Here you will get the detailed summary of IGNOU MEG 6 Block 6 – American Poetry-II.
We have provided the summary of all units starting from unit 1 to unit 4.
Introduction
IGNOU MEG-6 Block 6, titled American Poetry-II, expands on the understanding of American poetic expression by focusing on the evolution of modern short fiction through poetic sensibilities. Despite the title, this block is centered around American short stories and explores how narrative and lyrical elements converge in works by Ernest Hemingway and William Faulkner. The units delve into the development of the American short story as a form, providing literary analysis and thematic insight into selected texts while highlighting stylistic and structural innovations. Through comparative discussion, the block outlines contrasts in narrative voice, tone, and technique among prominent writers of the 20th century.
Unit 1 – The American Short Story
This unit outlines the development of the American short story as a significant literary form from the 19th to the 20th century.
Key Points:
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The American short story is characterized by brevity, focus, and emotional intensity.
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It evolved from sketches and tales in early American literature to psychological realism and experimental forms.
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Writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Washington Irving laid the groundwork with tales that blended morality, imagination, and atmosphere.
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The 20th century introduced a more realistic and fragmented form, reflecting social and psychological complexity.
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The short story form allowed writers to experiment with:
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Narrative compression
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Interior monologues
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Symbolism and open endings
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This unit sets the stage for studying Hemingway and Faulkner as pivotal modern short story writers who diverged from traditional storytelling.
Unit 2 – Hemingway: A Clean, Well-Lighted Place
This unit offers a close reading of Ernest Hemingway’s short story, which exemplifies his famous “iceberg theory” of writing—where much of the story’s meaning lies beneath the surface.
Themes and Techniques:
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Explores loneliness, existential despair, and the human need for dignity and order.
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Two waiters discuss an old man who seeks refuge in a well-lit café late at night.
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Hemingway contrasts youthful impatience with mature empathy, revealing differing attitudes toward old age and meaninglessness.
Stylistic Features:
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Minimalist prose, with short, simple sentences.
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Use of dialogue to reveal character psychology.
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Sparse setting and understated emotion create a tone of quiet melancholy.
This story is emblematic of Hemingway’s style—restrained, ambiguous, and powerful through suggestion rather than direct exposition.
Unit 3 – William Faulkner: The Bear
This unit analyzes William Faulkner’s complex narrative, The Bear, from his novel Go Down, Moses, as a blend of myth, history, and personal growth.
Major Themes:
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Man’s relationship with nature and the loss of wilderness.
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The burden of Southern history, including slavery and racial guilt.
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The initiation and maturity of a young boy, Ike McCaslin.
Narrative Techniques:
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Dense, multi-layered prose with long, intricate sentences.
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Frequent use of stream of consciousness and nonlinear narration.
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Juxtaposition of mythic elements with realistic depictions of Southern life.
Faulkner’s story is thematically and stylistically in contrast to Hemingway’s: rich in symbolism, complex in structure, and deeply rooted in historical consciousness.
Unit 4 – Comparisons and Contrasts
This unit provides a comparative analysis of Hemingway and Faulkner, emphasizing their distinct narrative voices, themes, and literary philosophies.
Contrasts:
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Hemingway: Minimalist, objective, surface-level narration with hidden depth.
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Faulkner: Expansive, introspective, philosophical, and historically embedded.
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Hemingway portrays individual existential moments; Faulkner engages with generational, societal, and moral questions.
Commonalities:
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Both engage with themes of alienation, change, and human struggle.
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Both revolutionized narrative form in the 20th century and contributed to the modernist movement.
The unit underscores that while their styles and techniques diverge, both authors significantly shaped the trajectory of American short fiction, making their works enduring subjects of literary study.