The omnipresent nature of ‘change’ stands as a universal experience, a faithful reminder of its inevitability despite our futile attempts at preserving our relationships. As these connections reach their conclusion, we are confronted with loosely tied threads, compelling us to navigate the intricate task of weaving them back together. In this intricate interplay of transition, we find ourselves navigating the delicate balance of acknowledging the inevitable shifts while endeavoring to retain the essence of those connections that have shaped us. The bittersweet memories permeate every single area of our being while we attempt to keep up with the pace of the changing times. Set in 1962, Isherwood’s A Single Man is a modernist tale following a day in the life of George, a professor in Los Angeles who is navigating life after the unfortunate death of his partner, Jim. For George, putting on a psychological makeup fused with a hint of stoicism allows him to escape the constant prying from people – the distance becomes his refuge. You know those times when you’re constantly oscillating between two different realities, desperately wanting to hold on to those moments when everything felt just right? Reading A Single Man allows you, as readers, to peek into George’s life and truly notice him without forcing your biases. Isherwood creates an intense environment by weaving together the themes of loneliness, homosexuality, loss, and dealing with grief, all explored within a span of a single day. As we follow George through various spaces, from the familiarity of home to the academic corridors of the university and the warmth of a friends’ house, we encounter nuanced versions of him. When these converge, they create a mosaic of feelings so powerful that it shatters our heart. 

 

Although published in 1964, one cannot overlook the same decade that saw the Stonewall Uprising (1969), a turning point in LGBTQ+ activism. Isherwood himself devotes a significant portion of the text to ‘minority rights’ while letting us inside George’s internal frustrations. In one of his interviews, Isherwood discusses how more than ‘sexuality,’ this story attempts to highlight the struggles of middle age. George, who is in his fifties, struggles to answer the ultimate question that pervades human life – the meaning of existence. 

 

The book may remind the readers of Mrs Dalloway (1925) by Virginia Woolf, another seminal text that delves into the mindscape of these individuals across a span of one day with constant shifts in consciousness. The writing instantly becomes powerful when it manages to capture the human condition of grief and how it seamlessly integrates into our daily existence. This mundanity of our existence which was an essential trope in the Modernist Movement is explored right from the beginning of George’s day: 

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“Waking up begins with saying am and now. That which has awoken then lies for a while staring up at the ceiling and down into itself until it has recognised I, and therefrom deduced I am, I am now. Here comes next, and is at least negatively reassuring; because here, this morning, is where it had expected to find itself; what’s called at home.” 

 

This fairly Cartesian approach renders George detached from his physical body as a separate entity and slowly the ‘it’ becomes ‘him’ – this persona protects him from the vulnerabilities of his identity. Going in autopilot mode further reflects the desire to prevent oneself from drowning in the sea of uncertainties and uncomfortable changes. 

 

He represents the universal struggle of aging individuals who tend to cling to a past that once radiated the youthful essence of their souls. In George's case, his flirtations with younger students serve as a desperate attempt to sustain his fading cheerfulness. As the narrative unfolds, George's escapade takes a wild turn when, in a drunken state, he finds himself in a vulnerable space with his student Kenny – “The electric field of the dialogue is broken.” Yet, amidst this risky encounter, George fails to confront the boundaries, and struggles with the realization that he cannot replace Jim, thereby acknowledging the professional nature of his relationship with Kenny.

 

 Throughout life's inevitable changes, humans often yearn to cling to the past, and for George, Jim represents an irreplaceable chapter. Time proves to be the only remedy for accepting the profound changes that life brings. George's initial heart-wrenching reaction to Jim's death has transformed into a mature understanding that life must continue without him. Despite the façade, it becomes apparent to the reader that George craves intimacy but struggles to accept it when offered by others. His deep rooted individualism and stoicism appear in the aftermath of the traumatic event. Charley emerges as a crucial pillar of support, offering George a shoulder to lean on during moments of vulnerability. Despite their seemingly different personalities, they found a safe space within one another. George himself remarks on their bond- 

 

“Dear old Charley, he thinks, as he fixes their snorts in her cluttered none-too-clean kitchen, how could I have gotten through these last years without your wonderful lack of perception? How many times, when Jim and I had been quarrelling and came to visit you – sulking, avoiding each other’s eyes, talking to each other only through you – did you somehow bring us together again by the sheer power of your unawareness that anything was wrong?” 

 

Change is an inherent aspect of the human experience, and George's journey initially undermines the importance of navigating it with the aid of a supportive network. While he has taught himself to survive individually, George eventually acknowledges the need for companionship, realizing that life's transitions become more manageable with a reliable support system in place. With a constant emphasis on living in now, George attempts to move on with his life when he says, “It is Now that he must find another Jim. Now that he must love. Now that he must live-” George manages to achieve true freedom after accepting the change.

 

Christopher Isherwood effortlessly explores the stages of grief as they gradually unfold in George’s interactions with people who comprise his limited social circle. In the novel, these people serve as constant reminders of the transitory nature of life. In this compelling narrative, Isherwood highlights the ostracization experienced by George as a typical gay man in the ‘60s. However, amidst these abstract descriptions, it is left to the readers to interpret the text situated within the powerful forces of ‘Time’ and ‘Change.’ Time, relentless and unforgiving, acts as a catalyst for change, subtly weaving its influence throughout the storyline. As we traverse George's emotional landscape, we witness the profound impact of time on the human experience, emphasizing that, in the face of life's inevitable shifts, the journey towards acceptance and transformation is both universal and timeless.