The Uses of Obscurity: The Fiction of Early Modernism

The book explores why and how textual difficulty became a norm of modernist literature, arguing that the decline of realism led to symptomatic or subtextual reading, which isolated the author and exposed them to a sophisticated public. It discusses opacity in the texts themselves, such as embarrassment and shame in Meredith, 'engimas' in Conrad, and the fear of vulgarity and knowledge in Henry James.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Originally published in 1981, this groundbreaking book delves into the fascinating phenomenon of textual difficulty becoming a defining characteristic of modernist literature. It poses compelling questions about how we can begin to understand the emergence of obscurity and complexity that characterized the late 19th century and played a crucial role in the development of modernism. The author argues that the decline of realism led to the emergence of a symptomatic or "subtextual" reading approach, which treated fiction as compromised autobiography. This type of reading, while sophisticated, left authors dangerously isolated and vulnerable in the face of a newly sophisticated public.

Within this broader cultural context, the book explores the private anxieties that drove George Meredith, Joseph Conrad, and Henry James to conceal themselves within their intricate and resistant fictions. It delves into the themes of opacity, embarrassment, shame, "engimas," the fear of vulgarity, and knowledge in their works.

Meredith's portrayal of opacity in his texts, for instance, reflects his desire to shield his private thoughts and emotions from public scrutiny. Conrad's use of "engimas" creates a sense of confusion and ambiguity, leaving readers to piece together the truth behind the narrative. James, on the other hand, employs the fear of vulgarity and knowledge to create a sense of distance and detachment between his characters and the reader.

Through its detailed analysis, this book offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between authors, their texts, and the cultural context in which they were produced. It sheds light on the ways in which modernist writers sought to challenge traditional storytelling conventions and explore the depths of human experience. By examining the private anxieties that drove these authors to conceal themselves within their complex fictions, the book provides a deeper understanding of the literary and cultural significance of textual difficulty in modernist literature.

Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032645933