The Art of Intimacy

1. Intimacy in fiction: The space between characters

What's in that critical space between in fiction? Of what is it composed? What makes it "work" or not?

The essence of intimacy. In fiction, intimacy is not merely about characters saying or doing intimate things. It's about the textual atmosphere, a biosphere that emanates from the characters and acts upon them deeply and personally. This space between characters, where they meet, is not just the medium for intimacy but often the thing itself.

• Key components of intimacy in fiction:
  • Textual atmosphere
  • Shared language
  • Emotional resonance
  • Unspoken connections

The writer's task is to create this space, allowing readers to feel the electricity of connection between characters. It's in this space that true intimacy is born, often more powerfully than in explicit descriptions of closeness.

2. The subjunctive as a meeting ground for characters

Meet me in the subjunctive, in a possibility. Meet me in the if.

The power of possibility. The subjunctive mood in fiction creates a unique space for characters to meet, allowing for simultaneous possibilities of occurrence and non-occurrence. This "if" space is a powerful tool for summoning desire and loss, causing readers to experience both states with equal force.

• Functions of the subjunctive in fiction:
  • Creates hypothetical scenarios
  • Explores unfulfilled desires
  • Bridges past and present
  • Reveals characters' inner worlds

Authors like Elizabeth Bowen and William Maxwell use the subjunctive to create profound, long-lasting psychic intimacies between characters who may have only briefly met in the "real life" of the novel. This technique allows for a deeper exploration of connections and missed opportunities.

3. The world as a canvas for intimate connections

Intimacy brings a liberating knowledge of the foreign, the beyond, of the limits of the self in a much bigger universe.

Expanding consciousness through intimacy. D.H. Lawrence's approach to intimacy in fiction goes beyond personal connections, using it as a way for characters to break out of their limited perspectives and engage with a larger consciousness. This approach sees intimacy as a disturbance that wakes characters up and radically changes their perception of the world.

• Effects of Lawrentian intimacy:
  • Decenters characters
  • Expands perception of the world
  • Challenges self-identity
  • Reveals universal truths

Lawrence's characters use their bodies to break open their psyches, accessing knowledge unavailable through other means. This approach to intimacy is not about transcendence but about profound disturbance, offering a boat out of crushing psychological and cultural localness.

4. Visual imagery as a powerful tool for conveying intimacy

Looking together united them.

The power of shared vision. Virginia Woolf's use of visual imagery in "To the Lighthouse" demonstrates how intimacy can be conveyed through shared perception. By focusing on how characters collectively view and interpret their surroundings, Woolf creates a sense of unity and connection that transcends physical or verbal interactions.

• Woolf's techniques for visual intimacy:
  • Detailed descriptions of shared scenes
  • Characters' reactions to visual stimuli
  • Use of light and shadow
  • Metaphorical interpretations of visual elements

This approach allows readers to experience the characters' closeness through their shared engagement with the world around them. The act of looking together becomes a profound expression of intimacy, revealing the characters' inner worlds and their connections to each other.

5. The dark side of intimacy: Exploring destructive relationships

The space between, in The Secret Sharer, is a transactional one in which the shadow side of one character is sewn, Peter Pan–style, to the heels of another.

Intimacy's destructive potential. Not all intimate relationships in fiction are positive or constructive. Authors like Joseph Conrad and Nella Larsen explore the darker aspects of intimacy, where characters use closeness as a means of domination, manipulation, or self-destruction.

• Aspects of destructive intimacy in fiction:
  • Power imbalances
  • Psychological manipulation
  • Identity erasure
  • Projection of internal conflicts

These works challenge readers to confront uncomfortable truths about human relationships and the potential for harm within intimate connections. By exploring these darker aspects, authors create complex, morally ambiguous narratives that resonate on a deeper level.

6. The evolving role of intimacy in literature

Every time one character approaches another, makes that perilous crossing into the space between, the reader knows that what happens next will be critical, it will produce a change.

Intimacy as a narrative engine. The concept of intimacy in literature has evolved over time, reflecting changing social norms and psychological understanding. While intimacy remains a powerful force in storytelling, modern writers often approach it with more complexity and skepticism.

• Evolution of intimacy in literature:
  • From idealized romantic love to complex, ambiguous relationships
  • Increased focus on non-romantic forms of intimacy
  • Exploration of intimacy's role in self-discovery and identity formation
  • Challenging traditional narratives of love and connection

Contemporary writers are reimagining intimacy, exploring its many facets beyond romantic love and questioning its ability to provide ultimate fulfillment or transformation. This shift reflects a more nuanced understanding of human relationships and their role in narrative.

7. The reader-writer relationship: A complex intimacy

The writer is continually engaging an unknowable Other, a protean ghost.

The unseen audience. The relationship between reader and writer is itself a form of intimacy, one that is complex and ever-changing. Writers must engage with an unknown, multiple audience, creating a unique form of connection that spans time and space.

• Aspects of reader-writer intimacy:
  • Shared imagination
  • Trust in storytelling
  • Emotional engagement
  • Intellectual exchange

This relationship can be respectful and distant, as in conventional realistic fiction, or more kinetic and acknowledged, as in works that break the fourth wall. The level of intimacy between reader and writer can significantly impact the reading experience and the interpretation of the text.

8. White space: The unspoken intimacy between text and reader

The white space, the space between in Play It As It Lays, is like the blank piece of paper that the cops give the perp in myriad television shows and movies, saying, Start writing. Tell us in your own words what happened.

The power of the unsaid. White space in fiction – both literal spaces on the page and metaphorical gaps in the narrative – creates a unique form of intimacy between text and reader. This space invites readers to participate actively in the creation of meaning, filling in gaps and making connections.

• Functions of white space in fiction:
  • Encourages reader interpretation
  • Creates rhythm and pacing
  • Emphasizes key moments
  • Reflects characters' mental states

Authors like Joan Didion and Percival Everett use white space to create challenging, morally complex narratives that implicate readers in the story's events. This technique blurs the lines between observer and participant, creating a profound and sometimes uncomfortable intimacy between reader and text.

Last updated: November 22, 2024