matilda_munchkin
4th Period
Final Exam
Introduction
"Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory blends medieval chivalric ideals & quest narratives with postmodern literary elements. While rooted in the traditions of heroism & honor, the story also intertwines characteristics that blend reality & fiction into one. The narrative of the story is complex, yet also simple. It’s deep enough for someone to dive into & also shallow enough for a toddler to walk through, allowing you to make your own connections & interpretations.
Summary of Element One - Black Humor
Links to Postmodernism in Your Literary Tradition Text
"Le Morte d'Arthur" primarily focuses on the chivalric adventures of King Arthur & his knights, & while it is not typically considered a work of black humor, there are instances of dark or ironic humor throughout the text. One example can be found in the tale of Sir Balin & Sir Balan, two brothers who unknowingly kill each other in combat. Despite their tragic fate, there's a darkly humorous irony in the fact that they were fighting against each other, highlighting the absurdity of their situation. Additionally, the character of Sir Gawain, often portrayed as noble & virtuous, displays moments of flawed humanity that can be interpreted with a touch of black humor. For instance, his impulsiveness or moments of moral ambiguity can be seen as both tragic & darkly humorous, adding depth & complexity to his character. As Malory writes, "Then Sir Balan smote him again with that spear, and right through the body he smote Sir Balin, and he him..." This scene, while tragic, embodies a darkly ironic twist that characterizes moments of black humor within the text, offering a nuanced exploration of the human condition.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)
Carlos Greaves, "Sure, the Velociraptors Are Still on the Loose, but That’s No Reason Not to Reopen Jurassic Park"
"Sure, the Velociraptors Are Still on the Loose, but That’s No Reason Not to Reopen Jurassic Park" by Carlos Greaves is a satirical piece that employs black humor to critique societal absurdities & the reckless pursuit of profit over safety. The title itself sets the tone for the darkly comedic nature of the article, juxtaposing the dangerous situation of velociraptors on the loose with the absurd decision to reopen the theme park. Throughout the article, Greaves uses hyperbole & irony to highlight the ridiculousness of the characters' actions, such as dismissing safety concerns in favor of financial gain. For example, when discussing the potential risks of reopening the park, the article humorously suggests, "The odds of any of our visitors getting eaten by dinosaurs are very low—much lower than they would be if we didn’t have any dinosaurs at all." This absurd logic, combined with the life-threatening situation of velociraptors roaming freely, creates a sense of dark humor that serves to critique corporate greed & shortsightedness. Overall, Greaves employs black humor in "Sure, the Velociraptors Are Still on the Loose, but That’s No Reason Not to Reopen Jurassic Park" to satirize societal attitudes towards profit & safety, highlighting the absurdity of prioritizing financial gain over human lives.
My Take - "Le Morte d'Arthur" showcases black humor through instances like the tragic fate of Sir Balin & Sir Balan, who unknowingly kill each other during a battle, showcasing the stupidity of their endings. Similarly, "Sure, the Velociraptors Are Still on the Loose, but That’s No Reason Not to Reopen Jurassic Park" by Carlos Greaves utilizes black humor to show the goal of money over safety, as characters desire to pursue greed over life.
Summary of Element Two - Minimalism v. Maximalism
Links to Postmodernism in Your Literary Tradition Text
In "Le Morte d'Arthur," Sir Thomas Malory employs both minimalist & maximalist elements to depict the Arthurian legend. Through this story, Malory captures the essence of the narrative, as seen in the succinct description of Arthur's coronation: "Then Merlin lodged King Arthur and the Queen Guenever at Almesbury, and himselfe as great an host as ten Knights, and so the King established all his knights and lords, and gave them that were come from Rome lands that were fallen vacant." This minimalist style allows for a direct & clear presentation of events, emphasizing the pivotal moments of the story. However, in the simplicity of the story lies a richness of themes & symbols, exemplified by Arthur's reflections on the nature of kingship: "The King then made Gawaine knight, but many menne said it was great pittie that he was not made knight at the Round Table." Here, the narrative expands beyond the immediate action to explore complex questions of honor & duty, demonstrating the maximalist ambition of the text. Thus, "Le Morte d'Arthur'' navigates the tension between minimalism & maximalism, creating a narrative that is both accessible & profound in its portrayal of the Arthurian legend.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)
E.E. Cummings - "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]”
In E.E. Cummings's song "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)]," minimalist & maximalist elements converge to craft the exploration of love & connection. Through a minimalist verse structure & concise language, Cummings captures the essence of devotion & intimacy with clarity. Each line is packed with emotions, purifying complex emotions into simple, yet powerful phrases. However, amidst the poem's minimalist facade, a maximalist richness of meaning & interpretation emerges. Cumming's layered imagery & experimental order of which the song is written invites readers to dive deeper into the complexities of human relationships, exploring themes of unity, transcendence, & interconnectedness. As Cummings eloquently sings, "here is the deepest secret nobody knows / (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud)," the song encapsulates the profound depth & complexity of love, resonating with readers on both intuitive & intellectual levels.
My Take - Both "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)]" by E.E. Cummings & "Le Morte d'Arthur" by Sir Thomas Malory exhibit a postmodern display of minimalism & maximalism. While Cummings's poem achieves emotional resonance through minimalist verse structure & detailed imagery, Malory's epic poem paints a maximalist picture full of narrative complexity & thematic depth within its concise story, demonstrating how both texts navigate the tension between simplicity & complexity in their portrayal of human experiences & emotions.
