Objective Style in Literature: A Dispassionate Lens
Objective style in literature refers to a writing technique where the author avoids expressing personal opinions, beliefs, or feelings. Instead, they present events and characters in a neutral, unbiased manner, focusing on factual details and observable actions.
Here's a breakdown of key features:
1. Detached Narrator:
The narrator remains uninvolved in the story, acting as a silent observer rather than a participant. They don't offer interpretations, judgments, or emotional responses.
2. Minimal Description:
Focus is placed on concrete details rather than subjective descriptions. This means avoiding flowery language, similes, metaphors, and emotional adjectives.
3. Direct Dialogue:
Character dialogue is presented without any commentary or analysis from the narrator. Readers are left to infer the characters' emotions and intentions solely from their words and actions.
4. Emphasis on Facts:
The author presents information objectively, relying on concrete evidence and avoiding subjective opinions.
5. Absence of Emotion:
The writing style is devoid of emotional language and avoids evoking strong feelings in the reader.
Examples in Literature:
* Hemingway's "The Sun Also Rises": Hemingway is famous for his stark, objective style, particularly evident in this novel.
* Camus' "The Stranger": Camus employs an objective narrator to portray the protagonist's detachment from society and emotional indifference.
* Modernist and Postmodernist Literature: Many authors in these movements, like T.S. Eliot and William Faulkner, use objective techniques to explore complex themes and present fragmented perspectives.
Effects of Objective Style:
* Creates a sense of realism and immediacy: The lack of authorial commentary allows readers to experience the story as if it were unfolding before their own eyes.
* Encourages reader interpretation: By removing subjective biases, the author forces readers to draw their own conclusions and interpretations.
* Provides a framework for social commentary: Objective styles can expose social issues and injustices by presenting them without judgment, allowing readers to form their own opinions.
* Creates a sense of distance: The detached narrator can create a sense of distance between the reader and the characters, allowing for a more critical and analytical approach to the story.
Limitations:
* Can be emotionally distant: The lack of emotion may make it difficult for readers to connect with characters and their experiences.
* Can be monotonous: An overly objective style can become repetitive and lacking in literary flair.
Ultimately, the objective style is a powerful tool for writers who want to present a neutral and unbiased view of the world. It encourages critical thinking and allows readers to engage with the story on their own terms.