Introduction
Lincoln in the Bardo is a highly acclaimed novel by George Saunders, published in 2017. The book uniquely blends historical fiction with elements of the supernatural, creating a compelling narrative centered around the death of President Abraham Lincoln’s young son, Willie Lincoln. The novel explores themes of grief, mortality, the afterlife, and the nature of consciousness through a richly layered storytelling technique. Its innovative structure, combining a multitude of voices and a poetic style, offers a profound meditation on loss and the human condition. This article provides a comprehensive summary of Lincoln in the Bardo, examining its plot, characters, themes, and narrative style to deepen understanding of this extraordinary literary work.
---
Overview of the Novel's Setting and Concept
The Bardo: An Introduction
The novel is set in a mysterious realm called the "bardo," a Tibetan Buddhist term referring to a transitional state between death and rebirth. Saunders portrays the bardo as a liminal space inhabited by spirits—some restless, some at peace—who are caught in their memories and unresolved attachments. The bardo functions as both a literal and metaphorical space, representing the liminal phase of death and the process of coming to terms with mortality.
Historical Context
While the narrative is rooted in the historical event of Willie Lincoln’s death in 1862, the novel transcends strict realism by depicting the spirits and their interactions with the living world. It reflects on the American Civil War era, highlighting the national grief and the personal pain of Abraham Lincoln, who is depicted as profoundly mourning his son.
---
Plot Summary
The Death of Willie Lincoln
The story begins with the death of Willie Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s beloved young son, due to typhoid fever. Willie’s passing is a moment of intense grief for Lincoln and his family. The novel explores Lincoln’s emotional turmoil, portraying him as a man torn between sorrow, duty, and a desire to be with his son.
The Spirits in the Bardo
Following Willie’s death, his spirit enters the bardo, where he encounters a host of other spirits—many of whom are trapped in their own unresolved memories and regrets. These spirits are depicted as being in a state of limbo, unable to move on due to their attachment to the past or their inability to accept death.
The spirits’ interactions form a central part of the narrative, revealing their histories, regrets, and sometimes humorous or poignant moments. Among these spirits are:
- The Ghosts: Various spirits with unique backstories, each illustrating different aspects of grief and attachment.
- The Guardians: Spirits who attempt to guide or influence the ghosts, often trying to help them move on.
- The Living and the Dead: The novel also depicts Lincoln’s own reflections and internal struggles as he grapples with grief, as well as the spirits’ observations of the living world.
Lincoln’s Inner Journey
Lincoln’s presence in the narrative is more reflective than literal. He visits the Capitol and the White House, haunted by memories of Willie and his responsibilities as president during a tumultuous time. His interactions with the spirits and his own memories form a core part of the novel’s exploration of grief and mortality.
The Resolution
As the story unfolds, some spirits begin to accept their deaths and move toward peace, while others remain restless. Willie’s spirit ultimately finds a form of peace, aided by the spirits’ collective efforts and Lincoln’s silent presence. The novel concludes with Willie’s spirit transitioning beyond the bardo, symbolizing acceptance and the natural cycle of life and death.
---
Characters
Major Characters
- Willie Lincoln: The young son of Abraham Lincoln, whose death serves as the catalyst for the story. His spirit is central to the narrative, representing innocence, loss, and the hope for peace.
- Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President of the United States, depicted as a deeply grieving father. His internal conflict, sorrow, and reflections on mortality are portrayed with nuance.
- The Spirits: Various spirits inhabit the bardo, each with distinct personalities and stories. Some notable spirits include:
- Hans Vollman: An elderly man who died alone and longs for companionship.
- The Reverend Everly Thomas: A minister who struggles with his own guilt and regrets.
- The Student: A young spirit eager to move on but unable to let go of the past.
- The Guardians: Spirits assigned to oversee and assist the transition of souls from life to afterlife.
Supporting Characters
- The Living: Lincoln’s reflections and memories serve as a living narrative thread, grounding the supernatural elements in historical reality.
