Literary Techniques
Throughout his illustrious journey as a writer, Hawkes has boldly ventured into the realm of narrative innovation. Many critics have often perceived this as a flaw, accusing him of neglecting character development and plot for the sake of experimentation, leaving his stories seemingly superficial. Some contemporary literary analysts argue that his experimental style harks back to the bygone days of early Modernism in the 1930s, an era bustling with writers who toyed with narrative form and technique. To these critics, Hawkes's more recent works appear outdated, their significance dwindling as the literary world shifts its focus away from technical experimentation.
Another criticism of Whistlejacket arises from reviewers who claim historical inaccuracies in the depiction of painter George Stubbs. Stubbs, a figure cherished in art history for his animal portraits, is portrayed with considerable artistic license. Hawkes rearranges events, renames places and people, and alters the context of some paintings, without signaling to readers that he's fictionalizing Stubbs's life. This creative freedom raises concerns among critics that readers might misconstrue the true essence of Stubbs's character and art.
The Narrative Structure
The storytelling in Whistlejacket unfolds through a triad of perspectives: Michael's intimate first-person recounting of his work and the circumstances surrounding Hal's demise; an impartial third-person narrative of Michael's interactions with his adoptive family; and a third-person exploration of Stubbs's artistic process. The transition from first to third person in Michael's saga might initially unsettle the reader, yet once the pattern is grasped, it offers a compelling dual view of life—from Michael's internal lens and an objective external vantage. Readers who prefer seamless plots might find the detour into Stubbs's early career interruptive, but the novel's allure lies beyond mere plot. Even the murder lacks mystery; Michael unearths the murder's occurrence and the culprits simultaneously, void of suspense or detection. This narrative instead prioritizes the aesthetic over pure storytelling.
Aesthetic Exploration
The novel’s intricate narrative structure reflects Michael’s fascination with molding female figures, transforming them into both fashion icons and embodiments of stunning beauty. For Michael, the female form is an odyssey, rich with enigma, surprises, and a profound fulfillment of the human quest for aesthetic allure. Similarly, the novel's structural manipulation highlights how literary techniques can fulfill a reader's longing for beauty. Michael's ecstatic portrayals of his work convey exquisite imagery and an artist’s pride, echoing what might be Hawkes's own artistic ethos. The varied perspectives illustrate how a novel can engage its audience, offering both intense emotional experiences and a detached observation of life's grandeur and degradation, revealing beauty intertwined with cruelty. Whistlejacket’s literary prowess shines in its ability to weave together the diverse threads of human experience, unveiling profound truths about our shared humanity. The narrative’s temporal shifts emphasize the timeless nature of human behavior and how the present resonates with echoes of generations past.
This intricate complexity is harmoniously unified not only through recurring imagery of horses and women but also by a lush prose style that effortlessly guides the reader through varied viewpoints. Hawkes's sharply observant and fluid writing style transforms the novel into a captivating read, promising readers that the intellectual demands are richly rewarded by the immersive narrative he crafts.
Literary Precedents
Since the earliest tales woven by humankind, horses have galloped through our stories as powerful symbols, leaving their hoofprints across the annals of literature. To the Ancient Greeks, the majestic steed embodied the essence of Poseidon, the mighty God of the Sea. In Homer’s Iliad, this noble creature stood as a symbol of Troy itself, illustrating the city's deep connection with Poseidon. The legendary Trojan horse, a cunning contrivance that breached Troy’s walls, signified the severing of that sacred tie. Greek playwrights, notably Aeschylus, harnessed the horse to portray complex characters and societal ideals. In medieval Europe, a world reliant on equine strength for travel and trade, horses naturally surfaced in literature as emblems of power and liberation—a ticket to break free from the fetters of society. No chivalric knight was ever complete without his gallant steed. The illustrious Chaucer in The Canterbury Tales mirrored storytellers’ personalities through their steeds, akin to Hawkes' technique in Whistlejacket, though perhaps with a lighter hand.
Throughout literature, horses frequently symbolize noble virtues. In American westerns, they epitomize not just freedom, but an untamed spirit and the promise of redemption, embodied in the iconic image of cavalry charging to the rescue.
The allure of horses, especially in the thrill of their race, is often depicted in literature with a positive spin. In National Velvet, the galloping horse is a metaphor for triumph over obstacles, and is intertwined with a girl's journey into womanhood—a vivid emblem of powerful femininity devoid of vulgarity. Yet, as society strides away from its former dependence on these creatures for travel and trade, their literary symbolism evolves. In Alice Munro's "Boys and Girls," the horse becomes a poignant symbol of a girl's yearning for freedom within a patriarchal world, its capture a grim metaphor for her relegation to merely being "a girl."
D. H. Lawrence's "The Rocking-Horse Winner" employs the horse as a critique of the outdated aristocracy struggling to navigate a transforming society. Here, horses reflect the corrosive greed and materialism eroding human character. The father’s inability to support his family's extravagant lifestyle and the mother’s warped quest for "luck" underline the destructive forces at play. Their son, consumed by horse racing as a pursuit driven by financial gain, sacrifices his life, embodying the ruinous nature of avarice. The tale shares thematic kinship with Whistlejacket, where horses symbolize the divisive opulence and idleness of the wealthy. In both narratives, horses underscore societal divides, acting as symbols of luxury that starkly separates the affluent from others.
