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Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future

Year 2022, Volume: 32 Issue: 1, 267 - 294, 23.05.2022
https://doi.org/10.26650/LITERA2021-901447

Abstract

In literary texts, the representation of symbols as one of the most prevalent and essential components of the cultural continuum is not always explicit and therefore needs the development of approaches to the identification of implicit symbolic narratives in fictional discourse. One of the most representative contemporary novels in terms of ‘symbolicalness’ is considered the epic novel Bridge of Clay (2018) by Markus Zusak. This breath-taking story revolves around the ‘ramshackle tragedy’ of the Dunbar family and brims with energy and pathos. The tale of an existential riddle is told inside out and back to front, rendering confusion to the readers and encouraging them to decipher various symbols. That is why this article focuses on literal and metaphorical symbols to trace their meaning-making capabilities in creating a perfect chaos in the book. The novelty of the study lies in the explication of the symbol as a hermeneutic intratextual mechanism of meaning-making and identifying its artistic potential, as well as interpreting the symbol as a way of comprehending the semantic sphere of the text. Furthermore, Bridge of Clay is a profoundly heartfelt story of brotherhood that offers an alternative model of masculinity. It is Clay, the most determined of the Dunbar sons, who builds the bridge to transcend humanness. It is the bridge, the central symbol of the novel, which appears to be a link between the past and the future.

References

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  • Nanda, S. (2019). The dynamics of culture and gender: Reflections in English literature. Motifs: An International Journal of English Studies, 5(2), 50-54. https://doi.org/10.5958/2454-1753.2019.00006.0. google scholar
  • Safdar, S., Friedlmeier, W., Matsumoto, D., Yoo, S. H., Kwantes, C. T., Kakai, H., & Shigemasu, E. (2009). Variations of emotional display rules within and across cultures: A comparison between Canada, USA, and Japan. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue Canadienne Des Sciences Du Comportement, 41(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014387. google scholar
  • Sebag-Montefiore, C. (2019, October 21). Markus Zusak on how Bridge of Clay left him “beaten up and bruised.” Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/17/markus-zusak-on-how-bridge-of-clay-left-him-beaten-up-and-bruised. google scholar
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  • Stanzel, F. K. (1986). A theory of narrative. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. google scholar
  • Steyn, D. M. (2018). Looking at the dark sun: Aspects of death, war and the power of stories in Markus Zusak and Terry Pratchett’ novels. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies, 35(2), 28-40. https://doi. org/10.25159/0027-2639/1434. google scholar
  • Thomas, L. (2015). Why we read novels. Contemporary Literature, 56(2), 386-393. https://doi.org/10.3368/ cl.56.2.386. google scholar
  • Tudor, A. (2003). A (macro)sociology of fear? The Sociological Review, 51(2), 238-256. https://doi. org/10.1111/1467-954x.0041. google scholar
  • Twenge, J. M. (2014). Generation me: Why today’s young Americans are - more confident, assertive, entitled and more miserable than ever before (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Atria Books. google scholar
  • Watson, T. R. (2013). The necessity of symbols (illustrated ed.). Barn Swallow Media. google scholar
  • Zusak, M. (2019). Bridge of Clay. London, UK: Black Swan. google scholar
Year 2022, Volume: 32 Issue: 1, 267 - 294, 23.05.2022
https://doi.org/10.26650/LITERA2021-901447

