Communication in A Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man

In this book, I saw communication for the first time, as a sort of tragedy. Steven has a beautiful mind-one that is uniquely creative and expressive. The reader gets the chance to meet Steven's mind before they actually become acquainted with his personality. In fact, it is hard to get a good grasp on his personality throughout the entire book. This is because, at least in this book, the "personality" is not how someone feels or thinks, or even what they are passionate about. A person's personality is how they act around other people. When I think about my personality, I think of something a little different than what my mind and heart look like. Honestly, I think my insides are quieter than my outsides. My personality however, has everything to do with how I communicate. People only know of your personality by the things you choose to share with them. So essentially, one could make up an entire personality that was a complete lie, but that would indeed be their personality. Steven's mind is what takes center stage, and it is when he is forced to share that the tragedy that is communication takes place. When he would interact with his school mates, teachers, or even his family, I found myself not wanting him to give them the time of day because even with the most eloquent language, I didn't think he could do his feelings justice. The fact that he had to speak to others and attempt to voice his feelings was almost heartbreaking. In our group discussion though, we found that although this was tragic, it was certainly necessary. What good is an artist's mind, feelings, or passions if they never share them with anyone?

“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.”

I keep thinking about this quote and I think that it embodies this idea. Although an artist may not only use language, there has to be some way to measure their voice and their passions. I like the way that Pope wrote about as and a duty. Art, he said, has the power to bring people to God, to see into the magic that is art. And the artist has a gift that he must share with the World. I think that communication is art- whether it be speaking or writing or painting or singing. Although we may never be completely satisfied with our attempts to make sense of those things that are sacred and mysterious, we must at least try. Why?

Because it is an artist’s duty.

Communication in Beloved

One of the obvious aspects of communication that was present in Beloved was the distinct dialogue. But beyond that, the significance of communication and the absense of it when I felt it was so desperately needed seems to be more valuable to the novel as a whole.

Toni Morrison herself said, "We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives."

Honestly, when I first read this quote I disagreed. I was thinking about people that cannot speak or communicate. How are their lives measured? But then I realized that their stories and their journeys only exist to the rest of the World through other people's words. People speak for them. Why? Because language is the major way we pass on stories in our society. I know this may seem cliche, but even though I believe that language is a vital tool in measuring one's existence, I think lives can be measured in love...even when it is unspoken.

Now, when I think back to Beloved, I think about the horrific things that happened to Sethe and Baby Suggs and I realized that even if they never TOLD anyone about their trama, it still existed and "nothing ever dies." So what is the good of speaking things out loud? The clear answer is that people just need an outlet. It is cetainly theriputic to voice your secrets and concealed emotions, but I still wonder if this really changes things. I wonder if there are certain people that do not need to talk about their feelings to understand them. I am certainly not one of those people. I think of Paul D. He wanted to be one of those people, but he too was bothered by the past, even if he tried to cover that up. Once he confronted the past and all of its vulgerity and infalibility, he could love with all of his heart. It is almsot as if, not communicating and not confronting him held him back from being the person that he really was.

Communication is confrontation. Maybe there are people in the World that can confront their issues without "language" and maybe some can cope with life through other outlets. But as for me, and arguably all of the characters in Beloved, it is essential.

Communication in The Stranger

Life and Death Communication (Crime and Punishment)

In Crime and Punishment, Feodor Dostoevsky puts a character in a situation of no return. Rodya embodies the human struggle to find meaning, purpose, and ultimately a reason to live. In addition to these philosophical struggles this man goes through, he also seems to come to a point in his life where he needs, arguably more than anything else, redemption that he can see, hear, and understand. To my surprise, Rodya really needed communication... from God.
Rodya desired an answer. Rodya went looking for an answer and even if he didn't find God and if the book ended in a completely different way, the fact that he has the boldness to look for an answer is what makes him a hero in my book.

I wonder if every human being comes to a point in their life where they become tired of communicating and wants to be communicated with. Of course, humans are communicated with every day, but I think Rodya (along with myself) wanted something completely different than every day jibber jabber. An answer. What a profound word.

Even if we take God out of the picture, the communication from Sonya meant the World to Rodya at the time. To literally hear another human being, not to mention one that he loved, tell him that she did not loath him for committing murder changed Rodya's life. Actually, it may have saved his life.

"Well, when one has no one, nowhere else one can go! For every man must have somewhere to go"

This quote proves the idea, but if I could change it I would say that "every man must have someone to go to." Beyond that, I think every man needs someone to truly communicate with. Svidrigailov had nowhere to go. He killed himself. I don’t know how much stronger of a message Dostoevsky could have sent than by having the one guy that could not receive validation in the form of communication shoot himself. It is as if he is saying that it is a matter of life and death. Even if Svidrigailov would not have killed himself, what did he really have to live for without a “Sonya” in his life?

I am realizing that there are two kinds of communication. One kind is inconsequential - frivolous even, but it is the majority of the communication most people experience every day. The other kind is a rare and more valuable type of communication that speaks to a person's soul (if you believe in that kind of a thing) and it can validate one’s existence. Communication has the power to bring redemption. If it wasn't so, the words "I forgive you" would not hold such significance for so many. Communication is all about giving voice to the emotions that make us human. Sure, you can feel love, but it will never be the same as hearing someone say the three words. Communication ends wars (or starts them), it finally unites prince charming with his girl, it saves people's lives, and in Rodya's case it led him to God. Wow.