Etymology of Temporal Liminality
The term “temporal liminality” traces its origins to the Latin word “limen,” which means “threshold.” In the realm of anthropology and cultural studies, the concept of liminality, as popularized by Arnold van Gennep and further developed by Victor Turner, refers to a transitional or in-between phase within rites of passage or cultural rituals.
It signifies a state of ambiguity, transformation, and betwixt-and-betweenness, wherein individuals or societies undergo a period of profound change, often involving a departure from their previous normative structures.
Concept of Temporal Liminality
Temporal liminality extends the notion of liminality to the temporal dimension, emphasizing transitional phases in time rather than space or social rites.
It denotes periods where the past is being relinquished, and the future remains uncertain, as articulated by Paul Ricoeur.
Temporal liminality characterizes moments of crisis, transformation, and existential questioning. It is a period in which individuals or societies confront the disorienting aspects of change and engage in a reevaluation of their identity, values, and narratives, ultimately influencing their perception of past, present, and future temporalities. This concept is frequently explored in the study of literature, history, and cultural analysis to understand how temporal shifts shape human experience and collective memory.
Meanings of Temporal Liminality
| Aspect | Meaning |
| Temporal Liminality | Being in a transitional state, emphasizing profound change and temporal ambiguity. |
| Temporal Transition | Signifying the passage from one temporal state to another, involving transformation and departure from established norms. |
| Temporal Betwixt-and-Betweenness | Existing in a state neither in the past nor the future, as old and new temporal contexts coexist. |
| Temporal Uncertainty | Highlighting inherent disorientation and uncertainty during transitional periods, where the future remains undefined. |
| Temporal Crisis | Emphasizing that temporal liminality often aligns with moments of upheaval, leading to reevaluation of temporal narratives. |
| Temporal Transformation | Reflecting the potential for profound changes in the experience of time, resulting in shifts in perception, memory, and culture. |
Definition of Temporal Liminality as a Theoretical Term
Temporal liminality, as a theoretical concept, denotes a transitional state in time characterized by profound change, ambiguity, and a sense of being neither entirely in the past nor the future.
It represents a phase of temporal transition, often marked by uncertainty and disorientation, where individuals or societies grapple with existential questions.
Temporal liminality is a critical point in which established temporal norms and structures are in flux, allowing for potential transformation in the experience of time and cultural significance.
Temporal Liminality: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Theorists:
- Victor Turner (1920-1983): Victor Turner, a prominent anthropologist, is celebrated for his significant contributions to the concept of liminality, which holds profound implications for the interpretation of transitional moments within literary works.
- Arnold van Gennep (1873-1957): Arnold van Gennep, an early 20th-century ethnographer, pioneered the study of liminality. His work, “The Rites of Passage” (1909), remains relevant for analyzing rites of passage and the symbolic transitions inherent in literature.
- Paul Ricoeur (1913-2005): Paul Ricoeur, a renowned philosopher, delved into the exploration of narrative identity and the transformative potential of time. His philosophical contributions from the 1980s provide valuable insights into the temporal aspects of literary narratives.
- Mircea Eliade (1907-1986): Mircea Eliade, a scholar of religion and mythology, examined sacred time and its profound connection to temporal liminality. His influential work, “The Sacred and the Profane” (1959), is particularly significant for understanding the impact of these concepts on literary narratives and symbols.
- Jonathan Z. Smith (1938-2017): Jonathan Z. Smith, a distinguished scholar of religion, engaged in discussions on the role of temporal liminality within rituals and myths. His writings, spanning several decades up to 2017, provide a valuable framework for interpreting literature and cultural narratives.
Arguments:
- Liminality as a Literary Device: The concept of liminality, expounded upon by these theorists, serves as a sophisticated literary device for authors, enabling them to artistically portray themes of transformation, identity, and narrative structure within their works.
- Temporal Liminality and Narrative Structure: These theorists have offered profound insights into the temporal aspects of liminality, shaping the structure of narratives. This influence includes the manipulation of the temporal dimension and the artful development of characters within literary works.
- Rituals, Myths, and Symbolism in Literature: The roles of rituals and myths, which often intersect with the concept of liminality, significantly contribute to the symbolism and the rich cultural interpretation present in various literary texts.
- Character Development and Transformation: Temporal liminality, as elucidated by these theorists, becomes a potent tool for authors in depicting the dynamic development of characters. This is especially pronounced during transitional phases in literature, where characters undergo profound changes.
- Interpretation of Religious and Spiritual Themes: The profound comprehension of sacred time and temporal liminality, articulated by these scholars, profoundly aids in the nuanced interpretation of religious and spiritual themes embedded within literary narratives.
