Reading Aragon’s Paris Peasant felt like a brain workout at one hand, and an imaginary escape at another. With a conventional bias, I struggled to find the “plot” of the story, like many of my peers reading this book. I constantly searched for a plot; however, in the process of doing so, I realized that I was characterizing the idea of a “plot”. I realized that I shouldn’t be looking for something in the book, but to absorb whatever the book was throwing at me. In this way, Aragon’s way of writing felt quite similar to Proust’s Combray; both authors reflect on memories associated with specific areas. However, whereas Proust focused on conveying the everyday experiences the narrator had with his family, at least in the first section of the chapter, Aragon focuses on his particular thoughts and opinions that were derived in the Passage de l’Opera. For example, after giving a great description of the Passage de l’Opera, Aragon quickly turns what specific thought he had regarding Hotel de Monte-Carlo, Librarie Rey, the passage’s concierge, Café du Petit Grillon, etc. It was particularly interesting to read the section about exportation, especially because Aragon inserted pictures of authentic signs and newspaper articles for reference. This whole section about exportation, from page 24 to 32, even seemed like a story in itself. Aragon’s description of the struggles faced by whom he called “tomorrow’s victims of exportation” really engaged me in the section of the book, and almost brought out a sympathetic emotion.
Aragon’s attitude, especially in the first pages of the book, also showed similarities to Proust. Particularly, this quote grabbed my attention:
“Humanity’s stupid rationalism contains an unimaginably large element of materialism. This fear of error which everything recalls to me at every moment of the flight of my ideas, this mania for control, makes man prefer reason’s imagination to the imagination of the senses” (9).
This quote showed Aragon’s perspective to focus on his senses and be limitless in his imagination; it showed his interesting perspective that errors, especially those that are caused by sensual imagination, can provide a unique insight that nothing else than itself could provide. Perhaps this attitude can be described as “modernistic”; it challenges conventional habits and beliefs suggests a new approach. Much as his writing style being unlike a traditional novel, his thoughts seem very unique and new as well. Aragon’s focus on sensuality is further shown when he writes about hairdressers and sensual pleasures (44-45). Lastly, starting with “A Feeling for Nature at the Buttes-Chaumont”, Aragon’s thoughts seem to deepen, with heavier ideas of surrealism and temporality are shown.
To finish my blog, I would like to end with a question: What kind of attitude do you think Aragon has toward modernism? Does Aragon seem hopeful for the new changes modernism can bring? Does he seem to be against modernity, as it poses a risk that “what was known until today could be completely gone tomorrow?”
“errors, especially those that are caused by sensual imagination, can provide a unique insight that nothing else than itself could provide”
Yes, I like this, especially if we think of the double meaning of to “err”… not only to make a mistake, but also to wander from the path, from the straight and narrow. This is definitely Aragon’s method, and partly also why he disdains plot. He wants his narrative to wander, to err, to go where it wants to go, following its senses.
Thank you for your comment. I like Aragon’s unique approach, especially when it comes to reading. He indeed wants his narrative to wander, however I find myself limiting my thoughts to wander with his narrative. I feel this ties into our “academic reading/ reading with a goal” discussion during our first week of class. I am still trying to let go of the tendency to read with a fixed goal, and to wander wherever the narrative leads me. Proust and Aragon’s books have helped me so far. It’s such a unique way of thinking/ reading, and I really enjoy it.
Hi Daniel,
Similarly to you, I was also searching for a plot throughout the reading to be met without one. I really like what you said about absorbing what the book is throwing at you. I think so many of us (including myself) are often searching for what we already know and find comforting when we read, perhaps in an attempt to make it more relatable. But it is just as important to sometimes just appreciate what we are reading and not search for something that is not there. Paris Peasant had lots to offer and once we are able to get over this search and start absorbing, it is a really wondering piece of writing!
Hi Daniel!
I totally struggled with the same thing initially, and I ended up reacting the same way – by just relaxing and letting the book happen it became much more enjoyable than it would have been if I spent the entire book looking for a conventional plot. I felt like Aragon forced me to read the book the way he wrote it, with a focus on the senses and going wherever your thoughts take you. It’s interesting that you compare Proust and Aragon as well, they are from different movements but both of those movements were seeking to challenged the conventional way of writing/reading. I hadn’t really noticed that until you brought it up in your post!