Temporality in Literature & Literary Theory

Etymology of Temporality

The etymology of the term “temporality” can be traced back to its Latin roots. It derives from the Latin word “temporalis,” which pertains to matters of time or the temporal dimension.

The term has evolved over centuries to encapsulate the concept of time, encompassing the temporal nature of events, phenomena, and existence itself.

In an academic context, “temporality” is often employed to describe the study and analysis of time, including its fluidity, significance, and the temporal relationships that shape human experiences and cultural phenomena. This term plays a crucial role in various disciplines, such as philosophy, literature, and anthropology, as it enables scholars to explore the intricate interplay between time, human consciousness, and the narratives of existence.

Meanings of Temporality

Aspect	Meanings
Temporal Dimension	Time as a continuous, measurable concept of past, present, and future events.
Time-Related Existence	All things, living or not, subject to a temporal framework.
Sequential Order of Events	Chronological arrangement of events.
Phenomenon of Change	Natural process of evolution and transition over time.
Temporal Experience	Perceptions and memories shaped by the passage of time.
Cultural and Historical Significance	Interpretation of time in cultures and historical contexts.
Existential and Philosophical Inquiry	Exploration of time’s impact on individual and collective identity.
Narrative and Literary Element	Role in structuring plot sequences and narratives.
Temporal Artistic Expression	Incorporation into time-based art forms.
Temporal Analysis in Science	Study of temporal patterns, sequences, and relationships in various fields.

Definition of Temporality as a Theoretical Term

Temporality, as a theoretical term, refers to the study and analysis of time as a fundamental dimension of human experience and existence. It encompasses the examination of how time shapes individual and collective identities, influences cultural and historical narratives, and underlies the sequential order of events.

In various academic disciplines, temporality serves as a framework for exploring the multifaceted nature of time, from its impact on consciousness to its role in shaping the narratives of literature and the understanding of temporal phenomena in science and philosophy.

Temporality: Theorists, Works and Arguments

Theorist	Works	Arguments
Martin Heidegger (1889-1976)	“Being and Time” (1927)	Heidegger’s exploration of temporality revolves around the concept of “Dasein” (human existence). He argues that authentic human existence is fundamentally temporal, emphasizing the interconnectedness of past, present, and future. Heidegger’s analysis delves into the existential experience of time and how it shapes our understanding of Being.
Paul Ricoeur (1913-2005)	“Time and Narrative” (1983-1985)	Ricoeur’s work focuses on the narrative nature of temporality. He contends that our experience of time is deeply intertwined with storytelling and the creation of narratives. He explores how narratives structure our understanding of time, memory, and identity.
Henri Bergson (1859-1941)	“Creative Evolution” (1907)	Bergson’s concept of “duration” challenges conventional notions of time. He argues that time is not uniform but is experienced as a continuous flow of change. His ideas on temporal consciousness have influenced various fields, including philosophy and literature.
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)	Theory of Special Relativity (1905) and Theory of General Relativity (1915)	Einstein’s theories of relativity revolutionized our understanding of time in physics. He introduced the idea that time is relative and can be affected by the speed and gravity of objects. These theories transformed our comprehension of spacetime.
Jacques Derrida (1930-2004)	“Of Grammatology” (1967)	Derrida’s deconstructionist approach challenges traditional concepts of temporality by emphasizing the complexities of language and writing. He questions the linear and stable nature of time, suggesting that it is always marked by linguistic and cultural interpretations.
Emmanuel Levinas (1906-1995)	“Totality and Infinity” (1961)	Levinas explores the ethical dimensions of temporality. He argues that our responsibility for the Other is bound to our existence in time. Temporality, for Levinas, is intricately linked to the ethical imperative of recognizing and responding to the Other.

