“Manners, Morals and the Novel” by Lionel Trilling: Summary and Critique

·  Complex Understanding of “Manners”:

• Trilling defines “manners” not merely as social etiquettes but as a broader cultural hum of implications, hinting at unexpressed values and norms. He articulates this as “the whole evanescent context in which its explicit statements are made” which includes everything from slang and humor to the gestures of daily life.

·  Significance of the Unexpressed in Historical Context:

• The essay highlights the charm and melancholy of the past, suggesting that historical literature often misses the ‘buzz’ of implications, leaving a tranquil yet incomplete picture. Trilling writes, “Somewhere below all the explicit statements that a people makes through its art, religion, architecture, legislation, there is a dim mental region of intention.”

·  Literature’s Inquiry into Reality and Appearance:

• Trilling discusses literature’s obsession with the dichotomy between reality and appearance, using classical examples like Oedipus and Othello to illustrate how literature explores the tension between what seems and what is. He emphasizes, “All literature tends to be concerned with the question of reality—I mean quite simply the old opposition between reality and appearance.”

·  Social Critique through the Novel:

• The novel serves as a medium for social critique by capturing and reflecting the dynamics of social classes and manners. Trilling observes that novels historically have grappled with these themes, often revealing deep societal truths through their narratives.

·  American Literature’s Detachment from Social Reality:

• Unlike European novels, American literature, according to Trilling, often eschews deep social exploration. He mentions American authors who diverged from exploring social realities, noting, “American writers of genius have not turned their minds to society.”

·  Contemporary American Literature and Its Shortcomings:

• Modern American novels fail to adequately capture the complexities of contemporary society, often focusing on superficial narratives rather than profound social dynamics. Trilling argues that this superficial focus misses the potential richness of the American social landscape.

·  Criticism of Snobbery and Class Dynamics:

• Trilling critiques the novel’s fixation on class and snobbery, emphasizing how these elements often overshadow deeper social insights. He argues that snobbery in literature reflects a preoccupation with status rather than meaningful social function.

·  The Novel as a Medium for Moral and Cultural Education:

• The essay champions the novel as a tool for moral reflection and cultural education, arguing that it engages readers with ethical dilemmas and societal roles, prompting introspection about personal and collective morals.

·  Potential of the Novel for Social Reflection and Change:

• Trilling concludes by highlighting the novel’s role in fostering a moral imagination and understanding of human motives, which is crucial for effective societal reform and empathy. He stresses, “It is to prevent this corruption, the most ironic and tragic that man knows, that we stand in need of the moral realism which is the product of the free play of the moral imagination.”

Literary Terms/Concepts in “Manners, Morals and the Novel” by Lionel Trilling

·  Expanding the Understanding of “Manners” in Literature:

• Trilling redefines “manners” beyond mere social etiquette to encompass the implicit cultural norms and values that shape societal interactions. He articulates this broader understanding by identifying manners as the “culture’s hum and buzz of implication,” encompassing all unexpressed or partially expressed societal values that influence behavior.

·  Emphasis on the Implicit Over the Explicit:

• Trilling highlights the importance of what is not explicitly stated in literature, arguing that the unspoken or subtly implied elements often carry more weight in understanding a culture’s moral and ethical landscape. This contributes to literary theory by stressing the role of subtext and the implicit meanings that underpin the explicit narratives.

·  Exploration of Reality versus Appearance:

• The essay extensively discusses the literary preoccupation with the conflict between reality and appearance, drawing on examples from classic literature like Oedipus and Othello. Trilling’s discussion contributes to literary theory by framing this conflict as central to understanding characters and plots, influencing how reality is constructed and perceived in literary contexts.

·  Novel as a Social Document:

• Trilling argues that the novel serves as a critical reflection of societal norms and values, effectively making it a social document that offers insights into the manners and morals of the time. This view contributes to literary theory by supporting the idea that literature serves as a historical and sociological resource, reflecting and critiquing societal structures.

·  Critical Examination of American Literature’s Social Engagement:

• Trilling critiques American literature for its lack of engagement with deep social realities, contrasting it with European literature’s rich exploration of class and societal dynamics. This contributes to literary theory by challenging American literary criticism to reconsider the depth and scope of its social engagement.

·  The Novel’s Role in Moral Education:

• The essay positions the novel as a tool for moral education, suggesting that it engages readers with moral dilemmas and societal roles, encouraging introspection and ethical consideration. This perspective enriches literary theory by underscoring the ethical responsibilities of literature and its potential to influence readers’ moral considerations.

·  Implications for Modern Literary Criticism and Social Responsibility:

• Trilling calls for a modern literary criticism that acknowledges the novel’s potential to reflect and reform societal morals and manners. This challenges existing literary theories to incorporate a more robust consideration of literature’s role in shaping and critiquing societal norms, emphasizing the ethical implications of literary production and criticism.