number 6
6.discuss the authors use of symbolism/metaphor in your novel
there is never a constant metaphor that's used throughout the entire book. because of th imre kertesz's way of writing it like a history book, and not really putting any sentimental parts in it, there's not much chance for the use of metaphors or symbolism. there is one part though, where georg describes his situation as an train, one which feels like it's stopped, but which is going so fast, hes can't keep up with it.
"Only in Zeitz did I come to realize that even captivity has it's mundane round; indeed, true captivity is actually nothing but a gray mundane round. It was as if a I had been in a roughly comparable situation already, that time in the train on the way to Auschwitz; there too everything had hinged on time, and then on each person's individual capabilities. Except in Zeitz, to stay with my simile, the feeling I had was that the train had come to a standstill. From another angle though--and this is also true--it rushed along at such speed that I was unable to keep up with all the changes infront of and around me, or even within myself. One thing I can say atleast: for my own part, I traveled the entire route, scrupulously exploring every chance that might present itself on the way."
I think that this comparation was really accurate, because it's true that there was definatley 2 different ways of looking at his predicament. the fact that his time in the concentration camps seems to drag on is completely true. you can read that in the book. but what you don't really see, is that the world is going to keep on going, and it won't wait for him. all he can do is try to keep up with the train. maybe that's why there's the empty train tracks on the front of the book. maybe it means that the train's left him behind. or maybe it means he can't see the end. there's lots of ways that you could look at this metaphor, lots of ways you could interpret its meaning.
did you guys find any other metaphors or symbolism in Fatelessness? i know it's a bit late to ask, but i think it would be interesting of there was any that i missed.
-megan
there is never a constant metaphor that's used throughout the entire book. because of th imre kertesz's way of writing it like a history book, and not really putting any sentimental parts in it, there's not much chance for the use of metaphors or symbolism. there is one part though, where georg describes his situation as an train, one which feels like it's stopped, but which is going so fast, hes can't keep up with it.
"Only in Zeitz did I come to realize that even captivity has it's mundane round; indeed, true captivity is actually nothing but a gray mundane round. It was as if a I had been in a roughly comparable situation already, that time in the train on the way to Auschwitz; there too everything had hinged on time, and then on each person's individual capabilities. Except in Zeitz, to stay with my simile, the feeling I had was that the train had come to a standstill. From another angle though--and this is also true--it rushed along at such speed that I was unable to keep up with all the changes infront of and around me, or even within myself. One thing I can say atleast: for my own part, I traveled the entire route, scrupulously exploring every chance that might present itself on the way."
I think that this comparation was really accurate, because it's true that there was definatley 2 different ways of looking at his predicament. the fact that his time in the concentration camps seems to drag on is completely true. you can read that in the book. but what you don't really see, is that the world is going to keep on going, and it won't wait for him. all he can do is try to keep up with the train. maybe that's why there's the empty train tracks on the front of the book. maybe it means that the train's left him behind. or maybe it means he can't see the end. there's lots of ways that you could look at this metaphor, lots of ways you could interpret its meaning.
did you guys find any other metaphors or symbolism in Fatelessness? i know it's a bit late to ask, but i think it would be interesting of there was any that i missed.
-megan
posted by Megan at 7:49 PM
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