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The novels of Paul Auster. / Gareth Wyn Curtis
Swansea University Author: Gareth Wyn Curtis
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Abstract
"This thesis offers a critical study of Auster's novels, explicating individual novels from Auster's canon and draws out the core theme that runs throughout his work, which is given a sharper focus in that specific text. Chapter 1, addresses The Invention of Solitude. Auster's mo...
| Published: |
2001
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Master of Philosophy |
| Degree name: | M.Phil |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa42454 |
| Abstract: |
"This thesis offers a critical study of Auster's novels, explicating individual novels from Auster's canon and draws out the core theme that runs throughout his work, which is given a sharper focus in that specific text. Chapter 1, addresses The Invention of Solitude. Auster's most important work. I focus on how this novel serves as source material for the rest of Auster's literary career. Considerable time is devoted to looking at Auster's ideas concerning space for expression and ontological exploration. I address Auster's ideas concerning causality and the way in which he views linguistics as a paradigm for reality, causality and memory. Chapter 2 focuses on The New York Trilogv and Auster's explorations of masculinity and self-identity. I also focus on the self-conscious and experimental aspects of the text. In Chapter 3,1 consider In the Country of Last Things, Auster's extended letter from a post-nuclear apocalypse society. I focus on the themes of hunger, isolation, disintegration and how Auster addresses his Jewish identity. Moon Palace provides my focus for a discussion on Auster's critique of America in Chapter 4. I trace how he uses and subverts American history, politics and literature, asserting a personal particular narrative over them. In Chapter 5,1 address Auster's most political novel Leviathan. It includes Auster's core themes off doubling, space, ontology, causality and genealogy, but focuses more on political impotency, psychology, authentic representation and the culture of consumption. In Chapter 6,1 write about what I consider Auster's lesser novels- The Music of Chance and Mr. Vertigo. I consider in this chapter why these novels are comparative failures, place them in the context of Auster's career and consider their motivations. Finally, in my concluding Chapter "Meaning. No Meaning." I summarise all the conclusions from my chapters and draw together all my critical findings, interpret and anlalyse them." |
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| Keywords: |
American literature. |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |