Examine the theme of loneliness and isolation in M.R James stories Essay Example

Examine the theme of loneliness and isolation in M.R James stories Essay Example Examine the theme of loneliness and isolation in M.R James stories Essay Examine the theme of loneliness and isolation in M.R James stories Essay Essay Topic: Back in the World Stories In the early 20th Century, the Edwardian era was coming to an end, but the wealth and affluence of the upper classes still remained. With very little contact with the outside world, the rich became complacent and arrogant. Political tension was increasing in Europe, but the well-off took little notice, concerned exclusively in their own affairs. With plenty of time on their hands, people could indulge in the study of science, or spend long periods of time shut up in antiquarian libraries, devoted to furthering their intellectual prowess and pride and becoming self reliant. When not in the library, they had the time to go off on private walks, do independent field research, or any other solitary pursuit, as their pride meant that they did not need anyone for guidance. The affluent were slowly becoming less religious, as their new found passion for science led them to rationalise everything and deny spiritual existence, and their prosperity meant that there was little to look forward t o in the afterlife. This also meant that certain people no longer had God to turn to, further isolating themselves. The effect of these changes in society was that scholarly men would spend long hours in loneliness and isolation, and this fact is what M.R. James utilizes to great effect in many of his stories, not only to make the ordinary upstanding members of society become more vulnerable and susceptible to the horrors of the supernatural, but also to absorb the reader into the main characters life, making the supernatural experiences far more shocking. In Mr Humphreys and his Inheritance the main character who spends time in isolation is Mr Humphreys, and unfortunately for him, the key feature which attracts him to the house left by his uncle is its library. He felt that Wilsthorpe was a place in which he could be happy, and especially happy, it might be, in its library. It is unfortunate, because predictably, the library, a place to be alone, is also where the only supernatural encounter in the story occurs. M.R James often uses libraries in his stories as they are the perfect setting for supernatural encounters: scholars would spend long periods of time alone in old libraries studying forgotten books, which may themselves hold information about dark matters or contain antiquarian documents, which are not meant to be removed. Often in silent contemplation, detached from the outside world, they could lose themselves in quiet seclusion. This is exactly the situation Mr Humpreys is in when in the library, tracing the map of the maze. Lonely and vulnerable, any sound or movement becomes exaggerated and out of proportion. Once or twice it was a question whether there was-not a bat, but something more considerable-that had a mind to join him. M.R James makes the reader very aware that Mr Humphreys is alone and isolated; and particularly exposed to any evil that could come through that window. His isolation heightens the sense of tension, as the reader is completely conscious of how susceptible he is, by himself, with no one to observe whatever unpleasant incident may occur and no one to help him. In addition, because he is alone, the storyline, and therefore the reader, focuses exclusively on Mr Humphreys, and how he reacts to each individual situation. This means that when the supernatural event finally occurs, there are no other characters to distract the readers attention from the action as it unfolds, and the reader experiences a similar emotional reaction to Mr Humphreys. This combination of putting the main character in a setting where he is isolated, and telling the story like a realistic account, progressively increasing the readers sense of fear, means that not only is there an elevated level of anticipation befo re the event, but also that the incident itself is far more shocking. Another of M.R James stories which incorporates the theme of loneliness and isolation is Oh whistle and Ill come to you my lad. Parkins, a university professor and the main character in the story, stays by himself at the Globe Inn in a double bedroom for a week, to improve his golf- he is alone in a foreign place, a common technique used to isolate the main character. Putting them in an unfamiliar environment, and presenting them with unforeseen circumstances, causes them to feel their isolation more acutely. Parkins is also similar to many of M.R James main characters, in that his intellectual pride leads him to believe that he can handle any situation by himself, encouraging him to isolate himself from familiar surroundings. Like other of M.R James characters, Parkins is self-assured and independent, with a firm belief of his ability to cope in any situation, and rationalise the irrational. As he himself asserts, I am, in fact, a convinced disbeliever in what is called the supernat ural. Therefore, he can confidently stay in a double room alone, or walk along a beach followed by a strange figure, and be sure that no paranormal events will occur, or if they do, there is a logical and rational explanation which will permit him to escape from any unforeseen situation. Regrettably for Parkins, this isolation makes him particularly vulnerable to any evil manifestation in the vicinity. There had been a movement, he was sure, in the empty bed on the opposite side of the room. Tomorrow he would have it moved, for there must be rats or something playing about in it. Had Parkins not been alone in this situation, his companion would have not only helped him come to terms with the fact that there was no rational explanation for the movement in the empty bed, but they would also make him realise that his fear was justified. Being alone, his fear forces him to deny the irrational, making him all the more vulnerable. An example of this is where Parkins is cornered by the creature and, the Colonel burst the door open, and was just in time to see the dreadful group at the window. When he reached the figures only one was left. Parkins does not react, because he is alone and cannot rationalise the creature, and therefore does not know what to do. This means he is particularly defenceless. Also, the fact that Parkins is on his own when the evil apparition reveals itself makes the scene more frightening, [It] slipped from the bed and took up a position, with outspread arms, between the two beds, and in front of the door. It is more frightening because the reader knows that Parkins stands less of a chance facing it alone than with someone else. M.R James exploits Parkins isolation to build tension and instil fear. In Number 13 the theme of loneliness and isolation continues, with Mr Anderson, a man who prided himself on his accuracy of observation. He, like many of M.R James other characters, is alone in a foreign place. M.R James plays on the fact that because Mr Anderson is so independent, not only socially, but financially and emotionally also, he must rely solely on himself to get everything right. This leads to characters doubting themselves, He looked quickly and suspiciously about the room when he entered it, but there was nothing, beyond that indefinable air of being smaller than usual, to warrant any misgivings. When Mr Anderson sees the room is smaller, he knows what he has seen, but cannot confirm his observation, because he cannot find any rational explanation for it, and he cannot ask a companion if they saw the same thing. This means that nothing is done, and his suspicions are cast to the back of his mind. Ignoring the obvious warnings of supernatural occurrences endangers Mr An derson, as he cannot, unlike with every other aspect of his life, prepare for what may take place. Another element of suspense that M.R James gains from isolating his characters, is dramatic irony. When Mr Anderson enters the room and suspects it is smaller, the fact that he is alone enables him to put it down to his natural suspicions, and he is therefore able to dismiss the thought. However, the reader knows that something is amiss, and that Mr Anderson is suspicious, but does not allow himself to act on it, dismissing it due to his intellectual pride. This builds the tense atmosphere further. When he is alone, Mr Anderson cannot confirm his observations: he doubts himself and dismisses suspicions, becoming more susceptible to paranormal events, because he is oblivious of the imminent peril and cannot decide what to do, effectively heightening the suspense. In conclusion, M.R James uses the theme of loneliness and isolation as an effective technique to create suspense, develop a sinister atmosphere and create shocking supernatural encounters. He does this by choosing a specific type of main character, who, thanks to their financial position, can become independent socially, and emotionally. By isolating the main characters, M.R James makes them especially vulnerable, because not only there is no one there to help them, but also their inherent intellectual pride renders them helpless.