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Mythic Mailer in An American Dream: Difference between revisions
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Both myth and allegory employ metaphor. Allegory itself is often defined as an extended metaphor{{sfn|Holman|1980|p=10}}. Metaphor is used extensively throughout Mailer's work. Stanley Gutman emphasizes that "Mailer's essential medium is metaphor"{{sfn|Gutman|1975|p=129}}. One consequence of this aspect of Mailer's work, especially in ''<u>An American Dream</u>'', is that it could be incorrectly or incompletely interpreted as an allegory. Some scholars, such as Adams and Robert Begiebing, believe that the novel is an allegory, filled with complex yet reductive metaphors. Myth is naturally metaphorical, but Mailer is not trying to be purely metaphorical, and especially not purely allegorical. In an interview with Adams, he denies that such was his motive or his technique: "I don't believe a metaphorical novel has any right to exist until it exists on its ground floor. You know I never start with my characters as symbols"{{sfn|Adams|1975|p=210}}. Instead, Mailer intensifies his realistic plot to develop the mythic aspect of his narrative, and thus, the metaphorical strength of his characters. The characters are not allegorical personifications, but Mailer's idea of real human beings engaged in a very real battle between good and evil. In extraordinary situations one is forced to delve deep within himself, calling forth a stronger, more aware person in the process. In Mailer's private cosmology, it is universally important for each individual to emerge from the crucible of the subconscious for the better. | Both myth and allegory employ metaphor. Allegory itself is often defined as an extended metaphor{{sfn|Holman|1980|p=10}}. Metaphor is used extensively throughout Mailer's work. Stanley Gutman emphasizes that "Mailer's essential medium is metaphor"{{sfn|Gutman|1975|p=129}}. One consequence of this aspect of Mailer's work, especially in ''<u>An American Dream</u>'', is that it could be incorrectly or incompletely interpreted as an allegory. Some scholars, such as Adams and Robert Begiebing, believe that the novel is an allegory, filled with complex yet reductive metaphors. Myth is naturally metaphorical, but Mailer is not trying to be purely metaphorical, and especially not purely allegorical. In an interview with Adams, he denies that such was his motive or his technique: "I don't believe a metaphorical novel has any right to exist until it exists on its ground floor. You know I never start with my characters as symbols"{{sfn|Adams|1975|p=210}}. Instead, Mailer intensifies his realistic plot to develop the mythic aspect of his narrative, and thus, the metaphorical strength of his characters. The characters are not allegorical personifications, but Mailer's idea of real human beings engaged in a very real battle between good and evil. In extraordinary situations one is forced to delve deep within himself, calling forth a stronger, more aware person in the process. In Mailer's private cosmology, it is universally important for each individual to emerge from the crucible of the subconscious for the better. | ||
A look at Mailer's cosmology helps to explain the basic thematic patterns of his work, especially the mythic patterns in ''<u>An American Dream</u>''. Mailer is often considered as having a personality which dominates and overshadows his writing or as "bursting with a passion too big for his pen" | A look at Mailer's cosmology helps to explain the basic thematic patterns of his work, especially the mythic patterns in ''<u>An American Dream</u>''. Mailer is often considered as having a personality which dominates and overshadows his writing or as "bursting with a passion too big for his pen" {{sfn|Aldridge|1965}}. His own personal quest transcends didacticism and emerges in the dialectic in his work. Although Mailer's philosophy seems intertwined with the mythology in ''<u>An American Dream</u>'', we must be careful not to confuse the two. Chase discusses this potential problem: | ||
<blockquote>[I]t is bad strategy to try to make dogma out of myth, for the same reason that it is bad strategy to make philosophy out of myth ... Myth is only art. And we do not think of studying art primarily as dogma or philosophy. | <blockquote>[I]t is bad strategy to try to make dogma out of myth, for the same reason that it is bad strategy to make philosophy out of myth ... Myth is only art. And we do not think of studying art primarily as dogma or philosophy.{{sfn|Chase|1949|p=109-110}}</blockquote> | ||
Chase further states that "poetry is the indispensable substructure of myth" | Chase further states that "poetry is the indispensable substructure of myth"{{sfn|Chase|1949|p=109}}. In this context, Frye agrees that "every poet has his private mythology" {{sfn|''Archetypes''|1989|p=680}}. Lennon, in an essay delineating Mailer's cosmology, agrees that it purposefully pervades his poetics. To begin with, "in several ways Mailer still must be considered an existentialist"{{sfn|Lennon|1986|p=145}}. However, Mailer believes in God, albeit an "embattled God" {{sfn|Adams|1975|p=216}} whose destiny is linked with ours: "I'm an existentialist who believes there is a God and a Devil at war with one another"{{sfn|Adams|1975|p=213}}. Our individual contribution to good or evil has a direct effect on the ultimate outcome of this cosmic battle. Unfortunately, in our existential void, we cannot be sure which choices are good and which are evil. Mailer discusses this dilemma: | ||
<blockquote>... that moment we're feeling most saintly, we may in fact be evil. And that moment we think we're most evil and finally corrupt, we may, in fact, in the eyes of God, be saintly .... | <blockquote>... that moment we're feeling most saintly, we may in fact be evil. And that moment we think we're most evil and finally corrupt, we may, in fact, in the eyes of God, be saintly ....{{sfn|Adams|1975|p=214-215}}</blockquote> | ||
The most important part of Mailer's cosmology is the awareness that there is a choice, that the choice has an effect, and that we must choose the best we can. Lennon further discusses Mailer's beliefs about the importance of choice. There is "an extraordinary emphasis on man's free will, his ability to rough-hew not only bis own destiny but to affect God's as well" (147). The existential nature of the choices tends towards the absurd and can lead to inaction. But, the resultant void would ensure the Devil's ultimate victory. In ''<u>An American Dream</u>'', Mailer uses the mythic quest to raise awareness and to develop this existential dialectic. "Why write," Mailer asks in an interview with Lennon, "if you are not going to change consciousness?" (transcripts, 3). Lennon summarizes Mailer's private mythology on choice: | The most important part of Mailer's cosmology is the awareness that there is a choice, that the choice has an effect, and that we must choose the best we can. Lennon further discusses Mailer's beliefs about the importance of choice. There is "an extraordinary emphasis on man's free will, his ability to rough-hew not only bis own destiny but to affect God's as well" (147). The existential nature of the choices tends towards the absurd and can lead to inaction. But, the resultant void would ensure the Devil's ultimate victory. In ''<u>An American Dream</u>'', Mailer uses the mythic quest to raise awareness and to develop this existential dialectic. "Why write," Mailer asks in an interview with Lennon, "if you are not going to change consciousness?" (transcripts, 3). Lennon summarizes Mailer's private mythology on choice: | ||