The literature of the second half of the twentieth century is characterised by a tension between conservatism and innovation.
This Companion examines the key writers and genres that explore this idea, including the postmodern novels of Julian Barnes, Angela Carter and Graham Swift, the modern lyrics of Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath and Stevie Smith, and the inventive dramas of Samuel Beckett, Caryl Churchill and Tom Stoppard. Chapters focussing on “Nostalgia and Nationality”, “Class and Education” and “Sex and Identity” etc. provide important historical and social context, and combine with a range of key critical approaches to provide an indispensable guide to the era. Author: William May. (299 pages) Level: Gymnasiet (esp. A)
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York Notes Companions:
- Analysis of key texts and debates
- Extended commentaries provide further in-depth analysis of individual texts
- Notes contain extra context and explanations of literary terms
- Historical, social and cultural contexts explored in introductory chapters and alongside discussions
- Modern critical theory and perspectives in practice
- Timelines and annotated further reading
CONTENTS:
Part One: Introduction.
Part Two: A Cultural Overview
Part Three: Texts, Writers and Contexts
The moral novel: William Golding, Iris Murdoch, Muriel Spark
Extended commentary: Iris Murdoch, The Black Prince (1978)
The postmodern novel: Julian Barnes, Angela Carter, Graham Swift
Extended commentary: Angela Carter, Nights at the Circus (1984)
The modern lyric: Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath, Stevie Smith
Extended commentary: Stevie Smith, ‘Thoughts about the Person from Porlock’ (1962)
The bardic line: Tony Harrison, Seamus Heaney, Ted Hughes
Extended commentary: Tony Harrison, V. (1985)
Social dramas: Edward Bond, Caryl Churchill, John Osborne
Extended commentary: Caryl Churchill, Cloud Nine (1979)
New stages: Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard
Extended commentary: Harold Pinter, The Room(1960)
Part Four: Critical Theories and Debates
Nostalgia and nationality
Immigrants and exiles
Class and education
Sex and identity
Part Five: References and resources
Timeline
Further reading
Index