Narrative Technique in "For Whom the Bell Tolls"

Narrative Technique in "For Whom the Bell Tolls"

1. Narrative Technique in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" Prepare by: Jay Maruniya

2. Personal Information: Name:Jay Maruniya Roll No:13 Enrollment No:5108230027 Sem:2 Batch: 2023-2025 Paper No: 108 Paper Name:The American Literature Submitted to:smt.S.B.Gradi, Department of English, M.K.B.U [email protected]

3. Table of contents: About Author Introduction of “ From whom the Bell tolls” Narrative perspective Choice of Third person narration Use of interior monologue Balancing objective and subjective emphasis Non- linear chronology and Flashback Symbolism and metaphor in narrative Conclusion Resources

4. About Author: Ernest Hemingway: American novelist and short-story writer Born: July 21, 1899, Cicero, Illinois, U.S. Died: July 2, 1961, Ketchum, Idaho Nobel Prize for Literature: Awarded in 1954 Writing Style: Intense masculinity, succinct, and lucid prose Influence: Powerful impact on American and British fiction in the 20th century Notable works:The Torrents of Spring (1925),The Sun Also Rises (1926),For Whom the Bell Tolls (1940),The Old Man and the Sea (1952) (Young)

5. Introduction of “From Whom the Bell tolls”: For Whom the Bell Tolls, novel by Ernest Hemingway, published in 1940. Setting: Near Segovia, Spain, 1937 Characters:Robert Jordan: American teacher fighting for the Loyalists, Maria: Woman brutalized by Fascists, Pablo: Shrewd but cowardly guerrilla leader ,Pilar: Pablo's courageous wife Mission: Blow up a bridge to aid a Loyalist offensive (within 72 hours) Key events:Robert Jordan falls in love with Maria.He befriends Pablo and Pilar.He successfully destroys the bridge.Pablo, Pilar, Maria, and two others escape.Robert Jordan is injured and faces death by Fascists.(Britannica)

6. Narrative perspective:Third-Person Limited The story is narrated from a third-person perspective, but the narration is limited to the thoughts, feelings, and perceptions of the protagonist Robert Jordan. The narrator cannot access the minds of the other characters. How this technique connects readers to Jordan: Provides an intimate window into Jordan's innermost thoughts, motivations, and emotional struggles. Creates a strong emotional bond between reader and protagonist. Enhances the overall emotional impact and resonance of the novel's events (Halliday)

7. Choice of Third-Person Narration: The first-person narrative technique used in earlier novels like The Sun Also Rises conveyed a sense of singularity and emotional isolation that fit those novels' themes well. However, for For Whom the Bell Tolls, with its theme of human interconnectedness embodied in the epigraph "No man is an island", the first-person method would have been a handicap. The third-person allowed Hemingway to freely move between the viewpoints of multiple characters like Robert Jordan, Anselmo, Maria, and even enemy Fascists.

8. Use of Interior Monologue: When depicting the subjective mental and emotional experiences of For Whom the Bell Tolls' characters, Hemingway makes frequent use of interior monologue. This is particularly true for the internally reflective protagonist Robert Jordan. The interior monologue technique conveys characters' inner states vividly while preserving realism and immediacy. For rendering characters' inner thoughts and emotions, Hemingway frequently employs the interior monologue technique to achieve immediacy without violating realism.

9. Balancing Objective and Subjective Emphasis: Compared to the intensely objective grounding of The Sun Also Rises, For Whom the Bell Tolls has more emphasis on subjective experiences through interior monologue. However, it remains anchored in concrete external details, avoiding drifting into pure subjectivism.The balance allows for immersive realistic description while also plumbing character psychologies. Though slightly less gritty than his earlier work, For Whom the Bell Tolls maintains a strong overall sense of realism.

10. Non-Linear Chronology and Flashbacks: Hemingway employs non-linear narrative techniques in "For Whom the Bell Tolls."The narrative fluidly moves between past, present, and future events. Flashbacks provide crucial backstory and context about Robert Jordan's experiences and history.Memories offer revelatory glimpses into Jordan's psyche and philosophies. Foreshadowing hints at upcoming tragedies, creating a sense of fatalism.The narrative mirrors the complexities of human memory and consciousness.(Stoltzfus)

11. Symbolism and Metaphor in the Narrative: The bell itself is a central symbol in the novel, representing different things to different characters - for Pablo it symbolizes danger and death, while for the others it represents the call to action against the Fascists. The Bridge: The bridge serves as a central symbol representing the connection between the characters' past and present, as well as the larger themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle for freedom. Animals like the Russian wolf hounds symbolize the natural world existing parallel to but untouched by the man-made violence of war. The metaphor of the earth/soil is used repeatedly, symbolizing the simple peasant values that Robert Jordan identifies with and wishes to protect.(Halliday)

12. Conclusion: Hemingway masterful use of narrative techniques in "For Whom the Bell Tolls" elevates the novel's storytelling and enhances its emotional resonance. From the intimate third-person perspective to the symbolic imagery and nonlinear structure, these techniques work together to create a powerful and immersive reading experience that leaves a lasting impact on the reader.

13. Resources: Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "For Whom the Bell Tolls' '. Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 July. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/For-Whom-the-Bell-Tolls-novel-by-Hemingway . Accessed 6 April 2024. Halliday, E. M. “Hemingway’s Narrative Perspective.” The Sewanee Review, vol. 60, no. 2, 1952, pp. 202–18. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/27538129 . Accessed 6 Apr. 2024. Halliday, E. M. “Hemingway’s Ambiguity: Symbolism and Irony.” American Literature, vol. 28, no. 1, 1956, pp. 1–22. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/2922718 . Accessed 6 Apr. 2024. Stoltzfus, Ben. “Hemingway, Malraux and Spain: For Whom the Bell Tolls and L’espoir.” Comparative Literature Studies, vol. 36, no. 3, 1999, pp. 179–94. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40247180 . Accessed 06 Apr. 2024. Young, Philip. "Ernest Hemingway". Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Mar. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ernest-Hemingway . Accessed 6 April 2024.