Abstract

References

  • Battistini, M. (2006). Symbols and allegories in art (A guide to imagery). Los Angeles, CA: Getty Publications. google scholar
  • Bernard, C. (1997). A certain hermeneutic slant: Sublime allegories in contemporary English fiction. Contemporary Literatüre, 38(1), 164-184. https://doi.org/10.2307/1208856. google scholar
  • Bertels, J., Kolinsky, R., Bernaerts, A., & Morais, J. (2011). Effects of emotional spoken words on exogenous attentional orienting. Journal of Cognitive Psychology, 23(4), 435-452. https://doi.org/10.1080/20445911.20 11.535513. google scholar
  • Coats, K. (2018). Review of the book Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak. Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, 72(3), 147. https://doi.org/10.1353/bcc.2018.0806. google scholar
  • Harris, R. A. (2017). Writing with clarity and style: A guide to rhetorical devices for contemporary writers (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203712047. google scholar
  • Hermans, H. J. M., & van Loon, R. J. P. (1991). The personal meaning of symbols: A method of investigation. Journal of Religion and Health, 30(3), 241-261. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00986401. google scholar
  • Hickling, A. (2018, October 11). Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak review - Death steals the show again. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/oct/11/bridge-of-clay-markus-zusak-review. google scholar
  • Hyatt, J., & Simons, H. (1999). Cultural codes - Who polds the key? Evaluation, 5(1), 23-41. https://doi. org/10.1177/13563899922208805. google scholar
  • Impelluso, L. (2004). Nature and its symbols (A guide to imagery). Los Angeles, CA: Getty Publications. google scholar
  • Jay, T. (2009). The utility and ubiquity of taboo words. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 4(2), 153-161. https:// doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-6924.2009.01115.x. google scholar
  • Knaller, S. (2017). Emotions and the process of writing. In I. Jandl, S. Knaller, S. Schönfellner & G. Tockner (Eds.), Writing emotions. Theoretical concepts and selected case studies in literature (pp. 17-28). Bielefeld, Germany: Transcript-Verlag. https://doi.org/10.14361/9783839437933-002. google scholar
  • Kwon, J. (2020). Hermeneutic phenomenology of a national glossolalia: Memory, myth, and allegory. The Journal of Humanities, 44, 327-374. https://doi.org/10.35559/tjoh.44.9. google scholar
  • Lindquist, K. A., MacCormack, J. K., & Shablack, H. (2015). The role of language in emotion: Predictions from psychological constructionism. Frontiers in Psychology, 6, 444. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00444. google scholar
  • Longxi, Z. (2018). The hermeneutic circle, textual integrity, and the validity of interpretation. Christianity & Literatüre, 68(1), 117-130. https://doi.org/10.1177/0148333118789757. google scholar
  • Nanda, S. (2019). The dynamics of culture and gender: Reflections in English literature. Motifs: An International Journal of English Studies, 5(2), 50-54. https://doi.org/10.5958/2454-1753.2019.00006.0. google scholar
  • Safdar, S., Friedlmeier, W., Matsumoto, D., Yoo, S. H., Kwantes, C. T., Kakai, H., & Shigemasu, E. (2009). Variations of emotional display rules within and across cultures: A comparison between Canada, USA, and Japan. Canadian Journal of Behavioural Science/Revue Canadienne Des Sciences Du Comportement, 41(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014387. google scholar
  • Sebag-Montefiore, C. (2019, October 21). Markus Zusak on how Bridge of Clay left him “beaten up and bruised.” Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/17/markus-zusak-on-how-bridge-of-clay-left-him-beaten-up-and-bruised. google scholar
  • Sik, D. (2019). Towards a social theory of fear: A phenomenology of negative integration. European Journal of Social Theory, 23(4), 512-531. https://doi.org/10.1177/1368431019850074. google scholar
  • Stanzel, F. K. (1986). A theory of narrative. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. google scholar
  • Steyn, D. M. (2018). Looking at the dark sun: Aspects of death, war and the power of stories in Markus Zusak and Terry Pratchett’ novels. Mousaion: South African Journal of Information Studies, 35(2), 28-40. https://doi. org/10.25159/0027-2639/1434. google scholar
  • Thomas, L. (2015). Why we read novels. Contemporary Literature, 56(2), 386-393. https://doi.org/10.3368/ cl.56.2.386. google scholar
  • Tudor, A. (2003). A (macro)sociology of fear? The Sociological Review, 51(2), 238-256. https://doi. org/10.1111/1467-954x.0041. google scholar
  • Twenge, J. M. (2014). Generation me: Why today’s young Americans are - more confident, assertive, entitled and more miserable than ever before (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Atria Books. google scholar
  • Watson, T. R. (2013). The necessity of symbols (illustrated ed.). Barn Swallow Media. google scholar
  • Zusak, M. (2019). Bridge of Clay. London, UK: Black Swan. google scholar
There are 25 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Creative Arts and Writing
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Oksana Bohovyk This is me 0000-0003-4315-2154

Andrıı Bezrukov 0000-0001-5084-6969

Publication Date May 23, 2022
Submission Date March 22, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2022 Volume: 32 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Bohovyk, O., & Bezrukov, A. (2022). Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future. Litera: Journal of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, 32(1), 267-294. https://doi.org/10.26650/LITERA2021-901447
AMA Bohovyk O, Bezrukov A. Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future. Litera. May 2022;32(1):267-294. doi:10.26650/LITERA2021-901447
Chicago Bohovyk, Oksana, and Andrıı Bezrukov. “Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future”. Litera: Journal of Language, Literature and Culture Studies 32, no. 1 (May 2022): 267-94. https://doi.org/10.26650/LITERA2021-901447.
EndNote Bohovyk O, Bezrukov A (May 1, 2022) Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future. Litera: Journal of Language, Literature and Culture Studies 32 1 267–294.
IEEE O. Bohovyk and A. Bezrukov, “Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future”, Litera, vol. 32, no. 1, pp. 267–294, 2022, doi: 10.26650/LITERA2021-901447.
ISNAD Bohovyk, Oksana - Bezrukov, Andrıı. “Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future”. Litera: Journal of Language, Literature and Culture Studies 32/1 (May 2022), 267-294. https://doi.org/10.26650/LITERA2021-901447.
JAMA Bohovyk O, Bezrukov A. Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future. Litera. 2022;32:267–294.
MLA Bohovyk, Oksana and Andrıı Bezrukov. “Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future”. Litera: Journal of Language, Literature and Culture Studies, vol. 32, no. 1, 2022, pp. 267-94, doi:10.26650/LITERA2021-901447.
Vancouver Bohovyk O, Bezrukov A. Symbols of a Perfect Chaos in Markus Zusak’s Bridge of Clay: Through Traumatic Past to Better Future. Litera. 2022;32(1):267-94.