Liminality in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Liminality

Table of Contents

The term “liminality” has its etymological roots in the Latin word “limen,” which means “threshold” or “boundary.” It was originally coined by the anthropologist Arnold van Gennep in the early 20th century to describe the intermediate phase of a rite of passage, a concept he derived from observing rituals and ceremonies in various cultures.

With time, “liminality” has evolved to refer not only to the transitional state within rituals but also to any ambiguous or in-between condition where individuals or groups temporarily occupy a position at the edge or boundary of social or cultural norms.

This concept has been adopted and expanded upon in fields such as anthropology, sociology, psychology, and literary studies to analyze various aspects of human experience and cultural phenomena involving states of ambiguity, transformation, and change.

Meanings of Liminality

Meanings	Explanation
Threshold of Transformation:	In literature, liminality often represents a transitional phase in a character’s journey, where they stand at the threshold of significant personal growth or change. It signifies a period of uncertainty and potential, where characters may undergo profound transformations.
Narrative Tension:	Liminal spaces and moments can create narrative tension, as characters grapple with ambiguity and the unknown. It can serve as a powerful plot device, driving the story forward and keeping readers engaged.
Symbolism of Transition:	Liminality is frequently employed as a symbolic element in literature, representing more than just physical or temporal transitions. It can symbolize psychological, cultural, or societal shifts, providing deeper layers of meaning to the narrative.
Exploration of Identity:	Liminality in literature often leads to an exploration of identity. Characters caught in liminal states may question their roles, beliefs, and values, leading to self-discovery and introspection.
Cultural and Social Critique:	In literary theory, liminality is used to critique societal and cultural norms. It sheds light on how individuals or groups who occupy liminal spaces challenge established boundaries and question prevailing ideologies.
Ritual and Ceremony:	Liminality is closely tied to rituals and ceremonies in literature, mirroring its anthropological roots. These rituals often involve characters passing through a liminal phase, marking a transition from one state to another.
Psychological States:	Liminality is also applied to explore characters’ psychological states, especially when they are in a state of uncertainty, ambiguity, or crisis. It delves into the complexities of the human psyche during times of transition.
Transformation and Change:	Liminal moments and spaces are frequently associated with transformative experiences in literature. They highlight the potential for growth, enlightenment, or even loss that can occur during these transitional phases.

Definition of Liminality as a Theoretical Term

Liminality, as a theoretical term, refers to a state of transition or in-betweenness characterized by ambiguity and uncertainty.

It is often used in anthropology, sociology, and literary theory to describe the intermediate phase where individuals or groups occupy a position at the threshold of distinct social, cultural, or psychological states.

This concept highlights the transformative potential and the challenges associated with crossing boundaries or undergoing profound changes in various contexts.

Liminality: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorists:

Arnold van Gennep: Originated the concept of liminality in his work on rites of passage, laying the foundation for its application in anthropology and literary theory.
Victor Turner: Developed and expanded upon van Gennep’s ideas, particularly in the context of ritual and social anthropology, contributing to the understanding of liminality as a transformative and culturally significant state.

Key Works:

The Rites of Passage by Arnold van Gennep: This seminal work introduced the concept of liminality as an essential phase in rituals and rites of passage, which later influenced its adoption in literary and cultural analysis.

The Ritual Process: Structure and Anti-Structure by Victor Turner: In this work, Turner further elucidates the concept of liminality, exploring its role in various cultural and social contexts and emphasizing its importance as a phase of ambiguity and transformation.

Central Arguments:

Transformation and Transition: The central argument concerning liminality is its role as a transitional phase where individuals or groups undergo profound changes, both psychologically and culturally, as they navigate the threshold between two distinct states.
Cultural and Social Significance: Liminality is argued to hold cultural and social significance, often challenging established norms and hierarchies. It provides a space for subversion, questioning, and cultural critique within rituals, literature, and society.

Narrative and Symbolism: In literary theory, liminality is seen as a powerful narrative tool and symbol, representing moments of tension, growth, and transformation in the lives of characters or societies. It adds depth and complexity to narratives by exploring the liminal spaces between familiar structures.

Liminality and Literary Theories

Type	Relevance of Liminality
Structuralism:	Liminality is used in structuralist literary theory to highlight moments of transition and transformation in narratives. It focuses on the disruption of binary oppositions and the exploration of in-between states, emphasizing the inherent instability and ambiguity present in literary texts.
Postcolonialism:	In postcolonial literary theory, liminality is employed to analyze the experiences of individuals and communities caught between colonial and postcolonial identities. It helps to understand the complexities of cultural hybridity and the negotiation of power dynamics in literature from postcolonial regions.
Feminist Theory:	Liminality is used within feminist literary theory to explore the position of women in literature and society. It often relates to the liminal spaces women occupy, both in terms of societal roles and personal identity. Feminist theorists examine how these transitional phases impact the portrayal of female characters and their agency in narratives.
Narratology:	Within narratology, liminality is utilized to analyze the structure and progression of narratives. It helps scholars understand how transitional phases in a story contribute to its overall development, creating tension and opportunities for character growth.
Cultural Studies:	Liminality is employed in cultural studies to critique societal norms and explore the complexities of cultural boundaries and identities depicted in literature. It is used to examine how individuals or groups who occupy liminal spaces challenge established norms and ideologies within a specific cultural context.
Psychoanalytic Theory:	Psychoanalytic literary theory uses liminality to delve into the psychological states of characters during moments of transition or crisis. It offers insights into the inner workings of the human psyche, particularly when characters confront ambiguity and uncertainty.
Poststructuralism:	In poststructuralist literary theory, liminality plays a crucial role in deconstructing binary oppositions and revealing the fluidity of meaning. It emphasizes how texts and identities are not fixed but constantly shifting and contingent, blurring boundaries between categories.
Queer Theory:	Liminality is used in queer literary theory to examine non-normative experiences of gender and sexuality. It explores the spaces between conventional categories and identities, highlighting the fluidity and complexity of queer narratives and characters.

Liminality in Literary Criticism

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (1996, British-American Literature):
- While “Neverwhere” is from the 1990s, it captures the liminality of a hidden and parallel world beneath London. The protagonist, Richard Mayhew, enters this dark and mysterious realm, becoming a liminal figure who straddles two worlds. Gaiman’s narrative explores the blurred boundaries between reality and fantasy, emphasizing the transient nature of urban existence.

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985, Canadian-American Literature):
- Atwood’s dystopian masterpiece, The Handmaid’s Tale, is a reflection of the liminal space between the past and the future. The novel is set in the Republic of Gilead, where women’s roles are strictly defined. Offred, the protagonist, occupies a liminal position as a Handmaid, torn between her previous life and her oppressive present. The narrative explores the fragility of freedom and the fluidity of identity.
Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie (1981, British-Indian Literature):
- Rushdie’s novel is a tapestry of postcolonial liminality, set against the backdrop of India’s transition to independence. The protagonist, Saleem Sinai, is born at the exact moment of India’s independence, linking his life with the destiny of the nation. His narrative reflects the liminal space between personal and collective history, with magical realism blurring the boundaries between reality and myth.
White Noise by Don DeLillo (1985, American Literature):
- DeLillo’s novel White Noise explores the liminality of modern consumer culture and the pervasive influence of media. The characters exist in a state of constant sensory overload, highlighting the liminal space between the real and the simulated. The novel critiques the ambiguity and uncertainty that arise in a world saturated with information and technology.

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