In, A PERFECT DAY FOR BANANAFISH, there is a story nested within another story. This technique (as a play nested inside another play) is also found in HAMLET. WHat are other works of fiction (whether novel, story, play, movie) that used this narrative device?
The narrative device of embedding a story within a story, also known as a frame story or a nested narrative, has been used extensively across various forms of literature, theater, and film. Here are some notable examples:
Literature
"The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer
- Frame Story: Pilgrims traveling to Canterbury tell each other stories to pass the time.
- Nested Stories: Each pilgrim's tale, which encompasses various genres and themes.
"The Decameron" by Giovanni Boccaccio
- Frame Story: A group of ten young people fleeing the Black Death in Florence entertain themselves by telling stories.
- Nested Stories: Each person tells a story each night, resulting in a hundred tales over ten days.
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
- Frame Story: Captain Walton writes letters to his sister about his Arctic expedition.
- Nested Story: Walton recounts Victor Frankenstein's story, which includes the creature's own narrative.
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
- Frame Story: Mr. Lockwood, a new tenant, learns about the history of Wuthering Heights from the housekeeper, Nelly Dean.
- Nested Story: Nelly's recounting of the complex relationships and events involving the Earnshaw and Linton families.
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
- Frame Story: Marlow recounts his journey into the Congo to a group of men aboard a ship anchored in the Thames.
- Nested Story: Marlow's experiences and observations about Kurtz and the darkness of colonialism.
Plays
"A Midsummer Night's Dream" by William Shakespeare
- Frame Story: The love conflicts and adventures of four Athenian lovers and a group of amateur actors.
- Nested Play: The play "Pyramus and Thisbe" performed by the amateur actors.
"The Arabian Nights" (One Thousand and One Nights)
- Frame Story: Scheherazade tells stories to King Shahryar to delay her execution.
- Nested Stories: Various tales told by Scheherazade, often containing further embedded narratives.
Movies
"The Princess Bride" (1987)
- Frame Story: A grandfather reads a story to his sick grandson.
- Nested Story: The adventures of Westley, Buttercup, and other characters in the fictional world of Florin.
"Inception" (2010)
- Frame Story: A team of specialists enters people's dreams to implant ideas.
- Nested Stories: Dreams within dreams, with each level representing a deeper layer of the subconscious.
"The NeverEnding Story" (1984)
- Frame Story: A boy named Bastian reads a magical book in his school attic.
- Nested Story: The adventures of Atreyu and other characters in the land of Fantasia.
Modern Literature
"Cloud Atlas" by David Mitchell
- Frame Structure: Six interlinked stories spanning different time periods and genres.
- Nested Stories: Each story is contained within the next, creating a complex, interconnected narrative.
"Life of Pi" by Yann Martel
- Frame Story: The author interviews Pi Patel about his life.
- Nested Story: Pi's recounting of his survival on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
Television
"How I Met Your Mother"
- Frame Story: Ted Mosby recounts to his children the events leading up to meeting their mother.
- Nested Stories: Various events and stories from Ted's life and his friends' lives.
"The Simpsons" (Episode: "The Simpsons Spin-Off Showcase")
- Frame Story: Troy McClure introduces potential spin-offs of "The Simpsons."
- Nested Stories: Three separate segments imagining different spin-offs.
These examples demonstrate the versatility and enduring appeal of the frame narrative technique across different genres and media.
What is considered the best or greatest use of this narrative device?
Determining the "best" or "greatest" use of the narrative device of a story within a story is subjective and can vary based on criteria such as cultural impact, literary significance, and personal preference. However, several works are frequently cited as exemplary uses of this technique due to their profound impact and masterful execution. Here are a few that are often considered among the best:
"The Canterbury Tales" by Geoffrey Chaucer
- Why It's Great: Chaucer's work is one of the earliest and most influential examples of the frame narrative. The structure allows for a diverse range of stories, each with its own style and theme, told by a varied cast of characters. This format not only enriches the main narrative but also provides a comprehensive portrait of medieval society.
"The Arabian Nights" (One Thousand and One Nights)
- Why It's Great: This collection of Middle Eastern folk tales has had a significant influence on literature and storytelling. The frame story of Scheherazade telling stories to delay her execution is a powerful narrative device that creates suspense and connects a vast array of tales, from romance and adventure to fantasy and moral lessons.
"Frankenstein" by Mary Shelley
- Why It's Great: Shelley's use of nested narratives adds depth and complexity to the story. The multiple layers (Walton's letters, Victor Frankenstein's story, and the creature's own narrative) enhance the themes of ambition, creation, and isolation, making the reader ponder the perspectives and motivations of each character.
