“I suffered no pain, my hunger had taken the edge off; instead I felt pleasantly empty, untouched by everything around me and happy to be unseen by all. I put my legs up on the bench and leaned back, the best way to feel the true well-being of seclusion. There wasn't a cloud in my mind, nor did I feel any discomfort, and I hadn't a single unfulfilled desire or craving as far as my thought could reach. I lay with open eyes in a state of utter absence from myself and felt deliciously out of it.”
Hunger is a raw and intense exploration of the struggles faced by a starving young writer in Kristiania (now Oslo). Knut Hamsun's stream-of-consciousness style takes us deep into the protagonist's chaotic mind as he battles hunger and despair, wandering the streets aimlessly. This powerful novel, first published in 1890, brilliantly explores the psychodynamics of alienation, obsession, and self-destruction.
I was completely drawn into this story. It unfolds with a lot of complexity, even though the plot might seem simple. The richness of the book lies in the protagonist's fight to find work, his constant hunger, and his feeling of being cut off from society. Despite his efforts to fit in and earn respect, he faces rejection because of his shabby appearance, his frail condition, and his mental decline. Hamsun shows how societal rejection can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection through the protagonist's relentless struggle for acceptance.
Themes of pride and dignity come up a lot, especially as the protagonist tries to hold on to his sense of self-worth despite everything. Some of his actions show both his generosity and his refusal to fully accept his terrible circumstances. For example there is a part where he gives away what little he has, which I think was not just out of generosity, but as a way of asserting control over his circumstances. I found that this generous act also symbolizes his defiance in the face of destitution, as he strives to uphold his dignity in a world that seeks to strip it away. He clings fiercely to his self-respect, refusing to give in to the degrading forces of poverty and hunger. His reluctance to accept charity and his shame at being seen as needy reveal his fierce determination to preserve his self-worth, even as circumstances conspire against him.
"Keep it, keep it!" I answered. "You are very welcome to it!" It is only a couple of small things, doesn't amount to anything-About everything I own in the world."
“It was not my intention to collapse; no, I would die standing.”
“I would be beholden to no man, not even for a blanket.”
Through the protagonist's wandering and rambling, shown through a stream of consciousness style, we get a close look at his inner turmoil and descent into madness. It's a heartbreaking journey, made even more poignant knowing that Hamsun drew from his own experiences. While the narrative style can be tough at times, I came to appreciate how it captures the protagonist's chaotic state of mind. The fragmented nature of the story reflects his fractured psyche, showing his mental breakdown firsthand. There were moments when this disjointed narrative left me frustrated and somewhat uninterested, but after finishing the book and reflecting on its contents, I grew to appreciate the author's intentions more deeply. I think a second reading would reveal even more.
Hunger also touches on themes of existentialism and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. As the protagonist deals with his existential despair and sense of futility, Hamsun raises deep questions about the nature of existence and what it means to be human. Through the protagonist's aimless wandering and existential angst, the novel made me think about the uncertainties and ambiguities of life.
I loved Hamsun's writing. It is gripping and compelling. He was able to explore various themes of alienation, pride, dignity, mental illness, as well as existentialism with deep insight and sensitivity. Hamsun's portrayal of these themes makes Hunger a timeless work of literature.
Comments