Analysis
Caroline Gordon stands as a fascinating figure in the realm of American literature, a modernist in style but an ardent advocate for antimodern themes. Her works frequently explore the spiritual and ethical decay she perceives in contemporary society, juxtaposing this with an idealized agrarian past. Through her stories, she seeks to revive interest in Southern values, portraying characters that embody a love for nature and community heritage.
Exploring Gordon's Modernist Yet Antimodern Style
Caroline Gordon’s literary style, while modernist in its technical execution, is deeply rooted in themes that critique the spiritual and ethical decay of the modern industrial age. Much like Willa Cather, Gordon criticizes the materialism of the contemporary era, idealizing a return to agrarian humanistic values. For Gordon, the South serves as the backdrop in her narratives, contrasting with Cather’s frontier settings, where nature’s influence on human morality is examined. Her work aligns closely with the Southern Renaissance movement, a cultural revival initiated around 1920, which sought to dispel the romanticized portrayals of the South while upholding its agrarian traditions and values.
The Southern Renaissance's Influence
The Southern Renaissance was a pivotal movement in American literature, where writers aimed to revitalize interest in Southern life and culture, moving away from exaggerated romanticism. Gordon’s heroes often epitomize Southern agrarian ideals, portraying self-reliant individuals with deep familial and communal ties. Her characters demonstrate a profound connection to the land, symbolic of higher spiritual qualities and ethical values. The Southern Renaissance sought to present the South as a repository of humanistic values, offering an antidote to the dehumanizing effects of modern industrialization, themes that Gordon deftly weaves into her fiction.
Depiction of Sportsman Heroes
Gordon frequently employs the archetype of the sportsman hero in her fiction, individuals whose passion for nature ingrains in them a deep appreciation for aesthetic and spiritual values. Through their interactions with nature, these characters are often juxtaposed against those driven by material greed, highlighting moral lessons of courage, compassion, and sacrifice. Her sportsman heroes find fulfillment and ethical insight through nature, contrasting sharply with characters who see nature merely as a means to personal gain.
"The Last Day in the Field"
In "The Last Day in the Field," Aleck Maury serves as a quintessential sportsman hero. The narrative captures a poignant moment as Aleck, once a vigorous sportsman, acknowledges his old age and looming mortality. Despite his wife Molly’s concerns over his health, Aleck seizes one last opportunity to hunt with Joe Thomas, engaging in a reflective and ritualistic pursuit of quail. The story is not driven by complex plot twists but by its evocative mood and imagery, such as the contrasting cycles of nature and the juxtaposition of Aleck’s age with Joe’s youth, capturing Aleck’s final embrace of nature’s beauty and meaning.
"One Against Thebes"
Gordon’s story "One Against Thebes" exemplifies her romantic sensibilities, reminiscent of Keats’s emphasis on imagination over reality. The tale explores themes of innocence and moral courage in contrast to worldly corruption, using the imagery of serpents to symbolize the omnipresence of evil. A small girl’s journey through a dusty road becomes a metaphor for her encounter with greed, exploitation, and loneliness, culminating in an act of kindness that contrasts with the pervasive evil she observes. Her imagination and empathy offer a glimmer of hope and a vision of a better world, while reality remains fraught with challenges.
"The Ice House"
"The Ice House" is one of Gordon’s undervalued stories, foregrounding Southern themes and humanistic values. Set shortly after the Civil War, the story revolves around two young Southern boys and a Yankee contractor dredging up the bodies of Union...
(This entire section contains 1411 words.)
Unlock this Study Guide Now
Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in here.
soldiers for profit. The narrative juxtaposes materialism against humanism, with Doug embodying capitalist opportunism, while Raeburn represents deeper moral sensitivity. The story reveals the stark contrast between exploiters and true believers, emphasizing the enduring conflict between material greed and higher ethical ideals, resonating with Gordon’s broader literary aims.
Fictional Theories and Influences
Caroline Gordon’s literary theories and influences are documented in her lectures and anthologies, where she integrates ideas from classical and modern literary titans. Her approach blends Aristotelian concepts with modernist techniques, focusing on the hero’s struggle against evil to allow good to flourish. Her heroes, from "Penhally" to "The Glory of Hera," are depicted as individuals committed to overcoming monumental challenges, adhering to her understanding of action as central to the hero’s journey.
