Introduction
Modernist literature emerged after World War II, influenced by the era's suffering and uncertainty. This period led to writings that questioned spiritual life, symbolism, and psychoanalysis. This essay examines the characterization of protagonists in Luigi Pirandello’s The Late Mattia Pascal and Julio Cortázar’s Blow-Up and Other Stories. In The Late Mattia Pascal, the protagonist’s identity is fragmented between the normal and the supernatural. This search for identity involves experiencing life from a supernatural perspective, allowing him to see the world in various dimensions and find ways to relate to it.
Role of Chance
Chance is a significant trait in Modernist and Postmodernist literature. Modernists often viewed chance as a defining factor in life's events, while Postmodernists dismissed it as transient and irrational, believing events are not always driven by specific reasons. In The Late Mattia Pascal, chance drives the protagonist’s experiences, such as his apparent death and subsequent discovery of changes in his life, like his wife’s remarriage. These events, seen as random and unplanned, shape his journey and self-identity. Modernists, however, might interpret these events as consequences of past actions, suggesting that suffering stems from earlier mistakes or failures.
Characterization of Protagonists
In The Late Mattia Pascal, the protagonist Mattia Pascal is portrayed as a man in search of self-identity, faced with numerous harsh life events. His wife and mother-in-law, characterized as manipulative and cunning, indirectly push him towards self-discovery. Pascal’s journey involves exploring different identities, driven by his dissatisfaction with his present life and his experiences with social constraints. He is portrayed as persistent and flexible, willing to transform to achieve his desires.
In Cortázar’s Blow-Up and Other Stories, the protagonist is similarly characterized as an explorer of the unknown, reflecting a modernist approach to self-discovery. Cortázar’s protagonist is presented as mysterious and engaging in surreal experiences, such as in the story “Axolotl.” Unlike Pirandello’s straightforward characterization, Cortázar uses complex language and narrative styles to present his protagonists.
Both protagonists, despite their different approaches, are depicted as outsiders exploring unknown realms of existence. They are portrayed as individuals searching for deeper understanding beyond their immediate experiences, reflecting the modernist and postmodernist themes of identity and exploration.
Process of Search for Identity
Both texts encourage readers to imagine life in unprecedented depth. Cortázar’s stories shift from normal to surreal states, while Pirandello’s narrative portrays a journey of self-discovery through conflicts and relationships. Both authors use suspense and allegory to engage readers, prompting them to relate to the protagonists’ experiences and transformations. Mattias Pascal’s dual personalities—one naive and the other mature—demonstrate a fragmented life, reflecting his search for meaning and identity.
Influence from Wider Spatial and Social Environment
The spatial and psychological journeys in both texts highlight the protagonists’ self-discovery processes. In The Late Mattia Pascal, Mattias’s travel from his familiar life to new environments symbolizes his quest for self-awareness. This journey represents a move from a physical to a psychological state, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and experimentation.
Similarly, in Cortázar’s work, spatial and psychological exploration mirrors the protagonist’s search for deeper understanding. The stories stretch readers’ imaginations, connecting them with the protagonists’ experiences and the broader social context.
Identity in the Sociocultural Environment
Modernism influences readers to appreciate both the familiar and the unknown aspects of life. Pirandello and Cortázar use their narratives to explore identity and sociocultural forces. Cortázar’s use of surreal elements challenges readers’ perceptions, while Pirandello’s portrayal of Mattias Pascal’s evolving identity reflects the search for meaning in a post-war world. Both authors employ psychoanalysis and modernist techniques to address themes of identity and social change.
Conclusion
Both Pirandello and Cortázar offer perspectives on life that reflect their search for identity and understanding. Through their narratives, they present fragmented, complex views of existence, challenging readers to engage with both familiar and surreal aspects of life. Their works highlight the exploration of identity and social context, contributing to a deeper understanding of modernist and postmodernist literature.
Bibliography
- Bassanese, Fiora A. Understanding Luigi Pirandello. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1997.
- Biasin, Gian-Paolo, and Manuela Gieri. Luigi Pirandello: Contemporary Perspectives. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999.
- Bloom, Harold, ed. Luigi Pirandello: Comprehensive Research and Study Guide. Philadelphia: Chelsea House, 2003.
- Caesar, Ann. Characters and Authors in Luigi Pirandello. Oxford: OUP, 1999.
- Cortázar, Julio. Blow-Up and Other Stories. London: Pantheon Books, 1985.
- Dürrschmidt, Jörg, and Graham Taylor. Globalisation, Modernity and Social Change: Hotspots of Transition. London: Macmillan Education, 2007.