"Wuthering Heights" by Emily Brontë
- Why It's Great: The dual narrative structure, with Mr. Lockwood and Nelly Dean as narrators, creates a rich, layered storytelling experience. This method allows Brontë to explore the intricate relationships and intense emotions of the characters from multiple perspectives, adding depth to the Gothic novel.
"Heart of Darkness" by Joseph Conrad
- Why It's Great: The frame narrative, where Marlow recounts his journey into the Congo, creates a haunting and introspective experience. The nested story emphasizes themes of colonialism, darkness, and the human psyche. Conrad's use of this device adds to the novel's ambiguity and depth, making it a seminal work in modernist literature.
"The Princess Bride" by William Goldman
- Why It's Great: Goldman's novel (and the subsequent film adaptation) brilliantly uses the frame story of a grandfather reading a book to his sick grandson. This device adds humor and a meta-narrative layer, allowing for commentary on storytelling itself while creating a charming and engaging tale.
"Inception" (2010)
- Why It's Great: Christopher Nolan's film uses the concept of dreams within dreams to create a complex, multilayered narrative. This structure not only serves as a unique plot device but also explores themes of reality, memory, and identity. The seamless integration of multiple narrative layers makes it a standout example in contemporary cinema.
"The NeverEnding Story" by Michael Ende
- Why It's Great: The novel (and its film adaptation) employs a frame story where a boy named Bastian reads about the adventures in the land of Fantasia. This blending of reality and fantasy, along with the idea that the reader can influence the story, creates a deeply immersive and interactive experience.
"The Turn of the Screw" by Henry James
- Why It's Great: The novella begins with a frame narrative of a group of people sharing ghost stories, one of which is the main story. This setup adds an extra layer of suspense and uncertainty, contributing to the novella's ambiguous and eerie atmosphere.
Each of these works is celebrated for how the frame narrative or nested story structure enhances the overall storytelling, adding layers of meaning, perspective, and complexity. The choice of the "greatest" use of this device often depends on what aspects of narrative complexity, thematic depth, or cultural impact one prioritizes.
There is a story I had to read in school, "SILENT SNOW SECRET SNOW".
What is it about? What happens? Is it meant to be clear (with careful reading) or meant to be cryptic and insoluble?
"Silent Snow, Secret Snow" is a short story written by Conrad Aiken, first published in 1934. The story is often regarded as a powerful exploration of a young boy's descent into a private, internal world, and it balances between being clear in its narrative while also offering elements that are open to interpretation. Here’s a summary and analysis of the story:
Summary
The story centers on Paul Hasleman, a twelve-year-old boy who becomes increasingly absorbed by a mysterious and enchanting vision of snow. The narrative follows his gradual withdrawal from reality as the imaginary snow becomes more pervasive and compelling.
- Initial Encounter with the Snow: The story begins with Paul recalling how he first noticed the snow falling silently and secretly while he was walking to school. This vision becomes a recurring and comforting escape for him.
- Paul's Growing Obsession: As days pass, Paul finds himself increasingly preoccupied with the snow, which he experiences as an ever-present and expanding phenomenon. This internal world becomes more vivid and significant to him than his external reality.
- Changes in Behavior: Paul's obsession affects his daily life. He becomes inattentive in school, detached from his parents, and less interested in his usual activities. His teachers and parents notice these changes and become concerned.
- Doctor's Visit: Paul's parents decide to take him to a doctor, hoping to understand his behavior. During the visit, Paul is reluctant to talk about his experience with the snow, feeling that it is a personal and sacred secret.
- Culmination: The story reaches its climax when Paul fully embraces the snow, rejecting the external world altogether. The snow speaks to him, assuring him that it is his true reality, while the external world fades away.
Analysis
Themes:
- Escape and Isolation: The story explores themes of escape and isolation. Paul's retreat into the snow represents a desire to escape the pressures and complexities of the real world.
- Mental Health: Some interpretations suggest that Paul's obsession with the snow symbolizes a mental health condition, such as schizophrenia or a dissociative disorder. The snow can be seen as a metaphor for his growing detachment from reality.
- Childhood and Imagination: The story also touches on the power of imagination and the innocence of childhood. Paul's snow world is a place of purity and peace, contrasting with the often harsh and demanding real world.
Clarity vs. Ambiguity:
- Clear Elements: The narrative clearly describes Paul's increasing detachment and the impact it has on his life. The progression of his obsession is detailed and logical within the context of the story.
- Ambiguous Elements: The nature of the snow and its meaning are left open to interpretation. Is the snow a coping mechanism, a sign of mental illness, or simply an elaborate fantasy? Aiken does not provide definitive answers, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
Intended Interpretation:
- The story is meant to be partially clear and partially cryptic. Careful reading reveals the progression of Paul's condition and its effects, but the ultimate meaning of the snow remains ambiguous. This ambiguity invites readers to consider multiple interpretations and reflect on the broader themes of the story.
