The Rise of Capitalism by Donald Barthelme

Das Kapital.

Donald Barthelme is at it again but this time he is explicitly deconstructing the short-story form through a fragmented consciousness. On the surface, it might seem like experimental nonsense but I assure you, there is method to his madness. 

Split into nine different sections (one of them is merely a list of the top 5 "The Achievements of Capitalism"), the fragmented narrative is a parody of representation on the subject of capitalism. Each paragraph is an independent perspective building upon the preceding one to form a incoherent whole. Ironically, the search for meaning becomes meaningless within the cacophony of contradictory discourses. In the age of social media like twitter feeds/wars where information is shared, absorbed, contested, disseminated and regurgitated via sound bites, this story feels eerily prescient. There is a narrator named Rupert who seems to be the guiding voice throughout the story but even he is reduced to abstraction. The sociopolitical commentary is scrambled, demystified and recycled in parodic fashion. Even banal reflections of Marx appear alongside absurd anecdotes, ranging from the King of Jordan in his palace listening attentively to the ham radio or an account of Balzac going to the movies that causes a chain-reaction where his mistress's husband ends up dead. These jarring interludes are quite funny, further highlighting the author's caustic wit and unconventional humor. 

The constant subversion and rearrangement of theses ideological perspectives is disorienting, rightfully so. Perception is flawed and Barthelme seems to be asking the question: With the the total breakdown of language in contemporary society, are reality and truth merely fictional abstractions? If this story serves as a response, the end result is fragmentation, degradation and chaos. After all the literary shenanigans and hijinks, the final section turns towards the reader, encouraging them to filter through the nonsense and formulate their own thoughts about capitalism, especially regarding how to fight it. According to the narrator, "fear is the great mover in the end." Take it as you will. This story showcases Donald Barthelme at his most playful, whimsical and erudite. 

And I'm here for it. 

You can read this story HERE.