Fluid Flux in Literature & Literary Theory

Fluid Flux: Etymology and Concept

Etymology:

The term “fluid flux” combines “fluid,” suggesting a dynamic and adaptable state, with “flux,” signifying constant change and movement. The fusion of these words implies a state of continual fluidity and transformation.

Concept:

• Dynamic Adaptability: It comprises the concept of constant adaptation and flexibility, suggesting the ability to navigate and respond to changing circumstances.
• Ever-Changing State: It denotes a state characterized by perpetual change, where entities or systems are in a continuous process of transformation and evolution.
• Flowing Transitions: The concept implies smooth and continuous transitions, emphasizing the seamless flow from one state or condition to another.
• Advent of Novelty: It suggests the presence of novelty and innovation, where new elements or ideas seamlessly integrate into existing systems.
• Non-Rigidity: It signifies a lack of rigid structures, allowing for fluidity in thought, processes, or systems without being constrained by fixed boundaries.
• Resilience in Change: The term implies resilience in the face of change, indicating the capacity to remain adaptable and responsive in dynamic environments.
• Organic Evolution: It conveys a sense of organic evolution, where entities or concepts evolve naturally and harmoniously over time.
• Interconnected Dynamics: It underscores the interconnectedness of elements within a dynamic system, where changes in one aspect influence and interact with others.
• Creative Transformation: The concept suggests a creative and transformative process, fostering an environment conducive to the generation of new ideas and possibilities.
• Continuous Motion: It also embodies the idea of perpetual motion and change, with an inherent acceptance of the transient nature of existence.

Understanding the etymology and concept involves recognizing its roots in fluidity and constant change, emphasizing adaptability, interconnectedness, and a continual state of evolution.

Fluid Flux: Definition of a Theoretical Term

Fluid flux, as a theoretical term, refers to a dynamic and adaptable state characterized by continuous change and transformation. It encapsulates the idea of perpetual motion and seamless transitions, emphasizing the capacity of entities or systems to navigate and evolve harmoniously in response to shifting circumstances. The concept underscores a non-rigid and interconnected nature, fostering resilience and creative adaptation within dynamic environments.

Fluid Flux: Theorists, Works and Argument

Theorist	Works	Argument
Henri Bergson	Creative Evolution	Bergson’s argument revolves around the concept of creative evolution, where change is not linear but involves a continuous, creative flow, reflecting this idea in the evolution of life and consciousness.
Gilles Deleuze	Difference and Repetition, A Thousand Plateaus	Deleuze argues for a philosophy of difference and multiplicity, challenging static notions and embracing the perpetual flow of differences and repetitions, aligning with the notion of fluid flux in philosophical thought.
Karen Barad	Meeting the Universe Halfway	Barad’s agential realism argues that reality is entangled and constantly in flux, emphasizing the dynamic nature of phenomena and the inseparability of the observer and the observed, aligning with the concept of fluid flux.
Stuart Kauffman	At Home in the Universe	Kauffman’s work in complexity theory discusses self-organization in complex systems, emphasizing the emergence of order from chaos and the inherent dynamism of natural processes, supporting this idea in evolving systems.
John Dewey	Experience and Nature	Dewey’s pragmatist philosophy advocates for an instrumentalist approach to nature and experience, highlighting the interconnected and experiential aspects of reality, contributing to the understanding of fluid flux in lived experiences.

These theorists and their works contribute to the exploration and articulation of the concept in various domains, including philosophy, complexity theory, and pragmatist thought.

Fluid Flux: Major Characteristics

1. Continuous Change:
   • Fluid flux is characterized by an ongoing, seamless process of change and transformation, where entities or systems are in a constant state of evolution.
2. Adaptability:
   • Entities within fluid flux exhibit a high degree of adaptability, demonstrating the capacity to adjust and respond dynamically to shifting circumstances.
3. Seamless Transitions:
   • The transitions within fluid flux are smooth and interconnected, suggesting a lack of abruptness or rigid boundaries between different states or conditions.
4. Organic Evolution:
   • The concept implies an organic and natural evolution, where changes unfold harmoniously and creatively over time, resembling the fluidity of natural processes.
5. Non-Rigidity:
   • Fluid flux suggests a lack of rigid structures, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity in thought, processes, or systems without being constrained by fixed boundaries.
6. Resilience:
   • Entities or systems within fluid flux exhibit resilience in the face of change, possessing the ability to withstand disruptions and maintain a coherent and adaptive state.
7. Creative Dynamics:
   • The concept emphasizes a creative and transformative process, fostering an environment conducive to the generation of new ideas, possibilities, and emergent phenomena.
8. Interconnectedness:
   • Fluid flux underscores the interconnected nature of elements within a dynamic system, illustrating how changes in one aspect can influence and interact with others.
9. Perpetual Motion:
   • Fluid flux embodies the idea of perpetual motion, suggesting an inherent acceptance of the transient and ever-moving nature of existence.
10. Multiplicity and Diversity:
    • Within fluid flux, there is an acknowledgment and acceptance of multiplicity and diversity, where a variety of states, perspectives, or possibilities coexist and contribute to the overall dynamic nature of the system.

