Assignment 103 : Navigating Colonial Landscapes: Unveiling the Byronic Hero in Literature

 This blog is part of an assignment for the paper 103 - Litrature of The Romantics, Sem - 1, 2023.

Navigating Colonial Landscapes: Unveiling the Byronic Hero in Literature

Table of Contents:-

• Personal Information
• Assignment Details
• Abstract
• Keywords
• Introduction
• Childe Harold: Embracing the Melancholy Byronic Hero
• Dorian Gray: Byronic Hero's Tragic Entanglement
• Gatsby: The American Byronic Heros’ Futile Quest
• Okonkwo's Tragic Struggle: The Byronic Hero in a Colonial Landscape
• Devdas: The Byronic Hero's Tragic Quest in a Changing Bengal
• Conclusion
• References

Personal Information:-

• Name:- Dhatri Parmar
• Batch:- M.A. Sem 1 (2023-2025)
• Enrollment Number:- 5108230032
• E-mail Address:-dhatriparmar291@gmail.com
• Roll Number:- 7

Assignment Details:-

Topic:-Navigating Colonial Landscapes: Unveiling the Byronic Hero in Literature

Paper & subject code:- 103 - Literature of the Romantics & 22394

Submitted to:- Smt. Sujata Binoy Gardi, Department of English, MKBU, Bhavnagar

Date of Submission:- 01 December,2023

Abstract : 

This paper explores the "Byronic hero" in stories from colonial and postcolonial times. Originating in Lord Byron’s 19th century poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage,Byronic heroes, like in Lord Byron's poem, are brooding, rebellious, and struggle with fitting in. Canonical literary works featuring iconic Byronic protagonists are examined, spanning British Victorian literature (The Picture of Dorian Gray), American Jazz Age writing (The Great Gatsby), and postcolonial African (Things Fall Apart) and Indian (Devdas) novels. Despite their different cultures, the paper shows how these characters deal with fitting in or standing out. They represent conflicts between tradition and progress and feeling a part of or apart from society. The paper argues that these heroes symbolize fears and challenges of cultural identity and change during colonialism and modern times, warning that their rebellious nature might not bring stability in changing societies.

Key Words : Byronic hero, Colonial/postcolonial literature, Cultural identity,Tradition vs. progress,Societal belonging

Introduction : 

The emergence of the Byronic hero came about during the Romantic era, a period in the late 18th to early 19th centuries marked by a focus on emotion, individualism, and a rebellion against societal norms. Lord Byron, a prominent figure of this era, introduced the archetype through his literary works. This period saw a shift in literature, where characters became more complex and introspective, reflecting the changing social and political landscapes. The Byronic hero embodied this shift, standing as a rebellious figure against authority, often struggling with inner conflicts and defying conventional morality. The historical context of societal changes, the aftermath of revolutions, and a growing emphasis on personal expression all contributed to the creation and popularity of the Byronic hero as a symbol of individualism and emotional depth in literature.

Byronic heroes are found in stories from colonial and postcolonial times. These heroes, like in England, America, Africa, and India, deal with big changes caused by powerful rulers and cultural changes. Looking at famous Byronic heroes from these places shows how they struggle with being themselves or fitting into society. They face questions about being alone or part of a group, staying where they are or following new ways, and dealing with the past or moving forward in places affected by colonialism.

Pascall highlights Macaulay's early depiction of the archetypal Byronic hero in a review from 1831: "a man proud, moody, cynical, with defiance on his brow, and misery in his heart, a scorner of his kind, implacable in revenge, yet capable of deep and strong affection."

Childe Harold: Embracing the Melancholy Byronic Hero : 

Lord Byron created the idea of the Byronic hero in his poem "Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage" in 1812. The story follows a young man named Harold who travels around Europe feeling tired and sad because of mistakes he made in the past. He wanders around to avoid thinking about these dark feelings and the things he did wrong. He's proud and likes being on his own, away from society.

In the poem’s third stanza, Childe Harold feels troubled by his family's reputation and wants to break free from it. This connects to how, during colonial times, people were judged based on their family background. Just like those in colonial settings who wanted to escape restrictions linked to their family's history, Childe Harold aims to break away from the constraints imposed by his noble lineage. He's trying to find his own path, much like individuals during colonial times sought to challenge limitations tied to their family background.

 Byron's narrator describes Harold as having a strong yet kind personality, capturing the mysterious charm that future Byronic heroes have, making readers like them.

Dorian Gray: Byronic Hero's Tragic Entanglement

Oscar Wilde's book "The Picture of Dorian Gray," published in 1890, introduces Dorian Gray, a handsome and self-centered character who resembles the Byronic heroes. Despite his charming persona, Dorian feels really bad inside and a painting of him shows his hidden ugliness. Wilde writes how “ugliness that had once been hateful to him...seemed to have a strange fascination” 

Ellen Scheible suggests that characters like Dorian, who seem strange, represent secret dangers in these stories. They highlight how colonial powers trying to control cultural changes might fail. Dorian, affected by societal pressures, can't escape his inner struggles or fit in anywhere.

The novel focuses on Dorian's outer beauty versus his internal decay. Dorian's fascination with his hidden ugliness reveals a deeper side to his character. Ellen Scheible's idea agrees that characters like Dorian show risks when colonial powers try to shape cultural shifts. Dorian falls victim to society's expectations, unable to find peace or a place in society.

