Final Exam Blogpost
The Rime of The Ancient Mariner By Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Impact of Postmodern qualities
Introduction
Coleridge’s The Rime of the Ancient Mariner seeks to warn against defying the natural order, and how excessive pride leads only to detrimental failure. While this piece technically was published in the Romantic Literary Tradition, some aspects of the Postmodern literary tradition are reflected in Coleridge’s epic poem.
Summary of Element #1- Fractured Narration:
Literary Tradition Text
In Rime of the Ancient Mariner, The Mariner is portrayed as an unreliable narrator. The entire premise of telling his tale is to pay penance for a mistake he committed (killing the albatross). He is characterized as frantic and desperate, and the wedding guests clearly pity him. In part 1, the author describes him as a “ grey-beard loon” (Coleridge 1) and includes his “glittering eye” (Coleridge 1). His story also entails rapidly shifting settings (the wedding, at sea, in a mysterious ocean, etc). The tale begins when, “The Wedding-Guest sat on a stone:
He cannot choose but hear;” (Coleridge 1), and ends when the Mariner exclaims, “
Farewell, farewell! but this I tell To thee, thou Wedding-Guest!” (Coleridge 7). This constant transition of narration of setting enhances the subjectivity of the story and its message.
Postmodern Source
Cumming’s poem ““[i carry your heart with me(i carry it in]” depicts him as an unreliable narrator, as he is portrayed throughout as frantic and desperate.
The author’s lack of credibility causes a lack of meaning in the story, or at least prevents the reader from finding one. It also leaves the piece up for vast interpretation, as there’s no absolute meaning, and no certain way to know exactly what the author’s message is. His informal language and scattered structure dissipates the message and meaning of the story.
My Take
In both Rime of the Ancient Mariner and i carry your heart with me (i carry it in), the focal point of the text is the narrator’s internal conflict. This depiction of the vulnerable narration “muddies the waters” (Leach 1) of the stories, and leaves the message up to open interpretation.
Summary of Element #2- World Building
Literary Tradition Text
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner develops a unique setting, with its own geology, races, and history. The author incorporates many fictional entities into the world to enforce the magical background of the text. For instance, when the Mariner embarks on his journey, he details the, “ Sun came up upon the left, Out of the sea came he!” (Coleridge 1). However, following the execution of the cursed Albatross, the, “The Sun now rose upon the right: Out of the sea came he,” (Coleridge 2). The personification of the Sun, along with its different path, suggests the world’s unforgiving nature, and hence foreshadows the Mariner’s fate.
Postmodern Source
The producers of the visual interpretation of Gorillaz ““Humility” willingly chose Venice Beach not just for its convenience, but also to convey relaxation, and beauty in the simple things. They make the setting a main focal point of the production in order to draw the reader away from worry and find comfort in the simple beauty of the film. It instills a sense of contentment in the viewer, delivering the author’s message that isolation can be peaceful. It suggests that an occasional escape from the complexities of everyday life can be therapeutic, and calls the audience to grant attention to enjoyment and pleasure.
My Take
No matter the time period, authors and artists devote great focus towards the setting, as it typically serves as a greater reflection of the underlying message and purpose for the piece. Rime of the Ancient Mariner and “Humility” exemplify these tendencies, as their unique worlds and natural settings play a major role in what the audience gains from the production.
Summary of Element #3- Magical Realism
Literary Tradition Text
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner infuses a blend of realistic events with supernatural figures. The preface of the story is held at an ordinary wedding, however the “glittering eye” (Coleridge 1) suggests an uncomfortable presence of magical elements. The Mariner sets off on his voyage with no prior knowledge of the supernatural (his understanding of reality is parallel to the audience at this time). However, following the killing of the Albatross, the Mariner and his crew experience peculiar events like, “The Night-mare LIFE-IN-DEATH” (Coleridge 3) and, “ slimy things did crawl with legs Upon the slimy sea.” (Coleridge 2). This deliberate mixing of real and mythical elements help Coleridge’s general audience easily accept his message, that reckless actions have intense consequences.
Postmodern Source
Gorillaz “Humility” also includes an unconventional blending of real and fictional aspects. Throughout the video, the animated skater is on screen with a live action Jack Black, singing the same song. This interesting hybrid conveys the skater (a.k.a the main singer and author)’s isolation from society and his contentment with it. He is contrasted with an otherwise live-action and realistic background, making him stand out.
My Take
In both literary pieces, the thoughtful incorporation of both fake and real elements builds to the digestibility of the theme. It elaborates the author’s message, and provides a variety of methods for the reader/viewer to understand it.
Conclusion
While The Rime of the Ancient Mariner was written over 200 years ago, modern writers are still inspired by his unconventional methods and tendencies. Coleridge incorporates elaborate setting development, blends of realities, and vulnerable narration in order to more aptly convey his message (stated in intro) to the audience.
Works Cited
Coleridge, Samuel. “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner”. Lyrical Ballads, J. & A. Arch, 1798.
www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/43997/the-rime-of-the-ancient-mariner-text-of-183
Storied. “Why Magical Realism is a Global Phenomenon | It's Lit”. Youtube, uploaded by Storied, March 31 2022.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=scgn2BCcht4Edvard Munch. “The Scream”. Google Arts and Culture, 1893.
artsandculture.google.com/story/GAXBIaRk5NhmoQ
Traci, Watson. “Venomous Snakes Ride Ocean Currents Around the World”. National Geographic, 2016.
www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/venomous-sea-snakes-travel-oceans-miles