Name Transparency as a Literary Technique.

Kumar

Akshaya Kumar

Name Transparency as a Literary Technique

IB World Literature I

Akshaya! My name has come to mean much more than seven arbitrary letters; it is a representation of myself to the rest of the world. Similarly, in literature names are used to demonstrate personality and foreshadow character. Both Fedor Dostoyevsky’s Crime and Punishment and Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s Chronicle of a Death Foretold utilize names for characterization. Dostoyevsky’s Raskolnikov and Razumihin provide excellent examples of names whose meanings lead to insight into character. Additionally, Angela Vicario and Maria Alejandrina Cervantes’s names demonstrate Marquez’s use of names as reflections of personality.

Rodion “Rodya” Raskolnikov’s name provides great insight into his character. Rodion and its derivative Rodya mean ‘rose’. Raskolnikov is only called Rodya by two people in the novel, his mother and his sister. Rose implies a tenderness and loving which most of the characters in the novel do not express towards Raskolnikov. In contrast, his mother and his sister love him unreservedly. On seeing Raskolnikov, his mother “...was speechless with joy and surprise...‘Don’t be angry with me, Rodya, for welcoming you so foolishly with tears: I am laughing, not crying... I am delighted’ ”(Dostoyevsky 399). Raskolnikov is her precious first born child, she loved him unconditionally. His sister, Dounia, shares this sentiment. Raskolnikov’s mother describes Dounia’s feelings in her letter to Raskolnikov. “She loves you more than herself”(Dostoyevsky33). It is very appropriate that the two characters who seem to love Raskolnikov unconditionally refer to him with such an endearing name.

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Raskolnikov’s family name, Raskol means ‘schism’ or ‘split’. Raskolnikov clearly demonstrates his schism or split personality through his erratic behavior. Sometimes, he prefers to spend his time alone, but at others he craves companionship. “Raskolnikov ... avoided society of every sort... But now all at once he felt a desire to be with other people. Something new seemed to be taking place... he felt a ... thirst for company” (Dostoyevsky 8). Although he has moments of uninhibited generosity and empathy, he feels that he is above society and has no real connection to the rest of the world. In one notable example, Raskolnikov attempts to save a girl he had never met before, from being taken advantage of by a perverse man. He appeals to a police constable “to keep her out of this scoundrel’s hands! ”(Dostoyevsky, 40). Raskolnikov gives the police officer twenty kopecks to save the girl from her stalker. However, moments later he regrets his decision and resents the girl. He exclaims, “ ‘he has carried off my twenty kopecks,’ ... ‘why did I want to interfere? Is it for me to help? Have I any right to help?’ ” (Dostoyevsky 40). This incident clearly demonstrates the split personality Raskolnikov’s name indicates.

Dimitri Razumihin’s name also provides insight into his character. Dimitri, his first name, means ‘lover of the earth and simple things’. The name ‘Dimitri’ characterizes Razumihin as a unassuming man. Dimitri does not dream of a high social position or riches. His name indicates his satisfaction with the simple things of life. Raskolnikov recalls that Razumihin is “an exceptionally...candid youth, good-natured to the point of simplicity”(Dostoyevsky 41). Dimitri does not share Raskolnikov’s grandiose visions of being a “superman”. His contentment allows him to rationalize and adjust to changes in his life. Raskolnikov reminisces, “He (Razumhihin) spent one winter without lighting the stove and used to declare that he liked it better, because one slept more soundly in the cold”(Dostoyevsky 42). This anecdote illustrates Razumhin’s flexible disposition, which is highlighted by Dimitri’s transparent name.

The stem of his surname, Razum, means ‘level headed’ and ‘balanced’. Razum indicates Razumihin’s balanced nature. He spends his money frugally and wisely. “No failure distressed him, and ... no unfavorable circumstances could crush him. Razumhin is very poor and keeps himself entirely upon what he could earn by work of one sort or another. He knew no end of resources by which to earn money”(Dostoyevsky 42). His balanced nature allows him to maintain himself using what limited resources he has at his disposal. Additionally, Razumihin is dependable and responsible. He cares for Raskolnikov and his family during Rodion’s illness; and takes responsibility for their welfare. In fact, it is Razumihin who wisely purchases bargain price, seasonal clothing for Raskolnikov with the money Rodion’s mother had sent her son. Razumihin embodies the level headedness and rationality that his name signifies. Dostoyevsky uses names as a tool for characterization, but Marquez approached the significance of names from a different perspective.

Angela Vicario’s name provides a depth of character analysis. Her first name, Angela, means ‘angel’. Angel represents the innocent and pure aspect of Angela’s character. Originally, she is perceived as a young and innocent virgin girl. However, the town later discovers that she is not as pure as her name implies. Here Marquez uses her name as an ironic juxtaposition to her unangelic act. “Angela’s mother thought there were no better-reared daughters. ‘They’re perfect,’ she was frequently heard to say”(Marquez 35). In fact, “No one would have thought... that Angela Vicario wasn’t a virgin. She hadn’t known any previous fiancé and she had grown up along with her sisters under the rigor of a mother of iron”(Marquez 41). The town’s universal perception of Angela’s virginity and innocence is accentuated by Marquez’s clever choice for her name.

Vicario means ‘vicar’ or ‘clergyman’; Angela’s last name alludes to religion and moral values. In a society steeped in Roman Catholic tradition and religion, premarital sexual relations are viewed as cardinal sins. “The fact that Angela Vicario dared to put on the veil and orange blossoms without being a virgin would be interpreted afterwards as a profanation of the symbols of purity”(Marquez 46). Religion and purity are very important to Macondo’s society, Angela’s actions are in direct rebellion to these values.

Maria Alejandrina Cervantes’s name is another illustrative example of Marquez’s use of names in characterization. Maria is the Spanish derivation of the Virign Mary. Maria’s first name parallels the irony of Angela. Maria is a prostitute and not a virgin by any means. However, Marquez portrays her with dignity and elegance. The narrator explains, “Maria Alejandrina was the most elegant and most tender woman that I have known”(Marquez 74). This contrast is enhanced by Marquez’s choice for her first name.

Alejandrina signifies ‘protector of mankind’. Cervantes refers to servitude. Alejandrina along with Cervantes illustrates the prostitutes’ role in Macondo’s society. Macondo does not accept a young girl’s premarital sexual relations. However, they accept and expect such behavior from their men. Prostitutes essentially protect the virginity of Macondo’s young girls, while serving the interests of the male-dominated society. The narrator fondly reminisces about his experiences with Maria, “she was ... the most serviceable in bed. It was she who did away with my generation’s virginity. She taught us much more than we should have learned, but she taught us above all that there is no place in life sadder than an empty bed”(74). Marquez’s choice of “Alejandrina Cervantes” serves to indicate Macondo’s view of prostitution.

The use of names to provide insight into characters demonstrates a mastery of stylistic technique. When works are translated, the only words that remain true to the author’s actual text are names. Hence, names are key to unlocking the mysteries of translated literature, and are indispensable in the analysis of these novel. Both Marquez and Dostoyevsky demonstrate an excellent use of this subtle literary technique throughout their works. Crime and Punishment and Chronicle of a Death Foretold serve to highlight the importance of understanding transparent names in order to truly understand a piece of literature.