Temporal Liminality and Literary Theories
| Theory | Relevance |
| Narrative Theory | Temporal liminality is crucial in narrative theory, which focuses on how stories are constructed and told. It plays a significant role in the sequencing of events, the manipulation of time, and the use of flashbacks or foreshadowing. The concept of liminality helps theorists understand how authors create suspense, reflect on memory and identity, and structure their narratives. |
| Postcolonial Theory | In postcolonial literature, temporal liminality is often used to explore the intersection of different time periods and cultures. It helps to analyze how colonized societies navigate the temporal space between their indigenous traditions and the influence of colonial powers. This concept is vital in understanding the complex temporal dynamics in postcolonial texts. |
| Feminist Theory | Temporal liminality has a role in feminist literary theory by examining the experiences of women in different time periods. It can be applied to uncover the struggles and transformations of female characters as they move through various stages of their lives. It also aids in analyzing how women’s roles and identities are affected by the temporal context of their stories. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | Temporal liminality has relevance in psychoanalytic literary theory, particularly in the analysis of characters’ inner lives and the relationship between the conscious and unconscious mind. It allows for the exploration of the temporal aspects of trauma, memory, and psychological development in literature. |
| Historical and Cultural Context | Examining temporal liminality is essential for understanding how literature reflects the historical and cultural contexts in which it was written. It helps critics identify periods of social change, upheaval, or transition and how these impact the narratives and characters within literary works. |
| Postmodern Theory | Temporal liminality aligns with the postmodernist idea that linear time is not absolute. Postmodern literature often challenges traditional notions of time, and the concept of liminality is instrumental in analyzing these temporal disruptions and non-linear narratives. |
| Cultural Studies | Cultural studies encompass the examination of cultural representations and their relationship to society. Temporal liminality is relevant in exploring how literature reflects and shapes cultural identities over time, providing insights into the evolution of cultural narratives. |
| Queer Theory | Queer theory explores non-normative sexualities and identities. Temporal liminality can be used to investigate how LGBTQ+ characters navigate the complex temporality of their identities, coming out, and societal acceptance in literature. |
Temporal Liminality in Literary Criticism
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (2011): In The Night Circus, Morgenstern masterfully employs temporal liminality to create a magical and immersive narrative. The novel features a mysterious, otherworldly circus that appears only at night, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. This temporal ambiguity allows the characters to explore their own identities and desires in a setting where time is both constrained and extended. Morgenstern’s use of this liminality adds an enchanting and dreamlike quality to the story, making it a captivating exploration of love, creativity, and the transcendence of time.
- The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead (2016): Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad uses temporal liminality as a means to depict the harrowing experiences of African American slaves escaping to freedom. The novel presents an actual underground railway system, creating a sense of temporal displacement as characters move through different states and time periods. This technique highlights the enduring impact of historical trauma on the characters’ identities and the complexities of their journey to liberation. Whitehead’s narrative approach through this liminality serves as a powerful commentary on the enduring struggle for freedom and equality.
- Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders (2017): Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders delves deeply into this liminality by presenting a narrative set in the liminal space between life and death. The story takes place in a cemetery where spirits of the deceased linger, unable to move on to the afterlife. This novel challenges conventional notions of time and existence, blurring the boundaries between the living and the dead. Saunders’ use of this liminality allows for a profound exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the human experience, offering a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the afterlife.
- Exit West by Mohsin Hamid (2017): In Exit West, Mohsin Hamid incorporates temporal liminality to examine the global refugee crisis. The novel introduces magical doors that serve as portals to different parts of the world. This concept symbolizes the temporal transitions and upheaval experienced by refugees as they escape conflict and seek new beginnings. Hamid’s exploration of temporal liminality underscores the challenges faced by displaced individuals and the impact of time on their identities and relationships. The novel provides a poignant reflection on migration, identity, and the search for a better future.
In these four recent novels, authors skillfully utilize temporal liminality to create unique and thought-provoking narratives. This narrative technique allows for the exploration of complex themes, such as identity, freedom, grief, and migration, in ways that challenge traditional temporal boundaries and offer fresh perspectives on the human experience.
Temporal Liminality: Relevant Terms
- Chronotope: A literary concept introduced by Mikhail Bakhtin, referring to the inherent connection between time and space in a narrative, often highlighting moments of this liminality.
- Narrative Present: The moment in a story where the action takes place, often a temporal liminal space where past and future intersect.
- Flashback: A narrative device that takes the reader to a past event or time, creating a temporal liminality by interrupting the linear progression of the story.
- Foreshadowing: The use of hints or clues in a narrative that suggest future events, creating a sense of this liminality as readers anticipate what will happen.
- Temporal Distortion: A literary technique that manipulates the flow of time to create a sense of this liminality, often through nonlinear storytelling or altering the perception of time.
- Eternal Present: A narrative state where time appears to stand still, creating a temporal liminality that can emphasize significant moments or epiphanies.
- Retrospective Narrative: A storytelling approach where the narrator looks back on events, creating a sense of temporal liminality between the past and the present.
- Temporal Dislocation: The deliberate disruption of the linear progression of time in a narrative, generating a sense of this liminality and disorientation.
- In medias res: Latin for “in the midst of things,” this literary technique begins a story in the middle of the action, creating a sense of this liminality as readers are placed directly into a critical moment, with the past and future left unexplained.
Suggested Readings
- Eliade, Mircea. The Sacred and the Profane: The Nature of Religion. Harcourt, 1959.
- Morgenstern, Erin. The Night Circus. Doubleday, 2011.
- Saunders, George. Lincoln in the Bardo. Random House, 2017.
- Whitehead, Colson. The Underground Railroad. Doubleday, 2016.
- Hamid, Mohsin. Exit West. Riverhead Books, 2017.