George Orwell - And the Problem of Authentic Existence

First Published in 1985, the aim of this book is to define an aspect of Orwell's literary identity which underlies and informs the sociopolitical content of his novels, and which may account for his being 'more widely read' than perhaps any other serious writer in the twentieth century.
It is the author's contention that the thematic source of the Orwell novel is the problem of authentic existence, and that Orwell's particular sociopolitical concerns were expressions of this problem. In chapter one selections of Orwell's autobiographical writings are assessed, for in these the existential conflict between authentic and inauthentic modes of existence is traceable from childhood onwards. Orwell, it is argued, developed an inauthentic self -for- other in response to authoritarian oppressions, and he consequently pursued a double life characterized by the contradictions of 'doublethink'. Chapter two is an account of existential authenticity, and provides both the terms and perspectives subsequently applied in the separate chapters in which each of Orwell's five novels are analyzed. In every case, J. P. Sartre's 'bad faith', Martin Heidegger's 'mine' and 'they' and Martin Buber's 'I', 'Thou' and 'It', are seen to be crucial explanatory notions within the Orwell novel. In his conclusion, therefore, Dr Carter redefines Orwell as an existential sociopolitical writer. This is a must read for students of literature, critical theory, existential philosophy, philosophy in general

List of contents

Acknowledgements Introduction 1. Orwell: An Existential Progress 2. Existential Authenticity 3. The Orwellian Fictional Situation 4. Burmese Days 5. A Clergyman's Daughter 6. Keep the Aspidistra Flying 7. Coming Up for Air 8. Nineteen Eighty- Four Conclusion Bibliography Index

Summary

First Published in 1985, the aim of this book is to define an aspect of Orwell’s literary identity which underlies and informs the sociopolitical content of his novels, and which may account for his being ‘more widely read’

Product details

• Authors: Michael Carter, Carter Michael
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd.
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.11.2024
• EAN: 9781032900407
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3290040-7
• No. of pages: 234
• Series: Routledge Revivals
• Subjects: Fiction > Narrative literature; Humanities, art, music > Linguistics and literary studies > General and comparative literary studies; English, LITERARY CRITICISM / Poetry, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Phenomenology, PHILOSOPHY / Movements / Existentialism, LITERARY CRITICISM / Modern / 20th Century, Literary studies: poetry & poets, Literary studies: from c 1900 -, Literary studies: fiction, novelists & prose writers, Literary studies: fiction, novelists and prose writers, Literary studies: c 1900 to c 2000, Phenomenology & Existentialism, Literary studies: poetry and poets, Phenomenology and Existentialism, LITERARY CRITICISM / Novel as Form