Beschreibung:
An investigation of the roots of twentieth century pessimism as reflected in major European novels. Swift, Conrad, Thomas Mann, Orwell and Golding are linked through this analysis which is seen to stem from a violent reaction in literature against the axioms and assumptions of its predecessor.
Introduction - the dark epiphany; "Gulliver's Travels" - looking into the pool; "Heart of Darkness" - a choice of nightmares; "Death in Venice" - the boons of chaos; "Nineteen Eighty-Four - the insufficient self; "The Fall" - living in the little ease; "Lord of the Flies" - Beelzebub's boys.