Roopa Banerjee

“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”
— William Shakespeare, Hamlet

In the world of literature, authors use a diverse array of literary devices to engage readers, stir up emotions, and explore complex themes. One such intriguing literary device is aporia, a rhetorical and narrative technique that creates uncertainty or puzzlement in the story. It is demonstration of real or pretended doubt and confusion, used for symbolic effect.

Aporia has its origins in ancient Greek, where it means ‘impasse’ or ‘perplexity’. It stems from the word ‘aporos,’ which combines ‘a’ (meaning ‘without’) and ‘poros’ (‘passage’ or ‘way’).

Aporia is used to guide readers/listeners through complex moments in the narrative. The doubt expressed is not always real but when it is, it depicts the helplessness of the author/speaker, eliciting compassion from the audience/reader. When the doubt expressed is pretended, it triggers involvement from the audience. For instance, when the chief guest at an event to felicitate a celebrity begins his speech with, “Where do I start to express this?” he is using aporia to say that the person has so many good qualities that he doesn’t know where to start.

In literature, authors use aporia to explore uncertainty, challenge assumptions, and engage readers in deeper contemplation. They use it to depict characters’ internal conflicts, create suspense, and highlight the complexity of moral or philosophical dilemmas.

An early example of aporia is in Hamlet by William Shakespeare. In the soliloquy “To be or not to be” Hamlet grapples with the question of whether it is nobler to endure life’s suffering or to end it through suicide. Shakespeare uses aporia brilliantly to explore profound life dilemmas.

Another example is in The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger where the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, frequently expresses aporia as he navigates the complexities of adolescence and adulthood. He often questions the authenticity of people’s actions and the phoniness of the adult world. The narrative is marked by moments of doubt and confusion, capturing the essence of aporia as a literary device that mirrors the uncertainty of youth.

Several popular films have also used aporia to generate doubt and uncertainty in the minds of the audience. A recent example is in the blockbuster movie The Matrix which explores the theme of reality versus illusion, creating moments of aporia for the characters and audience. Neo, the protagonist, experiences doubt and confusion as he grapples with the revelation that the world he knows is simulated reality controlled by machines. This uncertainty drives the narrative and encourages viewers to question the nature of their own reality.

Similarly in Christopher Nolan’s Inception, the lines between dreams and reality are blurred, creating ambiguity and perplexity. The characters’ uncertainty about the layers of dreams and consequences of their actions adds depth to the narrative and invites viewers to contemplate the nature of perception and reality.

Whether in literature, cinema or speech, aporia serves as a catalyst for contemplation, encouraging individuals to question assumptions and explore intricate layers of human experience.

Exercise
Here are five films which have used aporia to question reality, identity, and the boundaries between dreams and consciousness. Identify the names of the lead characters of these films.
1. The Matrix
2. Inception
3. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
4. The Sixth Sense
5. Memento

Answers
1. Keanu Reeves as Neo
2. Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb
3. Jim Carrey as Joel Barish
4. Bruce Willis as Dr. Malcolm Crowe
5. Guy Pearce as Leonard Shelby