced by Don Quixote was Daniel Defoe, author of Robinson Crusoe. To examine the broad influence that literary Impressionists had on the humanities, one might look at Conrad s Heart of Darkness, which influenced writers who followed. Conrad s tackling of the idea of supply and demand, in which some people s needs are neglected at the cost of sufficing the needs of many, is a recurring theme throughout literature (Butler, 2010). Heart of Darkness has been produced as a graphic novel and probably more notably as a movie by Francis Ford Coppola, which is an adapted story, set in Vietnam and titled, Apocalypse Now (Butler, 2010). Heart of Darkness presented larger implications for humanity and continues to be referenced as an example of the subjugation of people who are viewed less
worthy of amenities and sometimes necessities (Butler, 2010). F. Scott Fitzgerald and T.S. Eliot head the list of multiple authors who were influenced by Conrad and literary Impressionism (Liukkonen, 2008). The Impressionism period served as both the precursor and the first example of Modernism. As Impressionism took a back seat, Modernism began to take hold. Writers in both the Baroque and the Impressionism periods produced numerous works of literature that employed techniques common to their time and, though they used different methods, their chief aim remained the same to effectively engage their readers by writing compelling stories and to communicate larger themes. While each style is remarkably different from the other, they both lend themselves to the primary goal of the writers within their timeframe. As philosophies and other societal influences are in a constant state of flux, the humanities respond in kind. Literature provides us with a wealth of examples of this truth. Baroque literature, which is a form of Realism, provoked the ensuing literary Impressionism as a stylistic method of expressing disdain for convention. Today, both styles are evident among writers, which is indicative of the fact that each of these periods presented styles that impacted writers thereafter and also shows that during our time it is more acceptable to choose personal methods for writing. Today s bookstores house bookshelves that are filled with books, authored by writers who embody the elements of writing techniques that have been passed along from one era to the next; shaped, molded, reconstructed ever evolving, yet always guided by social climate, history and the personal desire to impart a story.
Sources Farrer, Angela. (June, 9, 2014). Conjecture Corporation. Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-baroque-literature.htm Butler, Robert. (2010). Intelligent Life Magazine. Retrieved from http://moreintelligentlife.com/content/ideas/robert-butler/going-green-heart-darkness#_ Cruz, Anne J. (2014). Encyclopedia Brittanica Inc. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/shakespeare/article-215817 Liukkonen, Petri. Kuusankosken kaupunginkirjasto (2008). Retrieved from http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/jconrad.htm Saunders, Max. Oxford University Press (2004 14). Oxford Dictionary of Natural Biography: Literary Impressionists (act. c.1895 c.1925). Retrieved from http://www.oxforddnb.com/templates/theme-print.jsp?articleid=96337 Spanish Books: The greatest books of the Spanish Empire & XXI Century. Retrieved from http://www.classicspanishbooks.com/16th-cent-baroque-literature.html Vaughn. Impressionistic Writing: Key Concept Heart of Darkness. Retrieved from http://www.mrssuevaughn.com/page/page/3921475.htm