Based on the first section of Toni Morrison's Jazz, I argue that the narrator of the story is Violet. Though the narrator addresses Violet through the third person, I believe that this only serves as a story element which serves to reinforce the mental instability of Violet. The story’s introduction leads readers to believe that the story is told through an omniscient third-person narrator. “Sth, I know that woman. She used to live with a flock of birds on Lenox Avenue. Know her husband. He fell for an eighteen-year-old girl…” (1). I argue the opening lines of the book drop the reader straight into the fractured narrative of the story. The story follows a non-linear progression. Major plot events are dropped second handedly to the readers as the narrator works to further expand on them later in the story. For example, we look at the introduction of Dorcas, who we find out later is the girl whom which Joe has fallen in love with. Continuing from the introduction quotes earlier, Morrison writes, “He fell for an eighteen-year-old girl with one of those deepdown, spooky loves that made him so sad and happy he shot her just to keep the feeling going” (1). Furthermore, the narrator mentions that the wife, who we now know to be named Violet, she mentions the stabbing of Dorcas’ corpse at her funeral by Violet.
Establishing these plot events, which one can assume to be the climax of the novel, at the beginning of the novel allows for Morrison to shift the focus of the reader from the physical events of the characters to the mental and emotional workings of the characters instead. This is evident through the fractured temporal nature of the story’s narration. Morrison introduces the reader to the moment of Violet’s mental break in order to work backward and explore the events which led to that moment.
Furthermore, the role of the narrator shifts between Violet’s third-person perspective and her third-person omniscient perspective. The reader is able to read the feelings and thoughts of various characters in the book such as Malvonne, “But Malvonne was not interested in them; she simply noticed. Her interest lay in the neighborhood people.” (41) and Joe, “Convinced that he alone remembers those days, and wants them back, aware of what it looked like but not at all of what it felt like, he coupled himself elsewhere” (36). These objective representations of character thoughts and feeling are accomplished through the “cracks” in Violet’s perception of reality.
These “cracks” which Violet mentions regarding her own psyche are what allow Violet to jump from her own perspective to that of the other characters of the book. When the narrator, Violet, introduces these “cracks” they are seen as a door to a sort of fugue state for Violet.These cracks are what called Violet to steal a baby (22) and to sit in the middle of a street in the middle of the day (17). Regarding the cracks, Violet states “She wakes up in the morning and sees with perfect clarity a string of small, well-lit scenes. In each one something specific is being done…But she does not see herself doing these things. She sees them being done” (22). I argue that it is through these cracks which Violet narrates the events of the story. Thus she is able to give the reader such an objective narration of the events of the novel and the psyche of the characters in the novel.
Other than the space of mental objectivity which this narration style allows for Violet, I am not quite sure what other impacts this narration style has on the story. One purpose I can begin to see forming within the first section of the book is with the setting of the “City”, with a capital “C”. For about three pages straight, and after the short introduction to the plot-heavy events of Dorca’s funeral, the narrator describes the “City”. The motif of the “City” is something that I am sure will be further explored in the story, as well as the role of jazz as well. These narration techniques ultimately serve to subvert the personal experiences of the characters of the book to the almost sublime-like nature of the city and jazz. Thus, Violet gives us a very neutral and objective narration of the events of the story. The characters are not the main force at work in the novel, rather it is the power of the “City” and jazz.
The opening sentences of your post were very strong, and established a firm argument that you explored throughout your analysis. For the sake of clarity, your essay might benefit from separating your introductory paragraph and thesis from the textual analysis you provide. While I think you could improve upon effectively blending your quotes and analysis, I feel the quotes you selected were appropriate in supporting your central claim. Your second and fourth paragraphs were the strongest within your post, in my opinion, and I really enjoyed reading them! I was especially provoked by your analysis of Violet's cracks and their contribution to the narration of the novel. The final paragraph seemed a bit off topic and lacked a bit of textual support. But aside from that, you did a great job of adhering to your exploration of Violet's two narrative approaches and the purpose behind each!
ReplyDeleteYou made many interesting and strong points throughout your post, particularly on you thoughts on the mental and emotional workings of the characters themselves and how the novel focuses on that rather than the events that occurred and how this contributes to the narrator's point of view. I found it very interesting your take on who the narrator of the story is, I had never stopped to consider Violet as the narrator, however you make a strong argument for it.
ReplyDeleteI found that your final paragraph was a bit off topic and could have more support from the text. I didn't quite understand why you jumped from the topic of the narrator to the motif of the city.