Sarah Mulqueen
In the middle of the second chapter in Donna Tartt’s, The Secret History, the characters take a break from their schooling and take a brief trip to the countryside. It is here where the audience first sees these characters outside of an academic setting. Both through the physical description of the house and the small actions of the characters, the haunting mood of the house is clearly seen right when they arrive. Throughout the book, elements of dark academia can be seen in every passage, even a seemingly small description. The spirit of dark academia comes alive in the novel, as the boring and mundane are transformed into so much more because of the aesthetic environment the characters are in.
Richard’s indirect, eerie observations of the house perfectly transport the reader into the world of dark academia. While Charles is playing the piano, Richard notices “the ceilings had set off a ghostly echo” (Tartt 79). From this, the audience learns the ceilings are high enough to have an echo. It also shows just how large this house is, as if this one room is large enough to have an echo, it can be assumed the rest of the rooms in this house are of a similar size. Most images of the dark academia aesthetic consist of large libraries filled with books and high ceilings which is very similar to what Richard is describing here. Furthermore, the use of the word “ghostly” gives the audience a sense of uneasiness; it is rare to describe something as ghostly if there is nothing off-putting (79). In many of the classics, which are heavily emphasized in the world of dark academia, there is some sort of uneasiness within: ghosts, death, terrifying creatures. Usually, this uneasiness comes to fruition soon after it is acknowledged through a tragedy or large conflict; however, nothing happens within the walls of the house. This furthers the uneasiness, as the audience is left wondering, “When is the tragedy going to happen?”
Apart from learning about the house, the reader also gets a glimpse into Charles and his personal interests. This shows the audience his humanity, rather than just the idealized version of him that is in Richard’s mind. Richard describes Charles playing the piano by saying, “He played with relish, sleeves rolled up, smiling at his work,” (79). This is one of the first instances that we see a character actually enjoying themselves outside of the physical and academic walls of Hampden. While still fitting into the dark academia aesthetic, the piano allows for personal expression which shows us more elements of who Charles really is. Additionally, Charles is a talented pianist, seen through the phrase, “the tricky syncopation,” (79). Syncopation is very difficult to achieve in a way that sounds pleasing, but Charles appears to be doing this with ease.
This passage also reveals more about Richard’s idealist nature. He is always wishing for and imagining something better than what he has. In listening to the piano, Richard begins thinking of “memories of things I’d never known” (79). It has been revealed to the audience many times before this that Richard hates his past and has a “morbid longing for the picturesque,” but this is the first instance of the audience seeing the extent of his mind (7). Richard is creating new memories that align with the music he is hearing and imagining that these are his own. In a way, this is what dark academia is; it is the longing for something better than what one has. It is romanticizing the mundane and making it better than before. This is exactly what Richard is doing at this moment. While it is undeniable that Charles is very talented, all Richard is doing is listening to someone play the piano, while his mind enhances it. He imagines new memories, longing for a better life, all from a few notes and chords he hears. This is the spirit of dark academia: taking something as “boring” as school and imagining that it is more entertaining and aesthetic. Richard is the human embodiment of the dark academia aesthetic.
This little passage in the middle of chapter two not only reveals more about some of the characters and their surroundings, but also does so in a way that emphasizes the aesthetic of dark academia in the novel. The description, thoughts of the characters, and their actions all align with the ideas of dark academia. Knowing what the environment of the characters is helps the reader not only better visualize the situations and scenes the characters find themselves in but also helps the audience to understand why the characters do what they do. If they are consistently staying at this large, eerie house in the middle of nowhere with basically no contact with anyone “normal,” they are bound to make questionable decisions. However, since the audience knows the environment, they are able to understand why these decisions are made. Even in a seemingly insignificant passage, the tone and mood of the novel is set up and elaborated on, giving the audience a deeper understanding of dark academia, the characters, and the intertwining of the two.
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