Introduction
The dominance of the spiritual principle is the basis of many philosophical currents. Idealism characterizes a worldview that identifies the world as a whole with the content of the consciousness of the cognizing subject (subjective idealism) (Moland, 2019). Either this asserts the existence of an ideal, spiritual principle outside and independently of human consciousness (objective idealism) and considers the external world to be a manifestation of a spiritual being, universal consciousness, the absolute (Moland, 2019). The Ocean At the End of the Lane by British author Neil Gaiman raises the question of the truth of the world through the concepts of idealism.
Ideal Spiritual Beginning
Gaiman’s work distinguishes subjective idealism, the narrator, and objective idealism, Lettie and the narrator’s home. Lettie Hempstock tries to help a boy whose house has a new housekeeper who literally bewitched his father so much that he almost drowned his son in the bath. The narrator immediately dislikes the woman and later realizes she is a worm he brought from another world (Gaiman, 2013). She used it to get out of there and now lives in their house. Later, when the guards come for the ancient evil, Ursula, they will start hunting the main character, as he carries a part of the sorceress (Gaiman, 2013). Lettie will be the one to stand between the vultures and the boy, literally sacrificing herself and showing her strong spirit.
Symbolism of Idealism
The entire work of Neil Gaiman is saturated with many symbolic interpretations. As it is known, the features of idealism and symbolism are combined with a penchant for mysticism. Symbolism in literature was a movement of Romantics inspired by the philosophy of idealism (Moland, 2019). Idealistic symbolism uses the symbol as a means of artistic depiction, as a signal used by divided individual consciousnesses to communicate with each other (Moland, 2019). The symbol thus appears as a conventional sign exchanged between conspirators of individualism. Realistic symbolism is a connecting link between divided consciousnesses, leading to a conciliar unity, which will be achieved through a common mystical contemplation of a single, objective essence for all.
The Problem of Truth
Death is an impetus to reconsider one’s life and its understanding. After a man’s suicide, a “portal” to another world was opened (Gaiman, 2013). It contradicts reality and shows no single concept of the world exists. In addition, even the general truth cannot be the only one since everyone lives and interprets it in their way. Different people have different memories, and no two people remember at least something the same, even if they see it with their own eyes (Gaiman, 2013). People may think that they are infinitely close, but, in fact, they are far from each other and from the truth itself. The author mixes reality and memory to paint the truth from the point of view of a child and an adult. While the adult narrator explores his childhood memories, the novel explores the role of perception in what a person considers important or real, as well as how they remember that event. Ultimately, history proves that reality and memory are incredibly subjective because they both depend on the individual’s view of the world.
Conclusion
Children generally perceive adults as carriers of knowledge and truth; however, according to Gaiman, no adults exist. It makes one wonder if there is the truth then. Understanding the nature of human knowledge and practice is one of the characteristics of idealism. The cognizing subject, the narrator, seeks answers to questions he does not even know. Thus, his essence aims to see the truth, to understand how the world is tripled and whether someone understands it completely. However, the problem is that everyone understands it differently, so there is no universal truth.
References
Gaiman, N. (2013). The ocean at the end of the Lane. Headline.
Moland, L. L. (2019). Hegel’s aesthetics: The art of idealism. Oxford University Press.