Lincoln in the Bardo

Definition

Lincoln in the Bardo is a novel by George Saunders that blends historical and fictional elements, centered around President Abraham Lincoln's grief over the death of his son, Willie. The narrative is structured as a tapestry of voices and perspectives, reflecting a nonlinear storytelling approach where the past, present, and supernatural realms intertwine, capturing the fragmented nature of loss and memory.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The novel is set in 1862 during the American Civil War and focuses on President Lincoln's emotional turmoil after the death of his young son Willie from typhoid fever.
2. The narrative features an ensemble of ghostly characters in the cemetery who reflect on their own lives and deaths while witnessing Lincoln's grief.
3. Saunders uses a unique style that combines historical documents, fictional accounts, and ghostly dialogues to create a fragmented but cohesive story.
4. The nonlinear structure allows readers to experience time in a more fluid way, emphasizing themes of memory, loss, and the afterlife.
5. The book has received critical acclaim for its inventive style and emotional depth, winning the 2017 Man Booker Prize.

Review Questions

• How does George Saunders use fragmentation in Lincoln in the Bardo to convey themes of grief and memory?
  • In Lincoln in the Bardo, fragmentation is evident through its polyphonic narrative style, where multiple voices interweave to reflect the complexity of grief. This nonlinear approach allows readers to experience moments from different perspectives, emphasizing how memories are often disjointed and chaotic. By presenting the story through various characters—both living and dead—Saunders effectively captures the multifaceted nature of Lincoln's sorrow and how it connects to broader themes of loss and remembrance.
• Discuss how the use of intertextuality enriches the reader's understanding of the historical context in Lincoln in the Bardo.
  • Intertextuality plays a significant role in Lincoln in the Bardo by incorporating real historical documents, letters, and testimonies that provide a factual backdrop against which the fictional narrative unfolds. This blending creates a rich tapestry that not only situates Lincoln's personal grief within the larger framework of Civil War America but also invites readers to engage with both history and fiction simultaneously. The references enhance emotional impact while prompting readers to consider how personal loss intersects with collective historical events.
• Evaluate how Saunders' innovative narrative structure challenges traditional storytelling in Lincoln in the Bardo and its implications for contemporary literature.
  • Saunders' innovative narrative structure in Lincoln in the Bardo challenges traditional storytelling by eschewing a linear plot in favor of a complex interplay between time and perspective. This approach reflects contemporary literature's move towards more fragmented forms that mirror modern experiences of trauma and memory. By utilizing a chorus of voices that speak simultaneously across different timelines, Saunders invites readers to confront how fragmented narratives can convey emotional truths more powerfully than conventional narratives. This technique not only enhances reader engagement but also opens up discussions about form and meaning in literature today.

Related terms

Bardo: In Tibetan Buddhism, bardo refers to the intermediate state between death and rebirth, representing a liminal space where souls encounter various experiences before moving on.

Polyphony:

A literary technique that uses multiple voices or perspectives within a single narrative, allowing for a richer exploration of themes and experiences.

Intertextuality:

The relationship between texts, where one text references or echoes another, creating layers of meaning and connections that enrich the reader's understanding.