Analysis of Kenneth's Mural in The Night Stages PDF

In Jane Urquhart’s excerpt from The Night Stages, the character Kenneth’s perspective as he completes his mural is conveyed through a combination of literary techniques, including symbolism, imagery, and tone. Kenneth’s reflections on his work reveal a complex relationship with his art, shaped by de...

In Jane Urquhart’s excerpt from The Night Stages, the character Kenneth’s perspective as he completes his mural is conveyed through a combination of literary techniques, including symbolism, imagery, and tone. Kenneth’s reflections on his work reveal a complex relationship with his art, shaped by defiance of artistic norms, nostalgia, and contemplation of his mural’s future reception. Urquhart effectively uses these elements to highlight Kenneth’s tension between personal fulfillment and external judgment. One key literary technique in the passage is symbolism, which reveals Kenneth’s defiance of traditional artistic expectations and his autonomy as an artist. The repeated imagery of breaking eggs to create the mural symbolizes both his creative process and his rebellion against the critic’s advice to keep his work two-dimensional. Kenneth’s deliberate choice to make the apple in his mural “spherical” rather than flat reflects his commitment to his artistic vision rather than adherence to conventional rules. The critic’s bald head, likened to Humpty-Dumpty, reinforces Kenneth’s dismissal of such cultural gatekeepers, as he recognizes that trends and the authority they carry are ultimately fragile and temporary. Through these symbols, Urquhart portrays Kenneth as an artist who has transcended external constraints, embracing creative freedom. The author also uses imagery to convey Kenneth’s mixed emotions as he finishes the mural. The serene yet confident expression of the child juggler in the mural mirrors Kenneth’s own sense of control and satisfaction with his work. The child’s manipulation of the “tiny planets” evokes the cosmic significance Kenneth assigns to his art, suggesting that it transcends mere decoration. Similarly, the description of the mural as a “two-inch-long piece of ribbon with an unreadable pattern” when photographed contrasts its vastness and detail in person, reflecting Kenneth’s awareness of how art can be perceived differently depending on the viewer’s perspective. These vivid images illustrate Kenneth’s dual feelings of pride and uncertainty about how his mural will be received. Finally, Kenneth’s tone reveals his complex emotions about his art’s reception and legacy. As he reflects on the passengers who will encounter the mural, he acknowledges the likelihood that many will “simply pass it by,” preoccupied with their own lives. This realistic perspective tempers his artistic pride, suggesting an acceptance of the transient nature of public art. Yet, Kenneth’s assertion that “what pleasure he had taken in the making of it” underscores his personal fulfillment, regardless of how others may respond. Urquhart thus uses tone to highlight Kenneth’s evolving understanding of the role of art: while its impact on others is uncertain, its creation holds intrinsic value for the artist. In conclusion, Urquhart employs symbolism, imagery, and tone to convey Kenneth’s complex perspective as he completes his mural. His reflections reveal a tension between artistic autonomy and external judgment, pride in his work, and acceptance of its impermanence. Through Kenneth, Urquhart explores the broader themes of creativity, legacy, and the relationship between art and its audience. In Jane Urquhart’s novel The Night Stages, the character Kenneth’s story as he completes his mural is shown through a combination of literary devices, including symbolism and imagery, and tone. Kenneth’s reflections on his work reveal a complex relationship with his art, shaped by defiance of artistic norms, nostalgia, and contemplation of his mural’s future reception. Urquhart effectively uses these elements to highlight Kenneth’s tension between personal fulfillment and external judgment. In Jane Urquhart’s novel The Night Stages, Kenneth’s story as he finishes his mural is told through literary devices like symbolism, imagery, and tone. His thoughts about his work show that he has a complicated connection to his art, shaped by his rejection of artistic rules, memories of the past, and wondering how people will react to his mural in the future. Urquhart uses these techniques to show the tension Kenneth feels between being proud of his work and worrying about how others might judge it. One key literary technique in the passage is symbolism, which reveals Kenneth’s defiance of traditional artistic expectations and his autonomy as an artist. The repeated imagery of breaking eggs to create the mural symbolizes both his creative process and his rebellion against the critic’s advice to keep his work two-dimensional. Kenneth’s deliberate choice to make the apple in his mural “spherical” rather than flat reflects his commitment to his artistic vision rather than adherence to conventional rules. The critic’s bald head, likened to Humpty-Dumpty, reinforces Kenneth’s dismissal of such cultural gatekeepers, as he recognizes that trends and the authority they carry are ultimately fragile and temporary. Through these symbols, Urquhart portrays Kenneth as an artist who has transcended external constraints, embracing creative freedom. One literary device shown is symbolism, which reveals Kenneth’s defiance of traditional