Comparing Plath's The Bell Jar And Fahren
How to Write Philosophical Literature
Introduction
Writing a novel with the intent of incorporating a philosophical theme can be one of the most daunting tasks for a philosopher. Due to the difficulty in portraying abstract themes in way that is both relatable and entertaining to the average reader, very few philosophers venture outside of the bounds of non-fiction. However, by masterfully utilizing the proper literary elements and settings presented in books such as Albert Camus’s “The Stranger,” Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar,” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” a philosophical novel will be considered a masterpiece that overshadows countless other literary works.
While there is arguably no correct way to write philosophical literature, …show more content…
the pattern present throughout those which are considered successful is clear. Using diction to bring readers into an unusual world is one way, and devising a setting in which philosophical conflict is inevitable is another way. However, the most crucial element of philosophical literature is ensuring that the reader can relate to it, lest the message become lost. In all renowned works of philosophical literature, a profound knowledge of literary elements is prevalent to provoke thoughts of existence, morality, and human nature in the minds of readers.
The Allegory
The most ideal way to create a story with a philosophical theme is to incorporate an allegory. An allegory is essential because it acts as an extended metaphor for a previously established work that the average reader can be expected to know. By using the renowned ideas presented in philosophies from ages ago, an author can connect with a reader’s sense of familiarity. One of the most notable examples of this is Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” which serves as an allegory for Plato’s “Allegory of the “Cave.” Ray Bradbury went through extensive measures to ensure that his philosophical message couldn’t be lost amongst the fancy wording. “For Bradbury, a metaphor is not merely a figure of speech, it is a vital concept, a method he uses for comprehending one reality and expressing it in terms of another; it permits the reader to perceive what the author is saying.” (McNelly) Because most readers are apathetic towards appeals to authority, novelists appeal to their experiences to create empathy for the characters in a novel. (Connor) Using the “Allegory of the Cave” as a central metaphor demonstrates the theme as well as the characters of the story. Captain Beatty represents the puppeteers, Montag and Clarisse represent the madman, etc. Put simply, every character represents a theme from the “Allegory of the Cave.” An allegory cannot be forced into another story, however. Bradbury borrowed the plot and substituted metaphor for reason and tried to replace opinions about political nature with knowledge about political nature. (Connor) Though some argue that the setting Ray Bradbury devised is unrealistic, it is undeniable that the philosophical themes he presents would not be as impactful in a setting that is wholly realistic.
The writings of Friedrich Nietzsche are also the subject of much philosophical debate. Nietzsche himself warns that his literary works should not be taken at face value, and many scholars relay this warning to not automatically assume that he means what he says and instead direct readers to the subtlety, plurality, and irony prevalent in his works.. For example, Nietzsche’s idea of the will to power can be considered the will to self-responsibility. Instead of seeing it as political commentary on social castes, it is more likely to be an existential possibility. This deeper meaning is an important aspect in achieving an allegorical masterpiece. We live in an ironic and disbelieving age, so the best strategy is inverted irony, saying what one means to appear not to mean what one said. (Osborn)
Philosophical Concepts
The concepts involved in philosophy are too abstract for the average writer. This has caused conflict between novelists who think philosophy is self-delusion and philosophers who think writing novels is emotional trifle. (Joy) There are many aspects of philosophy that most would assume cannot be translated into a novel, yet there are skilled philosophers who make it happen. There are plenty of philosophical concepts that can be applied to a story. Of all branches of philosophy, ethics is the one most related to humans. Aristotle describes ethics as what makes a happy or good life. (Muller) Ethics has an enormous role to play in all forms of literature, not just those which concern philosophy. “Huck Finn believes his conduct to be morally bad, when it is actually good. His inner turmoil is the result of a conflict of two value systems which co-exist in his consciousness, a conflict which pains him, but is not intelligible to him. What happens in the child’s consciousness is, to use Habermas’ terms, a battle between official morality and individual ethics.” (Muller) Besides morality, the ability to tell a story about the future raises many possibilities for political commentary. Therefore, the ability to use philosophy in literature is greater in science fiction. This is due to the nature of technological advancement and human progress. The quest for purpose prevalent in humanity is best represented in a futuristic setting. In books like “The Astronaut” and “A Perfect Vacuum,” a common theme is moving from one area of knowledge to another in pursuit of the truth, despite knowing that it can never be found. (Szpakowska) This concept, known as “absurdism,” is easily explored through the genre of science fiction due to the way both absurdism and science fiction deal with the constant struggle for purpose. Thus, metaphorical literary devices are essential in developing these stories.
