Laurence Sterne: The Innovator of 18th-Century Narrative
Laurence Sterne (1713–1768) was an English novelist and clergyman best known for his pioneering works The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman and A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy. His unique writing style, filled with digressions, humor, and metafictional techniques, set him apart from his contemporaries and influenced generations of writers.
Early Life and Education
Laurence Sterne was born on November 24, 1713, in Clonmel, Ireland. His father, an army officer, frequently moved the family, exposing Sterne to various regions of England and Ireland. Despite a turbulent childhood, he received a scholarship to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he earned a degree in theology. After completing his studies, Sterne was ordained as a clergyman in the Church of England.
Career in the Church and Transition to Writing
Sterne initially pursued a clerical career, serving as vicar of Sutton-on-the-Forest and later as a prebendary of York Minster. However, his literary ambitions led him to explore writing. His early works included political pamphlets, but it was Tristram Shandy that catapulted him to literary fame.
Major Literary Works
The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman (1759–1767)
Sterne’s most famous novel, Tristram Shandy, defied literary conventions of the time. The book’s fragmented structure, playful language, and frequent digressions made it a radical departure from traditional storytelling. It satirized contemporary novelistic forms, explored the complexities of human perception, and introduced elements of stream-of-consciousness writing centuries before modernism. Despite its unconventional style, the novel was highly successful and gained Sterne widespread recognition.
A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy (1768)
In A Sentimental Journey, Sterne took a more personal and reflective approach, blending travel writing with emotional introspection. The novel was a response to the more rational and detailed travel literature of the time, favoring sentiment and feeling over facts. Its wit, humor, and exploration of human kindness made it immensely popular, further establishing Sterne’s literary legacy.
Writing Style and Influence
Sterne’s works were groundbreaking for their experimental narrative techniques. His frequent use of self-awareness, typographical innovation (such as blank pages and squiggly lines), and direct engagement with the reader anticipated postmodern literature. His style influenced numerous writers, including James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, and Laurence Sterne.
Later Life and Legacy
Sterne’s later years were marked by poor health, exacerbated by tuberculosis. He continued to write despite his illness, publishing A Sentimental Journey shortly before his death on March 18, 1768.
His literary contributions remain significant, as his novels broke the rigid structures of 18th-century fiction, paving the way for future literary experimentation. Sterne’s influence can be seen in modern and postmodern literature, ensuring his place as one of the most innovative figures in English literary history. Also Read:- Geoffrey Chaucer: The Father of English Literature