In Wilde's story, Dorian's portrayal warns about the challenges of keeping up appearances while dealing with inner troubles. Ellen Scheible's view emphasizes the dangers in colonial attempts to control society's modern changes. Dorian's tragic inability to belong or overcome his inner conflicts reflects the risks of trying to control cultural evolution.

Gatsby: The American Byronic Heros’ Futile Quest : 

F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" introduces Jay Gatsby, a self-made and enigmatic figure living in a grand mansion on Long Island. Despite his wealth, Gatsby's past involves illicit activities, yet he throws lavish parties to blend in with the upper class. However, his criminal background prevents acceptance by the elite and complicates his pursuit of love.

Dianne E. Bechtel suggests that,“As a proletarian or working-class man, Gatsby’s  tragic flaw is rooted in cultural incompetence. No matter how much status or

notoriety he acquires, he cannot rise intellectually or aesthetically above his

disposition and its ultimate annihilation.”(Bechtel)  The American Dream often champions hard work and ambition, yet overlooks the systemic barriers perpetuating inequality. Gatsby's wealth, gained from illegal bootlegging during Prohibition, further ostracizes him from legitimate society, associating him with the criminal underworld.

In the end, Gatsby meets a tragic demise. Fitzgerald, akin to previous Byronic heroes, portrays the emptiness of social ascent. Even with success, one can feel unfulfilled, particularly in a changing world.

Okonkwo's Tragic Struggle: The Byronic Hero in a Colonial Landscape : 

In Chinua Achebe's book "Things Fall Apart" from 1958, there's a character named Okonkwo. He's a strong and forceful man who follows the traditions of the Igbo people in Nigeria. These values helped him before, but when the colonial powers arrived, they became a problem. A critic named Echeruo said Okonkwo goes too far with his extreme behavior, similar to other Byronic heroes who break their society's rules. 

 Patrick C. Nnoromele in his article ‘The Plight of a Hero in Achebe s "Things Fall Apart"’ made argument that Okonkwo and his society face a choice between sticking to their old ways or adopting new ones, like the Europeans. Some in Umuofia find the European lifestyle tempting because it seems to offer modern comforts. But Okonkwo disagrees. He knows that accepting this new way means giving up what made him who he is and what he believes in.(Nnoromele)

Like Dorian Gray's story, Okonkwo's qualities that made him respected as a warrior end up making him an outcast when things change. He feels like he doesn't belong and, in the end, he gives up and ends his own life. His struggle in the face of colonial changes shows how being too focused on oneself clashes with cultural changes in society.

Devdas: The Byronic Hero's Tragic Quest in a Changing Bengal : 

In the old Bengali novel "Devdas" from the early 1900s, there's a character named Devdas Mukherjee. He's from a wealthy family and struggles to balance his family duties with his love for his childhood sweetheart, Paro. Devdas is like the brooding heroes we've seen before, with intense and dark eyes that seem to look deep into your heart. But instead of accepting an arranged marriage, he falls into despair and ruins his life with alcohol. Yasaman Nouri compared him with a tragic hero and stated that, ”Devdas is a stubborn man, and tends to be cowardly. His lack of courage to fight for his life is one of his biggest weaknesses.” (Nouri)

Devdas faces marginalization on multiple fronts.His family and society expect him to act a certain way, not letting him do what he wants. His love for Paro is rejected because of society's rules, making him really sad. He doesn't stand up for himself much, so he feels like he doesn't have control over his life. He ends up alone, drinking a lot, which makes him even more separated from others. His struggles show how hard it is to fit in and be happy when society and rules push you away.

 He isolates himself in memories of the past, much like Childe Harold wandering in his own way. Critics say Devdas represents Bengal's longing for the past while dealing with changes in society. His stubborn pursuit of personal desires shows the constant struggle of heroes like him to understand their own feelings in a changing world. 

Conclusion : 

The Byronic hero, seen in characters like Childe Harold, Okonkwo, and Devdas, works in different stories affected by big changes and colonial times. These heroes are strong-willed but struggle with fitting in and dealing with their past. They represent conflicts between old and new ways in societies that went through colonial rule. These characters feel torn between wanting the past and creating new futures in a complex world. They're a bit like rebels, standing out from others, but inside, they often have their own problems. While they make us care about them, their rebellious image sometimes stops them from fitting into society. This shows how changing societies deal with fears and dreams, and how hard it is to belong and be stable in a world that keeps changing.

References : 

Achebe, Chinua. Things fall apart. Penguin Publishing Group, 1994.

Bechtel, Dianne E. “Jay Gatsby, Failed Intellectual: F. Scott Fitzgerald's Trope for Social Stratification.” Jstor, 16 June 2023, https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.5325/fscotfitzrevi.15.1.0117. Accessed 21 November 2023.

Byron, Lord George Gordon, and Byron. Childe Harold's Pilgrimage. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2017.

Chattopadhyay, Saratchandra. Devdas. Fingerprint! Hindi, Prakāśa Buksa Iṇḍiyā Prāiveṭa Limiṭeḍa kā eka prakāśana, 2019.

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Prakash Book Depot, 2014.

Nnoromele, Patrick C. “The Plight of a Hero in Achebe s "Things Fall Apart."” Jstor, 16 June 2023, https://www.jstor.org/stable/25112519. Accessed 21 November 2023.

Nouri, Yasaman. Devdas, the Aristotelian Tragic Hero of Indian Literature: A Case Study, 16 June 2023, https://www.indianstudies.net/V1/n3/v1n3s202.pdf. Accessed 21 November 2023.

Wilde, Oscar. The Picture of Dorian Gray. Prakash Book Depot, 2015.

Words : 1887