Summary of Element Three - Metafiction/Poioumena
Your Literary Tradition Text
In "Le Morte d'Arthur," Sir Thomas Malory introduces metafictional elements that contribute to the text's postmodern quality. Through a writer's device where Malory presents himself as a translator in the story rather than an original author, the story is presented with a self-aware framework, blurring the lines between fiction and reality. Additionally, characters within the narrative display a keen self-awareness of their roles & the ideals of which they are meant to embody, reflecting on the nature of chivalry & their obedience to it. This metafictional approach adds layers of complexity to the narrative, inviting readers to reflect on the act of storytelling itself & its implications for myth, history, & identity. As Sir Gawain contemplates his duty, he muses, "I repent me sore that ever I trespassed against my lord Arthur for an oath's sake, but it was the first oath that ever I swore to him, and that I might not do as I had sworn I shall repent it as long as I live." Thus, "Le Morte d'Arthur" exceeds traditional storytelling norms, engaging with the postmodern themes of self-reflexivity & narrative uncertainty.
Links to Postmodern Media Source(s)
Gorillaz, “Humility”
In the music video "Humility" by Gorillaz, metafictional elements are prominently featured, enhancing its postmodern quality. Through the animated band's self-representation within the narrative, viewers are invited to question the authenticity of their personas, blurring the distinction between fiction & reality. This self-awareness is further emphasized by the band's interaction with real-world settings, such as skating through Venice Beach, creating a surreal juxtaposition that highlights the artificiality of their existence within the narrative. Additionally, the video's thematic exploration of humility serves as a meta-commentary on the band's own fame & celebrity status, prompting viewers to reflect on the constructed nature of celebrity culture & the role of the artist in contemporary society. Thus, "Humility" embodies metafictional elements that contribute to its postmodern aesthetic, inviting viewers to engage with questions of identity, authenticity, & the nature of celebrity in the digital age.
My Take - Both the music video "Humility" by Gorillaz & "Le Morte d'Arthur" exhibit the postmodern element of metafiction/poioumena through their self-awareness of narrative construction. While Gorillaz play with their animated personas within a real-world setting, connecting the worlds of fiction & reality, Malory's text engages in self-reflection through its narrative framing & characters' inner-selves, challenging traditional notions of authorship & storytelling.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the examination of "Le Morte d'Arthur," E.E. Cummings's song "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)]," the music video "Humility" by Gorillaz, & Carlos Greaves's satirical article "Sure, the Velociraptors Are Still on the Loose, but That’s No Reason Not to Reopen Jurassic Park" reveals a dynamic interconnection of postmodern elements across different sources. Each source navigates themes of self-awareness, narrative uncertainty, & the questioning of established norms; it’s showcasing how these postmodern characteristics transcend traditional boundaries of storytelling. Whether through the medieval setting of Arthurian legend, the minimalist verses of song lyrics, the animated world of music videos, or the satirical commentary of modern-day articles, these sources collectively engage with the complexities of human experience & invite audiences to reflect on the fluidity of truth, identity, & meaning in the postmodern era. Therefore, while diverse in form & content, these sources connect to exemplify the everlasting life of postmodernism in contemporary literature & culture.
Works Cited
INTERNAL SOURCE:
Clint’s Reptiles. “Which RAPTOR is Actually in Jurassic Park? (Hint: IT’S NOT VELOCIRAPTOR).” YouTube, 21 Aug. 2024, youtu.be/LYth9k0KFzg?si=LyCyMaIaTb4lWu8O. Accessed 10 May 2024.
SONG:
Cummings, E.E. "[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in)]." Poetry Foundation, www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49493/i-carry-your-heart-with-me-i-carry-it-in. Accessed 10 May 2024.
GIF:
Fuzzyghost. "leave the future behind." Giphy, media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExOTZiN3Y1Z3A2Z3oycGZrdDFxOXgyZXMzejBjazRzaXl4ZzF5b243ciZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/1eEDRSVEeBqZLGDUea/giphy.gif. Accessed 10 May 2024.
MUSIC VIDEO:
Gorillaz. “Gorillaz - Humility (Official Video).” YouTube, 31 May 2018, www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5yFcdPAGv0. Accessed 05 May 2024.
ARTICLE:
Greaves, Carlos. “Sure, The Velociraptors Are Still on The Loose, But That’s No Reason Not to Reopen Jurassic Park.” McSweeney’s Internet Tendency: Daily Humor Almost Every Day Since 1998. McSweeney’s Publishing LLC, 6 May 2020, www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/sure-the-velociraptors-are-still-on-the-loose-but-thats-no-reason-not-toreopen-jurassic-park. Accessed 10 May 2024.
LITERARY TRADITION TEXT:
Malory, Thomas. "Le Morte d'Arthur." Edited by Janet Cowen, Oxford University Press, 2008. Accessed 09 May 2024.
IMAGE:
Studio Bowes Art. "Le Morte d'Arthur - Illustrator: William Russell Flint." Studio Bowes Art, 6 Nov. 2013, studiobowesart.blogspot.com/2013/11/le-morte-darthur-illustrator-william.html. Accessed 10 May 2024.