Conclusion
"Silent Snow, Secret Snow" is a poignant and haunting tale that explores a young boy's withdrawal into an enchanting but isolating internal world. While the narrative progression is clear, the deeper meaning of the snow is left open to interpretation, making the story both accessible and thought-provoking. The balance between clarity and ambiguity allows readers to engage with the story on multiple levels, considering both the psychological and metaphorical implications of Paul's experience.
I imagined him having a brain tumor and a progressively narrower view of the world, rather like a person with glaucoma (metaphorically) has a narrower and narrower scope of vision, finally none.
Your interpretation of Paul's experience in "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" as analogous to someone with a brain tumor or a progressively narrowing vision, like glaucoma, is a compelling metaphor. This perspective highlights the themes of isolation and the gradual loss of connection with reality. Here’s a deeper look at how this interpretation fits with the story:
Summary and Analysis
Summary Recap:
- Paul Hasleman becomes increasingly absorbed by an imagined world of silent snow, detaching from his real life.
- His behavior changes, causing concern among his parents and teachers.
- A visit to the doctor does not alleviate his condition, and Paul ultimately retreats entirely into his snow-filled inner world.
Brain Tumor and Narrowing Vision Metaphor:
- Brain Tumor: Interpreting Paul's experience as a metaphor for a brain tumor can symbolize a progressive and invasive internal condition that gradually takes over his mental faculties. Just as a brain tumor can affect cognition, perception, and behavior, the snow progressively dominates Paul's consciousness, leading to his withdrawal from reality.
- Glaucoma: Similarly, comparing Paul's narrowing view of the world to glaucoma highlights the gradual constriction of his awareness and engagement with his surroundings. In glaucoma, the field of vision shrinks until it can lead to blindness. Metaphorically, Paul's focus on the snow narrows his perception of reality until he is entirely consumed by his inner world, effectively becoming "blind" to the real world.
Thematic Exploration
Isolation and Withdrawal:
- Paul's increasing preoccupation with the snow reflects a deeper psychological isolation. As the snow becomes more pervasive, he withdraws further from social interactions and the external world, much like a person with a deteriorating health condition might become more isolated and disconnected.
Loss of Reality:
- The story portrays Paul's gradual detachment from reality, paralleling the way a physical ailment like a brain tumor or glaucoma can progressively impair one's abilities. This detachment is not sudden but occurs in stages, emphasizing the slow and insidious nature of his condition.
Innocence and Escape:
- The imagined snow world represents a place of purity and peace, an escape from the pressures of everyday life. However, this escape comes at the cost of Paul's connection to reality, underscoring the bittersweet nature of his retreat.
Ambiguity and Interpretation
Clear vs. Cryptic:
- While the narrative progression of Paul's condition is clear, the underlying cause and exact nature of his experience remain ambiguous. Is it a psychological coping mechanism, a sign of a mental health issue, or a metaphor for a physical condition like a brain tumor?
- This ambiguity invites multiple interpretations, allowing readers to project different meanings onto Paul's experience. Your metaphorical reading enriches the story by adding a layer of physical and psychological realism to his condition.
Conclusion
Your interpretation of Paul’s experience in "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" as akin to the effects of a brain tumor or glaucoma offers a poignant and thought-provoking lens through which to view the story. This metaphor effectively captures the themes of progressive isolation, the narrowing of perception, and the eventual complete retreat from reality. It underscores the story's exploration of the delicate balance between the inner and outer worlds, and the potentially devastating consequences when that balance is lost.
Did Conrad Aiken ever talk about, that you know of? [Note, I have to ask this twice.]
"Silent Snow, Secret Snow" by Conrad Aiken is a short story that delves into the inner world of a young boy named Paul Hasleman, who becomes increasingly entranced by an imagined vision of falling snow. The story is often interpreted as a depiction of a mental illness or a psychological retreat from reality, using vivid and poetic language to convey Paul's internal experiences.
Plot Summary
- Initial Encounter with the Snow: Paul's fascination with the snow begins when he imagines that the postman's footsteps are muffled by snow, though there is none outside. This vision becomes an obsession, providing a comforting escape from the real world.
- Increasing Isolation: As Paul becomes more absorbed in his imaginary world, he withdraws from his schoolwork, family, and everyday activities. His parents and teachers become concerned about his behavior.
- Doctor's Visit: Paul's parents take him to a doctor, but Paul remains evasive about his thoughts, only revealing his fixation on the snow when pressed. The doctor's examination does not reveal any physical illness, but Paul’s detachment worries his family.
