A Guide to Literary Genres - Sykalo Eugen 2023
Cubism
Definition: Literary style refers to the distinctive manner in which an author employs language, narrative techniques, and literary devices to convey their ideas and create a unique aesthetic in their written work. Cubism, as a literary style, draws inspiration from the visual arts movement of the same name and seeks to represent reality from multiple perspectives, breaking down traditional linear narratives and linear perception to present a fragmented and multi-dimensional view of the subject.
Key Features of Cubism in Literature:
1. Fragmentation: Cubist literature involves the fragmentation and disintegration of traditional narrative structures. Writers present events, characters, and ideas in a fragmented manner, often using multiple viewpoints or perspectives.
2. Multiple Perspectives: Similar to the visual arts movement, Cubist literature aims to depict the subject from various angles and viewpoints simultaneously. This creates a multi-dimensional and complex representation.
3. Collage: Just as Cubist art often involves the juxtaposition of various materials to create a unified whole, Cubist literature employs collage-like techniques where different elements are combined to form a cohesive narrative.
4. Time and Space: Cubist literature may play with the concepts of time and space, allowing events to occur non-chronologically and exploring different dimensions of time within the narrative.
5. Deconstruction of Language: Cubist literature sometimes breaks down language itself, fragmenting words, phrases, and sentences to create a visual and conceptual collage of language.
6. Interplay of Form and Content: Cubist literature emphasizes the interplay between the form of the text (how it's structured) and its content (what it's conveying). The fragmentation and multiple perspectives contribute to the overall meaning.
7. Visual and Spatial Language: Cubist literature may use visual and spatial language to evoke the sense of different viewpoints and perspectives, creating a more immersive reading experience.
Representatives of Cubist Literature:
1. Gertrude Stein (1874—1946): An American writer known for her experimental prose and poetry. Her works, such as "Tender Buttons," employ Cubist techniques by breaking down language and exploring the interplay between form and meaning.
2. Guillaume Apollinaire (1880—1918): A French poet and art critic who wrote works inspired by Cubism. His poem "Zone" combines fragmented imagery and shifting perspectives, reflecting the movement's influence.
3. Blaise Cendrars (1887—1961): A Swiss-French writer who used Cubist principles in his poetry and prose. His poem "Prose of the Trans-Siberian Express" employs fragmented language and spatial arrangement to convey the journey's experience.
4. Vladimir Mayakovsky (1893—1930): A Russian poet who experimented with Cubist techniques in his poems, such as "A Cloud in Trousers." His poetry's visual and spatial elements reflect the influence of visual art.
5. Germaine Krull (1897—1985): A German-French photographer and writer who created "Metal," a Cubist-inspired photobook. The book's fragmented narrative and layout capture the movement's principles.
These representatives exemplify the application of Cubist principles to literature, emphasizing the fragmentation of narrative, exploration of multiple perspectives, and the interplay between form and content to create a unique and multi-dimensional reading experience.