Generalized, abstract, and indeterminate ideas can be applied to literature along with the receptiveness of human affection in order to create an interesting philosophical commentary. (Joy) Psychological concepts such as mental illness or the progress of humanity can be explored in ways that set up the perfect philosophical theme. Sylvia Plath writes about everyday situations being lived out by a character with a dissociative disorder, causing readers to get a glimpse of altered mental states. The idea that the here and now is not actually real is a constant theme in Plath’s books, and the words Plath chooses to use compare real things to fake things. For example, people may be compared to dolls and machines to toys. It encourages the reader to question their senses and knowledge. This life is the only thing that can be known to be real, and a material view of the world is a more accurate one. The psychological states of Plath during each of her writings has not been analyzed, but it could reveal the true message between the lines of her works. (Duran) Another commonly discussed psychological topic among philosophers is the mystery of consciousness. Of course, there are some who have explored it within literature. “Consciousness arose, according to Nietzsche, as a result of linguistic functions designed to promote group safety and cohesion.” (Osborn) Nietzsche criticizes other philosophers for not delving deeply enough into the reality of science. For example, using evolution to create a sense of purpose while ignoring everything else it implies about our species. According to Nietzsche, scientific accuracy is also important in philosophy, and must also play a part in the metaphor.
The Ideal Philosophical Novel
Though some may claim that philosophy and literature cannot be combined to create a perfect product, many philosophical writers have proved otherwise.
“Given the perceived desirability of calm, enduring affections over wayward, fleeting passions in eighteenth-century moral philosopher treatises, it is curious to observe that in literary theoretical treatises of the same period, we find that the virtues of passion are loudly extolled, but that there is a notable indifference to, even silence about, affection.” (Joy) Before nineteenth-century secularism, emotional vocabulary was more varied. The tradeoff is to use affection, a choice like reason, but also a passion like emotion. (Joy) In layman’s terms, science has removed the emotions associated with philosophical literature. “By way of contrast literary cognition is non-propositional. It is the result of specifically literary devices, i.e. meaning-generating elements of the text’s form such as plot, perspective, foregrounding and more basic textual features like syntax, diction and style.” (Muller) The process of obtaining knowledge through philosophy is logical argument and deduction. An accurate proposition must be proven by logical operations. Therefore, ethics are determined by logic when using a philosophical perspective. Because of literature’s ability to present ethical situations, problems, and dilemmas, many philosophers have directed their attention to its analysis. However, philosophers should put narration in their philosophical work if they want it to be successful. (Muller) Knowledge alone cannot make an ideal philosophical novel. A thorough understanding of literature and literary elements is required to make it
work.
Everything from using diction to create a surreal atmosphere to using an allegory to connect with readers can be utilized to write the ideal philosophical novel. For example, in “The Bell Jar” the adjectives used to describe people often carry a connotation associated with objects. The character type of the onlooker is created through the surreal description of events through the point of view of the onlooker. They compare even friends and family to objects. (Duran) Another topic of discussion is how philosophy as a logical process can be narrowed down into a literary form. Cognition in philosophy is produced when logical argument and deduction is formulated into propositions. In literature, it is achieved in fictional texts that deal with human issues and problems presented in esthetical form. (Muller) In philosophical literature, the need for artistic expression can be overshadowed by the obscure literary technique and moral weight of the themes. The constantly changing state of society, as well as our rapid and unpredictable technological advancement, is making it harder to create an accurate science fiction story. On top of that, philosophical ideas are often unable to be challenged. Therefore, if the technical and literary aspect of writing is also done masterfully, the book is still not perfect. (Szpakowska) All that matters in the end is literary elements.
Conclusion
The hidden beauty of philosophical literature is the use of literary elements. Though all humans are different in some way, the basic nature remains the same. When done correctly, an allegory will appeal to this nature, something all humans can relate to. And when diction is properly utilized to create suspension of disbelief, anything is possible. Philosophy, especially in literature, can be the driving force in a movement that brings about change.