Temporality and Literary Theories

1. Narrative Theory: Temporality 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 temporality helps theorists understand how authors create suspense, reflect on memory and identity, and structure their narratives.
2. Postcolonial Theory: In postcolonial literature, temporality 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.
3. Feminist Theory: Temporality 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.
4. Psychoanalytic Theory: Temporality 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.
5. Historical and Cultural Context: Examining temporality 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.
6. 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.
7. Cultural Studies: Cultural studies encompass the examination of cultural representations and their relationship to society. Temporality is relevant in exploring how literature reflects and shapes cultural identities over time, providing insights into the evolution of cultural narratives.
8. 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.

Temporality in Literary Criticism

1. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez: Temporal Complexity: Márquez’s novel is a masterpiece of temporal complexity, as it weaves a narrative that spans generations and explores the cyclical nature of time. The novel’s inventive use of time, blending past, present, and future, challenges conventional linear storytelling and immerses readers in a world where temporality is fluid and unpredictable.
2. Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: Stream of Consciousness: Woolf’s exploration of temporality through stream-of-consciousness narration is a hallmark of modernist literature. The novel delves into the inner thoughts and perceptions of its characters in real-time, capturing the fleeting nature of individual experiences and the ever-shifting present moment.
3. One Day by David Nicholls: Temporal Structure: Nicholls’ novel employs a unique temporal structure, revisiting the lives of the two protagonists on the same date each year. This approach allows readers to witness the characters’ growth, changes, and the impact of time on their relationship. The novel poignantly illustrates how temporality shapes personal development and human connections.
4. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut: Time Travel and Trauma: Vonnegut’s novel explores temporality through the experiences of its protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, who becomes “unstuck in time.” This temporal dislocation reflects the traumatic effects of war on the human psyche. The novel challenges conventional chronology and highlights the disorienting nature of trauma and the perception of time.

These novels showcase the diverse ways in which temporality is a central theme and narrative device in literature. They challenge traditional storytelling and offer readers an opportunity to engage with the complex, ever-changing nature of time and human existence.

Relevant Terms of Temporality

1. Chronology: The arrangement of events in the order in which they occurred in a narrative, shaping the temporal structure of a literary work.
2. Anachronism: The deliberate or accidental use of elements, events, or language that do not fit the time period or historical context of a narrative, disrupting the narrative’s temporal coherence.
3. Temporal Shift: The intentional manipulation of the chronological order of events within a literary work, often used to create narrative complexity and explore different facets of time.
4. Elastic Time: A narrative technique that allows time to be stretched, compressed, or otherwise manipulated to emphasize certain events or experiences, creating a dynamic temporal dimension.
5. Temporal Distortion: The alteration of the perceived pace or duration of time within a literary text, challenging readers’ temporal expectations.
6. Retrospective Narration: A narrative approach in which events are presented from a future perspective, often offering hindsight and reflection on past events.
7. Stream of Consciousness: A narrative style that attempts to depict the continuous flow of a character’s thoughts and experiences in real-time, capturing the fluidity of consciousness and its relationship with time.
8. Synchrony and Diachrony: Concepts used in structuralist and semiotic approaches to literature, referring to the study of language or events at a single moment in time (synchrony) and across a historical timeline (diachrony).
9. Temporality of Memory: The exploration of how memories and recollections influence the narrative’s temporal structure, as characters reflect on past experiences and their impact on the present.
10. Temporal Liminality: The state of transition or in-betweenness in a narrative, often characterized by uncertainty, transformation, and change in the temporal dimension, leading to deeper exploration of the story’s themes and character development.

Suggested Readings

1. Barthes, Roland. A Lover’s Discourse: Fragments. Vintage, 2010.
2. Benjamin, Walter. The Arcades Project. Belknap Press, 2002.
3. Hassan, Ihab. The Dismemberment of Orpheus: Toward a Postmodern Literature. University of Wisconsin Press, 1982.
4. Derrida, Jacques. Archive Fever: A Freudian Impression. University of Chicago Press, 1998.
5. Proust, Marcel. In Search of Lost Time. Modern Library, 1998.
6. Ricoeur, Paul. Time and Narrative. University of Chicago Press, 1985.
7. Woolf, Virginia. Mrs. Dalloway. Harcourt Brace, 1925.