The Great Books Podcast: Episode 354 - Exploring 'The Name of the Rose' by Umberto Eco

Release Date: January 7, 2025
Host: John J. Miller, National Review
Guest: Andrew Hui, Professor of Humanities at Yale NUS College

Introduction

In Episode 354 of The Great Books podcast, host John J. Miller delves into Umberto Eco's acclaimed novel, The Name of the Rose. Joined by esteemed guest Andrew Hui, a professor of humanities and author of A Theory of the Aphorism From Confucius to Twitter and The Inner Life of Renaissance Libraries, the discussion navigates the intricate layers of Eco's work, exploring its literary significance, historical context, and enduring relevance.

Why 'The Name of the Rose' is a Great Book

Andrew Hui begins by elucidating why The Name of the Rose stands out in the Western literary canon. He identifies three primary reasons:

1. Comprehensive World-Building: Eco's background in semiotics and medieval studies allows him to construct a detailed cosmology within the novel. Hui states at [00:55], "The novel is an encyclopedia of the Middle Ages in which you get to see everything from how a monastery works... the inner lives of the monks... the controversies between popes and emperors."

2. Gripping Narrative: Despite its scholarly depth, the novel functions effectively as a detective crime story. Hui remarks at [00:55], "It is a gripping page-turner, which is a detective crime novel... with a narrator that tells us in a very gripping fashion."

3. Philosophical Inquiry and Literary Craftsmanship: The book probes perennial philosophical questions, blending Plato's ideals with contemporary thought. Hui emphasizes at [00:55], "It questions the search for meaning, the search for signs and coherence in a world that is seemingly full of arbitrary signs and accidents... richly layered narrative, metafictional elements."

Story and Characters

The narrative centers around two monks in a 14th-century Italian abbey, intertwining a murder mystery with profound theological and philosophical debates.

• Ezzo: The primary narrator, an elderly monk recounting events from his youth ([04:05]).
• Brother William of Baskerville: The protagonist, a Franciscan friar embodying the inquisitive spirit of detectives like Sherlock Holmes. Hui draws parallels at [05:27], noting William's education under notable figures like William of Ockham and Roger Bacon, which underscores his empirical and logical approach.

Literary Allusions and Semiotics

Eco infuses the novel with rich literary references and semiotic theory, reflecting his academic expertise. The name "Baskerville" subtly nods to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes series, specifically The Hound of the Baskervilles, creating an intertextual dialogue ([06:52]).

Hui elaborates on Eco's use of semiotics—a study of signs and meanings—to explore how characters interpret their world. At [19:41], Anderson explains, "Semiotics is a decipherment of these signs in the world and how we make meaning out of it."

Historical and Political Context

Set against the backdrop of 1327 Italy, the novel captures a period of feudal decline and rising monarchical power. Hui contextualizes the central debate on Franciscan poverty as a proxy for broader conflicts between secular and spiritual authorities ([08:00]). This tension mirrors real historical disputes between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Papacy, highlighting the struggle over material power versus spiritual integrity.

The Library as a Central Symbol

A pivotal element of the novel is the abbey's library, depicted as both a repository of knowledge and a labyrinthine space filled with secrets.

• Edificium: The library, described as a medieval citadel, houses an extensive collection of manuscripts but operates under a closed system controlled by the head librarian. Hui explains at [12:10], "Knowledge is suffocated, and it spoils," emphasizing the dangers of restricted access to information.

• Labyrinthine Structure: The library's design serves as a metaphor for the complexity and obscurity of knowledge. Hui connects this to Jorge Luis Borges' literary themes, noting the intertextuality ([13:47]).

Themes of Knowledge and Power

At its core, The Name of the Rose explores the dichotomy between open inquiry and restrictive conservatism. Hui identifies this as the novel's ultimate meaning:

"The ultimate meaning of this book is this battle, this dialectic between new forms of knowledge... and an older conservative way of keeping books as only learned people can get."
— Andrew Hui ([24:53])

Eco's Semiotic Influence

Eco's mastery of semiotics permeates the novel, allowing readers to engage with the text on multiple levels. Hui discusses Eco's academic background and its manifestation in the narrative:

"Semiotics is a decipherment of these signs in the world and how we make meaning out of it."
— Andrew Hui ([21:48])

Personal Reflections and Legacy

Andrew Hui shares a personal anecdote about discovering The Name of the Rose during his youth, highlighting its profound impact on his academic journey ([15:16]). He reflects on Eco's ability to blend commercial success with scholarly depth, positioning Eco as a "learned man's version of Dan Brown" ([16:44]).

Relevance Today

Miller and Hui discuss the novel's enduring relevance, underscoring its genre-defying nature that combines historical detail with philosophical inquiry. Hui advocates for the novel's place in personal libraries, citing its "universal themes about the search for order in an apparently disordered world" ([27:39]).

Conclusion

The Name of the Rose by Umberto Eco emerges in this discussion as a multifaceted masterpiece that transcends its detective narrative to offer a profound commentary on knowledge, power, and the human condition. Andrew Hui's insights illuminate the novel's intricate layers, making a compelling case for its status as a great book worthy of both academic study and personal enjoyment.

Notable Quotes:

• Andrew Hui [00:55]: "The novel is an encyclopedia of the Middle Ages in which you get to see everything from how a monastery works... the inner lives of the monks... the controversies between popes and emperors."
• Andrew Hui [24:53]: "The ultimate meaning of this book is this battle, this dialectic between new forms of knowledge... and an older conservative way of keeping books as only learned people can get."
• Andrew Hui [21:48]: "Semiotics is a decipherment of these signs in the world and how we make meaning out of it."

Final Thoughts

The Great Books podcast episode offers a comprehensive exploration of The Name of the Rose, blending literary analysis with historical context and personal reflection. For listeners and readers alike, this discussion underscores the novel's rich tapestry of themes and its significant place within the Western literary tradition.