The Pursuit of Selfhood in the Novels of Graham Greene.

Abstract

The pursuit of selfhood in Graham Greene's novels emerges from a radical dichotomy between mind and feelings, resulting in the dominance of the mind. The mentalized individual conjures up an ideal or child-like universe at defiance with the absurd nature of reality. From such a limited vision, the evils in Greene's fictional universe proceed. Beginning with Greene's own entrapment in idealism, this study traces through eighteen novels, the recognition of the flawed and absurd universe in Greene's fiction, the importance of emotional and temporal flux, and the difficult emergence of love, which finally gives coherence to the self. The discussion also looks in its course at the divided individual in his various guises as the child-man, the idealist, the Berkeleyan egoist, and the comedian. Where it does not interfere with thematic grouping, the novels have been analyzed in chronological order. This study implicitly proposes that one single broad vision governs Green's didactic purpose throughout his career.