Barbara Pym Criticism
Barbara Pym, an English novelist celebrated for her wry comedies of manners, remains a pivotal figure in literary discussions for her keen observations of mid-20th century British society. Often considered underrated, Pym's novels from the 1950s have experienced a renaissance, gaining recognition for their subtle yet profound narrative style, which deftly captures the nuances of everyday life. Her mastery of the comedy of manners, interwoven with tragic undertones, is evident in works such as Excellent Women and Quartet in Autumn. Critics like John Updike underscore her unpretentious profundity, while Laura L. Doan highlights her focus on the lives of spinsters navigating their worlds with self-awareness.
Pym's narratives frequently delve into themes of loneliness, resilience, and the social dynamics within quaint, Anglican settings. Her portrayal of "excellent women" who engage in everyday rituals to impose order on their lives, as noted by Eleanor B. Wymard, offers a unique lens on societal roles. The revival of interest in Pym's work was partly due to the advocacy of poet Philip Larkin and biographer Lord David Cecil in 1977, leading to the publication of Quartet in Autumn and The Sweet Dove Died. This renewed attention is further explored by Philip Larkin and Susannah Clapp.
Her later works, such as A Few Green Leaves, reflect a darker tone, examining themes like late-life loneliness and the aging process, earning praise in Narrow, Splendid Work. Critics like Margaret C. Bradham dismiss superficial comparisons to Austen, emphasizing Pym’s unique portrayal of her female characters. Her work is also reevaluated for its modernist elements, as discussed by Margaret Diane Stetz, highlighting Pym's enduring influence on literature.
Though her scope may seem modest, Pym's writing offers a comforting vision of life, as noted by Francis King. Her literary style, often compared to Jane Austen, uses calculated simplicity and ironic control to explore themes of feminism and humor, as examined by Karl Miller and Jeremy Treglown. Pym’s distinct tragicomic humor and insightful social commentary provide a rich exploration of human relationships, solidifying her legacy in the literary canon.
Contents
- Principal Works
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Pym, Barbara (Vol. 111)
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Lem and Pym
(summary)
In the following excerpt, Updike comments on Pym's writing career and offers a favorable assessment of Excellent Women and Quartet in Autumn.
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Narrow, Splendid Work
(summary)
In the following review, Phillips praises the posthumous publication of A Few Green Leaves.
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Out of the Swim with Barbara Pym
(summary)
In the following essay, Kapp provides an overview of the major themes and characters in Pym's novels, noting the "sheer spinal firmness and imperturbable detachment that puts her into the rank of first-rate novelists."
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Some Tame Gazelle
(summary)
In the following review, Kakutani offers praise for Some Tame Gazelle.
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Characters in Search of Order and Ceremony: Secular Faith of Barbara Pym
(summary)
In the following essay, Wymard considers commonplace gatherings and planned activities in Pym's novels as attempts to impose order on chaos and to alleviate loneliness of modern life.
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A Very Private Eye: An Autobiography in Diaries and Letters
(summary)
In the following review, Long praises the posthumous publication of A Very Private Eye. According to Long, the volume of autobiographic writings 'testifies to Pym's modest yet potent spell.'
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The Language of Christianity in Pym's Novels
(summary)
In the following essay, Benet examines Pym's treatment of the Christian church and religious sentiment in A Few Green Leaves and several earlier novels. As Benet notes, Pym's concern over "devitalized religious words, outmoded devotional forms, and a clergy whose ability to communicate the faith is almost entirely inadequate" are recurring themes in her fiction.
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Spinsters, Non-Spinsters, and Men in the World of Barbara Pym
(summary)
In the following essay, Sadler considers Pym's depiction of unmarried women and male characters in her novels. "In the Pym world," Sadler concludes, "bores and boors can be male and female, and men can out-spinster spinsters."
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Quartet in Autumn: New Light on Barbara Pym as a Modernist
(summary)
In the following essay, Stetz challenges conventional comparisons between Pym and Jane Austen, noting modernist themes in Quartet in Autumn that bear resemblance to the writing of Virginia Woolf instead.
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'For the Ovaltine Had Loosened Her Tongue': Failures of Speech in Barbara Pym's Less Than Angels
(summary)
In the following essay, Rubenstein examines the difficulties of self-expression and interpersonal communication among male and female characters in Pym's novels as a source of humor and pathos.
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The Sweet Dove Died: The Sexual Politics of Narcissism
(summary)
In the following essay, Cooley contends that The Sweet Dove Died is among Pym's most effective literary creations. According to Cooley, "The book is a triumph of artistic consistency and economy, yet it is the coldest and most unforgiving of Barbara Pym's novels."
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Barbara Pym's Women
(summary)
In the following essay, Bradham reevaluates Pym's portrayal of unmarried women, dismissing superficial comparison to the work of Jane Austen and association with feminist literature. Bradham examines the "condition, thoughts, desires, and emotions" of Pym's female protagonists as they reflect the author's attitudes and interests.
