That makes no difference.

Indifference in Shakespearean Tragedy

Shakespeare frequently portrays characters grappling with the apparent meaninglessness of life and the inevitability of fate. In Hamlet, the protagonist’s famous “To be or not to be” soliloquy contemplates suicide, ultimately concluding that the fear of the unknown outweighs the suffering of life. While not explicitly stating “That makes no difference,” the underlying sentiment is present – the uncertainties of death render the struggles of life inconsequential. Similarly, in King Lear, the Earl of Gloucester’s despair after being blinded leads to a sense of detachment from the world, where suffering and injustice seem to hold no weight. The chaotic nature of the world, as depicted by Shakespeare, often breeds a sense of indifference as a coping mechanism.

Indifference in Victorian Literature

The Victorian era, marked by rapid social change and moral anxieties, saw a rise in characters exhibiting indifference as a response to societal pressures. Thomas Hardy’s novels, such as Tess of the d'Urbervilles, depict characters facing harsh realities with a sense of fatalism. Tess’s acceptance of her fate, despite the injustices she endures, can be interpreted as a form of indifference born from exhaustion and disillusionment. Similarly, in the works of Oscar Wilde, characters often adopt a cynical and detached attitude towards morality and social conventions, suggesting that conventional values “make no difference” in a world driven by hypocrisy and superficiality. The Aesthetic movement, with its emphasis on art for art's sake, further contributed to this sense of detachment.

Indifference in Modernist Literature

Modernist literature, emerging in the aftermath of World War I, is characterized by a profound sense of alienation and disillusionment. T.S. Eliot’s The Waste Land embodies this sentiment, portraying a fragmented and spiritually barren landscape where traditional values have collapsed. The poem’s characters are often emotionally numb and indifferent to their surroundings, reflecting the trauma and loss of meaning experienced in the post-war world. Similarly, in Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis, Gregor Samsa’s transformation into an insect leads to his family’s gradual indifference towards him, highlighting the dehumanizing effects of modern society. The existentialist philosophy prevalent during this period further emphasized the absurdity of existence and the individual’s responsibility to create meaning in a meaningless world, often leading to a sense of indifference towards external forces.

Indifference in Postmodern Literature

Postmodern literature often challenges traditional notions of truth, meaning, and morality, leading to characters who embrace irony, skepticism, and indifference. Authors like Kurt Vonnegut in Slaughterhouse-Five use dark humor and satire to expose the horrors of war and the futility of human endeavors. The phrase “So it goes,” repeated after every death, embodies a chilling indifference to suffering, reflecting the dehumanizing effects of trauma and the absurdity of existence. Similarly, in the works of Thomas Pynchon, characters navigate a complex and chaotic world where conspiracies and hidden agendas abound, leading to a sense of paranoia and detachment. The overwhelming nature of information and the lack of clear meaning contribute to a pervasive sense of indifference.

Table: Literary Examples of Indifference

Author	Work	Character/Context	Manifestation of Indifference
William Shakespeare	Hamlet	Hamlet	Contemplation of suicide; acceptance of fate.
Thomas Hardy	Tess of the d'Urbervilles	Tess Durbeyfield	Acceptance of unjust fate; resignation to suffering.
T.S. Eliot	The Waste Land	Various Characters	Emotional numbness; detachment from surroundings.
Franz Kafka	The Metamorphosis	Gregor Samsa’s Family	Gradual emotional distance and neglect.
Kurt Vonnegut	Slaughterhouse-Five	Narrator/Recurring Phrase	“So it goes” – acceptance of death and suffering.