The Work of Arthur Machen with James Machin and Tim Jarvis
Dec 31, 2023
auto_awesome
James Machin and Tim Jarvis discuss the life, work, and mythologies of Arthur Machen, exploring his impact within weird fiction, horror, and occult genres. They delve into Machen's strong opinions, his views on mysticism and the occult, and his unique writing style. The chapters also cover the influence of Machen's work on individuals, advice for getting into his work, and future projects by the Friends of Arthur Machen society.
Arthur Machen's late works, such as The Green Round and End, are often overlooked but deserve recognition for their modern and strange storytelling style.
Machen's belief in mystery as the essence of life is reflected in his writing, which aims to create a sense of numinous awe and celebrate the ritualistic nature of existence.
Machen's Welsh heritage and knowledge of the occult influenced his writing, infusing his late works with mystical and occult themes, creating an enchanting quality.
Deep dives
The Late Work: The Green Round and End
The late work of Arthur Machen, particularly The Green Round and End, is often overlooked or dismissed as lesser compared to his earlier works. However, these novels are fascinating and deeply rewarding, showcasing Machen's modern and strange storytelling style. The Green Round, in particular, has had a significant influence on literary figures such as M. John Harrison. The stark, journalistic prose of Machen's late works adds to their allure, creating a sense of mystery and exploration that shouldn't be ignored.
Machen's Worldview: Mystery as the Center
Machen's worldview can be defined by his belief that mystery is the essence of life. He rejected the overpowering effects of science and rationality, viewing them as detrimental to the richness and awe of existence. Through his writing, particularly his late works, Machen aimed to create a sense of numinous awe and celebrate the ritualistic nature of life. His belief in mystery permeates his fiction, reminding readers of the enigmatic depths that underlie reality.
The Welsh Heritage and Occult Influences
Machen's Welsh heritage and deep knowledge of the occult played a significant role in his writing. He drew inspiration from Welsh mystics and alchemists, and his work often intertwines elements of history, deep time, and mystical experiences. While he had a skeptical view of modern spiritual movements and spiritualism, Machen harnessed his own mystical experiences and extensive knowledge to create a playful sense of meta-textuality in his fiction. His late works, such as The Green Round, delve into these mystical and occult themes, infusing his storytelling with a uniquely enchanting quality.
The importance of the Dionysian mode in Machen's work
Machen's works often explore the Dionysian mode, characterized by re-enchantment, drinking, and celebration of sensory experiences. This mode is seen throughout his writing, both in his early horror stories and his later works focused on awe and ecstasy. The Dionysian mode aligns with his belief in pagan spirituality and his rejection of the modern world's denudation of authentic spiritual connection. Reading Machen's work can leave a lasting impact, allowing readers to view the world through a slightly strange prism and experience a sense of all and transcendent beauty.
Recommended starting points for reading Machen
For newcomers to Machen's work, recommended starting points include his classic horror period, such as the collection 'Three Impostors,' which offers a range of stories within a framing narrative. Another option is his novel 'The Green Round' or the short story 'The White People.' For a taste of his later works, 'The Secret Glory' is a highly regarded book that has deeply affected some readers. Additionally, the collection 'Ornaments in Jade' showcases Machen's skill in creating mood and tone in flash fiction style stories.
James Machin is a writer and researcher and coeditor of Faunus, the journal of the Friends of Arthur Machen. He has published work in journals including Textual Practice, and taught at Birkbeck, University of London, and the Royal College of Art.
Machin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/JFMachin16
Tim Jarvis is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at ARU, and a writer of supernatural fiction. He has research interests, as a practitioner and critic, in the fields of genre fiction, the Gothic, experimental and innovative writing, fictocriticism, and creative writing pedagogy.