- Final Retreat: The story climaxes with Paul running to his room, rejecting his mother and fully immersing himself in his snow-filled fantasy, feeling peace and isolation as he listens to the snow’s whisper.
Themes and Interpretation
- Mental Illness: The story is often seen as a portrayal of a mental disorder, possibly schizophrenia, as Paul becomes increasingly disconnected from reality and preoccupied with his own inner world.
- Escape and Isolation: Paul’s retreat into the snow represents a desire to escape the mundane and often harsh realities of life, seeking solace in a pure and serene imaginary world.
- Poetic Style: Aiken's use of poetic language, rhythm, and imagery enhances the story's immersive quality, allowing readers to experience Paul’s psychological descent.
Ambiguity
Conrad Aiken’s intentions with "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" involve a blend of clarity and ambiguity. While the narrative clearly depicts Paul’s increasing detachment, the exact nature and cause of his condition remain open to interpretation. This invites readers to explore various meanings, such as viewing the snow as a metaphor for mental illness, a symbol of childhood innocence, or an escape from a troubling reality.
Aiken’s own experiences with mental illness in his family likely influenced the story, adding depth to its depiction of psychological struggle and withdrawal. The story remains a compelling exploration of the human mind and its capacity for both imagination and isolation (eNotes) (Encyclopedia.com) (Cummings Study Guides) (Wikipedia).
My question was a little more specific, do we have any records that Conrad Aiken, the actual author, wrote or talked about what his story was intended to mean?
There is limited direct commentary from Conrad Aiken himself regarding the specific intended meaning of "Silent Snow, Secret Snow." However, some insights can be gleaned from analyses of his work and biographical information that provide context for his themes and stylistic choices.
Biographical Context
- Family History of Mental Illness: Aiken's life was marked by significant trauma and mental health struggles, notably the murder-suicide of his parents when he was a child. This personal history profoundly influenced his work and often led him to explore themes of mental illness, isolation, and psychological depth.
- Literary Style: Aiken was known for his poetic prose and the use of stream-of-consciousness narrative techniques, which are evident in "Silent Snow, Secret Snow." This style often aimed to immerse readers in the internal experiences of his characters.
Scholarly Analyses
- Elizabeth Tebeaux: In her analysis, Tebeaux notes that Aiken uses poetic and rhetorical techniques to vividly depict Paul’s psychological state, emphasizing that the story’s artistic aims transcend a mere case study of mental illness. The use of rhythm, sound, and metaphor is designed to draw readers into Paul's inner world, making the narrative more about the experience than a straightforward explanation of Paul's condition (Encyclopedia.com).
- Freudian Interpretation: Some scholars, like those mentioned on Cummings Study Guides, interpret the story through a Freudian lens, suggesting that Paul's retreat into the snow could be linked to unresolved Oedipal conflicts and a defense mechanism against reality. This perspective aligns with Aiken's interest in psychological themes, possibly influenced by his own family history of mental illness (Cummings Study Guides).
Direct Commentary by Aiken
While there is no extensive record of Aiken explicitly detailing the intended meaning of "Silent Snow, Secret Snow," his reflections on literature and art in general provide some insight:
- Role of Art: Aiken believed in the power of art to explore and express the complexities of human experience, including the subconscious mind. He saw literature as a means to delve into the inner lives of characters, often leaving interpretations open to the reader.
Conclusion
The absence of explicit statements from Aiken about "Silent Snow, Secret Snow" suggests that he preferred to let the story speak for itself, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. The story's ambiguity and rich symbolism are consistent with Aiken's broader literary goals of exploring the human psyche and the boundary between reality and imagination.
For further reading, you might explore comprehensive analyses and biographical studies of Conrad Aiken's work, which provide deeper insights into the themes and techniques he employed in his writing:
Well, just knowing the author's sad history and exposure to severe mental illness is helpful, thank you for that.
You're welcome! Conrad Aiken's personal history and his exposure to severe mental illness undoubtedly influenced his writing, particularly in "Silent Snow, Secret Snow." Understanding this context helps to illuminate the psychological depth and the themes of isolation and mental deterioration in the story. Here are some additional resources for deeper exploration:
- Enotes Analysis: Silent Snow, Secret Snow - eNotes - This provides an in-depth analysis of the story's themes, style, and literary context.
- Cummings Study Guide: Silent Snow, Secret Snow Study Guide - This guide offers detailed summaries and interpretations of the story.
- Encyclopedia Entry: Silent Snow, Secret Snow on Encyclopedia.com - This entry includes information on the story's publication history and critical reception.
These resources can provide further insights into Aiken's work and its place within the broader context of his life and literary contributions.
