As mentioned in the footnote, the word “Homunculus” is used to refer to the miniature human figure which early microscopists believed they saw in a spermatozoon. In earlier century fiction, it has historically referred to the creation of a miniature, fully formed human.
In Book I (chapter II), Tristram Shandy provides the details of the fateful night how the troubles had started even before his birth. Tristram Shandy, is found enlightening the reason behind his doomed life which is wrongly passing of animal spirits by his very own parents, “Then let me tell you, Sir, it was a very unseasonable question at least, -because it scattered and dispersed the animal spirits, whose business it was to have escorted and gone hand-in-hand with the HOMUNCULUS, and conducted him safe to the place destined for his reception (6)”.
To me the word “Homunculus” although is used to describe how Mr. and Mrs. Shandy was at fault for Tristram Shandy’s damned life, however is used by our very own narrator, Tristram, like an intangible weapon used for appealing his readers to perk up their ears and get ready to sympathize with his life consisted of pitiful misadventures and accidents.
In most stories in the very beginning, when a narrator narrates a story, a protagonist is described as either virtuous, smart, charming, beautiful or anything that will escalate their personality or status. Whereas in Tristram Shandy’s story, at all times, he leaves no room to belittle himself. He provides deep and lengthy details of his doomed life from the very beginning playing as a victim. In my viewpoint, the word “Homunculus”, helps us catch a glimpse of Tristram’s personality more clearly than the context/theme in that very chapter. I think Tristram reveals himself as a self-obsessed and highly opinionated individual, providing detailed flaws about all other characters playing a role in his misfortunate life. In addition, guiding his readers what the rest of the story is going to be like. In other words, I believe we are able to unveil the flaws of Tristram’s mind rather than Mr. and Mrs. Shandy’s or anybody else’s from the story.
In book II (chapter II), Locke’s theory, ‘Essay upon the Human Understanding’ is mentioned. To me, I think that context relates to this very chapter that could be used to describe the foundation of Tristram Shandy’s life and opinions. Basically, Locke’s theory defines “the association of the ideas” is the flaw of the mind. Now with the words like Homunculus, the wrongly dispersal of animals spirits is how he begins to self describe his ill-fated life even way before he is born which I believe could merely be the flaw of his mind. Evidently, Tristram’s way of narration, unconscious association, random digressions and chaos in his life invokes the thousands of weaknesses in his personality. Which could indeed be the flaw of his mind in association of ideas of the unfortunate incidents that he had encountered before and after his birth.
Works Cited
Sterne, Laurence. The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman. New York: Oxford UP, 2009. Print.