Anthony Powell's A Dance to the Music of Time stands out as a monumental achievement in English literature, weaving together an intricate tapestry of characters over a twelve-volume narrative. This work is a roman-fleuve, a genre known for its expansive series of novels that collectively form a unified story. Through the eyes of the narrator Nicholas Jenkins, Powell offers a comic yet poignant exploration of life's complexities, rendered with a deft touch that distinguishes this sequence from other literary works of similar scope.

The Roman-fleuve Tradition

A roman-fleuve is a literary form that allows for extensive development of character and theme over multiple volumes. Other notable examples in English literature include C. P. Snow’s Strangers and Brothers and Henry Williamson’s A Chronicle of Ancient Sunlight. On the French literary scene, this tradition includes Romain Rolland's Jean Christophe and Marcel Proust’s Remembrance of Things Past. Powell’s work, though distinctly English with its array of eccentric characters and social settings, is a part of this tradition, with Jenkins narrating the story with a keen eye for life's ironies and absurdities.

Structure and Style

The length and breadth of the roman-fleuve provide a canvas for Powell to depict the complexity of life. Unlike stylized or experimental narratives, Powell’s work is filtered through Jenkins’ unique perspective, which often highlights the comedic aspects of human existence. Characters experience failed marriages, business downfalls, and various personal crises, yet these are depicted with a comedic lens due to Jenkins’ narrative style. Featuring a cast that appears and reappears throughout the series, Powell draws inspiration from both Dickens’s population of eccentrics and the interconnected social circles of the time.

Symbolism and Setting

The series takes its title from Nicolas Poussin’s painting, which Jenkins recalls while observing a scene early in the first novel. This image, depicting the seasons moving hand in hand to the music of time, encapsulates the essence of the narrative's structure. The novels explore the rhythm of life and the cyclical reappearance of characters, reflecting the interconnectedness of society and the inevitability of change. Jenkins’ world, rooted in the upper-middle-class, aristocratic, and artistic circles, is a microcosm where these themes unfold.

First Movement: Youth and Initiation

The sequence begins with Jenkins’ progression from youth to adulthood in three novels: A Question of Upbringing, A Buyer’s Market, and The Acceptance World. Jenkins transitions from an English public school to university life and into the complexities of adult relationships and professional life. Characters from these early days, notably the disagreeable Kenneth Widmerpool and the enigmatic Charles Stringham, remain central throughout the series. Jenkins’ narrative provides insight into the literary and social milieu of the time, drawing connections to classic writings, poetry, and hymns.

A Question of Upbringing sets the stage with Jenkins recalling his school days, marking the entry of pivotal characters like Widmerpool. These formative experiences are pivotal as they set the tone for future interactions and developments. In A Buyer’s Market, Jenkins navigates the social landscape of post-graduation London, with comic episodes that highlight the nuances of upper-class society, while The Acceptance World sees Jenkins solidify his place within the professional and emotional worlds he inhabits. The first movement ends with the characters firmly embedded in the "acceptance world," where life's transactions are both literal and metaphorical.

Second Movement: Complexity and Consequences

The novels At Lady Molly’s, Casanova’s Chinese Restaurant, and The Kindly Ones deepen the exploration of relationships and personal growth as Jenkins and his friends navigate the years leading up to World War II. Jenkins’ engagement and eventual marriage to Isobel Tolland, alongside his...