Literary Form and the War Narrative: In Response to Prof. Hanley (continued)

As stated in my initial post, Caesar's Column, Red Calvary, and Man's Fate, provides the reader with three distinct narratives characterizing war: Babel's journalistic narrative; Donnelly's "manifesto" narrative; and Malraux's psychological narrative.

Donnelly’s theories, ideologies, and socio-economical models are framed within a dialectic and authoritative discourse. His declaration of opinions, motives, and resolve create a consciousness that will enable ideological acceptance and integration between author and reader.

The “violence” and “brutalities” of the 1917 war between Russia and Poland are illustrated within an abstract and fragmented diary of events. Babel’s personal experiences and observations are objectively reported within a journalistic style and context that incorporates multiple narratives and tone with poetic and “pictorial” imagery within a symbolic discourse that allows the reader to assess and formulate the ramifications of forced ideologies and belief systems.

Psychological warfare and existentialism are Malraux’s thematic tools in Man’s Fate. Revolutionary ideology and abstract theories are overshadowed by personal identity, frustration, fear, obligation, and commitment during the Chinese Revolution. The acts of terrorism interchange with multi-faceted ideological and philosophical discourses between the novel’s characters. Malraux fuses their emotional framework with the elevation of responsibility, commitment, and a definitive course of action.

Edith