Between self and society
Subtitle: inner worlds and outer limits in the British psychological novel
By: John Rodden
Edition: First edition.
Series: Literary modernism series; Literary modernism series
Publisher: University of Texas Press
Published: 2015
Place of publication: Austin
Language: eng
Number of pages: 235
ISBN-13: 9780292756083; 9780292756090; 9780292756106
Subjects: Social psychology and literature; English fiction; Social aspects; English Psychological fiction; History and criticism; Psychological aspects; Psychology in literature
Description: "Between Self and Society explores the psychosocial dramas that galvanize six major British novels written between the eighteenth and twentieth centuries. The book challenges an influential misconception that has for too long hindered appreciation of the psychological novel. John Rodden argues that there should be no simplifying antithesis between psychological, "inner" conflicts (within the mind or "soul") and institutional, "outer" conflicts (within family, class, community). Instead, it is the overarching, dramatic--yet often tortuous--relations between self and society that demand our attention. Rodden presents fresh interpretations of an eclectic group of prose fiction classics, including Tobias Smollett's The Adventures of Roderick Random, William Godwin's Caleb Williams, Thomas Hardy's The Mayor of Casterbridge, Ford Madox Ford's The Good Soldier, Wyndham Lewis's Tarr, and D. H. Lawrence's Women in Love. Far from being merely admirable experiments, let alone daring though interesting failures, these fictions are shown to possess aesthetic unity, stylistic consistency, and psychic force. Between Self and Society thus impels our careful reconsideration of novels that represent major artistic achievements, yet have been either unjustly neglected or appreciated in limiting ways that do injustice to their psychological aspects. Rodden's vibrant discussion invites an upward revaluation of these works and encourages the full recognition of their value and significance in British literary history." --
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and idnex.
Table of contents: title: Smollett's Roderick Random : in love with Narcissa; title: Godwin's Caleb Williams : "A half-told and mangled tale"; title: Hardy's The mayor of Casterbridge : the infernal triangle; title: Ford's The good soldier : movements of the heart; title: Lewis's Tarr : portraits of the failed artist; title: Lawrence's Women in love : the role of miss "Dawington".