- The Bardo Spirits’ Collective Voice: Saunders employs a chorus of spirits’ voices, creating a layered, polyphonic narrative.
---
Themes and Symbolism
Grief and Mourning
The novel intensely examines the personal and collective grief surrounding death. Willie’s death symbolizes the profound pain of loss, and the spirits’ struggles to find peace mirror the human process of mourning.
The Transcendence of Death
The bardo functions as a space of transition, emphasizing that death is not an end but a passage. The spirits’ journeys reflect themes of acceptance, release, and spiritual growth.
Memory and Attachment
The spirits’ inability to move on is often linked to their attachments—whether to loved ones, regrets, or unfulfilled desires. Saunders explores how attachment can hinder spiritual progress.
Historical Reflection
Through the depiction of Lincoln and the Civil War era, the novel engages with themes of national trauma, leadership, and the burden of grief on a collective scale.
Symbolism in the Novel
- The Bardo: Symbolizes the liminal space between life and death, chaos and peace.
- Willie’s Spirit: Represents innocence lost and the hope for reconciliation and peace.
- Lincoln’s Presence: Embodies the human capacity for grief, empathy, and resilience.
---
Narrative Style and Structure
Multiple Voices and Perspectives
Saunders employs a chorus of voices, including spirits, to tell the story. This polyphonic approach creates a layered narrative, emphasizing the collective experience of grief and transition.
Poetic and Fragmented Prose
The novel’s language is poetic, often using fragments, repetitions, and shifts in tone to evoke the disorienting nature of the bardo. This style enhances the immersive experience, reflecting the spirits’ fractured memories and states of mind.
Historical and Supernatural Blending
The narrative seamlessly blends historical figures and events with supernatural elements, blurring the line between reality and the afterlife. This fusion invites reflection on the universality of grief and mortality.
---
Conclusion
Lincoln in the Bardo offers a profound meditation on death, grief, and the human soul through its innovative storytelling and compelling characters. By centering the death of Willie Lincoln within the supernatural realm of the bardo, Saunders invites readers to confront their own understanding of mortality and the possibility of peace beyond loss. The novel’s richly layered voices and poetic style serve to deepen its exploration of the collective and personal journeys toward acceptance. Ultimately, Lincoln in the Bardo stands as a testament to the enduring power of love, memory, and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of inevitable mortality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main plot of 'Lincoln in the Bardo' by George Saunders?
The novel revolves around President Abraham Lincoln's grief over the death of his young son, Willie, and the spirits (or 'bardo') of the dead who linger in a liminal state. Through a mix of historical and fictional characters, the story explores themes of death, grief, and the afterlife.
How does 'Lincoln in the Bardo' blend historical facts with fiction?
The book combines real historical figures, like Abraham Lincoln and his son Willie, with fictional characters and ghostly spirits, creating a hybrid narrative that explores the emotional and spiritual landscape of death while referencing actual events from the Civil War era.
What are some of the major themes in 'Lincoln in the Bardo'?
Major themes include grief and mourning, the nature of death and the afterlife, the power of love and loss, and the idea of collective memory and history shaping individual experience.
How is the structure of 'Lincoln in the Bardo' unique?
The novel is structured as a series of short, fragmented passages, including historical documents, fictional monologues, and voice recordings, creating a layered, multimedia-like narrative that immerses readers in the liminal space between life and death.
What role do the spirits or 'bardo' play in the novel?
The spirits represent souls trapped between life and the afterlife, each with their own stories and regrets. Their interactions and reflections serve to deepen the exploration of mortality, acceptance, and the possibility of redemption.
Why has 'Lincoln in the Bardo' gained popularity and critical acclaim?
The novel's innovative narrative style, emotional depth, and unique blending of history and fiction have resonated with readers and critics alike, earning it awards like the Man Booker Prize and sparking widespread discussion about grief and the afterlife.
