“Vile Bodies” by Evelyn Waugh: Re-reading in the context of modernity
A unique and provocative novel that actually offers an ironic look at society between the two world wars.
Before I begin, I want to make a small disclaimer. I do not claim the title of a book critic and I’m not trying to catch the hype. I am just an ordinary person who decided to undertake a difficult task — to read all the great books, in order. Why? Because I believe it is important for understanding what our civilization represents, its ideas, and what ultimately the thoughts of other people are based on.
My goal is to go through the great works of literature, starting from the most ancient, sometimes interspersed with modern books and fiction. This is a journey I begin not to give final judgments or critical reviews, but to share my thoughts, impressions and how these books influence my view of the world.
Today I want to share my thoughts on “Vile Bodies” by Evelyn Waugh…
Recently, I re-read “Vile Bodies” — the second novel by Evelyn Waugh, published in 1930. This was my second encounter with this book, the first time I read it a long time ago and, unfortunately, I forgot everything, including the title. But I remembered a passage from the introduction that had engraved itself into my memory, it was so vividly and easily written. And so, when I was pondering what to read, not remembering the author’s name or the book’s title at all, I was able to find it by this passage from the introduction. As it turned out, I remembered it almost verbatim.
His tongue protruded very slightly and, had they not all been so concerned with luggage and the weather, some one might have observed in him a peculiar resemblance to those plaster reproductions of the gargoyles of Notre Dame which may be seen in the shop windows of artists’ colourmen tinted the colour of ‘Old Ivory’, peering intently from among stencil outfits and plasticine and tubes of water-colour paint. High above his head swung Mrs Melrose Ape’s travel-worn Packard car, bearing the dust of three continents, against the darkening sky, and up the companion-way at the head of her angels strode Mrs Melrose Ape, the woman evangelist.
— Faith.
— Here, Mrs Ape.
— Charity.
— Here, Mrs Ape.
— Fortitude.
— Here, Mrs Ape.
— Chastity…. Where is Chastity?
— Chastity didn’t feel well, Mrs Ape. She went below.
— That girl’s more trouble than she’s worth. Whenever there’s any packing to be done, Chastity doesn’t feel well. Are all the rest here — Humility, Prudence, Divine Discontent, Mercy, Justice and Creative Endeavour?
— Creative Endeavour lost her wings, Mrs Ape. She got talking to a gentleman in the train…. Oh, there she is.
— Got ‘em? — asked Mrs Ape.
Too breathless to speak, Creative Endeavour nodded. (Each of the angels carried her wings in a little black box like a violin case.)
— Right, — said Mrs Ape, — and just you hold on to ’em tight and not so much talking to gentlemen in trains. You’re angels, not a panto, see?
The angels crowded together disconsolately.
Topic
“Vile Bodies” is an ironic portrait of London’s upper class during the period between the two world wars. Waugh, it seems, is not so much criticizing the “Bright Young People” as he is creating a snapshot of that time, presented in an ironic manner. This is not just satire, when I was reading the book, it seemed like sketches from the present — just take and replace one name with another, and the thoughts and conversations of the characters, it seemed, were just yesterday.
— It is one very extraordinary thing, your British Constitution, — said the ex-King of Ruritania. — All the time when I was young they taught me nothing but British Constitution. My tutor had been a master at your Eton school. And now when I come to England always there is a different Prime Minister and no one knows which is which.
— Oh, sir, — said the Major, — that’s because of the Liberal Party.
Structure
The book consists of a series of episodes that together create a portrait of the society of that time. I particularly like the arcs of various characters that seem to have been meant to conclude, but didn’t. It’s either a cliffhanger that was invented before the invention of the cliffhanger, or something more basic and fundamental in literature. Honestly, I would like to play with the structure of the book as well if I were to write one.
Language and Style
Waugh’s language is direct and vivid, with lots of metaphors and analogies that help to better immerse yourself in that contradictory era. The sometimes lofty language the book’s characters communicate in, and yet they commit foolish (according to whom?) actions — sometimes makes you think that these people shouldn’t be pitied or admired. They are as if products of their time, a complicated time. And a product of their environment.
— That’s all right, Judge. Another bottle coming.
— …Should esteem it a great Crump if his honour and these Majesties and Mrs Gentlemen…
— Yes, yes, that’s all right, Judge. Don’t let him fall down, boys. Bless me, how these Americans do drink.
— …I should Crump it a great Majesty if Mrs Esteem…
And his Honour Judge Skimp of the Federal High Court began to laugh rather a lot. (It must be remembered in all these people’s favour that none of them had yet dined.)
Context
“Vile Bodies” was written in the context of the interwar period in Britain, a time of social changes and instability. This context is important for understanding the book, as it affects the behavior of the characters and their attitude towards life. Everything eventually leads to a new war. And it’s astonishing because the book came out in the 1930s, a decade before World War II. But apparently, all of this was so much in the air that many understood what was happening and where it was all heading.
My Impressions
I didn’t see direct criticism, or harsh satire, which I mentioned above. I found the book both fun and sad to read. Apparently, I also understand that everything for me and my contemporaries might end in the trench of another war. But should we take everything from life and live for today? It’s a question this book doesn’t answer. In any case, “Vile Bodies” is a unique and provocative novel that actually offers an ironic look at society between the two world wars.
— That’s the whole point. No one talks about it, and no one wants it. No one talks about it because no one wants it. They’re all afraid to breathe a word about it.
— Well, hang it all, if no one wants it, who’s going to make them have it?
— Wars don’t start nowadays because people want them. We long for peace, and fill our newspapers with conferences about disarmament and arbitration, but there is a radical instability in our whole world-order, and soon we shall all be walking into the jaws of destruction again, protesting our pacific intentions.
In conclusion, I want to invite you to join me in my journey through the great books of world literature:
