A Dance to the Music of Time

by Anthony Powell

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Critical Essays

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Critical Overview

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...

(This entire section contains 1077 words.)

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interactions with figures like the composer Hugh Moreland, mark significant personal milestones. The narrative threads from these novels present a picture of complexity within marriages and relationships, underscoring the theme of personal evolution amidst societal change.

The narrative of this movement also interweaves broader historical themes, with events like the looming war casting a shadow over the characters’ lives. Widmerpool continues his rise, while others like Stringham face personal decline, illustrating the varied paths through life’s dance. The specter of the war looms large, culminating in the outbreak of hostilities that reshape the social and personal landscapes.

Third Movement: The War Years

The third movement, consisting of The Valley of Bones, The Soldier’s Art, and The Military Philosophers, focuses on the transformative impact of World War II. Here, Jenkins’ experiences in the military service mirror those of Powell, with characters facing the upheaval brought by war. This period acts as a fulcrum in the series, bridging the worlds before and after the conflict.

The war novels explore themes of duty, loyalty, and personal sacrifice, offering a vivid portrayal of the English at war. Jenkins’ encounters with fellow officers and enlisted men enrich the narrative, adding depth to the portrayal of British society across class lines. Characters like Widmerpool adapt and manipulate circumstances, while others fall victim to the war’s brutal realities. The loss of familiar figures like Stringham and Templer symbolizes the end of an era, setting the stage for the postwar world.

Fourth Movement: Postwar and Reflection

The final movement, captured in Books Do Furnish a Room, Temporary Kings, and Hearing Secret Harmonies, navigates the postwar era and the shifting cultural landscape. As Jenkins returns to civilian life, the narrative explores themes of literary ambition, social change, and the enduring impact of the past. Characters like J. G. Quiggin and the enigmatic X Trapnel exemplify the postwar literary scene, while new figures like Scorpio Murtlock introduce elements of the counterculture.

The societal changes of the 1960s are embodied in the final volume, where Jenkins reflects on the cycle of life and the subtle harmonies that underpin human experience. The reappearance of Widmerpool, now a champion of the counterculture, highlights the transformative nature of time and society. Jenkins’ recollections bring the narrative full circle, echoing the themes of cyclical continuity introduced at the series’ outset.

A Lasting Legacy

Powell’s A Dance to the Music of Time is distinguished not only by its scope and ambition but also by its deep character studies and the intricate interplay of personal and historical narratives. Through Jenkins’ observations, Powell captures the essence of human experience, illustrating how individuals navigate the complexities of life with humor and grace. This work is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, where the dance of time continues to resonate with readers long after the final page is turned.

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