Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Kubla Khan showcases Romantic themes like nature's beauty, imagination's power, and emotional depth, while its fragmented structure and open-ended interpretation resonate with postmodern ideas of fragmentation, metafiction, and intertextuality. Throughout the work, Coleridge blends Romantic appreciation for nature and creativity with underlying postmodern themes of fragmentation and the interconnection of literature, making it a rich exploration of both literary traditions.
Fragmentation + Kubla Khan!
Starting off with postmodern connections… there’s lots!!! The biggest one for “Kubla Khan,” however, is Fragmentation! Specifically, fragmented narrative as well as the descriptions of landscapes drastically changing from one to another. As with the “sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice” that transitions without warning to a “damsel with a dulcimer” in “a vision” the narrator once saw. Cray cray transitions, and not the shellfish kind!!
Airplane + Fragmentation
As in the fictional short story “decortication of an airplane” suraski invites readers into a kaleidoscopic journey where time, space, and perspective are in constant flux. Plane + getting torn apart + super cool dude = Fragmented narrative....kidding kidding that's not the wholeeee story. However, in the passage where the point of view changes and swaps from person to person until it gives way to the rapid transition of taking apart a plane, that right there, is fragmented narrative, point of view, etc etc. This fragmentation disrupts our expectations of coherence and challenges us to piece together the narrative puzzle ourselves! Super cool guy though, incredible writer! 😝
Now Mix!!!
From my first media source to Coleridge’s “Kubla Khan,” the similarities in both with regards to postmodern fragmentation are prevalent and, regardless of the romantic era qualities in Coleridge’s writing, showcase postmodernism in multiple eras of literature. “Decortication of an Airplane” disrupts your train of though with a puzzle you must piece together while Kubla Khan drastically changes the landscape and environment similarly breaking up the story. Delicious!!!!! 😋
next upppp...........
Metafiction + Kubla Khan
In the preface to "Kubla Khan," Coleridge describes how he was interrupted while writing the poem: "In the summer of the year 1797, the Author, then in ill health, had retired to a lonely farm-house between Porlock and Linton." This interruption and Coleridge's subsequent inability to fully recapture the vision he had experienced can be seen as a form of metafiction, blurring the lines between reality and the imaginative process of creation.
Metafiction + Radiohead’s “There, There”
Radiohead employs metafictional elements in "There, There" through its lyrical ambiguity and shifting perspectives. The song's protagonist seems to grapple with their own identity and place in the world, mirroring the postmodern concern with the fluidity of truth and the construction of reality.
Mix it up!!
Both "Kubla Khan" and Radiohead's "There, There" exhibit metafictional elements that disrupt traditional narrative structures. While Coleridge's preface challenges the authority of the author and the stability of the text,
Radiohead's song uses fragmented lyrics and ambiguous imagery to reflect the complexities of modern life, inviting listeners to question the nature of reality and meaning. I love combining ideas 😍!!!
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WOOOOOOOOO YAYAYAYAYAYAY I loveeee intertextuality it's so cool and creative!!
Kubla Khan + Intertextuality
Intertextuality in "Kubla Khan" is evident in Coleridge's references to his own work, such as Mount Abora, which is reminiscent of Mount Ararat in "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner." Additionally, the mention of Alph, the sacred river, may evoke associations with biblical imagery, adding depth to the poem's symbolism. Symbolism andddd intertextuality??? No way!!!
Intertextuality + Gorillaz “Humility”
The video opens with a shot of 2-D seeing Jack Black while roller-skating along Venice Beach, a reference to his role in the film "School of Rock." This reference not only adds a humorous touch but also connects the video to broader cultural narratives surrounding music and performance. Some crazy crossovers happening in the now now! Also double whammy cause I love the gorillaz too!
Mix Mix Mix!!!!!!
Both "Kubla Khan" and the Gorillaz "Humility" music video exhibit intertextuality by referencing other works. While Coleridge's poem draws on literary and cultural references to enrich its symbolism, the "Humility" music video incorporates nods to pop culture and art history, creating a multilayered visual narrative that invites viewers to engage with various cultural contexts. Literally the coolest thing ever. Love these guys, love music, etc etc so cool.
Soooooooo what overall am I trying to argue and help you see??
Literature is cool and music, music videos, etc are all soooooo connected with underlying themes and clear artistic decisions that lead to specific outcomes are all on purposeeee
While Romantic poetry such as Coleridge's "Kubla Khan" is full of very distinguished and specific characteristic compared to Postmodern lit, it can still be seen through a postmodern lens and compared to said more recent literature.
The end!!!!!
Here's the cutesy little cool Gorillaz music video for "Humility"
Give it a listen if you have a sec it's super cool and the band as a whole is also just crazy and cool!!! 😎
Love them so much, super cool guys!!!!!