In a world that seems to have lost its meaning, philosophical literature may be a solution. Technological progress leads to self-realization about humanity’s place in the universe. Absolute values are declining, and culture is the only thing that can give answers of any kind. (Szpakowska) Philosophy is the only alternative to religion that can provide answers. While many philosophers struggle to have their message heard, the philosophical novelist will come out on top. “The philosopher does not bring light to the cave, he escapes into the light and can lead a few to it; he is a guide, not a torchbearer.” (Bloom)
Introduction
Writing a novel with the intent of incorporating a philosophical theme can be one of the most daunting tasks for a philosopher. Due to the difficulty in portraying abstract themes in way that is both relatable and entertaining to the average reader, very few philosophers venture outside of the bounds of non-fiction. However, by masterfully utilizing the proper literary elements and settings presented in books such as Albert Camus’s “The Stranger,” Sylvia Plath’s “The Bell Jar,” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451,” a philosophical novel will be considered a masterpiece that overshadows countless other literary works.
While there is arguably no correct way to write philosophical literature, …show more content…
the pattern present throughout those which are considered successful is clear. Using diction to bring readers into an unusual world is one way, and devising a setting in which philosophical conflict is inevitable is another way. However, the most crucial element of philosophical literature is ensuring that the reader can relate to it, lest the message become lost. In all renowned works of philosophical literature, a profound knowledge of literary elements is prevalent to provoke thoughts of existence, morality, and human nature in the minds of readers.
The Allegory
The most ideal way to create a story with a philosophical theme is to incorporate an allegory. An allegory is essential because it acts as an extended metaphor for a previously established work that the average reader can be expected to know. By using the renowned ideas presented in philosophies from ages ago, an author can connect with a reader’s sense of familiarity. One of the most notable examples of this is Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” which serves as an allegory for Plato’s “Allegory of the “Cave.” Ray Bradbury went through extensive measures to ensure that his philosophical message couldn’t be lost amongst the fancy wording. “For Bradbury, a metaphor is not merely a figure of speech, it is a vital concept, a method he uses for comprehending one reality and expressing it in terms of another; it permits the reader to perceive what the author is saying.” (McNelly) Because most readers are apathetic towards appeals to authority, novelists appeal to their experiences to create empathy for the characters in a novel. (Connor) Using the “Allegory of the Cave” as a central metaphor demonstrates the theme as well as the characters of the story. Captain Beatty represents the puppeteers, Montag and Clarisse represent the madman, etc. Put simply, every character represents a theme from the “Allegory of the Cave.” An allegory cannot be forced into another story, however. Bradbury borrowed the plot and substituted metaphor for reason and tried to replace opinions about political nature with knowledge about political nature. (Connor) Though some argue that the setting Ray Bradbury devised is unrealistic, it is undeniable that the philosophical themes he presents would not be as impactful in a setting that is wholly realistic.
The writings of Friedrich Nietzsche are also the subject of much philosophical debate. Nietzsche himself warns that his literary works should not be taken at face value, and many scholars relay this warning to not automatically assume that he means what he says and instead direct readers to the subtlety, plurality, and irony prevalent in his works.. For example, Nietzsche’s idea of the will to power can be considered the will to self-responsibility. Instead of seeing it as political commentary on social castes, it is more likely to be an existential possibility. This deeper meaning is an important aspect in achieving an allegorical masterpiece. We live in an ironic and disbelieving age, so the best strategy is inverted irony, saying what one means to appear not to mean what one said. (Osborn)
Philosophical Concepts
The concepts involved in philosophy are too abstract for the average writer. This has caused conflict between novelists who think philosophy is self-delusion and philosophers who think writing novels is emotional trifle. (Joy) There are many aspects of philosophy that most would assume cannot be translated into a novel, yet there are skilled philosophers who make it happen. There are plenty of philosophical concepts that can be applied to a story. Of all branches of philosophy, ethics is the one most related to humans. Aristotle describes ethics as what makes a happy or good life. (Muller) Ethics has an enormous role to play in all forms of literature, not just those which concern philosophy. “Huck Finn believes his conduct to be morally bad, when it is actually good. His inner turmoil is the result of a conflict of two value systems which co-exist in his consciousness, a conflict which pains him, but is not intelligible to him. What happens in the child’s consciousness is, to use Habermas’ terms, a battle between official morality and individual ethics.” (Muller) Besides morality, the ability to tell a story about the future raises many possibilities for political commentary. Therefore, the ability to use philosophy in literature is greater in science fiction. This is due to the nature of technological advancement and human progress. The quest for purpose prevalent in humanity is best represented in a futuristic setting. In books like “The Astronaut” and “A Perfect Vacuum,” a common theme is moving from one area of knowledge to another in pursuit of the truth, despite knowing that it can never be found. (Szpakowska) This concept, known as “absurdism,” is easily explored through the genre of science fiction due to the way both absurdism and science fiction deal with the constant struggle for purpose. Thus, metaphorical literary devices are essential in developing these stories.