"Penhally"
Gordon’s debut novel, "Penhally," explores themes of land exploitation versus agrarian stewardship. Set in a Tennessee plantation, the narrative centers on familial conflict over the land’s use. Nicholas Llewellyn, viewing the plantation as a commodity, clashes with his brother Chance, who cherishes the land’s heritage. The moral and physical conflict culminates in tragedy, underscoring the theme of land misuse and its ethical implications.
"Aleck Maury, Sportsman"
Distinct from her other novels, "Aleck Maury, Sportsman" is a first-person narrative where Aleck recounts his escapades, drawing parallels with Siegfried Sassoon’s "The Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man." The novel humorously portrays Aleck’s attempts to evade responsibilities to pursue his passion for sports, highlighting his triumph over societal and familial duties for personal fulfillment in nature’s embrace. This work stands out as a comic exploration of duty versus personal joy.
"None Shall Look Back"
"None Shall Look Back" offers a tragic perspective, rooted in Civil War settings, with historical figures like Nathan Bedford Forrest illustrating moral fortitude. Through characters like Rives Allard and his wife Lucy, Gordon explores themes of sacrifice and doomed causes, capturing the essence of the Southern struggle without delving into the moral complications of slavery. The novel evokes the profound sacrifice and dedication amidst the backdrop of inevitable defeat.
"The Garden of Adonis"
In "The Garden of Adonis," Gordon intertwines mythological elements from Frazer’s "The Golden Bough" with the narrative of Ben Allard, whose death symbolizes the clash between commercial interests and timeless values. The story critiques the materialism that threatens agrarian integrity, using mythological references to elevate Allard as a symbol of enduring values against societal decay.
"Green Centuries"
Set against the historical backdrop of colonial expansion, "Green Centuries" portrays the heroic struggles of Rion Outlaw and Dragging Canoe. The novel emphasizes the tragic dignity of their quests, whether pioneering westward or defending native lands. Gordon’s portrayal is sympathetic to both, focusing on their shared heroic virtues rather than historical allegiances.
"The Women on the Porch"
Returning to contemporary settings, "The Women on the Porch" deals with themes of modern disillusionment. Jim Chapman’s journey from moral paralysis to action represents a small yet significant personal triumph. The narrative reflects Gordon’s shift towards exploring individual reconciliation with heritage and personal truths, set against the broader backdrop of societal malaise.
Religious Conversion and Subsequent Works
Following her conversion to Catholicism, Gordon’s novels, including "The Strange Children" and "The Malefactors," delve into spiritual themes, juxtaposing secular and divine moral actions. Her protagonists grapple with existential crises, gradually discovering religious faith as a path to overcoming inner turmoil and achieving good in the world. These works reflect Gordon’s deepening exploration of spiritual redemption and moral complexity.
"The Strange Children"
"The Strange Children" revolves around Lucy Lewis and the moral and spiritual dilemmas faced by her family and their guests. Through interactions and crises, Gordon examines the barrenness of a life devoid of faith, ultimately suggesting the possibility of redemption and understanding through religious awakening.
"The Malefactors"
In "The Malefactors," Thomas Claiborne’s journey mirrors Gordon’s thematic exploration of faith and morality. Claiborne’s moral paralysis and ensuing spiritual awakening through encounters with Catholic figures illuminate his path towards potential redemption, highlighting Gordon’s nuanced portrayal of faith as a transformative force.
"The Glory of Hera"
"The Glory of Hera" retells the labors of Heracles, drawing parallels with Christ-like virtues. Heracles emerges as a precursor to Christian heroism, embodying heroic qualities that align with Gordon’s religious convictions. The novel pays homage to her love for Greek mythology while reflecting her spiritual and moral ideals.
Caroline Gordon’s literary legacy is marked by her commitment to exploring themes of moral integrity, heroism, and spiritual redemption. Despite shifting literary landscapes, her works demonstrate an unwavering belief in the possibility of human redemption through heroic action and adherence to timeless values. Her fiction continues to invite readers into a world where past and present intertwine, offering profound insights into the human condition.
