Norman Mailer emerged as a colossal figure in American literature, known for his exploration of identity and societal pressures through vivid storytelling. Drawing heavily on the works of James T. Farrell, Ernest Hemingway, and John Dos Passos, Mailer's writing often reflects a complex interplay of personal and historical narratives. His body of work, including acclaimed novels like "The Naked and the Dead" and "The Executioner's Song," delves into human character, social class, and the moral dilemmas of modern life, cementing his legacy as a master of narrative form and philosophical inquiry.

Influences and Early Work

Norman Mailer credited James T. Farrell as a pivotal influence, particularly Farrell's "Studs Lonigan" novels. Farrell's naturalistic style and depiction of societal constraints inspired Mailer to pursue writing as a means to explore individuality against the backdrop of societal forces. Mailer's early fiction, produced before his seminal work "The Naked and the Dead," often features young men in extreme situations—whether in war, poverty, or the ruggedness of travel—highlighting the impact of ethnicity and social background on their identities.

One early work, "A Calculus at Heaven," set in the Pacific war theater, exemplifies this thematic focus. Characters like Bowen Hilliard, the Ivy League-educated captain; Dalucci, the Midwest working-class Italian; and Wexler, a Jewish boy from New Jersey, showcase the diversity and complexity of American society. These types foreshadow Mailer's panoramic narrative style in "The Naked and the Dead," where diverse characters are presented to represent the United States' multifaceted society.

The Naked and the Dead

Published in 1948, "The Naked and the Dead" is heralded for its raw depiction of men in war, intertwined with their social backgrounds and personal struggles. Based on his own brief combat experience, Mailer crafts a vivid narrative beginning with the soldiers' anticipation of battle aboard a troop ship. The novel meticulously builds the social context for the soldiers tasked with scaling Mount Anaka, revealing prevalent anti-Semitism and personal histories through flashbacks.

The novel contrasts the lives of common soldiers with those of their commanding officers, particularly General Cummings and Lieutenant Hearn. Cummings, a conservative figure, represents authoritarianism, while Hearn embodies liberal opposition. Their ideological clash culminates when Cummings sends Hearn on a perilous mission, highlighting the tensions between individual autonomy and institutional control.

Exploration of Identity and Style

Mailer's subsequent novels, "Barbary Shore" and "The Deer Park," attempt to tackle Cold War politics and the Hollywood film industry, respectively. However, these works struggled with creating a credible first-person voice. Characters like Mikey Lovett and Sergius O’Shaugnessy grapple with self-doubt, reflecting Mailer's own struggles with narrative confidence.

This narrative challenge led Mailer to inject more of his personal experiences and voice into his work. "Advertisements for Myself" marked a turning point where Mailer embraced his complexities and follies, crafting a more idiosyncratic and compelling narrative style. This development is evident in "An American Dream," where protagonist Stephen Rojack mirrors Mailer's own intellectual agility and confrontation with societal norms.

The Armies of the Night

In "The Armies of the Night," Mailer documents the 1967 march on the Pentagon, blending personal narrative with historical events to create a unique literary form. The novel's third-person commentary on Mailer himself offers a candid exploration of his dual role as both participant and observer. This stylistic choice allows Mailer to dissect his own contradictions as a "left Conservative," capturing the tumultuous spirit of the era.

The novel's dual structure—"History as a Novel" and "The Novel as History"—exemplifies Mailer's belief in the blurred lines between fiction and historical narrative. His portrayal of the protest against the Vietnam War attests to the power of imagination in comprehending complex...