'The Only Story' by Julian Barnes   

Purpose of Blog:

This blog is part of a Thinking Activity assigned by Dilip Barad, HOD of the Department of English at MKBU. Here, I'll explore the narrative pattern of 'The Only Story' along with other related aspects.

Key points about the English writer Julian Barnes:

• Born in 1946 in Leicester, England. He is a contemporary British novelist, essayist, and critic.
• His best known novels include Flaubert's Parrot (1984), England, England (1998), and The Sense of an Ending (2011) for which he won the Man Booker Prize.
• Many of his works are philosophical novels that explore themes of truth, love, history, and mortality through the lens of unreliable narrators.
• His writing style combines elements of postmodern techniques, metafiction, intertextuality, and black humor.
• Several of his books deal with real historical figures from art/literary history like Flaubert, Rembrandt's sister, and Shostakovich.
• In addition to novels, he has written short stories, essays, and non-fiction books on subjects like France, cooking, and authors like Kipling.
• He is known for his precise prose style, attention to detail, and exploration of the complexities and paradoxes of human behavior.
• Major influences on his work include Flaubert, Bataille, Robbe-Grillet and other French writers from modern and postmodern periods.
• He is considered one of the leading contemporary British novelists and literary critics of his generation.
  
  

Key facts about Julian Barnes' novel "The Only Story":

• Publication: It was published in 2018 when Barnes was 72 years old.
• Premise: The book is a first-person narrative about a man looking back on an early sexual relationship he had as a 19-year-old student with a married woman in her 40s.
• Structure: The novel is divided into three sections - the start of the affair in the 1960s suburbs of London, the continuation of the relationship over decades, and the aftermath/reflections later in life.
• Themes: It explores themes of sexual obsession, the subjectivity of memory, the dynamics of power in relationships, and the consequences of selfish actions.
• Characters: The main characters are the unnamed male narrator, his lover Susan Macleod, and her husband John Macleod.
• Style: Like Barnes' other work, it employs an introspective, philosophical tone and unreliable narration that questions the nature of truth.
• Reception: The book received generally positive reviews, with critics praising Barnes' elegant prose and insightful perspective on love across generations.
• Inspiration: Barnes was inspired by the idea of an older woman having an affair with a younger man, flipping the more common "Mrs. Robinson" trope.
• Awards: It was shortlisted for the 2018 Man Booker Prize.
• Significance: It's considered a mature, thoughtful exploration of relationships and desire by one of Britain's most acclaimed living novelists.

 Worksheet

1. Analyze the context of the following quote: "Why do you cheat at crosswords?"

a. Who is the speaker and to whom is this question addressed? 

- Paul is the speaker, and he is asking this question to Joan.

b. What is the response given by the recipient?

- Joan responds, 'You cheeky bugger. I suppose Susan told you. Well, it's a fair question, and one I can answer.' 'You see – I hope you never get there yourself – but some of us get to the point in life where we realize that nothing matters. Nothing fucking matters. And one of the few side-benefits of that is you know you're not going to go to hell for filling in the wrong answers in the crossword. Because you've been to hell and back already and you know all too well what it's like.'

c. Is the reference to "cheating at crosswords" repeated in the novel?

- Yes, this reference is repeated in the novel. At one point, it is mentioned from Paul's perspective that in the traditional sense, cheating at crosswords is not acceptable. However, Joan's perspective is that she does not consider it cheating, and her definition of cheating is different from Paul's.

d. What inferences can be drawn from this reference?

- The inference that can be drawn is that Joan cheats at crossword puzzles because she believes life is chaotic and lacks a clear purpose. Cheating is her way of rebelling against the idea that everything in life needs to be figured out logically. For her, it's a way to accept the randomness and uncertainty of life. The crossword puzzle becomes a game where there are no strict rules, offering her comfort and distraction from the difficulties of life. It's her personal way of dealing with the challenges and pain she has experienced.

2. Investigate the symbolic significance of 'crosswords' in the novel "The Only Story."

a. Use ChatGPT as a starting point, and then compare and contrast with information from the teacher's blog.

Response from ChatGPT:

Relationships are Like Puzzles: 

Crosswords are like tricky puzzles, and in the story, the main character's love story is also tricky. He loves an older woman, which is not usual. This is similar to solving a difficult puzzle – it needs effort and patience.

Remembering and Thinking About the Past: Crosswords require a good memory, and in the book, the main character thinks about his past a lot. The crossword is a symbol for piecing together memories and creating a story. It shows that life is like a collection of interconnected moments.

Order and Disorder: 

Crosswords are neat and organized. This is different from life, which can be messy. The main character deals with messy relationships, and the crossword represents his desire for things to be neat and in order.

Thinking Smart and Escaping: Doing crosswords is a smart activity, and in the story, it's a way for the main character to escape from his complicated relationships. It suggests that sometimes people turn to intellectual pursuits to deal with life's challenges.

Finishing Things and Feeling Done: 

Completing a crossword puzzle brings a sense of satisfaction, like finishing something important. In the book, the main character wants to finish and figure out his relationships. The crossword is like a symbol for completing things and finding answers.

b. Write a comprehensive answer that summarizes the findings. 

- Upon comparing the two responses, one can observe that the answer generated by ChatGPT views the symbol of 'Crossword' from the perspective of the entire novel. On the other hand, the answer in the Teacher's Blog primarily focuses on the traditional meaning of 'Crossword' and Joan's new perspective towards it. While Joan considers her actions as not cheating, Paul might have a more traditional view of cheating at crosswords. Both answers offer their own viewpoints, which can help us understand this novel from different perspectives.

3. Analyze the following quote in the context of the novel: "The point of the story is 'safe and capable.'"

a. Identify the speaker and the person to whom the quote is addressed.

