ThAct : The Only Story

This blog is about The Only Story by Julian Barnes

Following are some points to ponder upon :

1.) Memory Novel (Structurally as well as thematically)

 Julian Barnes explores the concept of memory in this storey in a fascinating way. When we recount a narrative, such as the one told in this novel The Only Story, memory takes precedence. When we consider the history of a nation, civilization, or human people, we may wonder what it is, and it is possible that it is everyone's recollection. And history is written from that communal memory.  Our personal history is written in our memories. It's a private life that takes place in private locations. The life that is recounted or not narrated, told to everyone or not only to self, or a history that is just written for self and not shared with anyone else is only written for self. So memory is personal history, and personal history is memory.

 If there is a link between history and memory, it implies that we do not rely on memory as well. It could be a recollection from our own past. Julian Barnes aims to show us that we must be very careful with our memories in this work.

2.) Postmodern Novel

Julian Barnes is part of a group of British postmodernist writers, although postmodernism is more than just a literary movement. Barnes' The Only Story (2018) is unlike any of his other fictional works in that it exposes man's folly and experience of life's terrible powers, such as sorrow, estrangement, breakup, alienation, and purposelessness, while avoiding agnosticism or sustenance. Barnes analyses a person's perception of being excluded from the complete mechanical assemblage of social rituals and rites in The Only Story (2018).

3.) Theme of Love(Passion+Suffering)

We might call love a passion, but it cannot exist in isolation from sorrow. This is how Barnes intends to approach the subject of love from a philosophical standpoint. Passion turns to suffering in The Only Story. The narrative of Paul, a 19-year-old young man, and his deep attraction to Susan MacLeod, a 48-year-old married woman with two daughters. This is a storey of how passion can turn into suffering.

"Would you rather love the more, and suffer the more; or love the less, and suffer the less? That is, I think, finally, the only real question"

 (Barnes, 2018, p. 3)

 Paul is defending himself, claiming that falling in love with a middle-aged woman was a mistake. But, while we're in love, can we think of all of these things? Well, we can't since we aren't in love if we think. That is how he was dragged down the path to sorrow.

"You may point out – correctly – that it isn’t a real question. Because we don’t have the choice. If we had the choice, then there would be a question. But we don’t, so there isn’t. Who can control how much they love? If you can control it, then it isn’t love. I don’t know what you call it instead, but it isn’t love."

Paul believed that love was joyful when he was younger. However, towards the end of the novel, he has discovered that it is full of anguish and pain.

4.)Critique of Crosswords

 Mr. Gordon Macleaod and Joan are two people who are playing crosswords in this novel. Julian Barnes depicts the subtleties of social life in twentieth-century England in his novel "The Only Story." The crossword puzzle was such an important part of this ancient British pastime that it was found to be significantly engaged by multiple characters in this tale.Julian Barnes, a postmodernist novelist, is uninterested in the usual meaning of crossword puzzles.

Take a look at how the story's narrator, Paul Roberts, describes the hidden features of this British pastime:

 “Everyone in the Village, every grown-up – or rather, every middle-aged person – seemed to do crosswords: my parents, their friends, Joan, Gordon Macleod. Everyone apart from Susan. They did either The Times or the Telegraph; though Joan had those books of hers to fall back on while waiting for the next newspaper.I regarded this traditional British activity with some snootiness.I was keen in those days to find hidden motives preferably involving hypocrisy behind the obvious ones.

Apart from Joan, it is Gordon Macleod who is found doing crosswords in the novel. On two occasions, he is found solving the crosswords with Paul Roberts.

The reference to 'Crossword' might be said to be scattered throughout the work. It's been dubbed a "British time-pass activity" by some. It's also the most snobbish criticism of the practise. Apart from these cultural connections, the crossword puzzle serves as a metaphor for studying Joan's character as a contrast to Susan's. It's also worth looking at Paul Roberts, Susan, and Gordon Macleod's tense triangular relationship.

5.) Paul - The unreliable narrator

The novel's unreliable narrator is Paul. Because whatever he tells the audience is based on his own memory. He claims he's never kept a diary. So, how can we trust our own memories? It's a huge problem. Paul isn't sure what he's been through in his life. He is debating the issues raised in this novel.

He brought his world in an awkward manner, never quite fitting in or feeling at ease in his own flesh. His profession as an usher at Carnegie Hall in Pittsburgh allows him to explore his passions for art, theater, and music. Paul has the irrational belief that the art world is a perfect fantasy world, and he utilises art as a narcotic to escape his mundane existence. He has no ambition to join the art world that he admires; instead, he prefers to observe others. Paul despises his instructors, classmates, neighbours, and family members, whom he perceives to be hopelessly narrow-minded.

6.)Susan- Mad woman in the attic

We can draw parallels between Bertha and Susan Macleod's personalities. Bertha was afflicted by his husband, and Susan is afflicted by something similar. She develops an alcoholic personality. To Paul, she tells lies. She is tethered to responsibility in some way. His own husband assaulted her. She had an adulterous affair with Paul, and she yearns for love and warmth, but she is continually the victim of hatred and sexual pleasure, and she has been beaten numerous times.

Bertha Mason, who is locked away in the attic of Thornfield Hall by her husband Mr Rochester, inspired the title of the book. She is a threatening figure, brimming with unbridled passion, fury, sensuality, and craziness, and behaving in a bestial manner.

7.) Joan - One who understood existential enigma

We learn about Joan's character thanks to Paul's narrative. Susan is telling Paul a storey. Gerald's sister is Joan. Joan suffered greatly after Gerald's death because Gerald was a close relative of Joan's, and his passing caused Joan a great deal of pain. Joan has the ability to protect herself from the harm. We might wonder whether there was nothing wrong with Joan because Susan is going through a difficult time in her life. Joan used to live with yeppers and dogs and now has another dog named Sibyl.

Joan is a tennis player and Paul's partner. Joan has had numerous affairs with the wealthy man. Joan's attitude about life changed after Gerald died. And when a person is depressed, they seek out companion animals rather than human beings. In this novel, Joann was doing the same thing. Sibyl is her ideal companion.

8.)Whom do you think is responsible for the tragedy in the story? Explain with reason.

Because of Paul, this catastrophe occurred. He was born with the ability to flee an unpleasant and difficult environment. Because of his departure, his childishness, the ship of his relationship was sunk. When his relationship ended, he began to place blame on others. Because, at the time the love storey begins, Paul is 19 years old and Susan is 48 years old. Paul indicated that Gordon is to blame for domestic violence, and that if Gordon had not acted violently with Susan, this tragedy would not have occurred.

Thank you...