Nadja Literary Elements

Nadja Literary Elements

Genre

Novel, Surrealist narration

Setting and Context

France, 1920's.

Narrator and Point of View

André Breton

Tone and Mood

Abstract, explanatory

Protagonist and Antagonist

Protagonist: André; Antagonist: Reality

Major Conflict

André wonders who he is and what life means.

Climax

Nadja is put into a mental institution.

Foreshadowing

Nadja's illness of insanity is foreshadowed by the irregularities of her stories and the way she believes things that are irrational.

Understatement

When Nadja says a window that is black will turn red in a few moments, and André believes her, both of their sanities are understated.

Allusions

The reader might discern allusions to Pierre Boulez's song "...explosante-fixe", as well as other surrealist artists as they are frequently discussed and addressed.

Imagery

The image of Nadja in a mental institution is the most important in the book, as her sanity is then defined not by herself but by others, thus strengthening the meaning behind the words André writes.

Paradox

"Nadja is crazy" is the most important paradox in the story.

Parallelism

There is a parallel line between Nadja and André, as he slowly becomes crazy by hanging out with her.

Metonymy and Synecdoche

N/A

Personification

There is repeated personifications of objects and pieces of art alike, as André uses them to explain his philosophical points, as if they are there and are able to speak.

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