Generalized, abstract, and indeterminate ideas can be applied to literature along with the receptiveness of human affection in order to create an interesting philosophical commentary. (Joy) Psychological concepts such as mental illness or the progress of humanity can be explored in ways that set up the perfect philosophical theme. Sylvia Plath writes about everyday situations being lived out by a character with a dissociative disorder, causing readers to get a glimpse of altered mental states. The idea that the here and now is not actually real is a constant theme in Plath’s books, and the words Plath chooses to use compare real things to fake things. For example, people may be compared to dolls and machines to toys. It encourages the reader to question their senses and knowledge. This life is the only thing that can be known to be real, and a material view of the world is a more accurate one. The psychological states of Plath during each of her writings has not been analyzed, but it could reveal the true message between the lines of her works. (Duran) Another commonly discussed psychological topic among philosophers is the mystery of consciousness. Of course, there are some who have explored it within literature. “Consciousness arose, according to Nietzsche, as a result of linguistic functions designed to promote group safety and cohesion.” (Osborn) Nietzsche criticizes other philosophers for not delving deeply enough into the reality of science. For example, using evolution to create a sense of purpose while ignoring everything else it implies about our species. According to Nietzsche, scientific accuracy is also important in philosophy, and must also play a part in the metaphor.
The Ideal Philosophical Novel
Though some may claim that philosophy and literature cannot be combined to create a perfect product, many philosophical writers have proved otherwise.
“Given the perceived desirability of calm, enduring affections over wayward, fleeting passions in eighteenth-century moral philosopher treatises, it is curious to observe that in literary theoretical treatises of the same period, we find that the virtues of passion are loudly extolled, but that there is a notable indifference to, even silence about, affection.” (Joy) Before nineteenth-century secularism, emotional vocabulary was more varied. The tradeoff is to use affection, a choice like reason, but also a passion like emotion. (Joy) In layman’s terms, science has removed the emotions associated with philosophical literature. “By way of contrast literary cognition is non-propositional. It is the result of specifically literary devices, i.e. meaning-generating elements of the text’s form such as plot, perspective, foregrounding and more basic textual features like syntax, diction and style.” (Muller) The process of obtaining knowledge through philosophy is logical argument and deduction. An accurate proposition must be proven by logical operations. Therefore, ethics are determined by logic when using a philosophical perspective. Because of literature’s ability to present ethical situations, problems, and dilemmas, many philosophers have directed their attention to its analysis. However, philosophers should put narration in their philosophical work if they want it to be successful. (Muller) Knowledge alone cannot make an ideal philosophical novel. A thorough understanding of literature and literary elements is required to make it
work.
Everything from using diction to create a surreal atmosphere to using an allegory to connect with readers can be utilized to write the ideal philosophical novel. For example, in “The Bell Jar” the adjectives used to describe people often carry a connotation associated with objects. The character type of the onlooker is created through the surreal description of events through the point of view of the onlooker. They compare even friends and family to objects. (Duran) Another topic of discussion is how philosophy as a logical process can be narrowed down into a literary form. Cognition in philosophy is produced when logical argument and deduction is formulated into propositions. In literature, it is achieved in fictional texts that deal with human issues and problems presented in esthetical form. (Muller) In philosophical literature, the need for artistic expression can be overshadowed by the obscure literary technique and moral weight of the themes. The constantly changing state of society, as well as our rapid and unpredictable technological advancement, is making it harder to create an accurate science fiction story. On top of that, philosophical ideas are often unable to be challenged. Therefore, if the technical and literary aspect of writing is also done masterfully, the book is still not perfect. (Szpakowska) All that matters in the end is literary elements.
Conclusion
The hidden beauty of philosophical literature is the use of literary elements. Though all humans are different in some way, the basic nature remains the same. When done correctly, an allegory will appeal to this nature, something all humans can relate to. And when diction is properly utilized to create suspension of disbelief, anything is possible. Philosophy, especially in literature, can be the driving force in a movement that brings about change.
In a world that seems to have lost its meaning, philosophical literature may be a solution. Technological progress leads to self-realization about humanity’s place in the universe. Absolute values are declining, and culture is the only thing that can give answers of any kind. (Szpakowska) Philosophy is the only alternative to religion that can provide answers. While many philosophers struggle to have their message heard, the philosophical novelist will come out on top. “The philosopher does not bring light to the cave, he escapes into the light and can lead a few to it; he is a guide, not a torchbearer.” (Bloom)