Twentieth Century English Novelists: The Trend Setters

This monograph stipulates an in-depth exploration of the works and doctrines of distinguished preceptors of twentieth century English fiction namely, E.M. Forster, James Joyce, Virginia Woolf, D.H. Lawrence, George Orwell, William Golding and Graham Greene. The chief motif purports to converge focus on the efforts made by these novelists in enabling the tradition of fiction in English to enter into a new century. Forster’s symbolism, Joyce’s epiphany, Woolf’s psychological technique, Lawrence’s Oedipus Complex, Orwell’s Utopia, Golding’s vision of a golden age and Greene’s moral and religious allegories are ingredients freshening and widening the scope of contemporary English fiction. The pioneering work of these novelists has been highlighted, their theories of art analysed concentrating on the applicability to their writings. The twentieth century witnessed sundry convulsions while the novelists not only reflected the changing scenario through suitable themes but also engendered a wide variety of novels with innovative efforts either in technique or in design. The writings of these trend-setters embody symptoms of continuing vitality leaving behind an inexhaustible trail for a long time to come. Realism and the tendency of bold experiments keeps the genre of English fiction revitalised thereby sustaining it to flourish, grow and progress. The book has been designed to suit all kinds of respondents: the general reader in particular who would feel contented merely with a brief introduction about the works of the various authors and also the student who may prefer to undertake a broad critical study of the author and his works before embarking on a detailed study.