In George Saunders' novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, the ideas of death and grief are explored through various different accounts of spirits. Alongside these, Saunders includes historical excerpts that appear randomly throughout the course of the novel. Some real and others fake, these sections allow the reader insight into the opinions of people at the time and also provide context for the time and period that the novel takes course.
The historical sections are presented amidst conversations between the ghosts. They are often presented after an issue being discussed has been talked about by the characters present. Saunders includes these to not only give some additional information, but also contextualize the ideas presented in the time period of the novel for the reader to more clearly understand the contrasting viewpoints. This also allows more insight into what contributes to these differing views and what the implications were at the time. Given that all the historical accounts are not real, however, shows how Saunders has an agenda to present the characters and the time period in a certain way, which is done to drive the action of the book and also promote the central philosophy of the novel. This isn't necessarily an issue, however, as this is not a true historical account, rather it is a retelling of a crucial moment in American history through the eyes of someone who learned about it years after it happened.
Not only do the spirits in the novel disagree, but so do the historians who are cited in the historical excerpts. By providing these different views Saunders illuminates the discrepancy that existed, and continues to exist, in a seemingly united nation. People at the time felt very differently about Lincoln's presidency and often times opposing sides had very polarized opinions. By showing the contrasting viewpoints the novel is given depth and the idea that everyone deals with grief differently is further advanced. In order to truly provoke thoughtful discussion about the novel and the concepts of death and grief, these differing viewpoints and allow the exploration of all facets of the issue. Saunders does a remarkable job incorporating the contrasting ideas while still advancing the central theme of the book.
I think the differing viewpoints serve an important purpose in Saunder’s getting his point across. Not only do the historical stories fill in the gaps in the novel, but allow the author to create a way for the reader to understand the character’s feelings in a way that we would if we were learning about it from a history book.
ReplyDeleteYou mentioned discrepancy exists and still does in a country that seems united. During the time the book was set, the nation was already without question divided. I think the point Saunders is trying to make is that something that things get lost through history, but what we believe now isn’t the whole truth. In general, we look at Lincoln as being a great president, but during his time not everyone thought that. We think of the United States as being the Union vs. the Confederacy with everyone on each side believing the same thing. This wasn’t necessarily the case, as Suader’s describes people as feeling negatively toward Lincoln.
In the novel, the ghosts come together in order to save Willie Lincoln. They must put aside their difference and in doing so this allows them to achieve a common goal. I think that this is an important point that Saunder’s is trying to make that applies to today. In order to get anything done we’re going to have to work stop fighting about our differences and work together.