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A Few Words about Barbara Pym
(summary)
In the following essay, Moseley provides a critical overview of Pym's fiction through discussion of her recurring preoccupation with unmarried women, the Anglican church, English literature, anthropology, and weak men.
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Pym's Singular Interest: The Self as Spinster
(summary)
In the following essay, Doan examines Pym's portrayal of unmarried women as a reflection of the author's personal struggle to reconcile her own feelings about marriage and sexuality. Doan describes Pym's version of spinsterhood as "an alternative life-style which offers women an active role in society and allows them the opportunity to examine others critically."
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Barbara Pym and Romantic Love
(summary)
In the following essay, Kennard considers comparisons between Pym and Jane Austen, concluding that, unlike Austen, Pym subverts the traditional romance plot by focusing on older, unmarried female characters who take pleasure in the mundane realities of ordinary life.
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Lem and Pym
(summary)
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Pym, Barbara (Vol. 13)
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Austen Mini?
(summary)
In the following essay, A. L. Rowse argues that Barbara Pym's subtle and precise writing mirrors the social realism of Jane Austen, capturing the transition of post-war British society with an understated comedic elegance, despite the societal deliquescence she portrays.
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Tom Paulin
(summary)
In the following essay, Tom Paulin argues that Barbara Pym's novel Quartet in Autumn is a poignant reflection on the decline of English society through its depiction of the bleak yet humorous lives of aging characters, using a style that evokes nostalgia and critiques societal norms.
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Jeremy Treglown
(summary)
In the following essay, Jeremy Treglown critiques Barbara Pym's novel The Sweet Dove Died for its calculated simplicity and ironic control, suggesting that while it achieves pathos through limited expectations, its claims may be overstated when compared to the works of Jane Austen and Elizabeth Bowen.
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Karl Miller
(summary)
In the following essay, Karl Miller discusses Barbara Pym's literary style, comparing her to Jane Austen and noting her unromantic yet romantic depiction of unnoticed "excellent women," while highlighting the themes of feminism, religion, and humor in Pym's novels.
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The Best High Comedy
(summary)
In the following essay, Victoria Glendinning explores the irony in Barbara Pym's portrayal of "excellent women" as emotionally deprived yet observant individuals, examining how Pym's subtle humor and focus on "the experience of not having" contribute to her unique artistic vision.
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Austen Mini?
(summary)
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Pym, Barbara (Vol. 19)
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The World of Barbara Pym
(summary)
In the following essay, Philip Larkin explores the nuanced portrayal of ordinary lives in Barbara Pym's novels, highlighting themes of understated social interactions, everyday love, and the persistent undercurrent of loneliness, all conveyed with a blend of comedy and emotional depth that transcends typical "women's books."
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Genteel Reminders
(summary)
In the following essay, Susannah Clapp analyzes how Barbara Pym's novel The Sweet Dove Died uses "elderly," "Anglican," and "delightful" themes to craft a distinctive narrative style, where characters navigate quaint settings with a critical awareness of their own social patterns and generalizations.
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Tea and Titillation in the Rectory
(summary)
In the following essay, Cynthia Propper Seton examines Barbara Pym's A Glass of Blessings, arguing that its understated irony and gentle exploration of ordinary characters and ethical values provide a poignant contrast to modern narratives focused on sensationalism and social issues.
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High Comedy—Deftly Hidden
(summary)
In the following essay, Henrietta Buckmaster explores how Barbara Pym, in "A Glass of Blessings," masterfully unveils the nuances of seemingly mundane lives through subtle, yet profound, observations and insights, emphasizing Pym's ability to depict human kindness and emotional complexity without overt judgment or psychological analysis.
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Grave Comedy
(summary)
In the following essay, Peter Kemp explores the themes of loneliness and resilience in Barbara Pym's A Few Green Leaves, highlighting the author's focus on the intellectual versus emotional challenges faced by single women and her ability to infuse humor and irony into the depiction of their lives.
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Thinking of Being Them
(summary)
In the following essay, A. N. Wilson argues that Barbara Pym's novel "A Few Green Leaves" offers a blend of her early and late stylistic traits, capturing the ordinary lives of realistic characters with such detailed observation that their seemingly mundane experiences gain unexpected significance, making it a noteworthy, albeit not "great," work of fiction.
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Fairly Excellent Woman
(summary)
In the following essay, Francis King argues that while Barbara Pym was a talented novelist with a mastery of wit and character, her literary scope was modest and her works, epitomized by A Few Green Leaves, reflect a comforting and unchallenging vision of life.
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A Secret Richness
(summary)
In the following essay, Penelope Fitzgerald argues that Barbara Pym's novels, despite their comic veneer, explore profound conflicts such as aging, individuality, and gender relations, while highlighting the romantic imagination and unflinching observation of human flaws, all within a consistent thematic texture of 'pain, amusement, surprise, and resignation.'
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The World of Barbara Pym
(summary)
- Further Reading