- Susan is the speaker, and she is telling this to Paul.

b. Describe the significance of this quote within the context of the story. 

- "The point of the story is 'safe and capable.'" When Jack was dying, he entrusted Gordon's care to Susan because he trusted that she would take good care of him. This trust was so significant that, despite Jack's love for Paul Roberts (his lover), he couldn't leave Gordon with Paul. Therefore, 'safe and capable' in this context is closely tied to the trust Jack placed in Susan's ability to provide a secure and reliable environment for Gordon.

4. Evaluate the use of the phrase "moviemaker's bromide" in the novel "The Only Story."

a. How many times is the phrase used in the novel?

- This phrase is used 2 times in the novel.

b. What is the situation when this phrase appears in the novel?

- When this phrase appears in the novel, the situation is that Paul is with Susan while she is on her deathbed, and he contemplates whether he should kiss her goodbye, which he describes as a "moviemaker's bromide."

c. What does it signify within the context of the story?

- Within the context of the novel, we observe the idea of Paul, who is now old, coming to meet Susan, his former lover, on her deathbed. We can also discern Julian Barnes' commentary conveyed through the character of Paul and his situation. If it were a movie, it would resemble the classic scenario where the hero kisses the heroine's forehead as she passes away, and the story concludes with dramatic flair. This is evident in the original lines from the text: "I wondered if I should kiss her goodbye. Another moviemaker's bromide. And, no doubt, in that film, she would stir slightly in response, her frown lines uncrease, and her jaw relax. Then I would indeed lift back her hair, whisper into her delicately helixed ear a final 'Goodbye, Susan.' At which she would stir slightly, and offer the trace of a smile. Then, with the tears unwiped from my cheeks, I would rise slowly and leave her." (Barnes) This idea contrasts with the traditional romanticized notion of love and portrays the reality that love often concludes with such bittersweet emotions. Thus, it rejects the old-fashioned idealization of love, leaning more towards a practical and contemplative perspective.

Narrative Pattern of the Novel 

 'The Only Story':

Narrative patterns are normally presented in the first person or third person, but in this novel, we can see that the second-person narration is also interesting and important. Additionally, the narration by the protagonist is likely to be unreliable. Julian Barnes' 2018 novel, "The Only Story," captivates readers with its intricate narrative pattern, skillfully blending classical storytelling elements with postmodern techniques.

The narrative pattern in this novel also tells the story and represents some aspects of life and love. One might notice that the sentences are mostly written in a philosophical way. Paul begins, as if in essay form, with a wide, philosophical question: "Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more, or love the less, and suffer the less?" When we talk about unreliable narration, we can see how the protagonist talks about the past.

"You understand, I hope, that I'm telling you everything as I remember it? I never kept a diary, and most of the participants in my story – my story! my life!"

The narrative pattern employed in Julian Barnes' novel "The Only Story" is quite intricate and blends elements of classical storytelling with postmodern techniques. 

Second-person narration: 

While most novels are narrated in the first or third person, Barnes employs second-person narration at times, which is unusual. The protagonist, Paul, directly addresses the reader using "you," creating a sense of intimacy and drawing the reader into the story.

Unreliable narration: 

Paul, the narrator, is an unreliable narrator, as he admits that he is recounting events from his memory, which may not be entirely accurate. This unreliability adds an intriguing layer of ambiguity and invites readers to question the veracity of the narrative.

Philosophical musings: 

The narrative is interspersed with philosophical musings and rhetorical questions, such as the opening line: "Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more, or love the less, and suffer the less?" These musings give the novel a contemplative and thought-provoking quality.

Metafictional elements: 

Barnes employs metafictional elements, as Paul directly addresses the reader and acknowledges the act of storytelling. This self-referential technique blurs the lines between fiction and reality, adding a postmodern touch to the narrative.

Shifting perspectives: 

While the novel is primarily narrated from Paul's perspective, there are instances where Barnes shifts to other characters' perspectives, providing a more multifaceted view of the events.

Nonlinear timeline: 

The narrative does not follow a strictly linear timeline. Instead, it moves back and forth between different time periods, reflecting the way memories are often fragmented and non-chronological.

Intertextuality: 

Barnes incorporates references to other literary works, films, and cultural elements, creating a rich tapestry of intertextual connections.

By blending these diverse narrative techniques, Barnes creates a multifaceted and thought-provoking story that challenges traditional notions of storytelling. The unreliable narration, philosophical musings, and metafictional elements invite readers to question the nature of truth and memory, while the shifting perspectives and nonlinear timeline reflect the complexities of human experience.

The narrative pattern of "The Only Story" is a skillful fusion of classical and postmodern elements, offering a rich and layered reading experience that encourages readers to engage critically with the text and its exploration of love, memory, and the human condition.

Conclusion:

Julian Barnes' novel "The Only Story" employs a masterful and multifaceted narrative pattern that seamlessly blends classical storytelling techniques with postmodern elements. The use of second-person narration, unreliable narration, philosophical musings, metafictional elements, shifting perspectives, nonlinear timelines, and intertextual references creates a rich tapestry of storytelling that challenges traditional notions of truth, memory, and the human experience. Barnes' innovative approach to narrative invites readers to question the nature of reality and engage critically with the complexities of love, loss, and the inherent subjectivity of personal narratives. The novel's intricate narrative pattern is a testament to Barnes' literary prowess, offering a thought-provoking and immersive reading experience that leaves a lasting impact on the reader's mind.

PPT: Narrative Pattern in Julian Barnes's 'The Only Story' from Dr. Dilip Barad

Narrative Pattern in Julian Barnes's 'The Only Story' from Dilip Barad

(All videos are available on the YouTube Playlist on DoE-MKBU.)

(WC: 2198, Video 01, Photo 03)