Understanding these major characteristics provides insights into the nature of fluid flux, highlighting its dynamic, adaptive, and interconnected qualities in various contexts.

Fluid Flux: Relevance in Literary Theories

Literary Theory	Relevance to Fluid Flux
Postmodern Literary Theory	Embraces the fluidity of meaning, narrative, and identity, aligning with the dynamic and ever-changing nature of fluid flux in the deconstruction of fixed concepts.
Ecocriticism	Examines literature through the lens of ecological interconnectedness, resonating with the idea of fluid flux in natural systems and emphasizing the dynamic relationships between humans and the environment.
New Criticism	While traditionally focused on close reading, the application of fluid flux acknowledges the evolving interpretations of literary texts and the dynamic nature of critical perspectives over time.
Postcolonial Literary Theory	Explores the fluidity of identities, cultures, and power dynamics in a postcolonial context, recognizing the ongoing transformations and interplay of diverse narratives and histories.
Narrative Theory	Considers the fluidity of narrative structures and the evolving nature of storytelling, aligning with the idea that narratives are not static but are subject to continuous change and adaptation.
Feminist Literary Theory	Recognizes the dynamic and evolving nature of gender roles, identities, and power relations, emphasizing the fluidity in feminist discourses and the ongoing process of challenging and reshaping societal norms.
Psychoanalytic Literary Theory	Applies fluid flux to the exploration of shifting psychological states, recognizing the dynamic interplay of conscious and unconscious forces in characters and the evolving nature of their mental landscapes.

Fluid Flux: Application in Critiques

1. Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell:

• Application of Fluid Flux: Mitchell’s novel, structured as a series of interconnected narratives across different time periods, exemplifies fluid flux in its seamless transitions between genres, characters, and settings. A critique would explore how the novel’s narrative structure mirrors the dynamic and ever-changing nature of existence.

2. If on a winter’s night a traveler by Italo Calvino:

• Application of Fluid Flux: Calvino’s novel is known for its multiple narratives and shifting perspectives, embodying this flux in its exploration of storytelling possibilities. A critique would delve into how the novel’s narrative complexity reflects the fluid nature of literary creation and interpretation.

3. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami:

• Application of Fluid Flux: Murakami’s novel, with its surreal and dreamlike sequences, explores the fluid boundaries between reality and the subconscious. A critique would examine how the narrative’s fluidity contributes to the novel’s exploration of identity, memory, and the unpredictable nature of life.

4. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz:

• Application of Fluid Flux: Díaz’s novel weaves together multiple voices, historical events, and genres, portraying the fluidity of cultural identities and histories. A critique would explore how the novel’s dynamic narrative mirrors the complexity and interconnectedness of Dominican-American experiences.

In these critiques, the concept of fluid flux serves as a lens to analyze how the novels embrace dynamic narrative structures, explore shifting perspectives, and capture the complexities of identity, time, and storytelling.

Fluid Flux: Relevant Terms

Term	Definition
Metamorphosis	The transformation or evolution of characters, themes, or narratives over the course of a literary work.
Intertextuality	The interconnectedness and references to other texts within a literary work, contributing to a dynamic network of meanings.
Stream of Consciousness	A narrative technique that reflects the continuous flow of thoughts and feelings from a character’s perspective.
Polyphony	The presence of multiple, diverse voices or perspectives within a literary work, emphasizing the dynamic nature of discourse.
Rhizome	A non-hierarchical, interconnected structure in literature, challenging traditional narrative forms and fostering fluidity.
Palimpsest	The layering of different narratives, symbols, or meanings within a text, creating a complex and dynamic literary structure.
Ephemeral	Literature that captures transient or fleeting moments, reflecting the impermanence and fluid nature of life.
Malleability	The adaptability of literary elements, allowing for flexible interpretations and dynamic shifts in meaning.
Parallax	The displacement or shifting perspectives within a narrative, creating dynamic and multi-dimensional interpretations.
Heteroglossia	The coexistence of diverse linguistic and cultural voices within a text, contributing to the dynamic and evolving nature of discourse.

Fluid Flux: Suggested Readings

1. Bergson, Henri. Creative Evolution. Dover Publications, 1998.
2. Calvino, Italo. If on a winter’s night a traveler. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1981.
3. David Mitchell. Cloud Atlas. Random House, 2004.
4. Deleuze, Gilles. Difference and Repetition. Columbia University Press, 1994.
5. Díaz, Junot. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao. Riverhead Books, 2007.
6. Haruki Murakami. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Vintage International, 1998.
7. Karen Barad. Meeting the Universe Halfway: Quantum Physics and the Entanglement of Matter and Meaning. Duke University Press, 2007.
8. Stuart Kauffman. At Home in the Universe: The Search for Laws of Self-Organization and Complexity. Oxford University Press, 1995.
9. Italo Calvino. Invisible Cities. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1974.
10. John Dewey. Experience and Nature. Dover Publications, 1958.